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

Namaste!

December 11th is the advent of the great Guru Lord Dattatreya. There are
several articles on our websites about Lord Dattatreya. They are:

1) Dattatreya Jayanthi by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/hindufest.htm#_VPID_17

2) The Divine Trinity by Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj (a new upload)
at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/datta_chida.htm

3) Lord Dattatreya--Master Par Excellence by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji
Maharaj at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/fest/fest_19.html

We have also uploaded an article by Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj on
the spiritual significance of the Muslim holy month of Ramzan (or
Ramadhan). The holy month of Ramadhan is from November 28th to December
27th this year. This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/ramzan.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

SERVICE, THE MASTER'S SALVATION: "Sastriji, I think I will never attain
salvation. You see, worldly people are attached to their wives,
children, family and properties, but I am attached to service and
dissemination of spiritual knowledge. Even if the thought of running
away into the forest comes to me, it leaves the next instant. The desire
in me to work, work and work while this body lasts, to serve aspirants
in every way I can, smothers in a trice such a desire for seclusion.
What can I do? I think I will never get out of this circle. I will be
born again and again in this world to serve the aspirants every time."

"But, Swamiji, this thought very rarely comes even to saints. They are
concerned only about themselves and feel that even answering the letters
of spiritual aspirants or writing books on spiritual matters, based on
their own experiences, go against their salvation. The spirit of service
that literally possesses you is rarely found in anyone else."

"But what about my salvation? All right, I should be content to wait
till I have served you all to my satisfaction and till you have all
attained salvation. Yes, that is right, I do not want to get salvation
myself until everyone leading the divine life gets it. Till then I shall
take any number of births and join the Divine Life Society."

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

"Lord Dattatreya teaches us the lesson that the higher is one's
knowledge, the humbler is that person. The larger is our wisdom, the
smaller we look in the eyes of people. The nearer we are to God, the
farther we appear from people's eyes." - Swami Krishnananda


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

Namaste!

One of Gurudev's direct disciple, Swami Shankaranandaji Maharaj, who is
the founder of Sri Adi Sankara Ashrama of Lenasia, South Africa, left
his body on December 3rd at 9:00pm. Let us pray to Almighty Lord and Sri
Gurudev to grant the departed soul Supreme Peace and Beatitude.

We have uploaded the biography of Lord Parsvanatha and Lord Mahavira,
the Prophets of the Jain religion, by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji
Maharaj at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/parsvanatha.htm
and
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/mahavira.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

YOGA FOR WESTERNERS: The Master called out to Sri Menon, "Om Namo
Narayanaya, Balan Swamiji! I am just telling Sri Sastriji that I love to
do intense work, intense service. A little bit of seclusion, meditation
and Sadhana are also necessary. Look at Lord Jesus. He did Sadhana in
seclusion for thirteen years, then came out and worked intensely for a
few years. That was enough to thrill the entire world. In seclusion you
gain inner spiritual strength to revolutionise the entire world. You
then do the work of a lifetime within a couple of years.

"That is the sort of work that I want you to do in Europe. You should go
there and thrill the entire West in a couple of years. It should be a
lightning trip to the West. Dr. Atreya has written recently that Europe
is even more ready for the message of Vedanta than India, America and
England. Europeans are more eager to receive this message and assimilate
it. Will you do it?"

"Swamiji, with your blessings and inspiration anything can be done."

"The most important thing is to now tell the Europeans to lead the
divine life. Nowadays most of them run after occult powers. That is
really not Yoga. They imagine that only one who is able to perform
miracles is a Yogi. When acquired, these powers turn one's head and
magnify one's egoism, thus taking one away from God.

"And when you exhort them to lead the divine life, the idea should not
be to ask them to run away from their avocations into Himalayan jungles,
to sit there and pray to God. You should tell them in plain language
that God is ever within them, and that if they do not find Him within,
they are not likely to find Him anywhere else.

"But you should be very careful, careful lest you get absorbed in the
West. That is what happens in many cases. The Indians try to imitate
Westerners, and Western culture eventually swallows them. Yesterday I
received a letter from an American lady who says she was born to a Yogi
from India."

"But, Swamiji, so long as you are here to inspire us from within, I have
no fear."

The Master then said, "That is why I always insist that those who do
social work should once in a while run away to places like Rishikesh.
Work and seclusion should go hand in hand. You should not establish
yourself in Europe. Do intense work for a couple of years, then fly back
to India for seclusion and Sadhana. Then again you can return."

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

"'Do as you would be done by'--this is the gist of ethics." - Swami
Sivananda


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

Namaste!

Today (December 25) is the auspicious birthday of Lord Jesus. We have a
book on our website by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj titled
"Life and Teachings of Lord Jesus" which contains a number of Christmas
messages by Gurudev, Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj and Sri Swami
Krishnanandaji Maharaj. This book can be downloaded from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#jesus_teach

A discourse by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj titled "Characteristics
of the Teachings of Jesus" has been uploaded to Swamiji's site. This
discourse is from the "World Parliament of Religions Commemoration
Volume" published in 1956 and is at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_31.html

There is also a special Christmas greeting from Sivananda Santa courtesy
of Sri Haridasji at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/multimedia/santaclaus.jpg

A new book by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj was recently released at
Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh. The title of the book is "An Analysis of
the Brahma Sutra". This book can be purchased from our E-bookstore at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books.htm

We have posted a memorial message with regards to Sri Gurudev's disciple
Sri Swami Shankaranandaji Maharaj who was recently called back by the
Lord. This message is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/memoshankara.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

MOST EFFECTIVE MEDICINE: "Om Namo Narayanaya!" the Master greeted
Shivadayalji.

Shivadayalji was heavily blanketed. He was wearing a woollen cap too.

"You are not feeling well?"

"No, Swamiji, I am not feeling well for the past two days. Today I have
a headache and pain in the body."

Interrupting him, the Master said to Dr Kamala Korke, "Doctorji, this
man's heart has come between his lungs! What to do for him? Kindly
prescribe something to cure him."

Turning to Sri Shivadayalji, the Master advised, "If you are sick you
should approach a doctor."

Everyone had a hearty laugh.

Sri Shivadayalji was a little nonplussed. The Master relieved him by
saying, "Beloved Yogiji, throw away that woollen cap first. This is the
first medicine. Then the blanket also must go. These things only produce
fever."

Shivadayalji immediately obeyed as he was himself a good aspirant and a
fairly advanced student of Raja Yoga.

He understood at once that the Master had gone to the root of the
problem, and in his own humorous way had pointed out that illnesses are
rooted in the mind. When the mind is sickly the body follows suit; and
the only way to get rid of the illness is to think and feel healthy
thoughts.

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

"The incarnation of Christ have its mission in revealing to the world
the greatness of God, the glory of Truth, the worthlessness of things
mundane which are estranged from God who is Truth, the necessity of
surrender, and the importance of renunciation and fortitude." - Swami
Krishnananda


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"Venkatesanandaji is not a small boy. All the Ashram work he is doing. I
must tell all this, so that other people may be inspired to emulate his
example. He has not uttered a single word that could displease me. If I
want to get some work done urgently, the next morning it is ready; he
would do it sitting up the whole night. He has no ego. He will never
say: "This is not good." He is pleasing in manners. We should always try
to please everybody. People generally bring in the story of the donkey,
the old man and his son, in support of their argument that it is not
possible to please everybody. This is wrong. I always try to please
everybody, whatever be the nature of people. When a man comes to me, I
find out what is good in him and try to please him. Though it may not
always be possible, you must try to please all to the maximum extent
open to you." - Swami Sivananda

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

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

Today (Dec. 29th) is the holy occasion of revered and worshipful Sri
Swami Venkatesanandaji Maharaj's 79th birthday anniversary.

In celebration of Swamiji's birthday we uploaded a booklet titled "The
Master Said ...". This booklet contains a speech delivered by Gurudev
Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj on 26th December 1954, at Sivanandashram,
Rishikesh, for the celebration of the 34th birthday of Sri Swami
Venkatesanandaji. This booklet also contains 38 pictures of Sri Swami
Venkatesanandaji with eminent saints and personages. Please download
this booklet from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#mastersaid

A series of eleven inspiring talks by Sri Swami Venkatesanandaji titled
"Living at The Feet of Gurudev in The Ashram" has been uploaded to the
Divine Life Society of Maryland's website at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/teachings/venkatesananda/liveingfeetguru.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir


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OM

December 31st, 2000

From:
The Chairman, Divine Life Society TRUST
& The President of The D. L. Society,
Sivananda Nagar,
Rishikesh.
U.P.

To
The Divine Life Society Members & Devotees
all over India in all the States.

Subject: The 2nd Global International Divine Life Society Conference
2001 - 2002

Blessed Immortal Atman!
My Dear & Esteemed Brethern of our Gurudev
Swami Sivanandaji's Divine Life spiritual family,

Om Namo Narayanaya! Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

May God bless you all!

I am happy to write this letter asking for your enthusiastic cooperation
and full support to the 2nd Global International Divine Life Society
Conference that is to take place December 30th, 31st 2001 & January 1st,
2nd 2002 in Orissa at Cuttack. All of you are quite aware how this was
decided upon during the closing sessions of the 1st Global International
Divine Life Society Conference conducted at Cross Maidan in Mumbai, end
of 1999 and beginning of 2000. The Conference Committee for this 2nd
Global DLS Conference have commenced their work and started to enroll
delegates through out the entire length and breadth of India to make
this Conference an excellent success. I wish you all to enroll yourself
in large numbers as delegates to this forthcoming event. Foreign
delegates are being similarly invited through our foreign DLS branches
and Gurudev's devotees in numerous countries abroad. The whole of our
country should also be substantially represented upon the occasion. To
fulfill this objective may you also induce your friends and spiritual
minded neighbours and other relatives to accompany you when you attend
the Conference.

The Conference intends bringing out a special SOUVENIR. Try to obtain as
many as advertisements as possible as a means of financial support. I am
sure that once you get into contact with the Conference Committee, they
will tell you in what other ways you can help them financially, by way
of donations as well as creating sponsorships. This will all help them
in this noble work. Thank you.

With my very best wishes, regards, Prem and Om,

Swami Chidananda

-----------------------------------------------------
OM

December 27, 2000

To
Sri Swami Jivanmuktanandaji
In-charge Swami Sivananda Memorial Trust Hospital
Holy Pattamadai.

Blessed Immortal Atman!

Dear Jivanmuktanandaswamiji,

Om Namo Narayanaya!
Jai Sri Gurudev!

You have my very best wishes and abundant blessings for the foreign tour
you are commencing from next month, January 2001 in connection with the
2nd Global International Divine Life Society Conference to invite the
DLS members and devotees of Gurudev in foreign counties to participate
in this conference to make it truly an international in nature and in
addition also to collect sufficient funds to organize this major event.
You have my blessings and goodwishes also for all success in your main
purpose with which you are going on this tour.

May the Almighty Lord and also Beloved And Worshipful Gurudev Swami
Sivanandaji Maharaj shower abundant divine grace and benedictions upon
your work.

