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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a discourse by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji
titled "What Gurudev Is For Us". In this discourse Guru Maharaj expounds
on Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji's contribution to humanity. This
discourse is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/sep2001.htm

I just returned from Alaska on Aug 31. Please give me a week to respond
to e-mails that you may have sent during my absence.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

LOVE OF SERVICE: In the afternoon the Ashramites had to perform the
Ayudha Puja by assembling all the cameras, typewriters, movie equipment,
projectors, etc., near the Diamond Jubilee hall. The Master joined in
the worship. After the function was over he stood near the entrance,
visibly admiring the grand array of machines.

"Very impressive, is it not?" the Master was heard saying to Srimathi
Liliane. "A hundred typewriters here means Nirvikalpa Samadhi to me!"

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

"Austerity does not mean that you smear your body with ash and dust.
Serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realise; be good, do good. This is
austerity." - Swami Sivananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

Namaste!


Today (Sept. 8) is the holy occasion of worshipful Holy Master Sri Swami
Sivanandaji's 114th birthday anniversary. To celebrate this holiest of
occasions for the devotees of Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, we have
uploaded a recent short form biography of Sri Gurudev titled "Swami
Sivananda--A Modern Sage". This book can be downloaded from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#modernsage

For our meditation today, I have attached below an excerpt from the
above mentioned book on the spiritual practice adpated by Sri Gurudev.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

Sadhana

Swamiji took his abode near Lakshman Jhula. Being a Sannyasin, he wanted
to abstain from worldly activity but found he was powerless to resist
the temptation to go to the bedside of sick Mahatmas in the
neighbourhood. In him the spirit of service burned brighter than ever.
Walking through the gullies of Lakshmanjhula, Sivananda saw many Sadhus
suffering from extreme cold and malnutrition, with frequent attacks of
fever and dysentery. Swamiji could not bear to see the helpless plight
of those holy men, but he had no money for the necessary diet and
medicines.

A thought flashed in Swamiji's mind that money itself was not evil. It
could be put to good use as much as bad. And he remembered his savings
in the insurance company. A lawyer friend helped him to salvage about
Rs. 5000/-. Vowing not to touch any for his personal needs, he put it
into a Post Office Savings account. Thus equipped, Swamiji started his
daily pilgrimage to the huts of sick Mahatmas. Mere food and medicine
are not all, he would also disperse a word of cheer, encouragement and a
splash of delightful humour. Without a word Swamiji would take aside the
sick man's soiled clothes and they would be back in their place in a few
hours, washed and neatly folded. He would not leave the water pot
unfilled, nor the floor unswept.

One of the Mahatmas in the neighbourhood, Swami Kalikananda, watched
with interest the service that the doctor from Malaysia rendered the
Sadhus. The opportunity, he thought, should not be lost.

He approached Swamiji with a proposal to run a charitable dispensary.
Satya Sevashram Dispensary came into being. Housed in a small room a few
yards to the north of the Lakshmanjhula bridge, the dispensary lay at
the entrance to the popular pedestrian route used by pilgrims to the
famous Himalayan shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. It was a unique
location to reach the maximum number of pilgrims, Sadhus and people of
the surrounding villages.

One evening a pilgrim enroute to Badrinath came to see him. Later it
occurred to Swamiji that he should have given a different medicine which
would have been more helpful. The thought filled his mind that he had
not done his utmost. So, early the next morning, even before the dawn,
he took the medicine and started at a steady uphill run to catch up with
the traveller. When he reached the next halt, he found that the pilgrim
was an even earlier riser and had already proceeded on his way.

Undaunted, Swamiji pressed on until he caught up with the pilgrim near
the fifth mile and there gave him the precious medicine.

Swamiji's persistent interest was to fill the entire day with good
turns. Service was his motto.

"Ever be on the look-out for an opportunity to serve; never miss a
chance. You must be like a watch-dog, alert and keen to grasp at once
any possibility that presents itself of being useful... you must create
opportunities to do something for others. Do not wait for a chance but
create means of making yourself useful and helpful. Do it in whatever
way you are particularly suited by temperament, talent and natural
disposition.

"On rare occasions you must even be aggressive in your service.
Sometimes helpless persons in need of aid will foolishly refuse it. In
such cases do the required service in spite of their hesitation.

"Service is 'love in expression'. This coupled with a strong positive
desire for universal weal, becomes an effective and higher sort of
service. By generating a current of helpful and healing vibration, it
will contribute to common welfare in a subtle but powerful way
especially if you use the power of prayer."

Swamiji himself was very emphatic in his convictions about the efficacy
of prayer that is earnest and genuine. He once said, "Prayer has
tremendous influence. It can do anything, provided you are sincere. It
is heard at once and responded to. Do it in the daily struggle of life
and realise for yourself its high efficacy. Pray in any way you like.
Become as simple as a child. Have no cunningness or crookedness. Then
you will get everything."

From the very beginning, Swamiji followed his own innate tendency with
regard to Sadhana. He imitated none in this respect, service being a
natural part of his nature. He attended to the needs of the sick Sadhus
with added zeal; for him work itself was worship. Deep meditation,
austerities such as fasting, standing in the ice cold waters of the
Ganga during the early hours of the morning--all of these he combined
with his daily round of service to the sick and needy mendicants and
Sadhus.


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

Namaste!

I am sure by now you must have heard about the tragic events that took
place in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. Thousands of people
are undergoing untold suffering. Let us all offer the Maha Mrityunjaya
Mantra to the Lord for the peace of all those who have been affected.

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).

An audio version of this chant by Sri Swami Satchidanandaji is at:
http://www.yogaville.org/mantras.html

We have uploaded two articles by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj.
They contain advice to the person leading the life of a celibate and to
the householder. These articles are at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/celibate.htm
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/householder.htm

Many of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj's books have now been made
available in compressed zip files. Please visit Sri Swamiji's site to
download them:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

TACTFULLY TAUGHT: Three thoroughly Westernised Indians walked into the
office. They had brought with them a basketful of fruit, but folding the
palms and bowing the heads in reverence to the Master was unknown to
them!

The Master himself welcomed them with folded palms, "You are coming
from... ?

"Yes, Swamiji."

"You talk Tamil like a Mangalorian," said the Master.

"Maybe you are right. We have been living away from our own province for
quite a long time now and so have almost forgotten our mother tongue."

The accent, diction and delivery of English were chaste!

The Master asked Vishnu Swamiji to bring tea and fruit.

"Oh! Do not bother," said one of the young ladies.

The Master initiated a mild discussion on the accents, education,
languages and tour of countries.

"We are just coming from Dehra Dun. We went to see a relative of ours.
Accidentally we dropped in at a school there and to our astonishment
found that the principal was one of our cousins. Our family is so large;
in fact wherever we go we find we have a cousin."

"You might claim me as a cousin also!" The Master gave a hearty laugh as
he said this.

"The whole world consists of your cousins. All are your cousins only. We
are all children of the same God."

The young lady looked up, somewhat taken aback at this remark.

The Master discovered that the elder lady was doing some social service
through an organisation.

"Please give me your prospectus. You see, many young girls come to me
for advice. For instance, yesterday a young girl from Dehra Dun came to
me with her mother. She wanted to prosecute her studies in America, to
get foreign degrees and become a lecturer in philosophy. She does not
wish to marry. She is of a pushing nature, of very good demeanour and
character, but the mother, who is conservative, stands in her way. She
is impatient. In such cases I thought that if there was a good women's
organisation, it might take charge of girls like these and look after
them till they are able to stand on their own feet. If the girl is sent
to America she will be very useful to the country, too. And such an
organisation for women should also build an Ashram for them. At present
there are no suitable Ashrams exclusively for ladies. This is a great
necessity."

