Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1999 10:35:04 -0600 (CST)
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <dlshq@...>
To: The Divine Life Family <dlshq@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-Day (146)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We uploaded an article by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj for this
month's discourse. The title of the discourse is "Waste Not This Rare
Human Birth". In this article Gurudev motivates us to finish our journey
quickly by engaging in Sadhana. This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/nov99.htm

I have attached below a letter from Swami Prananvaswarupananda &
Brahmachari Satyajeet, Sri Swami Chidanandaji's personal assistants.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

Blessed Devotees,

     With folded hands we are making a special request to everyone.

     All of you from around the globe who have come into contact with our
Beloved Masters, Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and Pujya Swami Chidanandaji
Maharaj, have had many real life experiences with them. Everyone has had
their own personal experiences, many of which have revealed the ultimate
truth, the ultimate goal of human life, or brought about a spectacular
spiritual enlightenment, or brought vivid changes to your life in many
different ways.

     We all know how precious each moment spent with Gurudev & Swamiji Maharaj
is to all of us. Imagine how inspiring it would be if these divine
experiences, drawn from our own lives, were put into words and compiled into
a book form! It would become an everlasting spiritual companion to one and
all of us--the Sivananda family, as well as to all spiritual seekers and
aspirants.

     We would appreciate very much if all of you could put them into words and
send them to us. We will start compiling them and bring them out in book
form.

     There can be many ways of putting them down; for example--narrating how
you came into contact with Gurudev or Swamiji Maharaj. What was the impact of
your first encounter with them? How the turning point came in your life which
remains unchanged till now. We have mentioned a few things only to give an
idea. You all can relate them as you wish.

     Please send your experiences to the following address by mail:

     Swami Prananvaswarupananda/Brahmachari Satyajeet
     Sivananda Ashram, Sivananda Nagar, Muni-Ki-Reti
     PIN-249 192, Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttar Pradesh, India

This project belongs to all of us. We all need to try to do our level best to
complete this noble task. Thanking you, with regards Prem and Om,

     Yours in service of our Loving Master,

     Swami Prananvaswarupananda
     Brahmachari Satyajeet
     Guru Niwas
     Sivananda Ashram
     email:  dlshq@...
     Vani@...

-----------------------------------------------------

FALSE DISPASSION: The Master was proceeding to the office. An old man in
whom the sense of sight and hearing was slowly diminishing and who lived
in Rishikesh, came for Darshan.

The Master greeted him and offered him a chair.

"How are you? Are you getting on well?" the Master kindly enquired.

"Quite well, Swamiji. Nowadays I have no inclination for anything,
Swamiji. I never go out of my cottage. I partake of a little food, study
the Ramayana and keep quiet. This is my daily routine. No craving, no
attachment-nothing," the old man replied in a tone indicating as if he
had achieved everything!

The Master gave him some prasad and fruit, after which the old man took
leave.

"No sight, no hearing, so the body is not in a condition to move out of
his cottage. Now he says he has no attachment and craving! Wonderful
philosophy indeed!" the Master remarked with a naughty smile on his face!

-----------------------------------------------------

"God is everywhere. Feel this presence of GOD wherever you go. God is
nearer to you than your very breath. Set apart some fixed hour for daily
prayer and worship. Meditate regularly. Be calm and serene. Repeat the
sacred name always. You will doubtlessly attain DIVINE GRACE." - Swami
Chidananda


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Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 11:18:57 -0600 (CST)
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <dlshq@...>
To: The Divine Life Family <dlshq@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (147)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

I am glad to inform all devotees that our Guru Maharaj, Sri Swami
Chidanandaji Maharaj, has been selected as 'Hindu of the Year for 1999' by
Hinduism Today magazine. Hinduism Today said, "It is for his purity and
unflagging efforts to spread far and wide the deepest wisdom of Sanatana
Dharma that Swami Chidanandaji is proudly declared Hindu of the Year
1999." This announcement was made in the December 1999 issue of Hinduism
Today. In this issue there is a short article about Guru Maharaj followed
by a message by Guru Maharaj on how to rise above the senses. This issue
also has a two page interview with Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj on many
issues such as the life of Swami Sivanandaji, corporal punishment of
children, India today, etc. If you do not subscribe to Hinduism Today but
would like to get a copy of this issue, you may want to contact Hinduism
Today. Their website is at:
http://www.hinduismtoday.kauai.hi.us/htoday.html

We have uploaded a book by Guru Maharaj titled "A Guide To Noble Living".
This small book of the Life Spiritual answers questions such as to what
the real purpose of life is, what the meaning of true Yoga is, what the
spirit of true renunciation is, and how to start with virtue, pass
through holiness and culminate in Godliness. This book can be downloaded
from our free books page at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

I have attached below a Diwali message from Swami Ramaswarupanandaji.
There is more information about Diwali at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/deepavali.htm
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/yajna.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

HAPPY NEW YEAR Holy Diwali

What is the significance of a NEW YEAR for a spiritual aspirant?

Are we real spiritual SADHAKS ?

A NEW YEAR for a real spiritual aspirant means one step further in the
journey towards experience of the supreme Reality.

A real spiritual Sadhak means one who is trying to realise his essential
nature as Supreme Reality, through devotion, dispassion, discrimination
and regular meditation combined with Guru Seva.

A NEW YEAR means a look backward but learning to go forward.

Has anybody seen a New Year?  Either every day is a New Year or there
is no New Year. EVERY SUN RISE IS A NEW SUN RISE.

Time is running out. Be up and doing.

This is A CALL TO LIBERATION *
Let us PONDER THESE TRUTHS *
Let us have a NEW BEGINNING *

Swami Ramaswarupananda
( Swami Ramaswarupananda )

* These are three books of H.H. Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.
Go through them regularly. Your spiritual Life will be greatly benefited.
Many books available free : http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org

Pannir's note: Please go to the following site for a greeting card from
Swami Ramaswarupanandaji:
http://www1.bluemountain.com/cards/box6993m/syz4gttzymrpwi.htm

-----------------------------------------------------

LOVING CORRECTION: When the Master reached the office it was 10 a.m. Sri
X. appeared with letters for his signature.

"Ohji, whenever you write letters, write sweetly. Do not give a cut and
dry reply," the Master advised him.

"Yes, Swamiji, I will do so."

"You will do so? How many times have I not told you about this? Still you
don't try to correct yourself. Very well, take this sweetmeat."

Sri X. took a piece of the sweetmeat and tasted it.

"How is it? Very sweet?"

"Yes, Swamiji, it is very sweet."

"After all, this sweetmeat is insentient. Yet see how much happiness it
gives to man. You are a human being with an intellect. How much more
happiness should you not give to others through your words and actions!"
the Master mildly reproached him.

Sri X. felt a little hurt.

Immediately the Master turned to a visitor, "You know, this Swamiji
translates all my articles and sends them to various vernacular magazines.
He is very energetic and sincere."

Sri X.'s face again became normal!

"All right, take one more sweetmeat. Your next letter must be sweeter than
this sweetmeat. You can go now. Om Namah Shivaya."

-----------------------------------------------------

"Serve everyone selflessly. Adore God daily. Love all mankind. Feel
spiritual kinship, brotherhood and unity with one and all. Practise
Truthfulness, maintain Purity, be kind and compassionate. Share, Give,
Help. Have silent meditation. This way worship the UNIVERSAL SPIRIT.
Sincerely strive for Spiritual Perfection and God Experience. This is
your Highest Good.

Dear friend, know well that GOD is HERE, NOW even as you READ this line!"
- Swami Chidananda


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Date: Fri, 19 Nov 1999 10:11:27 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (148)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Yesterday an appeal was sent to all devotees for the reconstruction of
Chidananda Hermitage Shanti Ashram (CHSA) at Puri. Swami
Ramaswarupanandaji has mentioned that CHSA can be adopted by
organizations. Those who are interested in adopting CHSA may contact
Swami Ramaswarupanandaji at ramaswarup@... for further details.

Hinduism Today has kindly given us permission to post the articles on
Guru Maharaj and Swami Krishnanandaji at our website. I have scanned it
and posted it as Jpeg image files at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/announce.htm

Devotees in India can acquire a hardcopy of the December 1999
issue of Hinduism Today through
Central News Agency,
23/90 Connaught Circus
110001  New Delhi
INDIA
FAX:  91-11-752-6036
Office:  91-11-336-4448
E-mail:  info@...

The Divine Life Society of Maryland has uploaded their latest newsletter
(October-December 1999), Heart of Sivananda. This latest issue focuses
on
Lord Jesus and His teachings. The introductory letter by Swami
Gurudevananda
Mataji recounts a wonderful Christmas celebration with Guru Maharaj in
1978
in Weston, Connecticut, USA. This newsletter can be downloaded from
http://www.dlsmd.com/newsletters/newslett.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

WHEN GOD'S GRACE COMES: A blind man who was sitting in a corner
approached
the Master and prostrated to him.

"Swamiji, by your Grace I am able to sing and play the violin also.
I have none in this world to look after me. You are my only solace now.
I pray for thy blessings," the blind man politely requested the Master
with folded hands.

Immediately he was admitted as an inmate of the Ashram.

Someone remarked that he knew by heart all the ten Upanishads and the
whole of the Bhagavad Gita.

"Is it not a blessing, Swamiji, that he has such talents even though
he is blind?" asked Sri Rejomal, a devotee from Indonesia.