With Regards, Prem and Om,

Swami Chidananda

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

Sri Swami Jivanmuktanandaji Maharaj will be in the Asia-Pacific region
from 10th Jan 2001 to 10th Mar 2001. Swami Jivanmuktanandaji will follow
up to other parts of the world after the Asia-Pacific region trip. Swami
Jivanmuktanandaji's contact information:

Sri Swami Jivanmuktanandaji
In-charge Swami Sivananda Memorial Trust Hospital
Pattamadai 627 453,
Tirunelveli,
Tamil Nadu,
India.
Tel: 91 4634 - 60243, 60207
Fax: 91 4634 - 60243
E-mail: sscch@...
WWW: http://www.sscch.cjb.net/

Devotees and Branches of the Divine Life Society throughout the World
are requested to contact The Global International Conference Committee
under the presidentship of Sri Prashanta Kumar Mishraji for details at:
The International Divine Life Society Conference,
Chidananda Ghat,
Tulasipur,
Cuttack–753008,
Orissa,
India.
Phone : 91 671 – 300414, 307207

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

Namaste!

May Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj bless us all this New Year
with aspiration for God-Realization.

I had forwarded earlier this morning two letters from Guru Maharaj Sri
Swami Chidanandaji with regards to the 2nd Global International Divine
Life Society Conference that is to take place from December 30th 2001 to
January 2nd 2002 at Orissa, India. Both these letters have also been
posted at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/dlsconf2001.htm

For this New Year we have uploaded a discourse by Guru Maharaj titled
"One-Pointed Aspiration For God Alone". This discourse is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/jan2001.htm

Decmber 30th was the 121st birthday anniversary of Sri Ramana Maharshi.
In celebration of this holy ocassion we uploaded a biography of Sri
Ramana Maharshi by Gurudev at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/ramana.htm

Several new books were recently released at Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh.
The following are the titles of the books that were released:

1) Swami Sivananda The Modern Sage
2) Life and Teachings of Lord Jesus by Swami Sivananda
3) Jnana Yoga by Swami Sivananda
4) Bhakti and Sankirtan by Swami Sivananda
5) Dhyana Yoga by Swami Sivananda
6) The Yoga of Meditation by Swami Krishnananda

These books can be purchased from our E-bookstore at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

CERTIFICATES!: The enthusiastic Ramachandra Iyer bowed to the Master and
sat at his feet. He said, "I will now sing the 'Song of Immanence of
Ram', Swamiji."

The Master listened to the song. Sri Ramachandra had a sweet, musical
voice. He always sang the Maha Mantra beautifully, especially in the
early morning. The entire locality was brought to life by his Maha
Mantra Kirtan.

When he finished the song the Master said, "Fair! That is my
certificate. I have several categories--fair, fairly good, good, very
good, marvellous. His recitation is fair. But Premanandaji has reached
the 'marvellous' stage."

A look at the Master's face dispelled the perplexity of all. His
criterion for judging the standard in these cases was the heart. Real
sweetness issued from the heart. However good the voice may be, but if
the song did not proceed from the heart, the Master awarded it the
'fair' certificate.

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

"This is a world of things. You should ask for that Being who is beyond
all things--the Thing-in-Itself. If you ask for lesser things, you get
lesser things. He gives immediately what you aspire for. Whatever you
ask, that is given. So we have to be careful about what we ask of God
because He is a wish-yielding tree." - Swami Chidananda


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

Namaste!

Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji's Moksha Gita (the Song of Liberation)
with commentary by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji has been uploaded to Sri
Swami Krishnanandaji's site at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/moksha_00.html

January 5th was the 108th birthday anniversary of Paramahansa
Yoganandaji. In celebration of this holy ocassion we uploaded a
biography of Paramahansa Yoganandaji at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/yogananda.htm

Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji's "The Knowledge That Liberates" is
the title of the latest book released at Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh.
This book can be purchased from our E-bookstore at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books.htm

More information about the 2nd Global International Divine Life Society
Conference has been uploaded to:
http://www.dlsmd.org/dlsconfmain.htm

Please visit the above site for all the latest information along with
the latest pictures of Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji at holy
Pattamadai and a biography of Sri Swami Jivanmuktanandaji.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

ON THE MASTER'S SALVATION AGAIN: There was a mild breeze over the
Master's mystic remarks about his own salvation. Some of the aspirants
were discussing the significance of his utterance.

The Master quietly appeared in their midst and began to explain, "What
is there in salvation? My nature is to serve, serve and serve everyone.
I do not long for salvation. Even great saints and seers who have
realised the Supreme and thus liberated themselves from the wheel of
births and deaths, long to come back to the earth-plane, as they often
do, to serve suffering humanity and assist struggling souls on the path
to God. I will insist on taking birth after birth to serve you all and
to help aspirants march forward to the goal."

"Swamiji, even the gods will be jealous of you then." "That is the
point. I will defeat Maya in her own realm. She must cry before Brahma
Himself that she is undone, that aspirants have started to progress
rapidly on the path, and that the slumberers also have been awakened.
Then Brahma out of fright will give me salvation!"

"A brilliant idea, Swamiji," said Sastriji. "Who can truly understand
the glory of service except yourself, the very embodiment of the spirit
of service."

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

"The love of the Jnani (man of Knowledge) is called universal love. The
love of the worldly man is physical love. He does not love all equally;
there is partiality in love. Man loves and serves only those whom he
likes. He cannot love and serve those who hate him, who beat him and who
abuse him always. This is because he has no knowledge of the Self. The
Jnani loves all equally, for his is transcendental love. He loves others
because he loves his own Self. He alone exists everywhere." - Swami
Krishnananda


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

Namaste!

Today (January 14) is the holy Makara Shankranti. This day is called
Pongal among Tamilians. This is the day on which the Sun begins to move
northwards. There are a couple of articles on our website about this
festival. They are:

"Makara Shankranti" by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/makara_siva.htm

and

"Sun - The Eye of the World" by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/fest/fest_02.html

We have uploaded a booklet titled "Ideal of Married Life". This booklet
consists of guidelines by Gurudev and Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj for
a happy household and family life. This booklet can be downloaded from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#married

Sri Swami Ramaswarupanandaji is going to be in Hong Kong on February
7th. Please contact Sri Madhur Bhojwani <madhur@...> for
program details.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

YOGA STEP BY STEP: Sri Satya Sadan, a young Yoga enthusiast, wished to
know the direct road to liberation. The Master explained it to him, "The
direct path is Jnana Yoga. Practise it. Read the scriptures. Realise
that you are the Self. You will have to sit quietly and meditate. Go on
meditating on the true import of the Mahavakya till you actually realise
the Truth."

"True, Swamiji, I have heard that said before. I have read it in the
scriptures, too. But I wish to actually realise Brahman. Otherwise how
am I to understand that what the Upanishads declare is the truth? I want
to guard myself against falling into the snare of a mere hallucination.
And this 'Aham Brahmasmi' assertion might also be a hallucination,"
replied Sri Satya Sadan.

"That is the trouble. What the great seers and sages have said cannot be
false. But why does not man realise the Truth easily? The scriptures say
that there are three kinds of obstructions to the perception of this
Truth. The first is impurity, the second, oscillation of the mind, and
the third, the veil of ignorance. Introspect and find out which of these
you have. If you find that you have impurities like lust, anger and
greed, you will have to eradicate them through the practice of Karma
Yoga. If you experience only oscillation of the mind, you will have to
practise worship to steady it. If you have the veil of ignorance only,
you will have to do constant contemplation on the import of the
Mahavakyas, till the Truth flashes within you."

"Swamiji, I am not interested in all these. I only want direct
realisation of Brahman."

"That is like a clerk wanting to become a commissioner! The clerk has to
work hard, get quick promotions, and pass stage after stage and
examination after examination. Then only can he aspire to become a
commissioner. Can a matriculant become an I. C. S. (Indian Civil
Service) officer immediately? He has to first graduate at the university
and work hard to get through the I. C. S. examination. Only then can he
become an I. C. S. officer. Similarly, you have to first acquire Sadhana
Chatushtaya Sampath."

"What is that, Swamiji?"

"You have not even heard of that? It is discrimination between the Real
and the unreal, dispassion towards the objects of the world, and
acquiring of divine qualities like endurance, courage, equal vision and
faith. Lastly, it is a burning desire for liberation. After acquiring
these qualifications you should approach a Guru and learn the truths
from him. That is what the Gita says."

"Yes, Swamiji, I have read this in the Gita."

"No use merely reading it; you should put into practice what you know.
You do not wish to develop divine virtues but you want direct
realisation of Brahman at once!"

Silence.

"All this is not good. Ohji, please approach some good Mahatma, live
with him, serve him and learn. Do not try to become a Swayam Siddha
Mahatma (self-declared saint)!"

"May I stay with you, Swamiji?"

"As you like. But here all the aspirants have a clear grasp of the task
before them. So they engage themselves in the practice of the Yoga of
synthesis. They combine work, worship, study and Yoga. If you can also
fall in line with them, you can stay; or, seek some good Mahatma, serve
him and learn to meditate."

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

"Love and service are two keys to Divine Life. Religion and life are not
two but one. Lead the Life Divine." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded an inspiring message by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami
Chidanandaji titled "The Destiny of Man". This message is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/destiny.htm

A new poem titled "The Tribal" has been uploaded to Sri Swami
Krishnanandaji Maharaj's website. This poem is at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/poet/poet_06.html

The book list for the German branch of the Divine Life Society has been
updated and posted at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/branches/bookgerman.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

FIRST FULFIL DUTIES: A batch of visitors had arrived.

The Master was asking several Ashramites to attend to the affairs
connected with their lodging, etc.

Someone said that the aspirant who had the key of a particular room was
meditating in his room.

"What meditation is this? He must first fulfil his duties and then
meditate. He should have kept the keys outside and then shut himself up.
Look how many people are inconvenienced now! How can God be pleased with
one's meditation when he keeps His devotees waiting outside?"

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

"This human status is a wonderful opportunity and chance given to you to
be utilized in an intelligent manner for working through this present
state of bodybound and gross material consciousness into a higher state
of free spiritual and divine consciousness. It is the ultimate goal of
life. This is your true destiny. You have come here to work out that
DIVINE DESTINY!" - Swami Chidananda


-----------------------------------------------------
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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

Namaste!

I am forwarding herewith a message from our Divine Life Society branch at
Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Please help with the relief efforts. Please also offer
the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra below to the Lord to relief the suffering of
those afflicted.

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

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.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 28 Jan 2001 15:50:05 -0600
From: divyajivan@...
Subject: Gujarat Earthquake Relief Efforts

Divya Atman,
Hari OM! Namaste!
          OM Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!
          OM Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
          OM Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

As you already know, Uttar Gujarat and Saurashtra have been
struck with devastating earthquake tragedy. Gujarat Divya Jivan
Sangh (Divine Life Society, Gujarat) has initiated to undertake
relief effort under leadership of Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji
Maharaj to alleviate the sufferings of the distraught. We pray
for the peace of the departed souls and well being of the victims
and their families of the natural disaster.