The gentleman was gradually drawn out of himself, and when the Master
found a little latent desire to learn about Yoga, he at once aroused it.

"Yoga does not mean that you should run away from home. Real
renunciation means renunciation of the ego and desires. We must have
spiritually educated men and women in this land. This education of arts
and sciences will take you nowhere. You see, I have started the Forest
University here. Yoga, Vedanta, Karma, Bhakti and Hatha Yoga are all
taught here. But very few people would want to join this university for
some considerable time to come. At the moment it is run on a modest
scale because the young men of the present time are very eager to become
I. C. S. officers.

"What is there in this I. C. S.? Only slavery. You should desire to
become free. This can only be achieved through the practice of Yoga. You
should try to learn the Gita, Upanishads and other scriptures."

"But, Swamiji, we are unable to understand even the fundamentals of
these scriptures."

"For your sake only have I written their essence in simple books in the
form of short poems. The essence of all philosophies is contained in the
Gita. What you do not find in the Gita, you will not find anywhere else.
It is a universal scripture for all times.

"You should practise Sadhana. Only when you are young can you do all
this. After sixty or seventy, when all the senses have worn out, you
will want God. When you can hear nothing, you will thirst for Bhagavatha
Katha. When the eyesight has failed, you will want to look at good
pictures of the Lord and to go to temples. Now is the time. Do not lose
this opportunity."

Turning to the elder lady, the Master said, "Social service is very good
but unless it has a spiritual background it will not satisfy your soul.
Even after a hundred years of social service you will feel dissatisfied.
Practice of Yoga will make you perfect and give you the key to convert
all social service into divine service."

The Master then asked Radha to sing some English songs. He presented
them with copies of his books and pamphlets and the spiritual diary.

While they were leaving after seeing the Ashram, the Master bowed and
said, "Do come again and stay here for some time. I will teach you how
to sing all these songs. I will also teach you Asanas and Pranayama."

Now they actually prostrated to the Master before taking their leave!

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

"Why is Yoga so necessary for us? It tells us where we stand, and the
answer to the 'why' of a thing comes from the system of Yoga. While
science can tell you how things work it cannot tell you why things work
in the way they work. The 'why' is a difficult thing for us to
comprehend and answer, but Yoga has the answer. If we are thinking in a
particular pattern say, in the three-dimensional pattern in thinking to
which we are all shackled, unfortunately for us, it is because we are
planted in a world of space, time and causal relationships. We are now
placing our feet on an almost forbidden land, not accessible to science
and not visible to the naked eye of the human individual." - Swami
Krishnananda


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

Namaste!

We would like to inform devotees that Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj
has resigned as General Secretary of the Divine Life Society on health
grounds. Sri Swami Jivanmuktanandaji Maharaj has been appointed as the
General Secretary of the DLS beginning January 13, 2002.

The DLS Conference is drawing closer and much funds are still needed for
the Conference. Attached below is an appeal letter from Sri Swami
Jivanmuktanandaji Maharaj:

Subject: 2nd Global DLS Conference in Orissa, Dec. 30th, 31st 2001--Jan.
1st, 2nd 2002
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2001

Om Sivanandaya Namah!
Hari Om!
Revered Self,

This is just an appeal to each and everyone to do their best in making
the 2nd Global DLS Conference in Orissa a Great Success by contributing
in their respective manner. As the organisers are expecting not less
than 20,000 participants including sadhaks, devotees, aspirants,
Mahatmas and well-wishers from all parts of the world for a period of 5
days, they anticipate to incur colossal sum of money for the successful
completion of this global and historical event, for food, accomodation,
transport, publication and printing of relevant literature for the
Conference and other incidental expenses.

Thus, at this juncture the organisers humbly appeal to everyone
concerned to do their part voluntarily and willingly so that no shortage
of anykind will be experienced or felt. It should be remembered that it
will be a Mega Event in the Holy Presence of our Beloved Param Pujya
Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj who will be addressing this massive gathering
and delivering the most awaited message based on the awakening of
Gurudev's Message on 'Spiritual Awareness for the Global Success of DLS
Unity' for Time Immemorial.

Goodwill Contribution will be appreciated from one and all. Please do
the needful by passing on this message to all concerned.

With Prem and Om,
Swami Jivanmuktanandaji Maharj.

Contributions may be made by Demand Draft (or Cashier's Check) favoring
"2nd GIDLSC" payable at Cuttack.
Address:
Chidananda Ghat,
Madhusudan Nagar,
Tulsipur,
Cuttack-753 008,
Orissa,
INDIA

Please visit the conference website for more information:
http://www.divinelifesociety.org/

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

A COMPLIMENT: "She has a tender heart. She is a very pious soul also;
and, what is more, in spite of her education and service in the hospital
for twenty years, she preserves her modesty still. See, she will not
travel alone," remarked the Master as Dr. Sundari had taken leave of him
to return to her place.

As she stood before the Master with tears welling up in her eyes and a
lump in her throat, she presented the spectacle of a daughter leaving
her dearly-loved father.

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

"Name of the Lord is a potent unfailing antidote for those who are
bitten by the serpent of Samsara (worldly existence). It is a nectar
(Amrita) that can confer immortality and perennial Peace. Yama (Lord of
Death) is terribly afraid of those who repeat the names of the Lord. He
cannot approach them. Repeat the name of the Lord always and attain the
fearless state." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

A new discourse titled "The Coming of A New Era" has been uploaded to
Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj's site. In this article Swamiji
explains the causes of strife and the ways to overcome them. Swamiji's
article is at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_35.html

Swamiji has posted his letter of resignation as the General Secretary of
The Divine Life Society and Secretary of The Divine Life Society Trust
at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/resignation.html

The latest newsletter of the DLS of Maryland has been posted at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/newsletters/newslett.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

THE MASTER'S PUNCTUALITY: It started raining early in the morning.
Everyone thought that there would be no morning class. The Ashramite
deputed to ring the bell thought there was no use in doing so. So there
was no one to start the class--neither lecturers nor any students.

The Master, however, went to the Bhajan hall, all alone.

Sri Aravamudan was walking along majestically with a small bucket in his
hand. When he noticed the Master, he at once put the bucket down and
bowed.

"Is there no class today?" queried the Master.

"I am just coming out of the Bhajan hall, Swamiji. No one has come this
morning."

Quickly two or three students were collected. They started Kirtan.
Others joined and the lecturers also came.

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

"'The proper study of mankind is man,' said the great poet Pope. 'Know
thyself,' said the Oracle of Delphi. 'Atmanam viddhi,' says the sage of
India. To investigate the constitution of man is a dire desideratum now.
When the needs of the constitution of man are known, his disease is dug
out from its depths, and the proper treatment administered to him. " -
Swami Krishnananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

Namaste!