"Yes, it is God's Grace. When you get quite helpless, God's Grace comes
to your rescue," the Master replied.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Charity covers multitude of sins. Do regular charity. Merely giving a
few rupees in charity occasionally when you are in distress, is not
praiseworthy." - Swami Sivananda


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Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 23:09:25 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (149)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Last week I wasn't clear on the form of payment to be sent to The Divine
Life Society in response to Swami Chidanandaji's appeal for help for
victims of the cyclone in Orissa (refer to:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/branches/chs.htm#urgent). Hence I
reproduce below a more detailed description of the form of payments
acceptable to the Ashram:

The donations may be sent by British Postal Order or US Postal Order,
crossed and endorsed to 'The Divine Life Society', or by International
Postal Money Order, or Bank Draft. Please do not send cash, local
currencies or personal cheques.

We have uploaded several articles on religions of the world and an
article on the life of Tibet's great Yogi, Milarepa, by Gurudev Sri
Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. The articles are:

Zoroastrianism
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/zoroastrianism.htm

Taoism
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/taoism.htm

Confucianism
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/confucianism.htm

Shintoism
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/shintoism.htm

Milarepa
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/milarepa.htm

In regards to helping feed the hungry in Orissa (and around the world)
devotees can also help provide a simple meal for a hungry person daily
by just clicking on the button at the websites listed below (on a daily
basis). This is a service paid for by corporate sponsors.

1) For the hungry in Orissa:
http://www.causeanaffect.org/

2) For the hungry around the world:
http://www.thehungersite.com/

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

FOLLOW THE GOLDEN MEAN: At the night Satsang, Sri Franz Von Poncet, an
aspirant from South Africa, who had been staying at the Ashram for the
past five months, came to the Master to get some prasad from his hands.

He looked so lean that one could even count his ribs. He avoided taking
even the necessary food and meditated all the time.

Noticing his poor health the Master advised him, "Ohji, you must take
care of your health. You should eat well. Torturing the body is not
Yoga. You will become so weak that you will not be able to sit for
meditation. The Gita says that Yoga is not for one who eats too much nor
for one who does not eat at all. So do not go to extremes. Be moderate.
Follow the golden mean. Eat well. Do some exercise both morning and
evening. In no way is this going to obstruct your meditation. Asanas and
exercise, on the other hand, will help your meditation."

-----------------------------------------------------

"Great things have small beginnings. All growth is gradual. To be
perfectly unperturbed, by anything, in all circumstances, looking upon
all things as passing phenomena, ever feeling a distinct, silent witness
to all the experiences of life--these are the marks of a spiritual
aspirant." - Swami Sivananda


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Date: Fri, 03 Dec 1999 19:54:31 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (150)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We uploaded an article by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj
for this month's discourse. The title of the discourse is "Does The Guru
Ever Die?". In this article Guru Maharaj explains how the Guru lives
even after his physical passing. This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/dec99.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

TRUE SILENCE: A young Sannyasin came to the Master and received some
books. He pointed to a particular book and made some signs with his
hands. Nobody understood what he meant. Then he took a slate and wrote
that he was observing silence and wanted the Master's autograph in the
book.

The Master turned to him, "Ohji, leave off this kind of silence. Silence
the mind. That is more important."

Suddenly the Master started showing some signs and gestures with his
hands and acted like one who was observing silence!

All enjoyed the joke and burst into laughter but no one could understand
what he meant.

Then the Master himself explained, "A Sadhu who was observing silence
stood in front of a house. He wanted a cup of milk and for this purpose
made all kinds of signs as I showed you just now. What a waste of
energy! What is the use of observing this kind of silence? Instead of
saying in just one word that he wanted milk, he would struggle for
several minutes to make someone understand what he wanted, thus wasting
his own time and energy as well as that of the other person.

"One should silence the mind and thoughts, silence the bubbling
emotions. This is real observance of silence."

-----------------------------------------------------

" Self-restraint is a gain, rather than a loss. It is to be possessed of
larger values and meanings and satisfactions and delights than the ones
we are now acquainted with in this world. So, the senses need not be
awed at this suggestion of restraint. If you lose one dollar, the
consequence of that loss would be the gaining of one million dollars, as
in a lottery wherein you may lose one dollar because you purchased a
ticket, but may gain one million. The gain of one million is a greater
satisfaction than the sorrow caused by the loss of one. Actually, there
is no loss of even one dollar. That, too, would be to say very little.
It is all gain, positive, throughout." - Swami Krishnananda


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Date: Tue, 07 Dec 1999 09:15:11 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Newsgroups: alt.religion.hindu, alt.meditation, alt.yoga
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (151)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by blessed and worshipful Gurudev Sri Swami
Sivanandaji Maharaj. The title of the book is "Light, Power and Wisdom".
This small book is a boon. It is your pocket Guru, handy friend,
invigorating tonic and soft goad. The flaming words of Sage Sivananda
are stored in this unique treasure-trove for you to take the fullest
advantage of. Every word is directly addressed to you. Every page is
filled with Divine Light, Power and Wisdom. The spiritual aspirant will
find that this handy volume is more indispensable to him than his
eye-sight; walking the path to the great Goal, through the darkness that
is Samsara he needs Light to overcome the obstacles on the Path; to
sustain his continuous vigilance, to resist temptations and to march
vigorously forward, he needs Power; to save him from error, to keep the
flame of discrimination burning bright, and to enable him to realise his
own essential nature, he needs Wisdom. They are found in this volume.
This book can be downloaded from our free books page at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

A LESSON IN VEDANTA: The Master was going through a manuscript. Suddenly
he turned to Swami Lalitananda, an American disciple.

"Can you doubt the doubter?" he asked her.

"Yes... Swamiji," she replied hesitatingly.

"You have failed. Now the next question. I will see whether you get pass
marks now. They say that everything is an illusion, that this whole
world is unreal, a mere illusion. If everything is an illusion, Brahman
also is an illusion. How can you say that Brahman alone is real? Is this
correct?"

"Brahman is beyond illusion," Lalitananda replied.

"No, that is not the correct answer. There must be a substratum for an
illusory snake. That substratum is the rope. So the rope cannot be an
illusion. So also, Brahman is the substratum for this illusory world.
The world alone is an illusion and not the substratum, Brahman. Brahman
is real. Moreover, the one who denies everything else as an illusion
cannot himself be denied; he exists. Therefore, Brahman is real and this
world is unreal. It is superimposed on Brahman. Understood, Swami
Lalitanandaji?"

-----------------------------------------------------

"Spiritual life is not an idle talk. It is actual living in the Atman.
It is a transcendental experience of unalloyed bliss. It is a life of
fullness and perfection." - Swami Sivananda


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Date: Sun, 12 Dec 1999 03:25:55 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Newsgroups: alt.meditation, alt.religion.hindu, alt.yoga
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (152)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by blessed and worshipful Gurudev Sri Swami
Sivanandaji Maharaj. The title of the book is "What Becomes of the Soul
After Death". Here is a book which will answer many questions about life
beyond death. It has among others instructions on how to ensure the
peace of the  soul of our dear ones who have passed on. It also has many
stories of people who were able to recollect memories of their past
lives (including the famous story of Shanti Devi). The table of contents
page of this book will reveal the depth of this book. A very absorbing
book indeed. This book can be downloaded from our free books page at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

The following have been uploaded to Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site:
1) The Concept of God in Hinduism
2) Hymn to the Mighty God
3) Part IV of Essays in Life and Eternity

All the above pages are linked from Sri Swamiji's homepage at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

THE MASTER'S TEST!: A Sadhu came and stood before the Master with a
kamandalu (water-pot) in his hand. He went on repeating, "Sivoham,
Sivoham."

Whenever he repeated "Sivoham" (I am Shiva), the Master said, "Dasoham'
(I am the servant).

The Sadhu continued his repetition.

The Master called to Satyagyanam and ordered him, "Ohji, take away the
water-pot from that Sadhu!"

Satyagyanam approached him but the Sadhu at once said, holding the
water-pot with a firm grasp, "Maharaj, this water-pot is my life. I
cannot part with it!"

"See! The true colour of 'Sivoham' has now come out! Ohji, don't say
'Sivoham', say 'kamandaluham'!" the Master smilingly said.

All burst into laughter!

-----------------------------------------------------

"What is life: Some say life is a struggle. Some say life is worship.
Others think life is a vale of tears. But what exactly is the basic
definition of life? Life is nothing but Time. It is an existence between
two terminals - coming into birth and shedding of the body. In whatever
way this period is spent, this period is exhausted. This process of
exhausting a period is life. What does it actually consist of? Time
wasted or utilised? What is time made up? Time is made up of seconds,
hours, days, months and years. Life is an aggregate of moments.
There­fore, it is a most important treasure that man has got in his
pos­session. It is greater than a diamond. Without this, all the
teasures of these worlds are nothing. Therefore, the most precious thing
we have got is time. The proper utilisation of time is the best purpose
of life." - Swami Chidananda


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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 17:01:39 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (153)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji. The
title of the book is "Lectures on Raja Yoga". This book consists of
lectures on the Yoga of meditation given in very simple language
avoiding technical terms as far as possible. They are easy to understand
as they were originally addressed to a group of persons who were
strangers to Indian philosophical thoughts and the subject of
Yoga-Darshana. This book can be downloaded from our free books page at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

We have also uploaded the biographies of Sri Swami Madhavanandaji
Maharaj (Vice-President of The Divine Life Society) and Sri Swami
Dayanandaji Maharaj (Treasurer of The Divine Life Society). The
biographies are at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/madhavananda.htm
and
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/dayananda.htm

The dates for spiritual fasts and festivals for the first three months
of the year 2000 have been added to our spiritual calendar. The calendar
is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/calendar.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

THE MIND EXPLAINED: "Krishna, today you prepared the dishes very well.
Oh! What wonderful curd preparation you provided! Krishna, how do I know
the taste of this curd preparation? Can you tell me?"