All devotees of the Lord are made humble appeal to donate
generously towards this effort of the Gurudev's Mission. "Service
to the humanity is the worship to God" has been the fundamental
teaching of Holy Master Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj and Guru
Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj.

In United States, tax deductible donations can be drawn to
Spiritual Life Foundation. Please enter in the remark that
donation is for the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Effort. The fund
will be immediately transferred to the Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh.
Donations can also be sent directly to Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh
for Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund only in Indian currency. Let
us repeat, donation sent to the Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh for the
Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund should only be in Rupees.

Spiritual Life Foundation
For Gujarat Earthquake Relief Effort
807 Wildwood Court
Oak Brook, IL 60523


Gujarat Divya Jivan Sangh
For Gujarat Earthquake Relief Effort
Sivananda Marg, Jodhpur Tekri
Ahmedabad, 380 015,  INDIA

******************************************
We have uploaded various articles of Sri Swami Sivanandaji
Maharaj and Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, stressing importance
of service to the humanity as for the spiritual growth and
enlightenment.

http://www.divyajivan.org/articles/siva/selfless_service.htm

http://www.divyajivan.org/articles/siva/serve_humanity.htm

http://www.divyajivan.org/articles/chida/serve_to_purify.htm

******************************************

You will find other interesting audio clips on the page.
http://www.divyajivan.org/multimedia.htm

For new uploads at the Divyajivan site,  please refer to page:
http://www.divyajivan.org/what_is_new.htm

For upcoming events at the Sivananda Ashram, Ahmedabad
http://www.divyajivan.org/upcoming_events.htm

==============================================

Home Page:
http://www.divyajivan.org/

For questions, comments and suggestions:
mailto:divyajivan@...
===============================================
Please subscribe to Divya Jivan Newsletter
http://www.divyajivan.org/subscribe_divyajivan_list.htm

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

Namaste!

Reports of the Gujarat earthquake relief efforts undertaken by the
Divine Life Society branch at Ahmedabad are being posted at:
http://www.divyajivan.org/gujarat_earthquake_relief_effort.htm
and
http://www.divyajivan.org/interim_report.htm

Please join the Divya Jivan e-mailing list to keep yourself updated
about the relief work. You can send an e-mail to
divyajivan@... to subscribe.

We have uploaded a discourse by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj
titled "God Operates In Selfless Service" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/feb2001.htm

A lecture by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj titled "Prayer for
Departed Souls, Its Purpose and Pre-Requisites" has been uploaded to Sri
Swamiji's site at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_32.html

The Divine Life Society of Maryland's Annual Summer Sadhana Retreat is
going to be held from Friday, 29 June to Thursday, 5 July this year.
Space is limited. Please refer to the following page for further
details:
http://www.dlsmd.org/home/activiti.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

ON CHARITY: Sri Rajagopala Iyer, who was from South India, was narrating
to the Master the activities of Sri Ram Ram Ram, an old schoolmate of
the Master, who was now a retired surgeon. He was a widely travelled man
with a number of foreign degrees and a lot of money.

"Swamiji, nowadays he has more or less retired."

"What is there in retiring now? Has he established some hospital or
clinic for the sake of suffering humanity?"

"No, Swamiji, he had done a lot of service while he was in the army."

"But none of a permanent value. He must now do something that will make
his name immortal. He has earned a lot. He must now invest a portion of
the money in charity. The idea of doing something substantial for the
good of humanity never strikes many people.

"Please ask him on my behalf to construct a ward in his name in the
local hospital and provide for a few beds also. This will be a great
blessing to humanity. He can himself serve there as long as he wishes.
Even after his lifetime the ward will always proclaim his name and
philanthropy. What is the use of money unless every pie is directed to
some good cause?"

Then the talk turned to his personal affairs.

"He spends a lot of money but he himself leads a very simple life."

"H'm! This is a marvellous and unique trait that he has kept up - Indian
simplicity even after his European tours and luxurious life,"
complimented the Master.

"He has a cook, Swamiji, but in those parts the cooks hardly stay on."

"He should pay the cook well and give him the same kind of food that he
himself takes, if not better. Then no cook will leave him. It depends
upon the treatment. One should make the servants feel that they are part
of the family."

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

"When you do something with all your heart and soul, there is guaranteed
success. You begin to look - not at the difficulties - but at the
possibilities." - Swami Venkatesananda


-----------------------------------------------------
Sivananda Day-to-day is sent out weekly.
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-----------------------------------------------------

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

Namaste!

We have uploaded biographies of two of India's foremost sages of ancient
times from Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj's book "Lives of
Saints". The first is of Maharshi Vyasa, who arranged the Vedas, wrote
the Brahma Sutras, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/vyasa.htm
and
the second is of Sage Yajnavalkya, the great Upanishadic sage:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/yajnavalkya.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

PROSELYTISING ACTIVITIES USELESS: Sri Rajagopala Iyer was talking to the
Master about the proselytising activities of some missions.

The Master said, "What is in this? A Christian comes, hands you a Bible
and converts you to Christianity; a Muslim gives you a copy of the Koran
and changes you into a Muslim; a Hindu has his Gita for the same
purpose.

"Truth is one. All the scriptures expound this Truth, though in
different words. What purpose can ever be served by these proselytisers?
They only change a man's external cloak and a few of his habits. Can
they ever go near the Atma, the eternal witness? Only dull-witted people
engage themselves in such missions. Wise men only seek to strengthen a
man's faith in his own religion."

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

"If anything is dear and lovable, the thing that is loved is not
actually loved, it is not dear. The Self in the object is what is
actually attracting. The Self in the object attracts the Self in us and
then the object looks attractive. It is not the object that is
attractive, because a corpse cannot attract anybody, a dead body does
not attract. It is the life principle that attracts, the Selfhood in the
object is attracting. The beauty and the grandeur of the life principle,
it is that which attracts." - Swami Krishnananda


-----------------------------------------------------
Sivananda Day-to-day is sent out weekly.
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-----------------------------------------------------

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

Namaste!

Sri Swami Jivanmuktanandji Maharaj is currently on a tour around the
world to encourage devotees to attend the 2nd Global International
Divine Life Society Conference from Decmber 30th, 2001 to January 2nd,
2002 at Cuttack, Orissa, India. Swamiji is also raising funds for the
same. Swamiji is currently in Hong Kong and will be there until 22nd
February. Devotees in Hong Kong can contact Mrs. Vijay (Uma) at
852-90432671 or 852-29878436 for Satsang programmes. Swamiji will be
leaving for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 23rd February. For more
information about the conference please visit:
http://www.dlsmd.org/dlsconfmain.htm

Please check the Divya Jivan website for the latest updates on the
relief work at Gujarat. Foreign currency is now accepted at our branch
in Ahmedabad. There is also a letter from Guru Maharaj Sri Swami
Chidanandaji to Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji posted there. The website is
at:
http://www.divyajivan.org/gujarat_earthquake_relief_effort.htm

Brasil now has a branch of the Divine Life Society. The contact
information is as follows:
Sociedade da Vida Divina, Brasil
Av. Cel. Lucas de Oliveira, 2884
90460-000 - Porto Alegre, RS
Brasil
Phone: +55 51 333.0733
Fax + 55 51 331.8633
E-mail: instituto-ives@...
Web: http://www.instituto-ives.homepage.com/

There are Satsangs every Friday at 7:30pm. Please contact the President,
Sri Ojasvi Dasa Vyasa, at the above address for more information.

We have uploaded brief biographies of two of Gurudev Sri Swami
Sivanandaji's disciples to our site. The biography of HH Sri Swami
Vishnudevanandaji Maharaj, founder of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center,
is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/vishnu.htm

and the biography of HH Sri Swami Satyanandaji Maharaj, founder of the
International Yoga Fellowship Movement, is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/satya.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

DIVINE PROTECTION: The Master was returning from his walk to the temple
in the evening. As he came near the Yajnashala (place for offering
sacrifice), one of Sri Pannalalji's little children, who was playing on
the roof of the Yajnashala rooms, slipped off the terrace and fell right
into one of the empty packing cases placed near the wall of the
building.

The Master quickly called out to the parents of the child. They hurried
down and found that the child had almost swooned. The Master also
reached the spot quickly and gazed at the child for a moment. Sri
Pannalalji took the boy into his arms and called his name. Lo! the child
cried for a couple of minutes and then jumped out of his arms to run
about again!

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

"The wealth of the three worlds is nothing. It is mere straw before the
spiritual wealth, the wealth of Brahma-Jnana. The joy of the three
worlds is a mere drop when compared to the ocean of bliss of the Self.
The knowledge of all secular sciences is mere husk when compared to the
knowledge of the Self." - Swami Sivananda


-----------------------------------------------------
Sivananda Day-to-day is sent out weekly.
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-----------------------------------------------------

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

Namaste!

February 21st is the auspicious Mahasivaratri day. There are several
articles on our website about the significance of this festival. They
are:

1) Shivaratri by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/shivaratri.htm

2) Siva--The Mystic Night by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/fest/fest_03.html

In celebration of this holy occasion we uploaded the biography of Sri
Appayya Dikshitar, an incarnation of Lord Siva, by Gurudev Sri Swami
Sivanandaji. Our Gurudev is a descendent of this great sage. The
biography of Sri Appayya Dikshitar is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/appayya.htm

A glossary for Sri Gurudev's Moksha Gita with commentary by Sri Swami
Krishnanandaji has been uploaded to Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's site at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/moksh/moksh_glo.html

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

NO DISTINCTIONS: The food bell had rung.

"Vishnu Swamiji," the Master called out, "take Sri John D'Cruz and see
that he is accommodated in the dining hall. Is he also taking his meals
in the dining hall?"

"Yes, Swamiji."

"That is right. In this Ashram there should not be any communal feeling
and no caste or creed distinctions. The Christian, Muslim and Parsee
should all move together amicably, eat together and pray together,
without any distinction whatsoever."