Today (Sept. 24) is the 85th birthday anniversary of beloved and
worshipful Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji. In celebration of Guru
Maharaj's birthday we have uploaded a short autobiographical sketch by
Guru Maharaj titled "Beloved Papa And Sri Gurudev In My Life". This
article was reprinted from Anandashram's monthly magazine, The Vision.
There are a lot of details here from Guru Maharaj's early days. This
inspiring article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/chidapapa.htm

Attached below is Sri Swami Chinmayanandaji Maharaj's opinion of Guru
Maharaj.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

Swami Chinmayananda, the illustrious saint-scholar, was giving a series
of discourses on Gita during his Gita Jnana Yajna at Lucknow in 1977. In
course of his talk he dealt with the characteristics of a Sthita Prajna,
the ideal Godman of the holy scripture. At the end of the talk Prof.
Varma who was, indeed, very much impressed, sought an interview with
Chinmayanandaji and put the straight question--Is the ideal Godman of
Gita a mere scriptural representation or a living reality? Is there
anybody in India today who may fittingly be called a Sthita Prajna? The
erudite monk who is not given to easy praise paused for a moment and
then replied with all seriousness and solemnity--Yes. There are such
great ones. One is Mother Anandamayi and the other is Swami Chidananda.
One should behold them and get sanctified.


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj titled
"Karmas and Diseases". In this book, Gurudev goes into detail about
which actions produce which diseases as a result. This book can be
downloaded from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#karmadisease

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

LAZINESS: The Master kept silent over the incident till he came into the
office. Quietly he introduced the topic.

"I looked out of my room at 5 a.m. It was raining. Then I waited a
little and the rain stopped. I went to the Bhajan hall but found no one
there. Everyone thought that I also would not come. Then when they all
saw me they started gathering. It is all due to inborn laziness.

"Even if one man went there, he should start Kirtan. It is said of Swami
Ramakrishnanandaji, the founder of the Ramakrishna Mission at Madras,
that he would deliver his lectures at the appointed time and place even
if there were no one to listen to him. Because of his indomitable will
his Satsankalpa is working even now."

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

"Until and unless Self-realisation is attained, Knowledge-Absolute is
gained, there is ever the ebb and flow, the constant see-saw between the
animal and the man in every human being. The beast or the brute is never
completely absent or overcome except through a final Divinisation of the
individual." - 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 Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj
titled "Philosophy of Bhakti". In this discourse Gurudev provides the
rationale for developing love for God. This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/oct2001.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

MEDITATION AND SERVICE: "This is my address book," the Master said to a
visitor, "in which I note down the addresses of all those who come into
the divine life fold--editors of journals, professors, headmasters of
schools, European and American aspirants, etc. It serves me very
effectively. Whenever a new book is published, it is this address book
that helps me to send the publication to various persons who will be
benefited by it. These twenty-five years I have continued maintaining
this register. This is the fifth volume.

"Writing the addresses of all aspirants is to me a greater form of
Sadhana than meditation. It is a form of meditation in which, not only
we ourselves, but others also are greatly benefited. Meditation is
necessary but along with it service also is necessary.

"There are aspirants all over the world who correspond with me
regularly. To them, a book or a pamphlet or a leaflet sent occasionally
will act as a tonic. It will rouse them to greater effort. I am always
fond of reading and I advocate to everyone this practice of reading
spiritual literature. Do not think that it is a waste of time. Keep a
thermometer to measure the degree of the cave-dweller's meditation. No
doubt, with the help of Asanas, Pranayama and other practices, he will
try to keep up the meditative mood, but there will be a certain amount
of Tamas or inertia. The meditation will not be as vigorous as it would
be if he occasionally read a good book. This would create sublime
thoughts in him.

"Nobody should renounce books; no one should give up the study of
religious books. This is very important. You should no doubt study the
Gita, Upanishads and other scriptures daily, but these alone will not
do, though they contain the essence of the different Yogas. They soon
become monotonous. Besides these, you should study all the religious
books you come across. It is my register that gives such spiritual food
to thousands of aspirants."

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

"Bhakti is sweet in the beginning, in the middle and in the end; it
gives the highest undecaying bliss." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a booklet by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji titled
"A Message To New Initiates". This booklet contains instructions on how
to chant ones mantra and is given at the time of initiation. This
booklet is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#initiates

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

COMPASSION IN ACTION: A boy had come all the way from South India just
to see the Master. Starvation and the tedium of the journey overwhelmed
him and he fainted when his object had been fulfilled.

The world slowly vanished before his eyes, a storm raged in his brain
and he fell flat beside the chair on which he sat.

The Master was instantly by his side, fanning him with tender affection.

"Run out immediately!" Vishnu Swami was instructed. "Fetch water at
once! How many times have I not told the people here to keep a bucket of
water always ready at hand? What sort of people are these? I have to go
on telling them, but there is none to listen to me here."

The Ashramites thought that the boy had fits but the Master was sure
that it was nothing but exhaustion. Soon milk and water were brought.
The Master went on fanning the boy with his own hand and he soon
recovered to tell his story.

The boy belonged to Pattamadai. When he was on the banks of a canal near
Pattamadai, he heard someone whisper into his ears, "Hardwar". From that
time onward his mind was in a whirl. He did not have conscious control
over his actions and, as though driven by an automaton, he removed Rs.
70 from his father’s purse and entrained for Hardwar. At Hardwar he saw
the same man whom he had seen in the vision, obstructing his way, but he
evaded him and came to Ananda Kutir, the blissful abode of the Master.

The Master had a heart-to-heart talk with him after he had taken his
Ganges bath and refreshed himself with a good meal. The boy had by this
time completely recovered, not only from the exhaustion, but from the
effect of the hallucination he had experienced. He revealed that he had
to sit for an examination in a couple of months and so wanted to go back
immediately.

The Master persuaded him to stay for a few days.

"Having come here, do Japa on the Ganges bank for at least a couple of
days. All this has been for your good only. You have had the Ganges bath
and you will do Japa on the banks of the sacred river, too."

The boy had no money to go back and requested for a loan of Rs. 80. The
Master readily agreed, and further assured him that his father need
repay the amount only if he could do so without upsetting the family
budget.

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

"In other systems of Yogic practice, there are several strict rules and
regulations to be followed. And the preceptor has to distinguish between
the qualified and the non-qualified before he gives initiation in those
systems. But in Japa Yoga Sadhana, this can be obviated, for, the
repetition of a Mantra itself transforms a non-qualified person into a
qualified person, the impure into the pure and a sinner into a saint.
This is the unique advantage of Japa Yoga." - Swami Chidananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj titled
"Practical Lessons in Yoga". This book was especially written for the
students of Yoga in the West by keeping the technical jargon to a
minimum. Through this book Gurudev inspires everyone, both in the West
and East, to take to the practice of Yoga in right earnest. This book is
at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#practical

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

RECOLLECTIONS: The Master was paying a glowing tribute to Swami
Sivaswarupji's musical talents, devotion and power of entertainment.

"Sivaswarup Swamiji, if you wish you can become a big Katha Vachak
(story-teller). You can then build a big Ashram and work wonders. Start
doing Kirtan and Katha. Then, slowly go about on Kirtan propaganda. So
many will be thirsting to hear you. You will have many admirers and
gradually a huge organisation will be built around you. You have the
gift of Kesari Yoga. If you only make a little effort, Kesari Yoga will
be yours."

"No, no Swamiji," replied Sivaswarupji, "Kesari Yoga is only for you."

This had reference to Sivaswarupji's prediction that the Master alone
had Kesari Yoga, or the luck of building up a huge organisation and
working miracles.

"I am of a different type completely," Sivaswarupji added.

"No, Swamiji, you make a mistake. There is Kesari Yoga for you also but
you have not utilised it."

"It is not so, Swamiji. I do not have the Sadhana Shakti that you have.
I cannot tolerate criticism. I do not like to be spoken ill of or
scandalised. I always wish to remain quiet and I avoid the thick of the
battle of life. Physically also I am always ill."