"Through your tongue, Swamiji."

"No, listen to what happens. See, first I take a little and put it on
the tip of my tongue. The tongue conveys this news to the mind. The mind
is the lawyer; it takes the information to the intellect. The intellect
is the judge. Behind the intellect there is the supreme court judge--the
Lord--who is existence, bliss and knowledge. He gives the power to the
intellect, the mind and the tongue to decide the taste of anything.

"Therefore, the Lord gives to the tongue the power of tasting, to the
mind the power of thinking, and to the intellect the power of
determining. Have you heard this before? Have you understood now?"

"Swamiji, this is the first time I have understood it in this manner."

-----------------------------------------------------

"The source for all good and happiness, the basis for all virtue and
prosperity, is the religion of love. This is thy final centre of repose
and undying peace. Kindle this light in thy heart, for this is the
immediate way to the Kingdom of God." - Swami Sivananda


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Date: Mon, 03 Jan 2000 12:40:04 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (154)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

The Global International Divine Life Society Conference came to a
conclusion yesterday (Jan. 2). It was indeed a wonderful event with
approximately 3,700 devotees from around the world attending. Guru
Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji graced us with his presence eight times
during the 4 day conference. Guru Maharaj has asked all of us to very
earnestly work for Peace in this New Millennium. He expounded on the
dire need for Peace during two of his discourses and it was the main
theme in his final discourse at the conference. Guru Maharaj said that
nothing successful can be undertaken unless Peace prevails. Please visit
the website of the Peace Council of which Guru Maharaj is a member and
extend all the help that you can. The website of the Peace Council is:
http://www.peacecouncil.org/

During the conference many books and booklets were released. One among
them is a reprint of the popular Sivananda Daily Readings which was
compiled by Sri Swami Venkatesanandaji and had been out of print for a
long time. Another is a new book by Guru Maharaj titled Awake! Realise
Your Divinity. This publication is the follow up to the two other widely
acclaimed volumes of Guru Maharaj's early morning meditation talks, i.e.
Ponder These Truths and A Call to Liberation. The talks in the new book
were given by Guru Maharaj on sacred days of worship. Another book,
Chidananda Hoon, which was released on October 20th, 1999 was also
available. This book is a 'grand pictorial' of Guru Maharaj. This book
will be a delight for devotees as they feast their heart and eyes on the
many different expressions of the Bliss of Guru Maharaj. Also available
were many audio cassettes with talks and songs by Swami Sivananda, Swami
Chidananda and Swami Krishnananda. These audio cassettes have been
digitally mastered for superior quality. The voice of Sri Gurudev on
these cassettes are very crisp. I have not heard a better quality
production than the ones released at this Conference.

We have uploaded some photographs from the first day of the conference.
A more detailed report will be given at a later date. Please visit
http://www.divinelifesociety.org/ for message of Guru Maharaj for the
family of Gurudev Swami Sivananda as well as photographs of the
conference and information on ordering the items described above.

We have uploaded Sri Gurudev's New Year Message for this month's
discourse. This is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/jan2000.htm

A recent video clip of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj has been
uploaded to Swamiji's website. A talk by Swami Krishnanandaji titled
'Hints for the Practice of Yoga' has also been uploaded to Swamiji's
site. Swamiji's website is at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

NATURE OF THE SELF: "Shantanandaji, come here! What is the universal
disease?" the Master asked, and himself answered, "Jealousy and envy."

"How can we infer that the Self is an embodiment of bliss?"

And again he himself answered, "You like a mango because it gives you
pleasure when you eat it. Beyond everything else in this world, everyone
loves himself most. Therefore, the Self must be happiness, that is, It
must be an embodiment of eternal bliss. Om Namah Shivaya! Take this
mango. You can go now."

-----------------------------------------------------

"Know the value of time. Time is most precious. Utilise every second
profitably. Live every moment of your life for the realisation of your
ideal and goal. Do not procrastinate. That 'tomorrow' will never come.
Now or never. Abandon idle gossiping. Kill egoism, laziness and inertia.
Forget the past. A glorious and brilliant future is awaiting you." -
Swami Sivananda


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Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2000 11:08:53 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Newsgroups: alt.meditation, alt.religion.hindu, alt.yoga
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (155)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a brief biography of Sri Swami Devanandaji who recently
left his mortal coil. Swamiji's biography is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/devananda.htm

The Brahma Sutras (3rd edition, 672 pgs.) and Raja Yoga (3rd edition,
224 pgs.) with text, word-to-word meaning, translation and commentary by
Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj has recently been released. Both
these books are currently available from the headquarters in India.
Please visit the following page for ordering information:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books.htm
I am not sure if the distributors abroad are already carrying them.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

TRUTH IS ONE: Sri Nagarajan from Dehra Dun came with his family for the
Master's Darshan. A young boy, a relative of Sri Nagarajan, who played
the mridangam well, was in the group.

"Who is this young boy?" the Master enquired of Sri Nagarajan.

"He is the brother of Shyama, Swamiji, who came here and gave a dance
performance last year."

Then Nagarajan introduced an old man as his father-in-law and said that
the latter was the grandfather of this young boy.

"The same person that you call father-in-law the boy calls grandfather,
and to your wife he is a father. Similarly, the one omnipotent,
omnipresent and omniscient Lord is called Hari by one, Brahman by
another, Father in Heaven by a third person, and Allah by a fourth. The
person is the same but the names are different; God is one, Truth is
one, but He is called by so many Names."

-----------------------------------------------------

"Generally, spiritual seekers make the mistake of imagining that God is
outside the world and the world has to be rejected in spiritual
pursuits. This is an inadequate view because the world is the glory of
God, as light is the glory of the Sun and light cannot be disassociated
from the Sun. The values and glories and the abundances of this vast
Creation cannot be separated from God, the Almighty, even in our love
for God." - Swami Krishnananda


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Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 12:00:43 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Newsgroups: alt.meditation, alt.religion.hindu, alt.yoga
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (156)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book titled Miracles of Sivananda. This book consists
of a collection of letters by devotees of Gurudev in which they
recollect their experiences of the miracles of Gurudev in their lives.
There is also an article by Gurudev titled The Mystery About Miracles in
this book. This book can be downloaded from our free books page at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

Devotees are kindly reminded to send in their experiences with Gurudev
Sri Swami Sivanandaji and Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji to Guru
Maharaj's personal assistants. Details are at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/request.htm

The following articles have been uploaded to Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's
site:
1) On Reason and Higher Life (A letter addressed in reply to certain
questions from a modernistic mind)
2) Sun - The Eye of the World (A talk delivered during Makara
Sankranti)

The above pages are linked from Sri Swamiji's homepage at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

HARD AND SOFT HEART: The Master said to Sri Nitya Kumari Rani of Nepal,
"An aspirant should develop his heart in two ways. He should be
hard-hearted as well as soft-hearted. He should be hard-hearted when he
has to stick to his principles, when he has to stick to a particular
aim; but the same hard heart should melt in compassion when he sees the
suffering of a poor man on the roadside."

-----------------------------------------------------

"To convert water into wine is not difficult. But it is difficult to
transform worldly-minded people into divine beings and put them in the
path of Yoga. This is the greatest miracle." - Swami Sivananda


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Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2000 11:56:58 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Newsgroups: alt.meditation, alt.religion.hindu, alt.yoga
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (157)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

In Memoriam of H.H. Sri Swami Devanandaji Maharaj has been posted to our
website at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/memoriamdeva.htm

We have posted some of the bookmarks which were released during the
Millennium Conference at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/multimedia/bookmarks.htm

The DLS branch directory at our website has been updated. All the
address of branches outside of India has been obtained from the branch
directory released at the Millennium Conference and posted at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/branches/branches.htm

The addresses of branches within India will be posted at a later date.
For now devotees can e-mail to me for specific locations of branches
within India.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

THE MASTER'S WIT: Professor Sahanani of Delhi came to have the Master's
Darshan in the office. He took his seat after prostrating to the Master.

"Sri Sahanani Maharaj, this is Pushpa Anand, vice-principal of a college
at Dehra Dun; this is Savitri, M.A.; this is Principal Killo of Delhi;
that is Kusum, another professor from Delhi."

The Master introduced them all to Sri Sahanani.

"Full of educationists but ignorance only everywhere!" the Master
remarked significantly.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Whereas everything else seems to proclaim the differences in God's
creation, religion is the one phenomenon which is supposed to proclaim
the truth of our oneness. We are non-different. We are children of the
One Being. Essentially, we are all one. But it is a matter of great
regret that up till now religion has failed in its global mission of
unifying man. It has emphasized the wrong factors, the changing factors.
It has emphasized the non-essentials of religious forms. It is the
Spirit that has to be emphasized, not the form. Form cannot affect the
essential unity of the Spirit within." - Swami Chidananda


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Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2000 11:24:04 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Newsgroups: alt.meditation, alt.religion.hindu, alt.yoga
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (158)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded brief biographies of three Vaishnava Acharyas
(teachers) from the Bhakti school of Vedanta. The three Acharyas are:
1) Sri Madhvacharya
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/madhva.htm
2) Sri Vallabhacharya
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/vallabha.htm
3) Sri Nimbarkacharya
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/nimbarka.htm

The biographies of the other 3 Acharyas of the Vedanta school, Sri
Sankaracharya, Sri Ramanujacharya and Sri Krishna Chaitanya Mahaprabhu,
are already on our website at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/saints.htm

A discourse by Swami Krishnanandaji titled The Principles of the
Bhagavad Gita has been posted to Swamiji's site. This article can be
accessed from:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

The Sivananda Ashram Prayer book has been posted to the DLS of
Maryland's website at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/prayers/ashramprayerbk/sivaashramprayers.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

REMEDY FOR DISEASE: A middle-aged person came to the Master.