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

Grace of the Lord Siva
by Sri Swami Krishnananda
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/poet/poet_05.html

When Pandyan king in Madurai ruled
             a flood in Vaigai rose,
A threat discharged on kingdom's wealth
             and royal glory's pride.
The kind, aghast at ceaseless rush of
             swelling waters' roar,
Summoned his court and dwelt on means of
             meeting danger's roots.
The palace ordered every house to send
             a man for work
To bunds erect and walls upraise to stem
             the force of tides.
The rule of law enforced the hardest
             punishment on those
Who desisted or failed to comply with
             the demand made,
The rich and poor, strong and weak, and
             every citizen,
Deputed men to render service as the
             edict went.
The whole of town and village folk
             did rise to hurry forth
In labour deemed so emergent to save
             the city's life.
Lo, everyone, not one is left, from imposed
             force of law's.
So stringent was the order come from
             despot ruler's will.
An old and weak and poor dame of city's
             corner's hut,
Was also served the notice come, as no one
             was exempt.
The bending back with feeble eyes moved
             out in open streets
In search of someone who could work, as
             second she had none.
When lowest level of support to breaking
             point does move,
The last of strings that ties to earth the
             soul does break and snap.
Since all was gone, same body's breath, with
             legal wrath as only friend,
The aged lady unwittingly summoned 'all'
             to her rescue.
A little boy from off the road eagerly rushed
             and spoke to her
To service lend on payment made, a joy and
             grief to her distressed.
It's joy because someone had come, and grief
             because she had no wealth
To pay the servant for the work which he
             demanded as his due.
"I have some cakes of pounded rice, please
             have it as wages I pay,
No other thing I can afford; if you are
             willing go and work".
So saddened lady made her point to which he
             gladly did agree,
And having eaten some of cakes he went to
             labour for the bund.
When all were hard at rugged labour on the
             banks to raise the walls,
The little lad just threw some mud and idly
             strolled in careless ease.
While this was bad he made it worse by
             complaining of hunger-thirst,
And frequently making his way to lady's hut
             for eating cakes.
The king did notice lethargy and idle play
             of servant sent,
And on enquiry came to know an old woman had
             sent this boy.
Casting his glance on work pretentions, irked
             at wilful negligence,
The king his whip of lashes raised and dealt
             a blow on back of boy.
Then what happened, who can describe, the atoms
             split their very core,
And every cell of all creation shook with shock
             of thrash of whip.
The king who struck was first belaboured with
             the strike of rod
And felt the pain of blow he dealt on working
             peasant boy.
The workers all in thousands stretched busy
             in building bunds,
Did each one feel the hit on back as if
             a stone did roll.
The hills in tremor showered blasts of earth
             element from their pores,
And seas rose up in heaving waves as if the
             mountains in them sank.
Vibrations struck the sun and moon and stars
             in the sky spat tongues of flame,
Brahma and Vishnu in Their seats and Indra
             felt the sudden quake.
The boy in play took up a handful of the
             earth from ground,
And threw it on the gaps of bund which closely
             fixed the walls.
This in an instant raised the barracks
             turning tides away,
To marvelled looks of all the folks who drudged
             for days and days.
Lo, wonder this, who is this rustic lad who
             played these pranks
And struck with wonder everyone who dazed
             beheld what this could be.
Suddenly in place of that one little
             boyish frame
Arose the magnificent frame of Siva,
             Almighty
Who lighted up the firmament as thousand
             suns would rise,
And blessed the kind and all the people
             with his divine grace.


-----------------------------------------------------
Sivananda Day-to-day is sent out weekly.
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-----------------------------------------------------

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

Namaste!

We have been blessed with the nectar of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji
Maharaj's autobiography at Swamiji's website. Swamiji's autobiography is
at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/aubio/mylife_1.html

The print version will be released on Swamiji's birthday on April 25th.

A new update by Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji on the Divine Life Society of
Ahmedabad's earthquake relief work has been posted at:
http://www.divyajivan.org/Earthquake/index.htm

In the update yesterday Swamiji had mentioned that one of our Hospital
Complex at Adipur Kutch has been severely damaged by the earthquake. A
full report on the estimated cost of damages is available at the above
site. Please donate generously so that we can rebuild our Hospital which
has been graced by our Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji and Sri Swami
Krishnanandaji. Swamiji also reminded us of Worshipful Sri Gurudev's
saying--SPEND SPEND SPEND, HE WILL SEND SEND SEND.

Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji's "Practice of Ayurveda" is the title of
the latest book released at Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh. This book can
be purchased from our E-bookstore at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books.htm

We have uploaded a discourse by Sri Swami Venkatesanandaji Maharaj on
why the Master insisted on equipping aspirants with both theoretical and
practical knowledge of Yoga and Vedanta. This discourse is titled
"Theory and Practice":
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/mar2001.htm

Our spiritual calendar from April 2001 to April 2002 has been uploaded
to:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/calendar.htm

The Divine Life Society of Brasil has a mailing list in Portugese.
Devotees who would like to join this mailing list can send an e-mail
with the word INCLUDE in the subject header to:
instituto-ives@...

The Yoga Vidya Ashram in Germany has started a daily Newsletter in
German with the translation of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj's
Daily Readings called "Tägliche Inspiration aus der Feder Swami
Sivanandas". Anybody interested in receiving a daily inspiration from
Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda can subscribe at:
http://www.yoga-vidya.de/Yoga-Lesung/Sivananda_Eintrag.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

ENCOURAGEMENT: "Om Namo Narayanaya! Come, Torrenton Advocate Saheb,"
greeted the Master, even before Sri Amir Chandji of Torrenton entered
the office.

"You first met me when I was in Rishikesh," the Master kindled the
advocate's memory.

"Yes, Swamiji, that was in 1924."

"Are you having a good practice now? How is your family and how are your
children? How is your health?" the Master went on enquiring, and got the
one reply, "Everything is all right and everyone is keeping quite fit,
only through your Grace, Maharaj."

"You have now completely retired from active life, Advocate Maharaj, so
you should spend all your time in Sadhana. Why not take Sannyas?"

"Swamiji, what shall I say? Attachment to the family does not leave me
even now. How can I embrace Sannyas? By thy Grace only will I be able to
get dispassion."

"You previously told me that you were doing some worship," the Master
reminded him.

"Yes, Swamiji, long, long ago I was inspired by your book on Japa Yoga
Sadhana. From the very minute I perused the book, I took to the
repetition of the Gayatri Mantra. Another Swamiji whom I met also
encouraged me greatly in this. He said that your words should always be
taken as gospel truths, as God's commands. I performed six
Purascharanas* of the Gayatri Mantra, too."

"Six Purascharanas? Wonderful! You should have long ago attained purity
of heart. Then you are already a Sannyasin. The Gayatri is the greatest
of all Mantras. And even one Purascharana is difficult to perform; it is
a wonder how you were able to perform six!"

"But, Swamiji, the impurities inside were perhaps too much for even six
Purascharanas."

"Six Purascharanas is a great achievement indeed. Even now you should go
on repeating the Gayatri Mantra. You should not give it up till you
achieve the goal of God-realisation."

"Surely I will, Swamiji."

The Master later arranged for Amir Chandji's food and comfort. After he
had left, the Master recollected, "This advocate first met me in 1924
and gave me five rupees. That was just after I had come to Rishikesh.
Living on alms--on dry roti and dhal--was all new to me. As soon as I
got the money, I ran to a shop and ate sweetmeats to my heart's
content!"


* One Purascharana is equal to the number of syllables in a mantra
multiplied by 100,000. For Gayatri Mantra that would be 2,400,000 times.

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

"Practice is extremely important, but not without understanding." -
Swami Venkatesananda


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

"All Gurudev's Life, He Lived Thinking Of Others: In What Way Can I be
of Benefit, in What Way can I Serve? That was Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji
Maharaj till the Very Last Days." - Swami Chidananda

DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY - MUMBAI CIRCLE
Registered under the Bombay Public Trust  Act 1950 Under E- 10869 (B)
Dt. 18-09-1986.
SUCHAK HOSPITAL Satsang Hall,
186, Manchhubhai Road, Malad (East),
Mumbai - 400 097.
INDIA
Tel. (91-22) 889 1484, 889 1744
Fax 889 0821,
E-mail : suchak@...
Website : www.suchakhospital.com

Om Namo Bhagawate Sivanandaya!

5th March 2001

Radiant Divinities,

Do you remember those terrifying moments, when your house was rocked?
When your chest pounded so hard and the throat dried up? How did it
feel? What were your thoughts during those few seconds when the tremors
occurred? It seemed as if, everything would end here, is not it? Aren't
you lucky to be alive and well? But there are others who aren't so
lucky!

In just a few moments… their lives have changed permanently. We are not
speaking about the dead, but the living [dead], who wish that they had
perished in that quick, decisive act of Mother Nature. Their families
are dead, their entire lives' possessions, achievements and aspirations
have been washed off in seconds. There is little to look forward to in
life, for them. Many of them feel that their survival is not a miracle
but a curse; it would have been better to die. There are no tears left
in their eyes. Most of them are in such a daze, they are unable to come
to terms with the horrible earthquake that rocked their lives and
snatched away their beloved family members. What they have experienced
will be indelibly imprinted in their hearts and minds for the rest of
their lives.

Service is the way we pay our debt to society.

Today, these very people who survived the devastating earthquake need
our compassion and help. It is the time to give back to society what we
have received! It is time to translate all noble thoughts into deeds,
and put our money and might into this huge humanitarian task lying in
front of us.

We need your help!
Your help is needed in their hour of grief. Charity should be indulged
with the recipient in mind. It is important to give what is most
essential at the present times.

And we are not talking of a week's help, but a long-term presence for
nearly a year, till they are completely rehabilitated. Your help can
make this dream come true! We know that you will respond the way you
always have and grab this golden opportunity to serve our fellow beings.

We are committed to provide all possible rehabilitation facilities to
make a difference in their lives. What has already happened cannot be
changed, but we can certainly help them to cope up with the harsh
realities of what lies ahead in their lives! All this with the touch of
compassion and spirituality as taught to us by our Holy Masters.

Updated Report and Newsletter.

Responding to the devastating Earthquake that hit Gujarat on 26th
January 2001 the 1st Batch of 24 Doctors and 13 Volunteers went on 27th
January to Kutch and rendered service in the form of Medical Relief.

In continuation to the Medical relief work done in Bhuj, 32 patients
were identified and flown in from 30th January onwards for Specialised
Surgery and hospitalisation to Suchak Hospital, Malad. 80 Major
Operations were performed and post-operative care along with food and
clothing were provided to them and their relatives.

Volunteer organisations came and helped. Volunteers and media support
also came and this was very encouraging because it gave the patients
hope and relief. The quake victims could understand and experience that
people cared from the bottom of their hearts.

On 11th February, another team of seven Doctors and Paramedical Staff
went to continue the good work being carried out. They also surveyed and
identified the village 'Gada', which is 14 kms from the town of Bhuj.
Since 27th of January, every week a team of 3 to 4 Doctors and
Paramedical staff continue to offer their services at Bhuj and 'Gada'.

REPORT OF THE TEAM THAT VISITED 'GADA' ON 24TH FEBRUARY 2001
The team that arrived was met with joy instead of tears and fears as the
aspiration and hopes of the villagers have now been risen due to the
interaction and services rendered since 27th January 2001.

The co-operation from all departments of the Government organisations
was very heart warming to Dr Anil Suchak Dr. Umesh Khanna and Dr. Jayesh
Shah, as all paper work and formalities required for adoption of the
village 'Gada' was achieved smoothly.

As the rehabilitation work has commenced an Engineer Mr. Vishwas Kunte
and a Manager Mr. Rajesh have been appointed.

Even the Gram Samiti, village elders, teachers, ladies and children's
spirits were raised. Smt Abha Suchak, Dr. Amita Suchak, Dr. M.S. Sharma,
Urvashi Thakkar, Mohan Kulkarni, Ashok Shah, Kalpesh Vyas & others
distributed a truckload of material, which was taken from Mumbai, to the
villagers. Each family was provided a complete kitchen set (including
pressure cooker and primus stove), new clothes, warm clothes and a
month's supply of groceries.