The Master went on to explain the secret of his success. "I always keep
the body in working order, Maharaj. I am not satisfied with walking
even. I run for a few minutes daily. I cannot but practise Asanas and
Pranayama for at least a few minutes daily. These keep my body fit in
spite of several chronic ailments that reside in it.

"When you compare me with the other Mahants of several other Ashrams, I
am nothing before their learning. Compared to their vast erudition, I am
like a small shopkeeper in front of a wholesale company.

"But it is only God's Grace that has enabled me to spread the message of
divine life so widely today. It is this God's Grace that has instilled
in me the spirit of service.

When Sadhus and Sannyasins and devotees of the Lord come to see them,
some Mahants put on saintly airs, but I will clean their shoes. When a
patient is lying sick on the roadside, they will not even look at him. I
will carry him on my shoulders, nurse him and clean his bed-pan. When a
needy man comes to my Ashram, I will at once give him some money to
satisfy his needs. The Mahants will not even look at him. It is all due
to God's Grace.

"I remember well, Swamiji," Sivaswarupji recollected, "when you used to
serve in Kalikananda Girl's dispensary and established it as a hospital.
I remember how in those days you used to sleep in a damp verandah
without even a blanket underneath. The room was a dilapidated one and it
was renovated several years later. Who could have endured all that and
still served like you?"

The Master recollected an incident which happened during his Swarg
Ashram days.

He had been invited by Maharani Sri Sri Sri Devi to her palace. He went
there, sang his inspiring Kirtans and stirred her heart, infusing joy in
all.

"The Maharani tried to persuade me to stay in the palace itself. I did
not like the idea, so I quietly slipped out with just two pieces of
clothes. It was winter then. I wended my way along the Ganges canal to
Meerut and thence to Rishikesh.

"On the way at Parikshitgarh I received a money order from Sri
Satyanandaji, asking me to take a photograph of myself to be printed in
a book. I returned to Meerut. On my way back, I could not reach
Parikshitgarh before sunset. It was dark and I noticed a few small huts
near the roadside. It had been raining all the time and I was simply
soaked in the rain. I found a cot lying outside and without much ado
made myself comfortable on it. Soon someone woke me up and
sympathetically said that the place was not suitable for human beings to
sleep in. It was perhaps a cattle shed. He offered to put me up in a
cottage filled with straw. I slept there for the night and ran back to
Rishikesh the next day."

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

"All the great religions of the world proclaim in one unanimous voice
that there is One Being. This Being, believe me, is not very far from
you. He is quite close to you. He resides in the body-temple of yours,
in the innermost recesses of your heart. He is the silent Witness of
your mind, the Watcher of all the activities of your intellect. He is
the Supreme Being of the Scriptures so highly eulogised by Saints,
Sages, Yogins, Philosophers and Prophets. This Being can be realised by
all through the practice of Yoga." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

Wednesday, October 17th marks the beginning of the nine day worship of
Divine Mother. There are several articles on our website about the
worship of the Divine Mother. They are:
1) Navaratri by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/navaratri.htm

2) God As Mother by Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#godmother

3) The Esoteric Significance of the Devi-Mahatmya by Sri Swami
Krishnanandaji Maharaj
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/fest/fest_14.html

We also thought it would be worthwhile during this time to contemplate
on the life of a recent manifestation of the Divine Mother on this earth
plane. As such we uploaded an article on the life of Sri Sri Ananda
Mayee Ma by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/anandamayee.htm

A new discourse titled "Inner World" by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji has
been uploaded to Sri Swamiji's site. Sri Swamiji Maharaj offers many
useful insights for the spiritual seeker. Some of the subjects that
Swamiji Maharaj deals with are desires, 'fall' from spiritual life, play
of the ego, blind faith and other things of concern to the aspirant.
This is an important read to keep ones spiritual aspirations burning
brightly. This discourse is at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_36.html

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannir

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

PERSEVERE: Dr. Sood had a genuine difficulty which he placed before the
Master.

"Swamiji, this time I desire to learn from you the most effective and
practical method of self-surrender. You have told me several times to
surrender myself to the Lord and to take everything as His Will. I do
so, but some terrible occurrence shakes my faith. After some time I
regain it, only to lose it again in another calamity. This creates a
great deal of mental restlessness. Swamiji, kindly let me know the
secret which will enable me to get established in self-surrender."

"Repeated practice," replied the Master.

Then he kept silent for a considerable time. Dr. Sood and all others
around were also in deep thought.

"Assert the spirit of surrender frequently. Pity yourself when you
express faithlessness. Try always to live in Him through constant
remembrance and Japa. Try to check the impulse to swerve from faith,
before a doubt can arise. Gradually the obstacles will vanish and you
will get well established in total self-surrender."

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

"There have been numerable times when I had Sri Sri Ananda Mayee Ma’s
darshan during her birthday celebrations. Every time I found I was
standing in the presence of an impersonal Divine Being. She was a great
light, a spiritual luminary in India, for India and for the whole world
in this century." - Swami Chidananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a book by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj titled
"Practice of Karma Yoga". Gurudev goes into great detail in this book on
how to work with the right attitude so that Karma does not bind one to
the wheel of birth and death. Gurudev leaves no stones unturned in
covering the subject of Karma, reincarnation, free will, fate, sin and
other related topics. This book can be downloaded from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#practicekarma

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

THE SACREDNESS OF ONE'S NAME: Sri T. A. Shankara Sastri called himself
T. A. S. Sastri in his letter. This amused the Master, who wrote to him:
"Kindly use your full name always. Abandon this modern craze to shorten
it, dropping out the most essential part. As you go on signing your full
name a hundred times, you repeat it a hundred times. This tantamounts to
Japa of Shankara. T. A. S. Sastri has just the same significance as A.
B. C. D., whereas T. A. Shankara Sastri is an elevating name."

Then the Master smilingly said, "I told Sri M. Srinivasan the same
thing. He was signing himself as M. S. Vasan. I pointed out to him that
'Srinivasan' was the Lord's Name, sacred and elevating. By cutting it
short, it lost all its glory. He at once caught up with the idea. But
there are even now many 'V. Iyers' and 'N. Iyers' and 'B. Menons', who
have yet to learn the glory of the names that their parents bestowed
upon them.

"Our ancients were very wise. They called the children by the Lord's
Names so that the parents and others, by simply calling out to them,
would repeat the Divine Name several times. But modern wise men wish to
run away from this most pleasant form of Sadhana. What a pity! They wish
to run away from God!"

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

"One should never forget the idea that work is worship of God. If one
remembers this fact, all work will be found very interesting. The terms
'menial service', 'this work is bad', 'that work is good', will be
obliterated from the mind. You will find that all work, when done with
the right mental attitude or Bhava, will elevate your mind." - Swami
Sivananda


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

Namaste!

There were a couple of announcements made by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami
Chidanandaji in the October issue of the Divine Life magazine. The first
is regarding Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji's misconduct and the second is
regarding Sri Gunvant Vaghelaji being the official representative of the
Divine Life Society in Australia. These announcements have been posted
at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/oct2001ann1.htm
and
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/oct2001ann2.htm
respectively.

A report of the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy Press' 50th Anniversary
celebration has been posted at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/oct2001rep1.htm

We have also posted "Sri Prasannakumar C. Mandokji In Memoriam" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/oct2001mem1.htm

Sri Prasannakumar C. Mandokji is a staunch devotee of Sri Gurudev and
was a Trustee of The Divine Life Society.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

ON LOVING SERVICE: "Om Namo Narayanaya! How are you, Sankochanandaji
Maharaj? Are you not taking your alms here nowadays?"