"Swamiji, I wish to return home."

"What! Yesterday you told me you wanted to stay here, now you tell me
you want to go back. What has happened to you?"

"Swamiji, I often fall ill. I am a diseased man."

"Ohji, think that you will die at any moment, then no disease will come
to you. Further, if you possess a bank balance, you will get disease. If
you are penniless no disease will come to you."

-----------------------------------------------------

"Who is a saint? He who lives in God or the Eternal, who is free from
egoism, likes and dislikes, selfishness, vanity, mine-ness, lust, greed
and anger, who is endowed with equal vision, balanced mind, mercy,
tolerance, righteousness and cosmic love, and who has divine knowledge,
is a saint." - Swami Sivananda


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Date: Thu, 03 Feb 2000 10:14:51 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Newsgroups: alt.meditation, alt.religion.hindu, alt.yoga
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (159)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded an article by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj for
this month's discourse. The title of the discourse is "The Three Paths".
In this discourse Gurudev throws light on the paths of Jnana
(knowledge), Karma (action) and Bhakti (devotion) Yoga. This discourse
is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/feb2000.htm

A discourse by Swami Krishnanandaji titled "Foundations for an
Educational Career" has been posted to Swamiji's site. This article can
be accessed from:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

ATTAINING THE NATURAL STATE: "Swamiji, when a man realises God, how long
can he keep that realisation?" An old man approached the Master with a
question.

After a little while the Master replied, "First there will be a glimpse.
This will last for a short while. Gradually the person will get
established in that state. Eventually it will become Sahaja Avastha or
the 'natural state'."

The old man went back to his seat.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Education is not a machine to be driven by an external impulse but
constitutes a vital process which has life in it and grows of its own
accord when soul is poured into it. The bread-earning education has to
become a life-earning education, for the latter, in addition to
supplying bread, shall also supply man with a soul to live by." - Swami
Krishnananda


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Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2000 07:43:51 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Newsgroups: alt.meditation, alt.religion.hindu, alt.yoga
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (160)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded to our website an inspiring account of Sri Swami
Vishnudevanandaji with Sri Gurudev. The title of the article is "My
Years With The Master". This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/siva_vishnu.htm

The latest Newsletter (Jan-Mar 2000) of the DLS of Maryland is now
available on the web. In this issue, Swami Gurudevananda Mataji recalls
the wonderful time the Christmas retreat participants had at Lonovala
with Guru Maharaj and the message of Guru Maharaj to all of us. The
newsletter is at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/newsletters/newslett.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

VERY COMFORTABLE VEDANTA: The Master graciously turned to the devotees
and jovially remarked, "See, today is the first day of the new year. If
each one of you gives me something, yours will multiply like anything.
Come on, who comes first?"

Sri Pushpaji of Dehra Dun came forward and offered twenty rupees.

"What about you?" the Master pointed to a devotee.

"These are all Anithya Vastu (temporal), Swamiji. Why give all these
things?" she replied.

"Very comfortable Vedanta indeed! If you really feel that they are
Anithya, why don't you throw them away?" the Master remarked.

All had a hearty laugh!

-----------------------------------------------------

"Divine life is divine love. Cosmic love is divine life. Supreme
compassion towards all beings is divine life. A desire to love all and
serve all is divine life. All these divine qualities are based on the
understanding that all life is divine; that behind all life, as the
substratum of all life, there is one Divine Being. To express this
realization in daily life is divine life." - Swami Sivananda


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Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2000 20:44:55 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Newsgroups: alt.meditation, alt.religion.hindu, alt.yoga
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (161)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by worshipful Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji
Maharaj titled "Yoga in Daily Life". Gurudev describes the purpose of
this book in the following words: "For sincere spiritual aspirants
marching boldly in the spiritual field, this handy publication provides,
succinctly, innumerable practical hints. Every page abounds in much
valuable information in a condensed form. The laconic lessons contained
in this book should speak for themselves. If this proves in any way
useful to the ardent Mumukshus (seekers of liberation), the author’s
sincere endeavour to help them will be more than amply fulfilled." This
book can be downloaded from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

We would like to inform devotees that there is an error in the dates of
the Summer Sadhana Retreat printed in the DLS of Maryland's Jan-Mar 2000
newsletter (http://www.dlsmd.org/newsletters/newslett.htm).
The dates for the retreat should read Friday, July 14 to Wednesday, July
19.

A booklet titled "Swami Sivananda and the Spiritual Renaissance" has
been uploaded to Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site. This booklet can be
accessed at the discourse section. Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site is
at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

HOW TO REACH THE GOAL: "Why do you see diversity when there is really
unity?" the Master posed a question.

"It is all due to the illusory power of God, Swamiji," someone replied.

"Wonderful! Now tell me in one word the way to reach the goal."

Each one gathered there gave a different answer.

Ramesh: "Faith."

Gyanchand: "Grace."

Vedantananda: "Jnana."

Kalyani: "Renunciation."

Anasuya: "Devotion."

Master: "Wonderful! All are correct."

-----------------------------------------------------

"Ignorant man may not be fully aware that the eternal values of life are
summed up in the all-comprehensive terms: God, Freedom, Immortality, and
that all his daily struggles are nothing but gropings of his mind in the
darkness of his ignorance to recognise these and participate in these,
by way of all that he sees, hears or understands. To awaken the human
spirit to this tremendous fact is the primary mission of Swami
Sivananda, and his voluminous works cater variegatedly to the hungry
souls who are in search of food but cannot find it for want of
knowledge. " - Swami Krishnananda


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Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2000 20:15:05 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (162)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by worshipful Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji
Maharaj titled "Hindu Fasts & Festivals". All Hindu festivals have a
deep spiritual import or high religious significance. All great Hindu
festivals have religious, social and hygienic elements in them. In this
book Gurudev explains the significance and the philosophy of many of our
fasts and festivals. This book can be downloaded from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

We have also uploaded the spiritual calendar for the rest of this year.
The spiritual calendar is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/calendar.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

REMEDY FOR WORLDLY TRIALS: The Master gave Darshan this morning. When he
was about to start for the office, a devotee came and prostrated before
him.

"How are you, sir?" the Master kindly enquired of him.

He commenced narrating his worldly difficulties and ended up by saying,
"Swamiji, now I am like a fish out of water."

"Then go into the water!" the Master suggested.

"That is why I have come here, Swamiji. You are the ocean of mercy. Now
I will become all right."

-----------------------------------------------------

"The best form of worship of the Guru is to follow his teachings, to
shine as the very embodiment of his teachings, and to propagate his
glory and his message." - Swami Sivananda


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Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 11:35:13 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (163)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have posted some pictures of the Sannyas initiation ceremony
conducted by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji at Sivanand Ashram in
Rishikesh on 14 November, 1999. The pictures are at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/multimedia/sannyas/sannyas.htm

We have uploaded an article by Sri Swami Sadanandaji titled "Duty and
Cosmic Will". In this article Swami Sadanandaji explains how to be in
tune with God's Will. This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/duty.htm

"Philosophy of Life" has been uploaded to Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's
site. This book is a critical exposition of the fundamental principles
in Eastern and Western philosophy in the light of the doctrines of Swami
Sivananda. This book is under Books on Metaphysical Philosophy section.
Swami Krishnanandaji's site is at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

Over the next few days I will be automating the subscription procedure
to our e-mail list. Devotees will receive an e-mail from
Majordomo@... once the service has been set up.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

SERVICE TO PARENTS: An old man with a young boy came and prostrated
before the Master.

"Is this your father?" the Master enquired of the boy.

"Yes, Swamiji."

"Serve your father well. Father is the visible God on earth. Obey him
and worship him," he advised the boy.

The old man was very much pleased with the advice given to his son.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Jnana Yoga is the path of knowledge. Moksha is attained through
Knowledge of Brahman. Release from Samsara is achieved through
realisation of the identity of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul
or Brahman. The cause for bondage and suffering is Avidya or ignorance.
The little Jiva foolishly imagines on account of ignorance that he is
separate from Brahman. Avidya acts as a veil or screen and prevents the
Jiva from knowing his real, divine nature. Knowledge of Brahman or
Brahma-Jnana removes this veil and makes the Jiva rest in his own
Sat-Chit-Ananda Svaroopa." - Swami Sivananda


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Date: Wed, 08 Mar 2000 17:49:06 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (164)

Om Namah Sivaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded blessed and worhipful Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji's
book "Lord Siva and His Worship". This book is a boon and blessing for
all aspirants especially the devotees of Lord Siva. The book includes
chapters on Mantras, Saiva Siddhanta philosophy,  philosphy of symbols,
the great devotees of Lord Siva namely the Tamil Acharyas and festivals
associated with Lord Siva. This book can be downloaded from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

We have uploaded Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji's lecture "Desire
and Deserve" for this month's discourse. In this discourse Guru Maharaj
explains how ones desire can be fulfilled. This discourse is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/mar2000.htm

"The Art of Living" is the title of an inspiring discourse that has been
uploaded to Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site. This article can be
accessed from Sri Swamiji's site at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

I apologize for the triple e-mails that everyone received last Tuesday
(Feb. 29). I sent the original e-mail on Monday evening but when it did
not get delivered after 12 hours I thought that the e-mail must have got
lost. I resent it again and the nothing happened for 3 hours. I changed
to my secondary e-mail server and that got sent without any hitches. But
the original e-mail did get delivered 24 hours later. I shall wait
longer the next time I face the same problem.

