Swami Sivananda: A Blend of Science and Spirituality
Spirituality
By Dr Mohunlall Soowamber
Born on September 8, 1887, Swami Sivananda was a doctor who manifested such divine qualities that he came to be regarded as a saint. He led a life of selfless love and service, exemplifying these values in his personal life.
In 1936, Swamiji founded the Divine Life Society and wrote over 300 books on various topics, ranging from the conquest of the mind to sure ways for success in life and God-realization. In 1945, he also founded the All-World Religious Federation with the objective of bringing all faiths together, proposing that each person should fully develop within their own faith.
Swami Ventatesananda seen here with his Guru, Swami Sivananda (right)
He expressed his views and insights on various spheres of life through his seminars and travels.
Education
To him, education was not mere intellectual achievement but the development of moral and spiritual qualities. He believed in the importance of balancing knowledge with wisdom, learning to discriminate between the projections of the senses and the spirit within, integrating science with philosophy, and inquiring into the values and nature of things.
Swamiji regarded culture as something lively, not abstract. Its vitality is transmitted from age to age through the discipline of the head, heart, and hand. Cultures may differ, but the core elements remain the same, even as they absorb new ones over time.
Yoga Asanas
Swamiji emphasized the need to practise yoga asanas to maintain good health and energy. To achieve peace of mind, he taught various ways to control the mind through prayer, meditation, self-control, and introspection.
He used to say, “The world is a mela (festival) for two days, life is a bubble for two seconds” and “Give, give, give — this is the secret of abundance.”
Swami used simple ways to communicate life’s lessons. He introduced eighteen “ities,” which, when practised, allow a devotee to attain immortality: Serenity, Regularity, Absence of Vanity, Sincerity, Simplicity, Veracity, Equanimity, Fixity, Non-Irritability, Adaptability, Humility, Tenacity, Integrity, Nobility, Magnanimity, Charity, Generosity, and Purity.
Being a disciple of Swami Sivananda, Swami Venkatesananda taught yoga and spread the message of universal love and service in Mauritius starting in the 1960s. The Sivananda Ashram in Rose Hill, built in the 1960s, stands as a place of worship for all Mauritians. Mr Krylov Ramtohul, former Postmaster General, has been a pillar of strength in keeping the Ashram active in spreading Swamiji’s messages.
The legacy of Swami Sivananda is one of unity amidst diversity, love amidst ill will, truth and nonviolence amidst turbulence, and a sense of hope for all of us who crave a peaceful society.
Mauritius Times Online Friday 6 September 2024
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