"No, Swamiji, I prefer to go to the alms-house. It gives me a good
exercise also."

The Master at once understood that Sankochanandaji was fighting shy
(hence the name Sankochanandaji), of taking his alms in the Ashram.

When he had left, the Master turned to those present and said, "See, in
his case we have failed. Why does he feel shy to come and sit in the
dining hall? It is because our behaviour towards him has not been very
cordial and courteous. He is an old and venerable Sannyasin who has led
the life of Sannyas for the last thirty years. The very presence of such
Sannyasins adds to the Ashram's dignity.

"You should not think that everyone should do the same type of work that
you do. Sweeping with the broom alone is not Karma Yoga. God has
bestowed different faculties on different people. They should be
utilised in the best possible manner in His service. Sankochanandaji can
sing beautifully and thrill the audience with his Bhajans and Kirtans.
Can you do so, Balan Swamiji?"

"No, Swamiji."

"At the same time he cannot write the thrilling articles and notes that
you can. Each one has special virtues and qualifications. Therefore, we
should not have the same yardstick for all.

"Even the mere fact that he is a good Sannyasin of long standing, should
be sufficient to inspire us. One man should take tea to his room,
another give him some fruit and milk, and a third should go with food.
Then he will understand that he is loved by all the people here. Now he
will come into our dining hall of his own accord and take food."

The Ashramites listening to the Master resolved to act up to his advice
immediately.

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

"Remember that all your talents, all your wealth, all your possessions
are gifts of God. God has given them to you to serve the poor, the
destitute and the suffering." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded an article by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji on
what it means to be a member of The Divine Life Society. The article
entitled "Sadhana and The Divine Life Society" is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/nov2001.htm

A new article titled "On The Transition From The Empirical To The
Absolute" by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj (dictated on Oct. 31st)
has been uploaded to Sri Swamiji's site at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_37.html

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

HUMILITY PERSONIFIED: A devotee of Nilakanth, who is a scavenger by
birth, has come. He is sitting outside the Diamond Jubilee hall just
opposite the window to the left of the Master. Through the window he
gazes at the divine form of the Master.

The Master, too, notices him immediately and invites him in.

Fruit and milk are brought. The Master offers them to the devotee, who
rolls on the ground at his feet, uttering, "Shiva, Shiva." He sees his
own Deity, Mahadeva, in the Master. He prostrates again and again; then
he begins circumambulating the Master. The sight was indeed a feast for
the eyes!

Suddenly, the Master, too, starts going around the Nilakanth devotee.
The devotee repeats "Sadashiva" and the Master responds with
"Radheshyam". Then both fall at each other's feet!

Great is the embarrassment and astonishment of the Nilakanth devotee,
for he sees in the divine Master the very personification of humility.

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

"You have heard several eloquent lectures delivered by learned
Sannyasins. You have heard Kathas, discourses and exposition of the
Gita, the Ramayana and the Upanishads. You have heard several valuable
moral and spiritual instructions. But you have not at all endeavoured to
put anything into serious earnest practice and to do protracted solid
Sadhana. Mere intellectual assent to religious ideas, a little closing
of the eyes in the morning and at night just to deceive oneself and the
Indweller, a little endeavour to stick to the daily spiritual routine
and to develop some virtues in a half-hearted careless manner, some mild
effort to carry out the instructions of your spiritual preceptor
perfunctorily, will not suffice. This kind of mentality should be
entirely given up. An aspirant should follow the instructions of his
Guru and the teachings of the scriptures to the very letter. No leniency
should be allowed to the mind. There can be no half measures in the
spiritual path. You cannot say: "I will see to them later on. I can
devote more time when I retire. I have followed the instructions as far
as possible or more or less." This 'more or less' and 'as far as
possible' business is disastrous to an aspirant. There is neither
'exception to the general rule' nor 'allowing margin' nor any 'discount'
in the practice of spiritual instructions. Exact, implicit, strict
obedience to the instructions is expected of you." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

Over the last month several new books as well as reprints were released
at the Sivananda Ashram. Given below are the titles of the book along
with the URL where further information has been posted:

1) Yoga Questions and Answers by Swami Sivananda
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/es307.htm

2) Bazaar Drugs by Swami Sivananda
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/es11.htm

3) Know Thyself by Swami Sivananda
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/es306.htm

4) Light on the Yoga Way of Life by Swami Chidananda
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/ec67.htm

5) Veda Sadhanam by Maharshi Kavi Yogi Sri Shuddhananda Bharati
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/eo57.htm

6) Trust God by Swami Atmaswarupananda
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/eo59.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

COMPASSION IN ACTION: It was nearing 11 a.m. The Master asked Vishnu
Swamiji to bring some fruit in a bag. After the closing Kirtan he was
leaving the office with the bag.

"Almasthanandaji wants to see me and desires that I should be with him
and talk to him for at least fifteen minutes a day. I am going to his
room now with these fruit," the Master remarked.

Everyone had declared that Almasthanandaji was out of his senses,
perhaps because of his advancing age. The natural contempt which old age
evoked in the youth had been greatly aggravated by the peculiar
behaviour of Almasthanandaji. No one cared to attend on the old man.
Clad in dirty rags, with unkempt hair, unshaven beard, uncared for, he
was roaming about, friendless and helpless. But the Master,
all-compassionate that he was, went to the aid of this helpless Sadhu.

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

"Death is the time when the individual goes behind the screen and puts
on a new dress to appear in another scene of life in order to fulfil
another quality of desires which cannot find the required atmosphere for
fruition in the present life, but demand a fresh suitable environment."
- Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

November 14th is the auspicious Deepavali (festival of lights)
celebration. There are several articles on our websites about this
festival. They are:

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

2) Yajna--Quintessence of the Culture of India by Sri Swami
Krishnanandaji Maharaj at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/fest/fest_16.html

We have uploaded a unique analytical study of the Ramayana by Sri Swami
Premanandaji Maharaj. The book entitled "Spotlights on the Ramayana" is
available for download at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#spotlights

The above book is an ideal reading scripture during Deepavali as it
commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned
to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

THE POWER OF LOVE: The evening Satsang was in progress. Little Radha
quietly crept into the Bhajan hall. She had run up the hillock all alone
in the dark without a lantern. The highly cultured millionaire's
daughter would not disturb the quiet atmosphere. Yet the inner urge was
irresistible. She knelt before the Master and made her obeisance. The
Master opened his eyes.

"What is the matter, Radha? Why have you come alone in the dark?"

The pent-up emotions burst forth into torrential tears. "Mummy is in a
dying condition, Swamiji," sobbed Radha.

"What!" exclaimed the Master, and then sank into profound silence. There
was a strange thrill in the atmosphere. "Come, let us go. Do not cry,
Radha. Everything will be all right."

As they were leaving the hall, the Master asked Vishnu Swamiji to do
Japa of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.

"Sridhar Swamiji, please prepare a dose of stimulant mixture. Get the
smelling salts also ready."

As he approached the Diamond Jubilee hall, the Master called out to a
disciple, "Sridhar Swamiji is in the dispensary. Get the medicines
quickly."

When the medicines arrived the Master instructed a disciple to shampoo
the feet with liniment turpentine. Then, one by one, the stimulant
mixture, grape juice, etc. were given, and Srimathi Liliane recovered
completely.

Mr Shamash explained that his wife had fainted and her pulse and heart
beat had almost stopped. The children were greatly upset and in utter
distress the little one ran up.