We are now on the automated e-mail list. Everyone should have received a
welcome message from Majordomo@.... If there is any problem
you can write to pannir@... instead of
owner-sivananda@.... I had to automate the subscribing and
unsubscribing due to the time consuming nature of the procedure. I hope
this will help me to respond to e-mails in a shorter time.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

GOD IN HUMAN FORM: It was about four in the afternoon. A stout young man
was being carried and brought on a stretcher to the Sivananda General
Hospital. He was seriously wounded. Blood was oozing from all over his
face and it was swollen. Two policemen, surrounded by a small crowd,
were coming along.

The policemen were enquiring about a doctor. Dr. Prahlad and Dr. Punjabi
came after a while and attended to the patient. First aid was given. His
wounds were dressed. He was practically unconscious.

Then the policeman related the story of the wounded man.

"His name is D.K. Roy. He is a dacoit. He used to hide on the branches
of trees on the roadside, waiting for passers-by. Man or woman, young or
old-anyone who came that way alone-he would jump upon him, frightening
and threatening him, and eventually robbing him of whatever he
possessed.

"This was his regular occupation. It so happened that yesterday he did
the same thing to a middle-aged villager who was passing that way. The
villager somehow escaped and returned with three more persons to attack
him. But this fellow, hiding among the branches, threw stones at the men
and they fled. They reported the matter to the police. Then both the
villagers and some policemen joined together and tried to round him up.
But he somehow managed to escape and started fleeing, with the villagers
and the police in pursuit.

"He couldn't escape, and while running, unfortunately fell into a
wayside pit about twenty feet deep. He broke six teeth and suffered
severe wounds all over the body.

"The villagers got down the pit, took him out and brought him here. By
the time we reached the hospital here, he became unconscious."

The policeman finished his story and the crowd of curiosity-mongers
dispersed and went their way. Soon the news spread all over the place
and Dilip Kumar Roy became the showroom exhibit. Each one came and saw
him. Some took pity on him, others admonished him and said that he
deserved the punishment, and made all sorts of remarks about the
wounded, unconscious man.

It was eight o'clock The Master emerged from his cottage and was
proceeding to the Satsang Hall. The news of the dacoit was given to him.
He calmly heard and proceeded. On the way he entered the hospital ward
where the injured man was lying. He came near him and stood for a while.
All gathered there were anxious to see the Master's reactions and hear
his words.

The Master stood calmly for a few minutes and then said, "Let us now
chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra for the health and speedy recovery of
Dilip Kumar Roy."

So saying, he commenced chanting.

After the chanting was over, the Master called someone to bring a tin of
biscuits from his cottage. This was brought and the Master kept it near
him.

"Lord Narayana has come in this form. Please give him the biscuits in
the morning with tea or milk"

So saying the Master calmly proceeded to the Satsang Hall.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Lord Siva is the God of Love. His Grace is boundless. He is the Saviour
and Guru. He is the Beloved of Uma. He is Satyam, Sivam, Subham,
Sundaram, Kantam (Truth, Auspiciousness, Good, Beautiful, Resplendent).
He is the Supreme Light that shines in your heart. Meditate on His Form.
Hear His Lilas. Repeat His Mantra 'Om Namah Sivaya'. Study Siva Purana.
Do His worship daily. Behold Him in all names and forms. He will bless
you with His Vision." - Swami Sivananda


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Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 08:27:17 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (165)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Sri Anil Lund and Sri Swami Narayanananda Mataji have a treat for all of
us in the form of darshan of our beloved Sri Swami Krishnanandaji
Maharaj. Please visit the DLS of Maryland site for the pictures of
Swamiji Maharaj taken just a couple of weeks ago at the Sivananda Ashram
in Rishikesh, India. The URL is:
http://www.dlsmd.org/album/krishnananda/krishnananda%20main.htm
The new pictures are on page 3.

A few  months ago we had a banner design competition for our website.
Our winner is Sri Himanshu Bharadwaj who is currently studying at
Syracuse University, New York. Sri Himanshuji received Guru Maharaj Sri
Swami Chidanandaji's latest book "Awake! Realise Your Divinity". All the
submitted banners are at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/banners/banners.htm
The HTML codes are provided below each banner for linking to the Divine
Life Society.

The book list for the Divine Life Society of Germany has been updated.
Please visit:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/branches/bookgerman.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

REFORMATION BEFORE PREACHING: After the night Satsang today, Sri Atmaram
was asking someone about the whereabouts of a certain Swami, who was
touring all over India collecting money from devotees for his American
tour, which was the only ambition in his life.

The Master, on hearing the conversation, made the following remark,
"Nowadays this has become a disease in aspirants. They take Sannyas,
learn something from the Upanishads and Gita, study some pages in
psychology and science, and fly to America for preaching. That is their
only ambition in life. They think that they have achieved everything by
doing so. They are not concerned about developing their inner
personality, they are not bothered to gain inner spiritual strength,
they are not interested in reforming themselves in spirit before
reforming others.

"The result of this excessive movement in society is that they lose even
the little aspiration that they possessed at the beginning of their
spiritual career. Their words become like empty bullets. Mere words will
not have the capacity of transforming man unless they come from the
heart, from true experience. Therefore, aspirants should nip this kind
of ambition in the bud itself, otherwise the path they walk will only
lead to destruction and nothing else."

-----------------------------------------------------

"That which pleases the Supreme Being the most, that which unfailingly
draws down the grace of the Divine, is hunger and thirst in the human
heart, a great longing in the human heart for God and God alone to the
exclusion of all other things." - Swami Chidananda


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Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2000 19:30:10 -0600
From: Pannirselvam Kanagaratnam <pannir@...>
Subject: Sivananda Day-to-day (166)

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a wonderful little booklet titled "Sure Ways to Guru
Kripa" by Guru Maharaj, Sri Swami Chidanandaji. In this booklet is
explained how the Guru showers his grace and how the disciple can avail
oneself to this treasure of treasures. This booklet is at our free books
page at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

A collection of 16 inspiring Essays by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj
has been uploaded to the DLS of Maryland's site. This is at
http://www.dlsmd.org/teachings/krishnananda/fruits%20from%20the%20garden%20of%20\
wisdom.htm

There are also 2 lectures uploaded to Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site.
The titles of the lectures are:
1) Humanity as a Yajna or Sacrifice for Perfection
(Excerpt: "We are here to bestow a little thought upon the impact that
Yoga can have on human life as a whole and the relevance it has to the
objectives of human existence.")

2) The Individual Nature
(Excerpt: "Except the longing for knowledge, all urges or instincts are
to be subdued and transformed into the integrating energy of the higher
consciousness, for these natural urges of the physical nature are
inconsistent with the higher aspiration for the unity of consciousness
in the Universal Being.")

These lectures can be accessed from Swamiji's main page at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

INDIA'S HERITAGE: It was a lovely evening. The sun was lingering over
the western hills to catch a glimpse of an epoch-making event.

Dr. K.N. Gairola, Health Minister of the Tehri-Garwal State was
addressing a mammoth gathering on the Ganges bank. The local community
had erected a flagstaff just in front of the Ashram and had invited the
Minister to hoist the national flag.

Even during the course of his inevitable political speech, Dr. Gairola
made touching references to the Master, the glory that the presence of
saints like him brought to the entire State, and the profound spiritual
influence that the Master exerted on the people. After he concluded his
speech, Dr. Gairola requested the Master to give them his message.

As the flag went up the Master roared, "Om, Om, Om." The entire
gathering joined him and it looked as though the powerful current of the
Pranava-chanting raised the flag up!

"Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram, Vande Mataram, Jai Hind Jai Hind Jai Hind
Jai Hind, Jai Jai Jai Jai Hind."

The Master sang and the multitude echoed his Kirtan.

Then he began to speak: "Glory to Mother India. No other nation in the
world has produced such heroes as India. No other nation in the world
can claim to have given birth to such illustrious saints and sages as
India. No other nation in the world has had amongst her children such
mighty intellectuals and mystics, who could rise to such great spiritual
heights, who could display such intuitive wisdom, and who could leave
such a rich heritage of unsurpassed philosophical treatises. No
philosopher in any other land has been able to solve the riddle of
creation, the mystery of birth and death and the problem of life itself
so effectively as the sages of India have done.

"Such a spiritually mighty nation has achieved her political
independence also in an unprecedented manner. Thanks to the Apostle of
Ahimsa--Mahatma Gandhiji--India has conclusively proved to humanity that
there is an indescribable power in non-violence. Gandhiji has
demonstrated to the world that love is power, that love conquers. Such a
demonstration of spiritual power would not have been possible in any
other nation in the world. The national leaders of the West must now sit
up and think; they must learn the lesson of non-violence and abandon at
once violence in all its forms. The path of violence leads to
destruction; the path of love leads to peace, plenty and prosperity.

"Our national leaders are all trusted lieutenants of Gandhiji. They have
sacrificed their all in the cause of the liberation of the Motherland.
Even though they have not embraced Sannyas formally, they are true
Sannyasins at heart.

"Patriotism is the first step to universalism. Love of one's own nation
in due course leads to cosmic love or love of God. The main thing is to
crush the low, mean-minded selfishness. A selfless servant of the nation
will soon become a selfless servant of humanity; he will quickly
transcend his individual ego and attain God-realisation."

The Master then sang the Maha Mantra Kirtan. He thanked Dr. Gairola for
giving him an opportunity of singing the Lord's Name. The ministerial
party was later led to the Ashram and entertained to tea.

