Swami Sivananda's teachings are the inspiration behind the teachings of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, founded by Swami Vishnu-devananda, one of Master Sivananda 's main disciples and sent by him to the West in 1957 to teach Classical Yoga and Vedanta. The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm is an integral branch of this International organization. Swami Sivananda is considered the SatGuru of the organization, the Master of Yoga in our contemporary times who revived the classical teachings and made the Synthesis of Yoga accessible to the West through his disciples.
Born September 8, 1887, to an illustrious family in Tamil Nadu, South India, he displayed spiritual tendencies even as a young boy. As a young man he channeled divine force for the service of humanity. For this reason, he became a medical doctor and served the poor in Malaysia for many years. He also edited a health journal and wrote extensively on many health issues. He had, even then, the feeling that medicine could not treat all the ills of humanity.
He eventually gave up his medical career and took to a life of renunciation. He returned to India and spent a year wandering before settling in Rishikesh, Himalayas, in 1924. There he practiced intense austerities. The young man found his guru, Swami Vishwananda, and was initiated into sannyas (monkhood), with the name Swami Sivananda Saraswati.
For the next seven years, Swami Sivananda spent most of his time in meditation. Yet even during this period he served the sick in a small medical clinic, which he established.
Wherever he went, he conducted sankirtan (chanting), delivered lectures and taught people how to keep strong and healthy by practicing yoga asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and kriyas (cleansing exercises). Above all he exhorted his audience to strive constantly for spiritual development.The Ashram in Rishikesh
In Rishikesh, meanwhile, an increasing number of disciples began to congregate and an ashram grew up around him.
In 1932, he started the Sivananda Ashram; in 1936 the Divine Life Society was born. The Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy was organized in 1948. Dissemination of spiritual knowledge and the training of people in Yoga and Vedanta was his aim.
He spread the knowledge far and large through the works of his disciples and his 200-300 books in english detailing the methods and techniques of the Divine Life and Self Realization. The Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm Boutique holds many of these priceless books for sale.
Swami Sivananda's life was a radiant example of service to humanity, both during his years as a doctor and later as a world-renowned jivanmukta (liberated sage). To serve all, to love all, to mix with all and to see God in all beings were the ideals that he taught and lived by.
Swami Sivananda's teaching crystallized the basic tenets of all religions, combining all yoga paths into one—the Yoga of Synthesis. He made the teaching accessible to all, encapsulating it in the simple motto:
"Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize".
Swami Sivananda's life was a shining example of the ideal of selfless service, of karma yoga. To Swami Sivananda, all work was sacred; no task was too menial. He searched tirelessly for opportunities to serve and to help others, never postponing what needed to be done.
Swami Sivananda was the author of three hundred books. He had disciples around the world, belonging to all nationalities, religions, and creeds.
Swami Sivananda entered mahasamadhi (left his physical body) on July 14, 1963.