"She might have passed away, Swamiji," said Mr Shamash, "but five
minutes ago she began to breathe normally. Just before you arrived here
she awoke as from a sleep."

A short while later Srimathi Liliane was her normal self once again.

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

"O Ram! The light of lights, the self-luminous inner light of the Self
is ever shining steadily in the chamber of your heart. Sit quietly.
Close your eyes. Withdraw the senses. Fix the mind on this supreme light
and enjoy the real Deepavali, by attaining illumination of the soul." -
Swami Sivananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

We have received news that our beloved Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj
has been called back to Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji's Eternal Abode
during the evening hours of November 23rd (Indian time).

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

His Holiness Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj of Sivananda Ashram,
Rishikesh, who was one of the foremost disciples of Sri Swami
Sivanandaji Maharaj of Rishikesh, passed away and attained Samadhi
today, Friday, the 23rd of November, 2001 at 4:30pm at Sivananda
Ashram. He had served as the General Secretary of the Divine Life
Society founded by Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj for more than
forty years. He was a well-known Sannyasi all over Uttarakhand as
one of the greatest Tapaswins, a great Virakta and Vairagi
Sannyasi. He was one of the greatest living philosophers of the
world after Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishna, and had a great mastery
over both Indian and Western philosophy. His mortal body has been
kept for the last view of His innumerable devotees and will be
given Samadhi on Sunday, the 25th of November, 2001 in the forenoon.

--The Divine Life Society

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

Namaste!

A short note has been posted at Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj's
website regarding Swamiji's premonition of his Mahasamadhi along with a
description of the Mahasamadhi ceremonies. This is at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/mahasamadhi.html

Several items were posted at Swamiji's site during the past two weeks.
They are:
1) Zip download of Swamiji's book "The Yoga System":
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/yoga_00.html

2) Four video clips from Sadhana Week on July 26, 1994:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/video.html

3) A discourse titled "Fundamentals of the Yoga System of Patanjali"
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_38.html

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

VALUE OF THE NEEM LEAF: Mohanji came in with a small bunch of neem
leaves. Each one of the disciples present took a few. As the bunch
approached each person, the Master smiled and asked, "Do you also belong
to the neem leaf eating society?"

"When I was at Swarg Ashram, I started this neem leaf eating. I soon
found that all the Sadhus had commenced the practice!"

"Neem leaf is very good. It purifies the blood. It is a very good
antiseptic. It strengthens the teeth also. But do not take too many. It
will heat the system. Just two or three leaves will do."

Neem leaves are quite bitter to the taste!

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

"The Yoga System of Patanjali is a graduated technique of setting
oneself in tune with the various degrees of the manifestation of
Reality. So it is a very satisfactory system, because it takes into
consideration every degree of manifestation of Reality, even the worst,
the lowest and the grossest of shapes; and from that it rises upward,
taking that as its stand, towards the great Absolute." - Swami
Krishnananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a very nice mini biography of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji
by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/dec2001.htm

The Guestbook for Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj is now open for
devotees who would like to share their feelings about Sri Swamiji
Maharaj. Swamiji's guestbook is at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/guestbook.html

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

CHARITY BY FORCE: "Padmanabhan Swamiji, please write to Durga Saranji
for a good parcel of khaja. Inform him that our family is very big and
that he should send a lot."

A disciple wondered why the Master should ask for this sweetmeat.

Reading his thought, the Master said, "This is one kind of charity for
people like Durga Saranji. And this is my method of making people do
charity. If they do not give voluntarily, I will take them by the ear
and make them do some charity. Do you think we long for this sweetmeat?
All sweetmeats are the same; they are all a permutation and combination
of sugar, dhal and ghee. But this is one of the methods of enabling
Durga Saranji to give and so purify his heart and evolve."

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

"The story of Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj, after 1948, is just one of a
Jivanmukta enjoying the Sahaja-Samadhi-Avastha. It is the story of Jada
Bharata retold. Radiating peace and bliss, he lives in Sivanandashram in
a state of Continuous Self-Awareness. All service is welcome to him;
though he does not desire to do this or that. When the flower blossoms,
bees rush to it; they do not need invitation. Similarly, Krishnanandaji
has without the least ostentation drawn to himself many aspirants and
seekers after Truth from all parts of the world; to them all, he has
become a Guru. He guides Sadhakas not only in Jnana-yoga and Vedantic
Sadhana, but in other branches of Yoga as well. He is himself an adept
in Hatha Yoga, a master of Raja-Yoga and a great Bhakta of Lord Krishna.
He is a master of the Yoga of Synthesis propounded by His Holiness Sri
Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj; and is today a wonderful replica of the
Master." - Swami Chidananda


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

Namaste!

The sixteenth day ceremony of the Mahasamadhi of Sri Swami
Krishnanandaji Maharaj was observed on the 8th of December. Sri Naoki
Takagaki has taken some pictures and video clips of this event and has
made it available for us at:
http://www.mars.dti.ne.jp/~waiting/8dec2001/8dec2001.htm

The 2nd Global International Divine Life Conference is in deficit of 50
lakhs, i.e. 5 million rupees. Funds are urgently needed to make this
event a success. Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji will be at the
conference. Everyone is kindly invited to attend the conference and send
as much sponsorship as possible for the event. Funds (bank draft,
cashier's check) may be made in favour of 2nd GIDLSC and sent to:
Chidananda Ghat,
Madhusudan Nagar,
Tulsipur,
Cuttak-753 008,
Orissa, India.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

WHAT IS RISKLESS?: Deputy Collector Dwaraka Singji met the Master on the
Swarg Ashram road along the Ganges bank. After the usual enquiries he
told the Master, "Swamiji, I have a number of your invaluable books. I
follow your instructions as far as I can. I practise Asanas also. But,
Swamiji, I am at present about fifty-five years old.

Can I do Sirshasana without any risk?"

"Of course you can."

"But, Swamiji, some people say that we should not practise Sirshasana
after a certain age and that there is some risk in doing so."

"What is without risk, Maharaj? While you walk on the road, you may be
knocked down by a car. While you ride in a boat, it may capsize and you
may get drowned. Still you go on doing these things.

"Practise Sirshasana with the help of a wall for a few seconds. Try. If
it does you any good, continue the practice and increase the period. If
you notice any ill-effects, stop it."

In the meantime a passer-by pundit approached the Master with an air of
learning and commenced a mild discourse in Sanskrit. The Master simply
looked at him. Just at that very moment another pundit, known to the
Master, was approaching from the opposite direction. The Master
introduced one to the other. They soon entered into a heated discussion.
The Master smiled significantly and walked on.

Sri Dwaraka Singji immediately understood the import and said, "You have
done the right thing, Swamiji. Let them fight!"

"I do not know why people waste their energy in idle discussions. One
should be absolutely practical," rejoined the Master.

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

"Views and opinions are different aspects of the same truth. So do not
quarrel with others." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

Tomorrow (Dec. 25th) is the celebration of Lord Jesus' birthday. 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

December 26th is the holy advent of the Bhagavad Gita. There are several
articles on our website about this holy day. They are:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/gita_siva.htm
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/fest/fest_18.html

A new article titled "God and Humanity" and a Real Audio discourse
"Study of Oneself" by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj have been
uploaded to:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_39.html
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/video.html

Donations for the 2nd Global International Divine Life Conference may be
made by wire transfer also. Here are two banks that you may send money
to:
Name of the Bank - Indian Overseas Bank
Branch - Cuttack
Name - 2nd GIDLS Conference
S/B A/c No=22278

or

Bank of Baroda
Mani Sahu Chhak (CUTMAN)
Cuttack Branch
Name - 2nd GIDLS Conference
S/B A/c No = 2370

Please send an e-mail to gidlsc@... for confirmation if you do
wire your donations.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

POWER OF MAYA: Sri Ram Ram Ram of Lucknow is an aged devotee. Even in
his advanced age he is reluctant to give up his practice as an advocate.
He has, however, been a pious devotee, visiting Rishikesh regularly and
attending Satsang on every occasion.