-----------------------------------------------------

"How is it that one may be a disciple? It is not the Guru that accepts
the disciple, but the disciple has to first accept the Guru. The
disciple first of all has to render himself a sishya. Then he becomes
deserving of and a rightful claimant to guru kripa. It is immaterial
whether the Guru says 'Yes, you are my sishya' or not."  - Swami
Chidananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by blessed and worshipful Gurudev Sri Swami
Sivanandaji Maharaj titled "Easy Steps to Yoga". These Easy Steps to
Yoga are laid out with a special view to enable the novice to ascend
without much difficulty the heights of spiritual attainment. This book
is at our free books page at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

We would like to thank Sri K. Narayanaswamyji of Australia for taking
the time to proofread the above book.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

GURU-WORSHIP: "Constant reflection on the great utterances of the
scriptures and developing, through the use of the discriminative
faculty, the feeling that all objects are unreal and full of defects,
will help you to develop true dispassion," said the Master, when Sri
Jayadayal Goenka of the Gita Press, Gorakhpur, sought the Master's
Darshan.

As soon as Sri Jayadayal came in, the Master noticed a wound on his
foot. He immediately got the necessary dressing from the dispensary and
applied a bandage.

Sri Jayadayal and his party were in the Master's cottage listening to
his words of wisdom on Bhakti, Yoga, Jnana and dispassion.

A member of the party gave expression to his admiration of the Master's
work and added that the excellently got-up Diamond Jubilee Commemoration
Volume had enabled the Master's message to spread far and wide.

This led to a discussion of Guru-worship.

The Master said, "Some say that we should not worship a living saint.
But the wise say that whereas one need not be fanatical in one's desire
to celebrate the birthday of any saint, he need not go to the other
extreme either. Those who like to celebrate, let them. It ill-behoves a
Sannyasin or saint, who has gone above likes and dislikes, to abhor the
idea of such celebrations. The egoism of dispassion is as dangerous as
the egoism of worldly life.

"Worship of saints has been taken more or less as a necessary Sadhana in
the life of an aspirant in India. Even the Upanishads declare that an
aspirant should have the same devotion to his Guru as he has to God. The
idea is that by constantly thinking of his Guru the aspirant is kept on
the right path, away from evil, and moulds himself on the pattern of his
teacher.

"Thus, even a third-class teacher is fit to be worshipped by a
fifth-class aspirant! The latter is sure to be benefited.

"When an aspirant superimposes on his personal Guru the characteristics
of the Impersonal Absolute, as in the case of idol-worship, the
aspirant's devotion reaches the Supreme. God, the silent indweller,
knows the aspirant's devotion and guides him along the proper path.

"Even wise men sometimes lack this broader outlook and argue that the
human figure of a saint should not be adored with the same devotion due
to God. As with God, so with the Guru. The way to the Impersonal lies
through the personal."

-----------------------------------------------------

"Just as you remove at once a pebble in your shoes that troubles you, so
also you must be able to remove any tormenting thought from your mind at
once. Then only you have gained sufficient strength in control of
thought. Then only you have attained some real progress in the spiritual
path."  - Swami Sivananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj
titled "Ponder These Truths". This book consists of the early morning
meditation talks delivered at Sivananda Ashram. In this book the seeker
will find valuable guidance on the spiritual path as well as inspiration
and motivation to tenaciously stick to ones spiritual disciplines. This
book is at our free books page at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

For this month's discourse we uploaded a letter written by Guru Maharaj
in New York State in August, 1975. The title is "What is Yoga?" In this
letter Guru Maharaj explains the place of Yoga in religion. This letter
is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/apr2000.htm

Please note that Sri Swami Ramaswarupanandaji has a new e-mail address.
Please send correspondence to Swamiji at the following e-mail address:
ramaswarup@...

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

A WESTERNER ENLIGHTENED: "What is Moksha, Swamiji?" asked a foreign
seeker.

"Moksha is freedom from bondage. It is happiness, absolute bliss and
immortal life; it is the attainment of Cosmic Consciousness or
Christ-Consciousness," replied the Master.

"Please explain to me what is meant by Cosmic Consciousness."

"It is a state of consciousness in which you are aware that God is all
that there is and more, that He is the link that connects all
individuals. God is the Consciousness that illumines the entire
creation. Realisation of this Consciousness or God liberates one from
bondage to passing phenomena, from the illusion of names and forms. This
is the state of God-realisation or Self-realisation."

"Is there an individuality after the experience of God-realisation?"

"No. The individual soul is completely merged in Cosmic Consciousness.
It is like the river entering into the ocean. It loses its identity and
you can no more distinguish the waters of one river from that of another
after they have entered the ocean. The appearance of the world vanishes
in the Reality of God, just as when a lamp is brought, the snake which
appeared to be, vanishes in the rope that exists."

"Swamiji, please tell us the means of attaining this wonderful state."

"You have the Sadhana stated beautifully in the Sermon on the Mount of
Lord Jesus. Mind is the dividing wall; it is the main obstacle on the
path of Self-realisation. All Sadhanas aim at removing this obstacle.

"There are two aspects of the mind--the lower mind and the higher mind.
The lower mind is full of lust, greed, hatred, anger and jealousy. The
higher mind is free from jealousy, selfishness and other negative
traits, and is full of divine qualities like tolerance, love,
selflessness and renunciation. You should control the lower mind with
the help of the higher mind and then go beyond the mind also. The mind
is nothing but a bundle of past impressions and desires. It can be
controlled by disciplining the senses. This is achieved by the active
cultivation of virtues."

"It is very difficult to cultivate these virtues," put in the foreigner.

"True, but a positive attitude overcomes a negative one. The virtues
will overcome the vices, which are merely negative qualities preventing
the cultivation of virtues. Meditate on the divine virtues and their
glory. Meditate on God, then you will grow in virtue."

"Is meditation so essential, Swamiji?"

"Yes, it is the very basis of Sadhana."

"What is meditation and how to meditate?"

"Meditation is the withdrawal of the rays of the mind scattered over the
various objects, and directing the concentrated beam of its light on the
Self within in order to commune with God. There are two types of
meditation: the first type is with form and the second is meditation on
the formless Absolute. In the beginning an aspirant will always find
that fixing the mind on a form is essential.

"Meditate on the form of Lord Jesus, for instance, and let the mind
dwell upon his divine nature, his great virtues and his splendour. You
will thereby grow in virtue.

"Another method of cultivating virtues is by means of selfless service.
It helps you to achieve marvellous control over the mind and the senses.
It also enables you to snap the bonds of Karma."

"How to free ourselves from Karma, Swamiji?"

"As you perform your daily duties feel that you are only a witness of
all that goes on around you, that you are a witness even of your own
actions. This is called Sakshi Bhav. You should inwardly realise that
you are different from the active principle in you. This is the Vedantic
method.

"There is the other and easier method which is equally potent--the
method of Nimitta Bhav. Feel that the Lord alone is the real doer of all
actions and that you are an instrument in His hands. Your actions will
then be transformed into worship of the Lord and you will not be bound
to them. Work without the expectation of any reward and without egoism.
Root out the idea of agency and feel that you are not the doer. You will
be freed from the shackles of Karma; you will not accumulate new Karma.
Allow the past Karma to work out, then you will attain liberation."

"Swamiji, is it true that man suffers only on account of his own past
Karma? If so, how do you explain the suffering he undergoes on account
of natural calamities like earthquakes, riots, etc.?"

"It is perfectly true that man suffers on account of his own Karma. And
it is the collective past Karma of a number of persons that gathers them
together at a certain place where an earthquake works out this
collective past Karma, and large numbers of people enter the mouth of
Kala at the same time."

"Swamiji, I have often come across this word 'Kala' in the Indian
scriptures. What exactly is meant by it?"

"It is the 'Great Time' personified. It is the destroyer of name and
form. In the Hindu Pantheon there are various gods and goddesses who are
members of the Divine Hierarchy. Just as we have our government here,
composed of various ministers and officers, the celestials who rule this
world too, have their own Deities who control various aspects of the
creation, preservation and destruction of the world.

"Some are in charge of the various elements like air, fire and water;
others are in charge of birth, death, preservation of life and disease.
Kala or Yama or Dharmaraja is the Lord of Death. The entire universe is
under his control in a way, for when the time comes he brings about the
end of the earthly sojourn of all beings. It is only a man of
Self-realisation who transcends this Kala and realises his own Self. All
Sadhana is meant to help us transcend Kala, to conquer death and thus go
beyond time."

"In this quest after Truth, Swamiji, I can understand that great
saviours like Lord Jesus can help us. But it is not always that such
souls are present amidst us. What are we to do, Swamiji?"

"Saints are always present in the world. Rogues are also always present.
Saviours and dacoits are ever present in this world, for it is a world
of dualities. Good and evil are ever present here. Absolute good can be
found only in God. You should get the guidance of saints; only they can
teach you the divine science. Books will certainly help you; they will
put you in tune with the great ones who attained God. When you read the
Bible you are in tune with Lord Jesus. When you read the Gita, you are
in tune with Lord Krishna. This will also help you.

"But just as you cannot learn the art of cooking merely by reading
books, similarly, you cannot learn Yoga from books alone. However, you
should not wait indefinitely for a teacher to turn up. As soon as the
aspiration arises in your heart, you should at once start the practice
with the help of some scriptural text that you like, like the Bible."

"But, Swamiji, I have heard that it is dangerous to engage in Yoga
practices without the aid of an expert Guru."

"There is danger at every moment of your daily life. While going up the
stairs, if you take a wrong step, you are likely to fall and break your
bones; if you are a little absent-minded while crossing a road, you may
be run over by a car. The danger of practising Yoga with the help of
good texts is in no way greater. If you are sincere, if you use your
common sense at every step, you will achieve success. In due course you
will find a competent teacher also."