This added and helped in confidence building measures. The team and
villagers have built a bond, which is far above the give and take
situation, which has arisen out of this calamity.

To see that the children do not loose the touch with their studies,
immediate measures were taken to erect a temporary shed to house the
school. The problem of Black Boards, Note Books, Pencils, Pens, Crayons,
Slates, School Bags etc. was also dealt with. Some of the sweetest
smiles are all to be seen in the school.
The Gram Samiti gladly gave the consent letter, which helped in getting
permission for reconstruction from the District Collector and NGOs
co-ordinator. Papers had also to be filed and submitted to the Mamlatdar
and Talati, which were also done.

As the rapport with the villagers was good, people opened their hearts
out. Since the water supply in the village had been damaged due to the
devastating Earthquake, it had to be restored.  Our Engineer Mr. Vishwas
Kunte walked all through the line from where the supply was coming and
traced the source of damage almost 2 kms. away from the village. The
waterworks department had to be motivated by Mr. Dinesh Thakkar, into
trying to restore the line immediately.  This was achieved in less than
24 hours and brought satisfying relief to the villagers.

Similarly, the telephone department had also to be encouraged into
atleast putting some lines in the village.
Various Earthquake house plans were studied and discussed with the NGO
co-ordinator and Government Officials. Our Engineer and the team
measured each and every existing plot; house and veranda painstakingly
so as to place on record the measurements.

>From the neighbouring Shrujan, ICDU (Calamity and disaster unit) were
called to remove the debris. As they are experts, all re-usable
materials (like undamaged doors and window frames) are being kept aside
for reconstruction use.

BLESSINGS OF SAINTS
Swami Adhyatmanandaji, in charge of The Divine Life Society Western
zone, conducted prayers and invoked the blessings of the Almighty Lord
upon the villagers and the various units doing the relief work on 27
February 2001.
Having heard of the good work being done, Jagadguru Sri Shankaracharya
Jayendra Saraswati of Kanchi, who was on a tour to the quake affected
areas of Gujarat, came to bless the village Gada and the team on the
28th of Feb. 2001. Sri Shankaracharya ji offered solace and peace to the
villagers and later distributed notebooks provided by us to all the
students of this village and blessed us with prayers to work towards the
reconstruction of the village.

PROPOSED PLAN FOR NAVNIRMAN OF "GADA" (GADO)

To rebuild all 103 houses shattered by the quake; as per models
finalised by the authorities comprising of the Government, NGOs and
Village Committee. Sponsorship of a house Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees fifty
thousand only).
Providing a primary School to the village.
Sponsorship Rs. 8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight Lakh only).
Providing Aanganwadi or child development care centre.
Sponsorship Rs. 3,50,000/- (Rupees Three Lakh Fifty thousand only).
Providing a community hall to the village.
Sponsorship Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakh only).
Providing a primary health care centre.
Sponsorship Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakh only).
Setting up self-employment schemes for men and women in the village,
such as tie and dye, papad making, embroidery etc.
Providing Psychosocial and Spiritual care through The Divine Life
Society.
Partial adoption or Sponsorship of a child's upkeep, education and
health.

All kinds of help have been pouring in from all quarters. The magnitude
of the calamity is so vast that any amount of help rendered is not
sufficient. It is in seeing the devastating effect of the Earthquake
that one realises the trauma
that the people of Gujarat are still going through. In one stroke they
were all reduced to just a cipher.

Monthly contribution as done during the Global Conference will help in a
long way. Even a small token of contribution from you, your friends and
relatives would help us in fulfilling our dream of rehabilitating the
Gada village.

Awaiting your immediate reciprocation and thanking you in anticipation
for your help. Please visit our website http://www.suchakhospital.com/
for details photographs and updates.

May God's blessings always be with you, your family and friends.
"Serve all. Service of Humanity is Worship of God. There is no Greater
Yoga than Service of Mankind. -Swami Sivananda

Yours in service of Gurudev,
For Divine Life Society - Mumbai Circle


Dr. Anil Suchak
President


Please draw Cheques in the name of "DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY A/c Gujarat
Earthquake Relief Fund" or "SUCHAK MEMORIAL PUBLIC CHARITABLE TRUST A/c
Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund". All donations have 80 G exemption.
Donations are entitled to the benefit of 100% deduction from the income
of the donor.

"All Gurudev's Life, He Lived Thinking Of Others: In What Way Can I be
of Benefit, in What Way can I Serve? That was Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji
Maharaj till the Very Last Days." - Swami Chidananda

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

Namaste!

A new site has been launched to keep devotees informed about the 2nd
Global International
Divine Life Society Conference at Cuttack, Orissa, India from 30th
December 2001 - 2nd January 2002. This site is regularly updated with
reports of Sri Swami Jivanmuktanandaji's travels around the globe
inspiring devotees to attend the conference. Two recent talks by Swamiji
in Malaysia titled "How to Live Life Divine" and "Feelings of Higher
Life in Ourselves, to Live In Peace, Happiness and Bliss is Spiritual
Life" has been uploaded to this site. There is also a recent
announcement by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji to be published in
the Oriya Magazine "Divya Sandesh". The brochure for the conference has
also been uploaded. This website is at:
http://www.divinelifesociety.org/

The above site has been lovingly created by Sharada Rama Krishnan
Mataji.

Devotees with websites are encouraged to link to this site by inserting
the following HTML code in their page:

<center><a href="http://www.divinelifesociety.org/"><img border="0"
src="http://www.divinelifesociety.org/Images/banner.jpg"></a></center>

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

WORSHIP SHOULD BE SIMPLE: A devotee suggested that the Sri Chakra
worship, with all its formalities and rituals, should be performed in
the Ashram for the purpose of acquiring wealth. He felt that the income
of the Ashram was quite inadequate for the present needs and for the
full manifestation of the Master's own dynamism.

"Sri Chakra worship is no doubt good," said the Master. "Just as we
worship Shiva, Krishna and Rama, we may also do formal worship of Devi
too, but not for the sake of money. Why, we are already getting enough
money even without this worship."

"But, Swamiji, the expenditure always exceeds the income. And if we had
lakhs, the expenditure would still increase and then all Swamiji's
wishes would be fulfilled."

"Worship should always be simple and performed with feeling and
devotion, unhindered by unnecessary rules, rituals and formalities. It
should be such that one could perform it after a mere wash of the hands
and feet."

"Swamiji, I have heard it said that a certain Sri Vidya Upasaka's life
has been completely transformed after his initiation, and his financial
position greatly improved."

"Could not Lord Shiva give us all wealth?" asked the Master. "Cannot
Lord Rama give us, or Lord Krishna? Why, Lord Shiva has been so much
agitated by the powerful Rudra chants at the Viswanath temple that He
has run away from Kailas and Benares and taken His abode at the Ashram
temple. Devi worship is good but do not do it with a desire to increase
our wealth. If the Lord so desires, He will fill the Ashram with gold.
Kubera himself is already in charge of our finances because we are doing
His work."

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

"Turning away from God is disease. He who turns to God is at perfect
ease within." - Swami Venkatesananda


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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 titled "The
Philosophy and Significance of Idol Worship". In this book Sri Gurudev
explains the rationale behind idol worship and the significance of the
various items used in worship. This book has the following sections:
a) Worship of the Image
b) The Temple
c) Glory of Prasad
d) Philosophy of Hindu Symbols
e) The Siva Linga
f) Faith And Idol Worship

This book can be downloaded from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#idolworship

Information for the upcoming Summer Sadhana Retreat and Yoga Teacher
Training Refresher Course at the Divine Life Society of Maryland, USA
has now been posted at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/retreat/retreatmain.htm

The retreat is going to be led by Sri Swami Vimalanandaji, Sri Swami
Jivanmuktanandaji and Sri Swami Gurudevananda Mataji at the Bishop
Claggett Center in Maryland from 29 June through 5 July 2001. There are
only 42 spaces so please register as soon as possible. For further
information please contact Swami Gurudevananda at simado@... or
(301) 432-4918.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

THE UNSEEN COMPANION: An old South Indian couple were on a visit to
Rishikesh. They had remained at the Ashram for a few days and were
leaving for South India. After a trip to Lakshmanjhula, they came into
the office and prostrated to the Master.

"How do you like these places? Did you enjoy your trip to Lakshmanjhula?
Did you see all the shrines?"

"Yes, Swamiji, wherever we go in Rishikesh, we discover immense peace of
mind. We have never enjoyed this peace before. This Ashram is full of
peace and bliss. There is no place like it anywhere else in India. When
we think of the happiness that we derive here, our minds yearn to settle
down here itself."

"What about your family?"

"We have no one else, only we two," replied the lady. "He also has
retired long ago. We lead a lonely life. There is no hindrance. We can
easily come and settle down here. He has already transferred his pension
papers to Dehra Dun. We shall go to South India only to wind up the
family affairs and then come here once for all."

"H'm! There is no one else for you?"

"No, Swamiji, only we two."

"But you have forgotten the third member of your family--God. He is your
constant companion. You can never be absolutely alone. God is always
with you."

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

"A concrete form is necessary for the vast majority for practising
concentration. To behold God everywhere and to practise the presence of
God is not possible for the ordinary man. Idol worship is the easiest
form of worship for the modern man." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have some information about the book "Practice of Ayurveda" by
Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj which was recently released at
Rishikesh. This book is a complete guide to the theory and practice of
ayurveda. It contains 286 pages and the chapters are:
Ayurveda - Theory and Practice
Ayurvedic Ethics
Doctrine of Vatha-Pitta-Kaphas
Doctrine of Rasa, Veeyra, Vipaka and Prabhava
Hygienic Principles in Ayurveda
Ayurveda on Diet
Ayurvedic Psychology
Nadi Vijnana
Indian Surgery
Nidana
Ayurvedic Chikitsa
Indian Materia Medica
Home Remedies
Common Herbs
Charaka's Classification of Drugs
Classification of Drugs - I
Classification of Drugs - II
Index to Therapeutic Action of Bazaar Drugs
Ayurvedic Preparations Explained
Kaya Kalpa
The Rasayana Treatment
Yantras

The Appendix contains:
Definitions in Ayurveda
Rajo Dharma
Nomenclature of Diseases
Diseases of the Eyes
Index to Diseases and Treatment
Ayurvedic Quotations
Ayurvedic Jottings
Maharashi Chyavana and Chyananaprash
The Bilwa Tree: Its Properties and Uses
Kuppamani
Cancer
Lumbago
Saltless Diet
Causes of Diseases
The Three Pillars in Ayurveda
Ayurveda - Although Ancient It Can Be Ever New

This book can be purchased from our E-bookstore at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books.htm

Sri Swami Ramaswarupanandaji was unable to send his monthly e-mail to
devotees due to a problem with his computer. Swamiji has however posted
it at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/ramaswarup/11thletter.htm

The latest DLS of Maryland's newsletter, Heart of Sivananda for January
- March 2001 has been uploaded. The theme of this issue is True Yoga and
Yoga Today. You can find this at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/newsletters/newslett.htm

Swami NadaBrahmananda of the International Meditation Society in Canada
has posted his account of a month spent teaching in Swami Krishnananda
Yoga School, Valencia, Venezueala at:
http://www.vcn.bc.ca/ims-hq/diary.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

KINDS OF VANITY: In the course of a conversation one of the visitors
referred to an old acquaintance of the Master and said, "He has now
fifteen cars, Swamiji, and he is rolling in wealth."