The Master sounded him, "Why not retire from active life and practise
contemplation? You have worked enough, you have no encumbrances."

"But, Swamiji, though I have been attending Satsang and doing Japa and
meditation all these years, I have yet no confirmed faith in God and His
Name. Still there is attachment to the family, to position, to money and
to worldly life. It is strange, Swamiji, I confess."

"Maya is very powerful," said the Master. "Except in very rare cases,
where the past impressions are strong, the taste for a life of
contemplation does not manifest itself in man. No doubt, Satsang, Japa
and meditation assist an aspirant a lot, but the veil of ignorance is so
thick that these are not sufficient to pierce it. They only create
impressions which will take effect in future births. If at the same time
you practise enquiry and try to develop discrimination and dispassion,
the progress will be extremely rapid. The qualities of discrimination
and dispassion are absolutely necessary. Without these no amount of
Satsang, Japa or meditation will produce immediate results. Maya is very
powerful. She can be annihilated only through intense dispassion."

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

"Lord Jesus came to teach us the way to attain the joy and perfection of
the Divine Kingdom. He lived and taught us to find out the Kingdom of
Heaven that is within ourselves. His inspiring call to man was for the
renunciation of the low and petty things of this perishable, physical
world and to strive for the attainment of the lofty spiritual ideal of
Divine Perfection, perennial Bliss and Immortal Existence." - Swami
Chidananda


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"Swami Venkatesananda was absolutely dedicated to Gurudev's service. He
didn't mind working for 12, 16, 18, maybe sometimes 24 hours. I'm not
joking. There have been days when Swami Venkatesanandaji decided to work
round the clock for 24 hours. One day he did a marvel. He completed a
manuscript, put it before Gurudev and then brought it to the press in
the evening. They worked the whole night, and the next morning they put
the finished book, bound and everything, before Swamiji. It had been
completed in 24 hours. Gurudev paid them a visit when this work was
going on after the night satsang and arati was over and prasad had been
distributed. He went out of the bhajan hall and said, "I'm going out."
Because all the lights were on and the press was working, the cat was
out of the bag. He was simply overjoyed. "Oh, marvellous, wonderful!",
he said. And then immediately he sent someone out, "Oh, go and run and
make some hot tea (it was winter), bring it in a big kettle, and give it
to everyone!" He spent half an hour in that printing room, going all
over the place like a child suddenly rejoicing in a new toy. He went
round and round the printing department, the composing department (then
it was all hand-composing), and the binding department--and the next day
the book was out. This was a wonderful dedication.

Even now I have not been able to understand how he was able to serve
Gurudev, work for him, correspond with devotees, working for 12 to 16
hours. At the same time he managed to go and serve Swami Achintyananda,
the homoeopath, and become an expert homoeopath. He also took veena
lessons and became a very good veena player. And at the same time he was
a Good Samaritan, at the disposal of devotees who visited Gurudev. How
did he find time to do all these things and at the same time pursue his
own studies? There was some genius in him, and this same genius worked
during these twenty years, when he made the whole of the world his field
of work, bringing Gurudev's teachings into every country." - Swami
Chidananda

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

Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

Tomorrow (Dec. 29th) is the holy occasion of revered and worshipful Sri
Swami Venkatesanandaji Maharaj's 80th birthday anniversary.

In celebration of Swamiji's birthday we uploaded a book by Swamiji
titled "Sivananda Yoga".  In this book Swamiji expounds on the teachings
of the Gita and draws many examples of how Gurudev puts the teachings of
the Gita to practice. Please download this book from:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#sivanandayoga

More information about Swamiji is available at the following sites:
http://www.dailyreadings.com/
http://www.dlsmd.org/album/venkatesananda/venkatesa%20main.htm (many
pictures are available here)

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

"Let us make use of the ending of the Old Year and the beginning of the
New Year, to remind ourselves that we are beyond this time and that this
very limitation of time has got a special message for us, - the message
which Gurudev gives us in his 'Song of Divine Life' and which Christ has
said in his own beautiful and paradoxical words: Die to live, lead the
divine life." - Swami Chidananda

Namaste!

A detailed article on the Mahasamadhi of our beloved Swami
Krishnanandaji Maharaj appeared in the December issue of The Divine Life
Journal. We have posted this article at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/krishnasamadhi.htm

We have posted an inspiring New Year's message by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami
Chidanandaji at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/jan2002.htm

A transcription of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj's audio talk, Study
of Oneself, has been posted at Swamiji's site at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_40.html
The audio is at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/video.html

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed New
Year filled with radiant health, peace and joy. May Gurudev continue to
inspire us all to be diligent in our spiritual practices.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

REAL SADHANA: Swami X., who had once stayed at the Ashram for a
considerable time and rendered a lot of service to the Society, had come
and gone away. There was a mild discussion about his attitude towards
the Ashram.

"Swamiji, perhaps he did not stay on at the Ashram because he was not
given the rousing reception he perhaps expected," a disciple commented.

"What reception? A Sannyasin should not have such expectations and
desires. He left the Ashram previously in order to do intense austerity
and Sadhana. If he had really done much austerity or Sadhana he would
have developed a loving heart and an entirely changed angle of vision.
This would have electrified all those he met here. He would have adopted
an attitude of humility, service and brotherly love towards everyone. He
would have thus endeared himself to all. Naturally, a different
atmosphere would have been created. This is the way. We should always
conquer the hearts of others through love and service. There is no other
way. If we are not able to do this, it indicates that our Sadhana is a
continuous indulgence in inertia, resulting in an increased fattening of
the ego."


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New Year Greetings from His Holiness Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj,
International President, The Divine Life Society

It is a great joy to greet every one of you a Most Happy NEW YEAR! I
send my
personal good wishes and New Year's greetings to all those of you who
are
reading these lines in this Souvenir. May abundant divine grace of God
and
choicest blessings of worshipful Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj be
upon
all of you at this juncture when the first year of new millenium 2001
gives
place to second year 2002. May health, happiness, prosperity and
progress
and success be to you all during this New Year.

Swami Chidananda

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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a couple of articles from Gurudev Sri Swami
Sivanandaji's book "Practice of Ayurveda". Both these articles serve as
good introduction to the subject matter. The articles are:
"Ayurveda--Theory and Practice" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/ayurveda.htm

and

"Ayurveda--Although Ancient It Can Be Ever New" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/ayurvedanew.htm

We have also uploaded the table of contents for "Practice of Ayurveda"
at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/es304.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

LESSON IN BEGGING: Swami Muruganandaji wanted to lead a life of
seclusion and austerity. He came to the office to take leave of the
Master.

"Swamiji, I intend to go to Andhra Ashram and stay there for some time.
Then I shall find out a suitable place for myself."

"Wherever you go you should make yourself useful. Then only will people
like you. Merely taking alms and sitting idle somewhere is not Yoga.
This is a Tamasic habit. Not only will people not like you, but your
progress also will be slow. Combine meditation with service. Then
everyone will like you and your progress also will be rapid.