"Apart from the Guru, Swamiji, do you think that a mediator is necessary
in order to enable us to attain Self-realisation?"

"Yes, yes. That is the tutelary Deity, the Ishta Devata. The mind cannot
rise beyond itself all at once. The ego will seldom cut its own throat.
Your limited consciousness will find it a hard task to realise Cosmic
Consciousness. Therefore the name and form of a Deity is chosen to
meditate upon. In due time this Deity will manifest Itself before you
and do the work of annihilating the ego and the mind, thus enabling you
to realise the state of Cosmic Consciousness."

"What Name shall we choose, Swamiji?"

"Om, This is the Name of the nameless Supreme Being. This is the nearest
approximation of the Truth. It is the Mother of all sounds, names and
forms. It is Sabda Brahman."

"Is it proper during this practice to feel that we are in truth parts of
God, Swamiji?"

"Not exactly parts, but God Himself in reality. Remember how Lord Jesus
also declared, 'I and my Father are one'. This is the ultimate
experience, this is the ultimate truth which all the prophets, seers and
sages have proclaimed.

"Lord Jesus, Lord Buddha, Guru Nanak, Kabir and Prophet Mohammed all
delivered the same message in a way suited to the people of the age in
which they lived. They all taught that God is one, Truth is one, and
that man can realise the Truth by controlling the mind and the senses."

"How to control the mind, Swamiji?"

The Master suddenly switched on to a little humour!

"Take sour curd and lie down on your bed, covering yourself with a warm
quilt, and then go to sleep!"

Everyone burst into laughter!

"The method of controlling the mind also has been beautifully given by
all the sages and saints. They said, 'Serve, love, give, purify,
meditate, realise; be good, do good, be kind and compassionate; enquire
about the nature of your true Self.' This is the essence of the
teachings of all sages, prophets and saviours of the world. Follow them
and attain Self-realisation this very moment.

"May God bless you! Come again and stay here for some time."

-----------------------------------------------------

"If the aspirant takes one step nearer to It, It will come in a hundred
leaps and bounds nearer to him. Such is the nature of the Eternal Being.
For every bit of action that is done for Its sake, you receive a
millionfold in return! This fact is beautifully illustrated in the
workings of Bhagavan Sri Krishna for the good of His devotees."  - Swami
Sivananda


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Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram!
Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a Ramanavami Message by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji
Maharaj. The title of the message is "Way to Rama Rajya" (Way to the
Kingdom of Rama). Gurudev mentions at the beginning of the message: "Out
of the fullness of my heart and love for you all I send a Message Divine
to inspire you, to instantly elevate and to transform your life. It will
transport you from weakness to tremendous strength, from failure to
flaming success, from sorrow to blessedness and joy. Hearken, therefore,
with utmost attention to this message of Ramanavami." This message is
at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/ramamessage.htm

A recent discourse by revered Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj has been
uploaded to Sri Swamiji's site. The title of the discourse is "Sage
Yajnavalkya in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad". In this discourse Sri
Swamiji expounds on the meaning of the Self based on the teachings of
Sage Yajnavalkya in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. This discourse can be
accessed from:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

We would like to inform devotees that a devotee of Sri Gurudev, Sri
Swami NadaBrahmanandaji of Cananda, is on a pilgrimage on foot around
USA and Cananda for world peace and love. You may read Swamiji's online
travel journal at:
http://www.vcn.bc.ca/ims-hq/
Please feel free to contact Swamiji if you would like him to visit you
or if you have suggestions on spiritual ashrams or sites that he could
visit. His e-mail address is: imsmail@...

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

LONG FOR A GURU: "A Guru is necessary, but you must first prepare the
ground for the reception of the seed of knowledge from him. The Guru
cannot do this for you. Simple living, simple food, simple clothing,
aversion to sensual pleasures, speaking the truth, developing a heart of
love, continence, endurance, self-control-all these you will have to
develop."

Mon. Bogroff listened spell-bound as the Master continued, "You should
have a keen longing to meet a Guru and to be initiated by him. Then God
Himself will provide a Guru for you. Good books written by realised
Yogis who have trodden the path, will help you greatly. Mere talk will
not do. You must practise!"

Mon. Bogroff, a Russian businessman living in France, was on a flying
visit to Ananda Kutir, being prompted to see the Master by Sri B.L.
Nehru, one of the Master’s admirers in Delhi.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Honesty of conscience has a very important significance which we have
to make note of. Many times we may look honest, but we are not really
honest in the deepest core of our feelings. Then it upsets the whole
structure of our endeavour in the life spiritual. Because, spiritual
life is nothing but the life that we lead in the bottom of our being,
and not the life that we live in our rooms or in our offices or colleges
or factories. What our conscience speaks is our spiritual voice. And if
our conscience is not honest and pure, well, you will see the sure
outcome of it, an utter failure in the spiritual path."  - Swami
Krishnananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded an article by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji
Maharaj on his experience with Baba Neem Karoliji. Devotees and seekers
may already know about Baba Neem Karoliji from Ram Dass' (Richard
Alpert's) book "Be Here Now" in which the author describes his life
transforming experience with the saint. The inspiring account of Baba
Neem Karoliji by Guru Maharaj is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/neemkaroli.htm

A Spanish translation of Guru Maharaj's appeal for help in Orissa has
been uploaded to our website courtesy of Vivekayuktananda Ashram. This
is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/spanish/orissacyclone_sp.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

SPIRITUAL CHURNING: "I am glad you take so much interest in agriculture
and dairy-farming. They are very essential for maintaining the health of
every man in India. But there is another, a supreme type of butter, a
knowledge of which is essential for every man, especially in India. That
butter is that of Atma! Do you know how to churn the sheaths and take
the butter of Atma?" asked the Master, when Sri Ramdas, M.Sc., informed
him of his forthcoming visit to the U.S.A. for prosecuting his studies
in agriculture and dairy-farming.

"Swamiji, I have not even heard of this churning and how to obtain this
butter of Atma. Please let me know the process."

"You have to go to the Forest Academy (this Academy is at Sivananda
Ashram, Rishikesh) to obtain a knowledge of this butter. The five
sheaths of the body represent the vessel that holds curd. Om is the
churning rod. Practise meditation on Om with the feeling that you are
the all-pervading Atma. You will soon get the butter of Atma, which will
make you immortal and ever blissful. You will never feel in want
anymore."

The scientist said, "Thank you very much, Swamiji. You have really
opened my eyes now. I shall practise this spiritual churning to eat the
butter of Atma and become immortal."

-----------------------------------------------------

"If you get a Guru who will punish you for your wrongs, you are the
luckiest man, because he takes upon himself the responsibility of
improving and making you a dynamic personality by eradicating all your
vices. Take it as a special grace of the Lord. If you get a kind and
merciful guide then great responsibility lies with you for your
improvement. He will only hint the right thing. He will show by actions.
You will have to be very sincere and follow him minutely. Or else you
will act according to your own whims; for you know your Guru will not
punish you." - Swami Sivananda


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Dear devotees of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji,

Hari Om! Our beloved Pujya Swamiji will be 78 years old next Tuesday,
the
25th of April. We would like to send Swamiji an e-mail birthday card
from
his devotees around the globe. Such a greeting will bring Swamiji
immense
joy. It will be Swamiji's first email greeting card!

We invite you to write a maximum of two to three lines of text to
express
your appreciation, congratulations, devotion, and whatever else you want
to convey. All messages will be compiled and forwarded to Swamiji as ONE
greeting. Be sure to include your full name and the area from which you
are writing.

With Prem and Om, Yours, in His Love and Being, Shirley Deane
(North Carolina, USA)

ps. Please send your greetings to: noumenon28@...

Krishnananda: The Purest Crystal
By Swami Venkatesananda

Gurudev Swami Sivananda used to call it battlefield pratyahara. It is
the ability to live right in the middle of the intense, multifarious and
fiercest activity and yet be able to direct one's attention to the
desired objective. He himself used to sit in a crowded office,
surrounded by clattering typewriters, chattering children, contemplative
sadhaks and chanting pilgrims and carry on his conversations and
communicate his instructions as calmly as if he were alone with just the
other person in a cave.

Almost the same is the case with his illustrious disciple, Sri Swami
Krishnanandaji Maharaj. The ashram has grown enormously since 1963, and
so have the duties and responsibilities of the General Secretary.
However, these have not diminished the spiritual radiance of Swami
Krishnanandaji or his readiness to make himself available to spiritual
seekers.

Seated in the courtyard outside his kutir, under a tree with a few
seekers in front of him, he reminds one of Dakshinamurti (though the
seekers at his feet may not all be aged sages). Interruptions are
countless and unpredictable. They may be routine--cheques to be signed,
bills approved, leave granted and so on; or they may be bothersome
problems relating to Ashram administration, personality clashes or
complaints and quarrels. Suddenly his discourse on a transcendental
mystery is interrupted. For the next ten minutes another universe arises
around this mysterious being. That which arises soon ceases; Swamiji
returns to his original discourse and continues as if nothing had
happened. The interruption, too, had been satisfactorily dealt with.

Each one approaching Swamiji gets the appropriate treatment! One day a
young Japanese lady approached Swamiji with some problem. Swamiji curtly
silenced her, apparently indifferent to her problem which he was
unwilling to listen to. A few minutes after she had left, a young man
asked: "Swamiji, why were you not sympathetic to her?" Swamiji quickly
answered: "She is all right." Of course, she was. Later she came and
prostrated herself before Swamiji and confessed: "You have saved me. I
am perfectly all right." No one returns without receiving his or her
deserts. Even if one is not immediately "satisfied" one is sure to
discover that that was precisely what was needed then. Swamiji alone
knows it; he alone can administer the right remedy who sees the malady
without the least distortion.