Quick came the reply, "What good is all this? It only increases his
vanity."

Turning to the aspirants present, the Master added, "The other form of
vanity is 'I have performed six lakhs of Om Namah Shivaya Japa'. All
these kinds of egoism and vanity should be ruthlessly eradicated."

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

"Serve and you will rule." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji is going to be at the Sivananda
Ashram, Ahmedabad on the 28th and 29th April, 2001 to inaugurate the
Shri Ashtalakshmi Bhavan and Chidananda Dhyana Mandir. Please visit the
following site for details:
http://www.divyajivan.org/ashtalakshmi/index.htm

April 2nd (Monday) is the birthday of Lord Rama. There are a couple of
articles on our websites about the glory of Lord Rama. They are:

"Ramnavmi" by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/ramanavami.htm

"Rama--The Apotheosis of Human Perfection" by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji
Maharaj at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/fest/fest_04.html

April 8th (Sunday) is the birthday of Lord Hanuman, the faithful servant
of Lord Rama. There are two articles about Lord Hanuman by Gurudev at
our site. They are at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/hanuman_jay.htm
and
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/hanuman.htm

We have uploaded brief biographies of two of Gurudev Sri Swami
Sivanandaji's disciples to our site. The biography of HH Sri Swami
Satchidanandaji Maharaj, founder of the Integral Yoga Institutes, is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/satchidananda.htm

and the biography of HH Sri Swami Jyotirmayanandaji Maharaj, founder of
the Yoga Research Foundation, is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/jyotir.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

COMPASSION IN ACTION: It had been said by the Sadhu contemporaries of
the Master that during his Sadhana days at Swarg Ashram, even if he had
shut himself up in a room, he could be easily brought to his heels at
the least sign of suffering in the neighbourhood. To him, God was more
profoundly manifest in the afflicted patient outside than anywhere
within the four walls of his own room.

The Master was deeply engaged in a conversation at Ram Ashram with his
European devotees.

Suddenly the wail of a mother was heard nearby. He immediately lost all
interest in the conversation, hurried to the patient and at once kneeled
at her side. The patient herself felt great relief and stopped crying.
She explained her condition. The Master quickly diagnosed that it was
labour pains.

"Get Sridharji quickly! Run!" One Ashramite was thus despatched.

"Fetch a horse-cart immediately!" he commanded a second.

A third was sent to the kitchen!

After some initial treatment the lady was rushed to the Rishikesh
hospital. The husband obviously had enough money with him, but the
Master's solicitude was always blind to these facts. Padmanabhanji came
running with a ten-rupee note which the Master as though duty bound,
handed to the husband. Within an hour of the Master hearing the weeping
sound the lady was in hospital. She delivered a child a few minutes
after admission!

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

"Devotion has absolutely nothing to do with age, caste, creed, position
or sex. Generally, the worldly-minded people say: "We will practise
meditation and devotion when we retire from service." This is a serious
mistake. How can you do serious Sadhana after squeezing out all your
energy in working? How will you be able to practise the strict Yogic
discipline in your old age? Is there any certainty in life? No, the
spiritual seeds of discipline and devotion must be sown in you while you
are young, while your heart is tender and untainted. Then only will it
strike a deep root, blossom forth and bear fruit when you become old and
retire. Only then can you bravely face the god of death and meet him
with a smile!" - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded an discourse by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji
titled "How to Approach a Saint". In this discourse Guru Maharaj
explains the various ways people have been approaching saints and later
goes on to explain how to correctly approach one. This discourse is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/apr2001.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

A SURPRISE GIFT: Sri John D'Cruz was hesitating to ask for a copy of the
book, Diamond Jubilee Commemoration Volume. He had no money. A very
diligent and earnest aspirant, yet God had placed him in poor
circumstances.

The Master quickly perceived his immediate hunger to peruse this
beautiful volume.

"Padmanabhanji, bring a copy of the Diamond Jubilee Commemoration Volume
for D'Cruzji."

D'Cruz was beside himself with joy. He modestly asked the Master, "Is
this volume for me, Swamiji? It is such a costly and precious book."

"Of course it is for you, my dear D'Cruzji. The book is not worth
anything to me in terms of money. You are more valuable to me than
money. And if the book elevates you, I am much more satisfied than if
you had paid me a hundred rupees in return for it."

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

"Saints are people who try to break your delusion, who try to destroy
your ignorance and clinging. They try to give you something which is
more than anything this universe can ever boast or claim to be able to
give you. They give you something which no object in this universe, no
person, no king, no experience, not even all the persons, experiences
and objects of this universe put together can give or even approach...
such a great grand and glorious thing. They live to give and so we must
try to know this fact about holy people, the saints and the mahatmas. We
go to them for that which the world cannot give and ask for the highest
from a saint and seek to be related to him in the plane of spirit, in
the place of the soul, but not in the place of this material world." -
Swami Chidananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a booklet containing an interview with Guru Maharaj Sri
Swami Chidanandaji titled "The Role of Celibacy in the Spiritual Life".
Sri Guru Maharaj answers questions on the significance of Brahmacharya,
the key to its success, the practice of Tantra and many more. This
interview previously appeared in the "What is Enlightenment?" magazine.
This booklet can be downloaded from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#celibacy

We are pleased to inform devotees that we are now able to accept credit
card orders via http://www.paypal.com/ for the books published by the
Divine Life Society. Credit cards are usually approved instantly for
orders within the USA but may take 10 days or more for the credit cards
to be approved if it is outside USA. But once the card is approved you
don't need to have it verified for subsequent purchases unless a
different card is used. Credit card orders are however limited to the 26
countries listed below:

Australia * Austria * Belgium * Brazil * Canada * Denmark * France *
Germany * Hong Kong * Ireland * Israel * Italy * Japan * Mexico *
Netherlands * New Zealand * Norway * Portugal * Singapore * South Africa
* South Korea * Spain * Sweden * Switzerland * United Kingdom * USA

Please register at the following site if you are planning to use your
credit card. This will eliminate the waiting period at the time of
purchase:
https://secure.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_international-register

For further information, please visit our E-Bookstore at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

SOLICITUDE: An old lady was coming up to attend Satsang. As the meeting
was being held on the roof of the building adjacent to the Ashram
kitchen, a step had been improvised with a small table, to make it
easier for people to ascend to the roof. The old lady was trying to look
for a way to get upon the roof. The Master, perceiving this, immediately
got up from his seat and with great solicitude guided her to the place
of Satsang.

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

"The ultimate key to success in Brahmacharya (celibacy) is the Vedantic
process of shifting your consciousness—rejecting the body consciousness
and becoming established in your true Self-awareness as something where
there is neither male, nor female, nor body, nor sex, nor personality."
- Swami Chidananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded an article titled "Positive Aids to Peace of Mind" by
Sri N. Ananthanarayanan, a disciple of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji
Maharaj. This article is filled with tips on how to keep the mind
unruffled. This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/peacemind.htm

Spotlight on Ramayana by H. H. Sri Swami Premanandaji Maharaj has been
posted to the DLS of Maryland's website. In this wonderful work, Swamiji
provides unique and practical insight for all devotees. At the end of
the book, Swamiji provides a question and answer session, this series of
questions and answers are direct and most inspiring. This book can be
downloaded from:
http://www.dlsmd.org/teachings/premananda/spotlight_on_ramayana.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

A MUSICIAN'S DELAY: Swami Ram was requested to sing some of his Bhajans.
First his throat had to be cleared, then the harmonium had to be
tuned--pulling a knob, pushing another, adjusting here and there. It all
took more than ten minutes for him to get attuned to his instrument.

"Rama! Rama!" remarked the Master. "How much time these people waste,
all in merely tuning! What is there? The Bhajan should be ready on the
lips all the time, and the moment one is asked to sing one should pour
forth the Lord's Name."

In the case of the Master himself, whenever he had to address a
gathering, he would roar Om even as he got up to talk.

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

"God sees things by the whole. Man sees things by parts. God sees
happenings over the three periods of time. Man sees events only in the
present, isolated from the past and the future. That is why man sees
discord where God sees harmony. Man sees lack of logic where God finds
perfect logic. Put yourself in the place of God. Feel you are God. Feel
that the entire universe is your creation and operates by your will. At
once you will feel tremendous peace and strength surging within you." -
N. Ananthanarayanan


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

Namaste!

In celebration of Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya's birthday on Saturday,
April 28, we uploaded a Sankara Jayanthi (birthday) message by Gurudev
Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. This message is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/sankaramessage.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

THE MASTER'S HEART!: The Master was distributing prasad. The sweetmeats
were rationed to two per head. Gradually he lost control. Soon the
bucket was almost empty. And when he found that everyone was thoroughly
satisfied, he said, "Look at the satisfaction that they now have! This
is indeed the most important point. What is the use of giving one
sweetmeat or two? When people come and sing the Lord's Name and prasad
is distributed, they should go back fully satisfied. What a lop-sided
economy it is to save expenditure in this respect!

"Ten years ago, when the Society was much poorer, everyone who came here
went away fully satisfied. Even the Ashramites used to say, 'We workers
do not get so many conveniences, but Swamiji gives milk and fruit to a
stranger who walks in and says he is sick; and when this man leaves,
Swamiji gives him ten rupees also.'

"Now these people have started saying that the auditor was objecting. I
have always said that the auditor has nothing to do with a Sannyasin's
accounts. Where is there audit for us? Audit and budget may be necessary
from one point of view, but from a Sannyasin's point of view nothing is
necessary. I will go on spending. Let someone attach the buildings here.
A Paramahamsa Sannyasin should be ever prepared to tie his own loin
cloth around his head and walk away.

"Padmanabhanji showed me the accounts. In August we gave Rs. 2,500 worth
of books free, against a sale of Rs. 1,800. I do not care. All are
benefited by the books. Let knowledge go round. If we cannot run this
Ashram we will go away. My room is reserved at Swarg Ashram. Or I will
go somewhere else and start once again."

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

"The advent of Lord Krishna rejuvenated Hindu religion and saved many a
soul from their complete ruin by subjugating themselves to passivism and
passivism only due to the misinterpretation of the Vedas and the
Upanishads. In the same way, Sri Sankara appeared on the earth to
deliver very many struggling souls. He set them free, enlightened them
and liberated them through his peaceful, unostentatious persuasion and
loving propaganda. Through his irresistible logic, he planted the
triumphant banner of unique intellectual conquest over all other schools
of philosophy. Before him all other theories proved to be phantoms and
fallacies." - Swami Sivananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

Namaste!