"All right, you can remain wherever you like. You can take your alms
from the alms-house. But you should know the method. Come, I shall show
you how.

"Sit here. Now you are the kitchen manager who distributes the food. You
should make a nice bag of your cloth like this. Hang it on your forearm
in this manner. Then go to the man who hands out rotis. Receive them
gracefully, bending your body like this. Catching hold of the loose ends
of the cloth with the left hand (being careful not to place the
improvised bag on the floor), take the dhal in the vessel with the right
hand. Then go to the man distributing vegetables, take the vegetables
and walk off!."

The Master demonstrated the entire process and made Muruganandaji also
do so!

"Swamiji, the main difficulty for me is that I do not know the language
here and there is no one whom I know. So I intend to go to South India."

"What is this? A Sannyasin should always remain in a place where he is
least known. This is the secret behind the wandering life also.
Familiarity not only breeds contempt but attachment also in some
quarters. Always remain unknown, a stranger wherever you go. And serve
at every opportunity that presents itself. Om Namah Shivaya!"

Muruganandaji ultimately left for his own South India.

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

"The mind has very intimate connection with the body. When the body
suffers, the mind also suffers. When the mind suffers, there is reaction
in the body as well. Therefore one who knows the secret of keeping the
mind in a healthy state can keep his body also in a sound condition." -
Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a couple of instructive articles on the subject of
meditation from Sri Swami Venkatesanandaji's book "Yoga". The articles
are:

"Why Meditate?" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/whymed.htm

and

"How to Meditate" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/howmed.htm

Seekers who would like to use credit card to purchase books published by
The Divine Life Society may do so at the Motilal Banarsidass's website
at:
http://www.mlbd.com/

Motilal Banarsidass is currently selling our books at 10% discount.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

ALWAYS SING "ANANDOHAM": Sri Aravamudan had a pricking conscience. He
had uttered an unpremeditated lie without realising its consequences.
With a contrite heart he wrote a note to the Master and left it on his
office table, apologising for the mistake.

On seeing the note the Master exclaimed, "What! Is Aravamudan leaving
the Ashram?"

"No, Swamiji, he has only left a note."

"All right. Is it about that incident?"

The Master threw the note down without reading it further.

"Usually, whenever someone places a note on my table or prostrates, I
take it to be an indication of 'Om Namo Narayanaya! I am going to
Uttarkasi'."

To Aravamudan the Master later said, "Don't worry. These slips do occur
in a man's life. Learn a lesson and profit by them. Then forget such
events. Always sing 'Anandoham', never 'worry-oham'!"

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

"Half the problem connected with meditation springs from thinking about
it. The thoughts that one may have about meditation are not meditation.
It is possible to think about it, it is possible to talk about it and it
is even possible to 'do' it, but none of these is meditation. Like
sleep, it is something that has to happen, and one does not know when it
is happening, but realises something has happened in retrospect." -
Swami Venkatesananda


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

Namaste!

A discourse entitled "Attainment of Liberation" has been uploaded to Sri
Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj's site at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/disc/disc_41.html

This is an inspiring call to life in the Infinite.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

POWER OF MASTER'S WRITINGS: Sri R. V. Sastri was explaining to the
Master how so many people had been turned to the divine path by the
Master contributing his inspiring articles to very low-class trash
journals.

"People first purchase the journal to read the trash stories. Later they
find in it a page of matter which is absolutely the opposite of the
matter contained in the others. There comes a moment in the life of
every man--a hit somewhere, a knock somewhere--which turns him to the
spiritual path. At that psychological moment this single page catches
fire in his heart and he turns away from the rubbish, buying the
magazine only for this one page. He goes to such an extent that he cuts
out the page from the ugly matter of the magazine and then reads it."

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

"All endeavours aim at the common ideal of the perpetual abolition of
sorrow and the experience of unending bliss. Bliss is only in the
Infinite and sorrow is only in the finite. There is no bliss in the
finite, and no sorrow in the Infinite. Therefore, the attainment of the
Infinite Life is the supreme purpose of finite life." - Swami
Krishnananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded the inspiring biography of Saint Namdev of Maharashtra
by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. Saint Namdev was a great
devotee of Lord Krishna who performed many miracles from a young age.
This biography is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/namdev.htm

The Divine Life Society of Brazil has launched an online store. All
Portugese speaking seekers are invited to visit it at:
http://br.geocities.com/shivanandabr/shoping.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

ON ATTACHMENT: The Master was seen walking very slowly, almost limping.
His gait was always majestic even if he was unwell. Noticing the
curiosity of the disciples, he said, "In all these sixty-two years I
have not worn these."

He pointed to the sandals he was wearing.

"My shoes started pinching and I saw small eruptions on my feet. So I am
trying these sandals. But being unaccustomed to them, I feel a strange
uneasiness. I feel as though they will slip off. I have to grip them
tightly with my toes.

"Man is born with nothing in this world. The child gets a toy and grips
it tightly lest it should lose it. The boy gets a piece of chocolate and
holds it securely. The man grips to himself his wife, children,
property, position and prestige. He is afraid lest he should lose them.
These are the glamorous objects that allure the human being. Once he
throws them away and rests in his own essential divine nature, he is at
peace."

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

"Always recite the Name of the Lord. Constantly remember Him. Hear His
glory. Meditate on the Lord in your heart. Serve the Lord with your
hands. Place your head at His lotus feet. Do Kirtan. You will forget
your hunger and thirst. The Lord will be near you. You will attain
immortality and eternal bliss." - Namdev


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

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

Namaste!

We have uploaded Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji's latest book
"Light on the Yoga Way of Life". This book contains a series of
questions pertaining to spiritual life, and answers given to them by
Guru Maharaj. This book is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#lightonyoga

"The Secret of the Katha Upanishad" by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj
has been made available in one zip file for easy download at Swamiji's
website at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/katha_0.html

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

ON THE MASTER'S WRITINGS: Judge Gauri Prasad of Swarg Ashram had come on
a sort of official visit to advise the Society on certain legal matters.
After he had finished the discussions, he was talking about certain
legal peculiarities concerning the copyright on books.

"You see, I have most of your books, Swamiji," began Gauri Prasad--and
was then drawn away from the main theme.

"I am trying to build up a good library of them. They are so valuable,
you know, that I intend leaving them to my children by a special will. I
know that my children will cherish them as the richest treasure left by
me. Swamiji, you have explained everything in these books in a manner
that is unrivalled for its simple grandeur. You explain in a few simple
words what others take great pains to present in their bombastic
language. Even a simple layman or a college student can just pick up
your books and get all his problems solved. That is what other writers
cannot do. I think that it is because of your personal realisation of
the Supreme Truth that this direct simplicity characterises your books.

"Another important feature is that I refer to your books every now and
then to confirm my own opinions. After I discuss a problem with someone
else and, after offering my own opinion on it, I take up your works and
find that the opinion has your weighty authority behind it. These books
are something like the Vedas and Upanishads to me. Just as the Yogis and
Siddhas of yore verified their experiences from the Sruti (the Vedas), I
feel that when I find the same view expressed by you also, I must be
right."

All the while the Master sat listening without a trace of any sort of
emotion.

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

"Scriptures tell us that if we have once accepted a Brahma-Nishtha
(Self-Realized Saint) as our Guru we should not change our allegiance to
another Guru. The spiritual connection or link is eternal. If an
aspirant tries to break it and runs after all kinds of Siddhas and
Jnanis, he cannot progress even an inch on the path." - Swami Chidananda


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