People who come to him are not only seekers and ashram officials. One
day a few missionaries had come; their mission was mysterious, perhaps
known only to themselves! They were plying Swamiji with questions
provoking him to pronounce unfavourable judgements on religious or
spiritual leaders they did not approve of. The way Swamiji handled them
was classic. It is said of Lord Krishna that "He was a friend of the
cats, who at the same time was guarding the milk pots." Swamiji would
not pronounce any judgement and he did not annoy the missionaries
either! He had indicated the truth which is beyond all these polemics
and conflicts.

Swami Krishnanandaji is the purest crystal which reflects whatever is
placed near it. He has placed this crystal close to God, Brahman or the
Self: therefore this crystal is ever in communion with the Supreme which
is reflected in his very personality. In his vision there is no
division, in his thoughts there is no vagueness and in his words there
is no ambiguity.

Spend a few minutes at his feet. He will make you crystal clear to
yourself!

-----------------------------------------------------

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

Namaste!

Today (April 25) is the holy ocassion of the 78th birthday anniversary
of our beloved and worshipful Swami Krishnanandaji Saraswati Maharaj.

In celebration of Swamiji's birthday, a newly redesigned website of
Swamiji's has been uploaded. A book by Swamiji titled "Spiritual Import
of Religious Festivals" has also been uploaded. This books is a
compilation of different lectures delivered on various occasions
throughout the twelve months of the year highlighting the significance
and importance of the concerned occasions every month. This book is a
highly religious compendium and deeply philosophical. Swamiji's site is
at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

Let us all offer the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (below) to Lord Siva for
Swamiji's good health and long life.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA

Om tryambakam yajamahe
sugandhim pushtivardhanam
uurvarukamiva bandhanaan
mrityor mukshiya maamritaat.

                                  MEANING

We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Siva) Who is fragrant and Who
nourishes well all beings; may He liberate us from death for the sake of
immortality even as the cucumber is severed from its bondage (to the
creeper).

                                  BENEFITS

1. This Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is a life-giving Mantra. In these days,
when life is very complex and accidents are an everyday affair, this
Mantra wards off death by snake-bite, lightning, motor-accidents,
fire-accidents, cycle-accidents, water-accidents, air-accidents and
accidents of all descriptions. Besides, it has a great curative effect.
Again diseases pronounced incurable by doctors are cured by this Mantra,
when chanted with sincerity, faith and devotion. It is a weapon against
disease. It is a Mantra to conquer death.

2. It is also a Moksha Mantra. It is Lord Sivas Mantra. It bestows long
life (Deergha Ayus), peace (Santi), wealth (Aisvarya), prosperity
(Pushti), satisfaction (Tushti) and Immortality (Moksha).

3. On your birthday, repeat one lakh of this Mantra or at least 50,000,
perform Havan and feed Sadhus, the poor and the sick. This will bestow
on you long life, peace and prosperity.

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Two of Sri Gurudev Sivanandaji's senior disciples have been recently
called back to His eternal abode. Sri Swami Vidyanandaji Maharaj was
called back on the 7th of April and Sri Swami Nirmalanandaji Maharaj was
called back on the 4th of February. We have posted Sri Swami
Vidyanandaji in memoriam at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/memoriamvidya.htm

and Sri Swami Nirmalanandaji in memoriam at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/memoriamnirmala.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

REAL KARMA YOGA: "In youth itself man should try to lead a simple life,
repeat God's Name, practise Yoga, do enquiry, study the Gita and other
scriptures, and control the senses. Singing Kirtan and Japa of the
Divine Name will bestow perennial joy and supreme inner peace. But you
can realise this only if you practise.

"Yet the youth will not listen! Only when man gets knocks and blows in
the daily battle of life will he turn to God. Why not thank God for His
mercies and adore Him in every form. Do selfless service also."

"Yes, Swamiji, we are in a way doing this. We earn money, work and
support the family. So we are all Karma Yogins."

"This is a serious mistake," said the Master. "What do people know about
the secret and technique of Karma Yoga? They are attached to their
families; they waste their lives in earning for the sake of the belly
and imagine that they are doing Karma Yoga. What do they know of Karma
Yoga? Karma Yoga is different. You should give up egoism. You should
renounce the feeling that you are the doer and the enjoyer. You should
identify yourself with the Atman.

"Even a little of this selfless service, even if imperfectly done, is
good. It will purify your heart. Combine service with Japa, Kirtan and
meditation. You will realise bliss.

"The next time come here and stay for at least a week. You will have
ample time to engage yourself in intense Sadhana."

The above conversation took place between the Master and an American
businessman.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Through the process of evolution, the world has become a global
village. Sun, moon, stars and the galaxies operate in a cosmic
co-operative spirit. The air that we breathe, moving everywhere freely,
has no nationality, no ethnic distinction. We live by the free gift of
Nature. Any assertion of isolated individuality is not in consonance
with the way the Universe is operating. Events have cosmic connotations.
Creation is one, even as God is One." - Swami Krishnananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

Birthday pictures of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj have been posted
at the DLS of Maryland's site at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/album/krishnananda/krishnananda-page-04.htm

We have uploaded an inspiring discourse by Sri Swami Vidyanandaji
Maharaj titled "Music: A Unique Means for God-Realisation" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/may2000.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

ALL SUNK IN IGNORANCE: Dr. Sri Pattawardhan, Ph.D., of Roorkee came to
have the Master's Darshan.

The Master remarked, "Dr. Saheb, everybody wants to become a Ph.D. or
D.Litt. or I.C.S. or M.B.B.S. No one wants to know the nature of the
Atma. No one wishes to understand the play of Maya and the Gunas, what
the mind is, what relation there is between man and Brahman, how to get
eternal bliss, how to free oneself from bondage. Man does not believe in
the everlasting life that exists beyond the senses. He does not believe
in transcendental matters. Everyone wishes to have a wife, some
children, bungalows, gardens, cars and money in the bank. Their mental
currents naturally flow towards objects. They do not believe that the
repetition of the Divine Name can produce joy and inner peace."

"I suppose there is a period of life for such beliefs and practices,
Swamiji."

"This is the best period--youth! What will you do in old age? You will
be deaf, so how can the sound of the Lord's Name enter your ears, how
can you enjoy Kirtan and Kathas? You will not be able to see, then how
can you read holy books like the Gita and other scriptures? You will not
be able to sit in one spot continuously and do Japa, you will not be
able to control the senses. Thus, Sadhana will be impossible. You will
waste all your life in useless pursuits and turn to the spiritual path
only when it is too late."

The doctor said, "Swamiji, if all become Sannyasins, what will become of
this world and its people?"

"This can never be," replied the Master. "Why do you bother about this?
Your mind tricks you and wants to dupe you. The omnipotent Lord can
create another batch of people in a minute. Mind your business! Enquire
and remove your ignorance!"

The doctor became silent. He was convinced.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Music melts the hearts of all. It sets into motion the divine
vibrations that gradually unite the individual soul with the Supreme
Soul. This is the end and aim of all spiritual practices. The summum
bonum of human existence is achieved through music very easily." - Swami
Vidyananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj titled
"The Science of Pranayama". Pranayama (breath-control) is an important
limb in the Yoga of meditation. I would recommend reading the book from
cover to cover before attempting the exercises as Gurudev has given many
practical instructions and answered common questions by aspirants at the
end of the book. This book can be downloaded from our free books page
at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm

We have also uploaded a discourse by Swami Madhavanandaji titled
"Shankara--The First Guru of Kali Yuga" in celebration of Sri
Shankaracharya's birthday yesterday (May 8). This discourse is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/shankaraguru.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

-----------------------------------------------------

TO AVOID AN ARGUMENT: Swami Satchidananda, an old Sannyasin who was
staying in the Ashram, entered the office, bowed to the Master and sat
on a bench, contemplating the Master's countenance full of peace and
bliss.

Sri Gopala Iyer entered and exhibited to the Master several clippings
from the newspapers, containing his contributions on the results of his
researches in the sacred epics of the land. Surely a lifetime's labour
would evoke a great deal of enthusiasm and approbation from the Master.

Sri Gopala Iyer sat beside Sri Satchidanandaji and, having nothing else
to do, picked up a conversation with his bench-mate. Polite words,
courtesy, then arguments, slightly heated debate--and the mercury in the
'egometer' began rising high!

Satchidananda was trying in vain to impress on the Pundit that Advaita
(non-dulaity)  was not to be trifled with, that those who went mad if
milk did not reach them in time for their morning coffee, should not cry
down the Puranas (sacred lore), the Divinities and saints. This touched
the Pundit's delicate chords and he burst out, almost calling the Swami
names, characterising him as 'mere flesh clothed in the orange garb', a
'waster of life', a 'pseudo-Sannyasin', etc.

A sudden mellowing and Sri Satchidananda gave a welcome twist to the
dissension. "Maharaj, my knowledge is very poor. I have not touched the
fringe of the ocean of knowledge in which you ever swim. I am as yet a
student, you are advanced. I beg your pardon for arguing with you."

This silenced the Pundit, who walked out with head held erect!

The Master smiled at Satchidananda and said, "Very good reply!"

-----------------------------------------------------

"By controlling the act of breathing you can efficiently control all the
various motions in the body and the different nerve-currents that are
running through the body. You can easily and quickly control and develop
body, mind and soul through breath-control or the control of Prana. It
is through Pranayama that you can control your circumstances and
character and can consciously harmonise the individual life with the
cosmic life." - Swami Sivananda


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