Today (April 25th) is the holy occasion of revered and worshipful Sri
Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj's 79th birthday anniversary. With the help
of Srimati S. Bhagyalakshmi we shall recollect how it is like to be at
the feet of Sri Gurudev and Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj who
recreated the atmosphere of Sri Gurudev's morning Satsang. I have
attached below a section from the book "Swami Krishnananda in
Conversation" for this purpose. There is another book titled "Facets of
Spirituality" in which the author has recorded Swami Krishnanandaji's
morning conversation with seekers. I have seen both these books listed
at Amazon.com at the following URL:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=books&field-author=Kri\
shnananda

"Swami Krishnananda in Conversation" was also available at:
http://users.erols.com/nataraj/RELIGIO.html

Sri Swamiji's autobiography "My Life" which was recently published at
Swamiji's website (http://www.swami-krishnananda.org) is now available
in book form and can be purchased from our e-bookstore at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books.htm

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

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.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

Gurudev's Durbar

At Swami Krishnananda's morning darshan hours, when he sits with his
devotees, one gets a flashback of Swami Sivananda's morning Satsang.
Whereas the durbar of Gurudev was held in the Diamond Jubilee Hall the
devotees, visitors, seekers or Ashramites or any one that drops in at
that time, sits around Swami Krishnananda in the closed verandah of the
Kutir or in the terrace outside. So let me recall for you Gurudev's
"Durbar". Around 10 in the morning Siva used to take his seat in the
armchair or easy-chair when his health was too poor for him to sit
upright. He would start the Satsang with Jaya Ganesa ..., together with
all those sitting around the chair crammed into the small space where
the three or four typists also are working. The devotional singing ends
with a Namavali on the deity of the day (Lord Suryanarayana is believed
to be the lord of Sunday. Monday is attributed to Siva, and Saturday to
Vishnu and so on). May be a particular devotee was also asked to give a
Namavali for about another five minutes.

Soon after this the typewriters, half a dozen in number, start to
clatter away once more. Siva paid his respects to all and then enquired
of each individually his or her welfare, problems, the purpose of his or
her visit in a manner that convinced each person that Siva had been
longingly awaiting meeting that person in particular. "Devanand, come,
give us the prasad, ‘morning glory'," which was his code-word for
cashewnuts.

Or, sometimes: "Kutia Krishna, where are the Dosais and Chutney? O! You
are a great man; see! he has prepared Dosai with chutney. Give, give
half a Dosai to everyone--O! not enough? All right one-fourth to each
but put Chutney on every bit." He would turn to a housewife and ask,
"Taste it and tell me what the ingredients are! No, No, it is not
prepared with rice flour--can't find out? It is prepared exactly as the
usual Dosai--with rava [Suji i.e. rollon]. Ah! Badrinath! Give us a
short lecture on your pilgrimage to Badri." The young boy of about
fifteen squares his shoulders and speaks.

Piles of parcels of books safely packed and addressed to different
people are brought in. Each of about twenty parcels with one or more
books is individually shown to Siva, who scans the address and such
relevant details. A short tap with the forefinger on the parcel meant
that it is O.K. and may be posted. A few parcels are disposed of thus.

Badri who had been speaking suddenly has stage-fright and fumbles to get
to a finish! Siva looks up: "Wonderful! Thank you! Thank you! Sit down
and take rest. How did you learn to speak so well?" Thus Siva saves
Badri from embarrassment. "Hm... O!... Mataji, give us a song on Lord
Shanmuga. You are His devotee." Or, it was: "...Mataji, you recite
Trisati so that all can be blessed by Devi." Siva continues to check
parcels. The song or Trisati is over and the parcels have been checked
and the despatch person takes them away. "Wonderful!" smiles Siva at
Mataji. Another visitor in the meanwhile says: "Swamiji, please ask her
to sing another song."...Mataji: "My throat is not all right due to the
bath in the Ganga." Siva, speaking to one of the Brahmacharis at the
typewriter: "O; Ji! A good song on Shanmuganathan is wanted."

The young "novice" a Brahmachari at the typewriter stops typing and
gives a beautiful Tamil hymn in a melodious voice while the other
typists continue their typing slightly slowing down so that the noise
from the typewriters is subdued.

"Hm...O! Ji! Yes, what happened to the article to be printed?" The Press
personnel is sent for, comes in, gives the report and returns to his
work. By now the song is over.

A purohit has to perform a Yajna and says with a Dandavat Pranam:
"Swamiji's blessing and... help only can enable me to carry out my
Sankalpa..." The ritual details of the yajna are discussed with him and
thereby he finds out the truth and strength of the vow. "Hm ... Give him
ten Pandavas." From one of the four bags (one bag contained
"prasad"--biscuits, fruits, etc. The second, money--in cash. The third
had books for free distribution. The fourth contained pens, pencils,
papers, pads, etc.) the attending Sannyasi or Brahmachari has with him
ten × five (fifty) rupees are given to the purohit. Pandavas were five
in number! So this was Gurudev's code word for five rupees. Only the
donor and the receiver knew the total amount; the others did not.
Santosh Mataji has come from the hospital. "At least three hundred
rupees are needed immediately while we may wait for further supply
whenever God chooses to give us. I have requested ...Mataji to donate
this sum of money to us..." "Is that so?" asks Siva of the would-be
donor. "Yes, Swamiji, whatever Swamiji says." A cheque is given to Siva.
Siva touches it to his head and then turns to the donor: "God will bless
you thrice for this great help you are giving to the poor who cannot
afford to buy medicines. God will give you ten times in reward."

A new visitor came in. "O! Welcome, welcome! How are you? O! Ji! Put a
chair for the honourable visitor."

A chit is handed to Siva: "I am invited for lunch, a feast by... And I
am to bring as many guests as I want. You, you... please have lunch with
me. Not the Ashram food."

Another day perhaps it was when a visitor with dreary looks and dismal
expression comes in. Even as he enters, Siva as an aside remarks, "Now,
this man will come and cry. He repeats the same thing and the same cry
no matter how much you have advised him as to what to do and be
happy...Yes, Namaskar! How are you? O! Ji! You should not cry in public
and laugh in private. The other way round, laugh in public and cry in
private. Do not make others unhappy by crying in public... O! Devanand,
has Swami... been sent fruits and milk? He is not well." "Yes, Swamiji."
"O! Ji! Come here, go to... and find out if fruit and milk were sent to
the sick Swamiji last night. Ask Kutia Krishnan to prepare tasty Kichadi
and send it to him."

Smt. S.B.S. enters with a panchang (ephemeris). "Swami Sadanandaji has
fixed the Muhurtam for the thread ceremony for next month, in July."
Siva: "O Good! He is a very good astrologer." Starts Jaya Ganesa, Jaya
Ganesa... This invocatory prayer is sung for about two to three minutes
for the success of the auspicious function.

Here comes another mother carrying a child of about three or four with
all the signs of being blessed and whose mundan (ritual first shaving of
an infant's head) ceremony had been conducted with havan earlier that
morning up on the hill at the Vishwanatha Mandir. The father of the
child brings prasad, offering it to Gurudev, garlands and the family
prostrate before Siva. They are duly blessed and the prasad distributed.

The manuscripts of Siva have been typed and are brought in to be seen by
Siva. The young Swami had typed all night and towards the early hours of
the morning he had probably got a little slack and the last few pages
were finished rather indifferently thinking that Siva will not have time
to go right through to the end. The typed sheets were placed before Siva
who at once pulled out a few sheets from the bottom of the pile, noted
the indifferent turnout; looked at the Swami but said nothing. This
devoted disciple did not need any chiding, only a gentle pointer, that
Siva knew everything, every trick. Now it is lunch hour. "The meal is
getting cold," comes the reminder from the guest kitchen. The Shantipath
is being chanted: Om poornamadah.

As Siva comes out of the Diamond Jubilee Hall, "Swami Satchidanand! Are
you writing a diary of all the morning satsangs? Yes, yes. Keep it very
carefully. Note down everything and all present."

Such was Gurudev's durbar, the morning satsang. A relevant fact may be
noted here--the young Sanyasi Swami Krishnananda was hardly ever present
at any of these morning satsangs of Siva. Yet Swami Krishnananda's
darshan hours recreate the very atmosphere of these satsangs. This is
because Swami Krishnananda is a Guru amsa (part of the Guru). Over a
period of four years very many of the morning darshan hours which are
from about 9.30-11.30 A.M. when the Guru-amsa is available for every
type of person, problem and request have been recorded for the benefit
of those who are interested in philosophy, yoga, meditation, etc.,
whether they be his revered Self's devotees, admirers, visitors or
passing tourists or like have sought and seek guidance on spiritual
matters like the context of Isvara in Sankara's Advaita philosophy.

- S. Bhagyalakshmi

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

Namaste!

Two new items have been uploaded to Sri Swami Krishnanandaji's website.
The first is the "Mundaka Upanishad". Among the Upanishads, the Mundaka
is regarded as one of the most important. It throws a flood of light on
the Jnana Marga (path of Knowledge) and leads the aspirant to the
highest rung in the ladder of Jnana. The second is a poem titled
"Hanuman in Lanka". These articles can be accessed from:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

Two new books by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji have been released at the
Sivananda Ashram. They are "Sadhana the Spiritual Way" and "Mundaka
Upanishad". They can be purchased from our online bookstore at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books.htm

Paypal, our credit card processing agent, has begun to accept credit
cards from a few more countries including India. You can go to our
website above for the updated list.

A wonderful Divine Life Society site in Spanish has been launched by
Teresa Decker and  Enrique Gallinal. This is at:
http://www.geocities.com/dlsenespanol/

I will be away in Iceland and Greenland for my research work until late
June. During this period Sri Navin Dasji will be managing our mailing
list. Sri Navin Dasji's e-mail address is navindas@.... Please
also send a copy to navin_das@... when corresponding.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

ON ADMISSION TO THE ASHRAM: "Narayana Swamiji, you know, there is a
Brahmachari who has today come from South India. It appears he knows a
lot about cement work. He met a Sadhu on his way and got initiation from
him into Brahmacharya. He appears to be a decent young man. Let him
remain here. I have told him that he will have to work also, and he has
readily agreed."

Due to several reasons it had been decided to restrict admission of
aspirants into the Ashram. Therefore, when the Master gave the above
instructions, everyone present felt uneasy, perhaps at the thought that
the Brahmachari may not be admitted by the Ashram committee.

The Master sensed their feelings and said, "You cannot judge at the very
first sight whether an aspirant will turn out to be good or not.
Paramanandaji also came in this manner and later on he proved to be a
dynamic selfless worker. Several others came, and they left also because
they had neither the zeal to work nor the aspiration to tread the
spiritual path. My policy has always been this: let the doors of the
Ashram be open to all. The undesirables will either go away of their own
accord or be sent away by someone or the other in the Ashram. It is all
His business."

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

"Concentrate your entire attention on the work on hand. Live this day
well. Yesterday has joined the hoary past, a finished product upon which
you need bestow no more attention. Tomorrow is yet a long way off and it
will bring with it time enough for its work. Forget the past, ignore the
future. Live in the present; the future will take care of itself." -
Swami Sivananda


-----------------------------------------------------
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_____________________________________________________________
Swami Chidananda invites you to the 2nd Global International
Divine Life Society Conference
30th December 2001 - 2nd January 2002 at
Cuttack, Orissa, INDIA
http://www.divinelifesociety.org/

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!



Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!



Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!







Namaste!







Sri Pannirji uploads a discourse every month. This month's discourse can be
viewed at:



http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/may2001.htm



The site map at: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/contents.htm



The main pain page at: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/home.html



The announcement page at: http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/announce.htm



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



Sivananda Day-to-Day



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



“Om Namo Narayanaya, Masterji Maharaj! You are not taking any notes in Vedanta?
Perhaps you know all these things.”







Sivanarayanji came to the rescue, “He is already well read in Vedanta and the
Gita, Swamiji.”







“Then tell me, what are the Shad Lingas?”







Swami Krishnanandaji had just this morning explained them in the Vedanta class.







Silence.







“That is it!” said the Master. “Even if you know the Vedantic truths, if
something presents itself-even if it be the mere terminology-you should take
notes. All ideas, thoughts and lessons are useful.”







“I shall do so from tomorrow, Swamiji.”







“Why not from today? A little vanity, I think. The feeling may be, ‘I am a
master, an old and learned man; I cannot become a student now’. That is the
idea, is it not?”







“No, Swamiji, I am mainly interested in Bhakti. I am not so fond of acquiring a
mere verbal knowledge of Vedanta, which I will not be able to use.”







“No, no, that is just a trick of the mind! If you direct your searchlight of
enquiry, you will find out the hidden thief, otherwise the mind will simply dupe
you. You should not take it at its face value. You do not care to dive deeper
into its contents. You only gaze at the top. If you go deeper and analyse the
mind minutely, you will find an external, misleading cloak for preserving its
vanity. This is made to look like a valid reason for not taking notes.”



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



Thought for the week



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



"Culture is not just an art or literature or dancing or music or painting.
Culture is good behaviour. Culture is refined manners. Culture is ethical
perfection. Culture is Divine wisdom."



- Swami Chidananda



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

_____________________________________________________________
Swami Chidananda invites you to the 2nd Global International
Divine Life Society Conference
30th December 2001 - 2nd January 2002 at
Cuttack, Orissa, INDIA
http://www.divinelifesociety.org/

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

Namaste!
_______________________________________________________
Sivananda Day to Day (226)
_______________________________________________________

A letter was on the table. An eminent European Yogi had written, requesting that
the Master invite him to India. This was needed to obtain a passport.

"What a big show of themselves these so-called saints make, flying from this
country to that! Everywhere they go, there are parties, receptions and farewell
parties again."

"Yes, Swamiji, we have seen many of them move about in regal comfort," said a
disciple.

"Some of them should be received with a kind of unique honour. Instead of flags
and festoons adorning the reception entrance, people should hang only
broomsticks and old shoes."

Srimathi Liliane Shamash visibly enjoyed the joke.

The Master turned to her, "What do you say? How would you like such a reception?
I am sure you would be greatly upset; you will feel shocked, won't you?"

"I am not sure, Swamiji. I have not experienced it."

"We should not wait for the thing to actually happen. We should train ourselves.
I have done so. I have beaten myself with shoes severely. This I used to do
especially on birthdays, just after returning to my room following the meetings,
where people had praised me, glorified me and deified me. I would go into my
room and beat myself well with a pair of shoes. 'What are you, you wretched
flesh, blood and excreta-made body? Do you want garlands? Can you not wear torn
clothes? Do you think that you are great? Do you want people to prostrate to
you? Now take these garlands'!"

Everyone's face flushed!

The Master went on, "Sukadeva was tested by Janaka in the same manner. He was a
great Jnani. When he went to Janaka for instructions, he was made to wait
outside the palace, uncared for, without food, shelter and any honour. After a
few days he was invited in and attended upon by royal ladies. In this way Janaka
tested his tranquillity of mind. Sukadeva was above all petty desires. He
preserved his equanimity throughout the episode.

"I have heard it said of St. Francis that he used to call his body 'brother
ass'. What tremendous dispassion they all had!

"Even this occasional shoe-beating is not enough for this body. I should give it
a dose of the hardening medicine at least once a week."

No one dared to take any part in the conversation.

_______________________________________________________
Thought for the week
_______________________________________________________

"Goodness is good. To live is to turn away from evil (reverse spelling). But
that is not enough, for "live" contains in it the seed of all evil(anagram of
veil )--"i" (ego). When that "i" is replaced by its self-negation "o", live
becomes "love" which is God."
- Swami Venkatesananda



_____________________________________________________________
Swami Chidananda invites you to the 2nd Global International
Divine Life Society Conference
30th December 2001 - 2nd January 2002 at
Cuttack, Orissa, INDIA
http://www.divinelifesociety.org/

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivananadaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

“Very well, but who loses? Not we, but only he loses the Lord’s blessings.”
The Master brushed aside a suggestion to approach a devotee afresh for the
purpose of getting a book printed. He was told that the devotee had expressed
his displeasure because the Society did not immediately utilise a donation he
had made for a specific purpose. As a result of this he had stopped further
contributions.
“Charity should be unconditional,” the Master went on to say. “Especially in the
case of a spiritual institution, where the organisers are trustworthy and
selfless servants of humanity, the donor should not bind the institution with
all kinds of conditions. The people in charge know where funds are needed
urgently. For instance, if money is very urgently required by us to maintain the
aspirants, then we should use it for that purpose. It will then be foolish to
starve the workers, saying that there is no balance in the maintenance fund. If
the building fund has money, and if it is not urgently required there, any wise
organiser will divert it to the kitchen.
“To me the printing of books is of the greatest necessity. All other works have
a secondary priority. Dissemination of spiritual knowledge on the widest
possible scale is my one thought. Construction work, the water-scheme and every
other work can wait.
“The world looks to such societies and Ashrams as ours for guidance. Even if we
go and take food from the almshouse, we should go on with the publication of
books and leaflets. The donor will be benefited very greatly by such
unconditional charity; he would have served the world through his money. Even if
the money goes to feed some Sadhus and aspirants, the donor will be greatly
blessed.
“A few people realise this but others have the banker’s mentality-this money for
this, that money for that. This hinders their progress to the goal, narrows
their hearts and clouds their intellects. It finally leads them to vilification
of Mahatmas and eventually to their own downfall.
“For whose sake is he doing charity? Certainly not for our sake. The Lord will
provide us with sufficient funds to carry on the work. I have the power to bring
about a shower of gold in this Ashram but I will not do it. The householders
should be given an opportunity of doing charity and being purified of their bad
Karmas. Only through charity and the like can they purify their hearts and minds
and thus expand and evolve. Everyone should realise this.”

-----------------------------------------------------
A full page of spiritual instructions in answer to a devotee's prayer for a
simple autograph:


"Little drops of water
Make the mighty ocean.
Little grains of sand
Make this beautiful land.

Little moments
Make the mighty ages.
Little pies and farthings
Make millions and crores.

Little mistakes
Little unkind acts
Will make you a devil.

Little words of love,
Little acts of kindness,
Little good thoughts
Will make you a saint." - Swami Sivananda


-------------------------------------------------------
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_____________________________________________________________
Swami Chidananda invites you to the 2nd Global International
Divine Life Society Conference
30th December 2001 - 2nd January 2002 at
Cuttack, Orissa, INDIA
http://www.divinelifesociety.org/

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivananadaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Chidanandaya!
Om Namo Bhagavate Krishnanandaya!

Namaste!

The Master was attending to the despatch of free books. He suddenly stopped and
looked up.
“From the time I got out of the morning class, I have been going on thinking of
writing a few poems, but I do not have time. I am doing this work but my mind is
still working on the poems. Even when I was taking my milk, I was busy sifting
the points for the poems. Only when I finish them will my mind know rest.
“Are you all keeping a note-book to record all your thoughts?” the Master asked
the disciples in the office. “First of all, you should note down in a book all
the new points that you learn in the class. Then there are parallel ideas that
might strike you, or ideas arising out of those expressed by others in the
class. These may be new, novel and unknown to others. They should at once be
noted down. Are you keeping such notes?”
Some of the aspirants nodded assent, others preferred to maintain a Vedantic
silence!
“There is one special advantage in this. First, you will hear some good points.
Then you will go on reflecting upon them. This will give rise to other good
points. When you start noting them down, they will begin to expand. This will
eventually become a habit and you will always dwell on sublime thoughts. The
mind will then refuse to come down even if invited to. This is real Vedantic
Sravana-Manana-Nididhyasana (hearing, reflection, meditation).
“Side by side with this you should keep another notebook for introspection. That
is intended to eradicate the negative qualities in you. Killing the evil on the
one hand and giving birth to divine thoughts and feelings on the other-rapid
progress is possible in this way.
“When any sublime thought arises in the mind-for example, the importance of
truth-you should dwell on the glory of truth and on the lives of great men who
adhered to it; on the nature of truth; on the pitfalls and snares on the path of
truth; the obstacles that have to be overcome; and the subtle way in which the
mind deceives you and takes you along a side-track to falsehood. Then you should
dive deep and find out in what form falsehood lurks in your mind, whether in a
gross or in a subtle form. Drive it out from there. Record the evil tendencies
that you note in yourself.
“If a man does this, he will soon find it an easy road to constant
introspection. He will ever live an inner life. There will be no time for his
mind to externalise itself. He will never think of others. He will have no evil
thoughts. Lust, anger and greed will die a natural death. He will not care if
anyone speaks ill of him, if someone refuses to give him milk or food, or if
anyone criticises him. There will be no time for his mind to think of all these
things.”
This led the Master to his favourite topic.
“Evil should not have time to dwell in your mind. What if someone refused to
give you milk, to give you food? What if someone scolded you? Always repeat, ‘I
am not this body, I am not this mind; I am the eternal, all-pervading, immortal
Atma.’
“Bear insult and injury. If someone slaps you on your cheeks, you should not
even mind it. You should not even be aware of it, so to say. This is very
difficult but it is most important. While a man is abusing you, your mind should
be engaged in enquiry. After a while he will realise, ‘What is this, I have been
abusing him several times, yet he is not getting irritated, he is not retorting!
There must be something in him which I should learn.’ Then he would fall at your
feet and apologise; you would have conquered him?

-----------------------------------------------------
"Whether oriental or occidental, Hinduism or Mohammedanism, Buddhism or
Jainism, Christianity or Judaism, Shintoism or any other 'Ism', the
spiritual purpose and meaning is to lead an individual soul to the
ecstatic communion with the Universal Divinity or ONE TRUTH, the
SOURCE." - Swami Premananda
-------------------------------------------------------
Sivananda Day-to-Day is sent out weekly.
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subscribe sivananda <your e-mail address>
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To unsubscribe from this mailing list just change the
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-------------------------------------------------------



_____________________________________________________________
Swami Chidananda invites you to the 2nd Global International
Divine Life Society Conference
30th December 2001 - 2nd January 2002 at
Cuttack, Orissa, INDIA
http://www.divinelifesociety.org/