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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a discourse by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj
titled "A True Philosophy of Life" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/feb2002.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

THE RAZOR PATH: The Master was once conversing with his disciples in the
office.

"God-realisation is not such an easy matter. These aids--study,
listening and reflection--are only intended to show us the way. When you
get a keen desire for liberation, you will learn from the scriptures and
from the lectures delivered by Chidananda Swamiji and others here how to
proceed.

"You should be vigilant and watchful all the time. You should learn from
everyone the lessons of divine life. Merely sitting in a corner and
practising Yogic Kriyas will not help you. Why do you wish to acquire
powers? What is it to you if you gain the power to create a new world or
to arrest the course of the sun and the moon? Psychic powers only fatten
the ego and move you farther away from God. Do not run after them.

"On the other hand, consider yourself to be like a blade of grass.
Develop humility, patience, perseverance, love, forbearance,
truthfulness and purity.

"I have never longed for liberation. I have never aspired for
God-realisation. I shall go on serving everyone. I shall go on purifying
my heart through selfless service. I shall always try to see God in
everyone. God Himself should take pity on me and give me liberation.
Otherwise, I shall take birth again and again and go on serving till God
Himself voluntarily offers me liberation.

"Look at Sri Sthanu Subramanyam! See how wonderfully he has cultivated
his heart! He has come to stay here for a few days. Even then he has
brought with him a small box of medicines. He runs here and there to
serve the sick. Examine your heart. Have you this one quality--of a
heart melting at the suffering of others? Sri Subramanyam also does his
Japa regularly here. Have you this tenacious adherence to the path?

"I want all of you to become dynamic Yogis. Here you get the greatest
scope for development. People who have had training here have opened new
Ashrams and societies. Just think what a wonderful thing it would have
been if all those dynamic workers had remained here and worked to expand
this institution. Yet, it is a good thing that they are all doing
wonderful work in their own way.

"One who organises an institution should have perfect tolerance,
understanding, adaptability, humility and dedication. Some Mahants drive
away young aspirants if they feel that the latter have greater talents
and might one day shine superior to the Mahants themselves. This is very
bad. Why should you care if a newcomer is greater than yourself? You
should try to win his heart and make him also dedicate himself to the
cause, and thus try to utilise his services for the mission. If you have
such dedication, even if this newcomer drives you away out of malice,
you will take alms from the alms-house and work for the cause.

"You should always work to make everyone equal, if not better than
yourself. Never suppress another, never ignore another’s talents. I want
everyone to come to the Ashram--a scavenger, an artist, a journalist, a
songster, a poet, an orator. I give them the greatest scope for the
development of their talents. I serve them and win their hearts. I give
them the longest rope. If they have mischief in their hearts and if they
intend to do harm to the institution, God will protect it.

"I am not bothered about the institution. My nature is to work. My goal
is to serve. This spirit of service has been in me from my childhood.
Even if this organisation collapses, I will sit in a hut, serve a few
patients, print some leaflets and thus serve humanity.

"Study the Gita. Find out how many divine virtues that the Lord has
enumerated therein you have developed. Purify the heart. Serve, serve
and serve. Meditation will come by itself. Samadhi will come by itself.
Do not hanker after psychic powers. They are hindrances on the spiritual
path. See God in every face. This is the essence of all the Vedas."

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

"The tragedy of all tragedies does not lie in what we are, but in not
knowing what we are and what we are essentially." - Swami Sivananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

Sri Swami Dayananandaji Maharaj had a heart attack
and attained Mahasamadhi at 11:20pm on Monday, Feb. 5.
We were told that the Ganga immersion will be Tuesday
morning, Feb. 6.

Swamiji was instrumental in getting the printing press, which
was dear to Sri Gurudev, started at our Ashram. There is
more information about Swamiji at:
http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/saints/dayananda.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

Namaste!

Video clips from Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj's discourse on July
27, 1994 has been uploaded to Sri Swamiji's site at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/video.html

The title of the discourse is "The Descent of Creation and the Ascent of
Consciousness". The text for this discourse is at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/sadh/sadh_05.html

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

CHARITY IN DISGUISE: Sri R. P. Gandhi, a government employee, came into
the office, bowed to the Master and narrated his tale of woe. He is a
refugee from the Punjab. He lost everything in the riots. He recently
received information from his bankers that his bank, too, had completely
collapsed. His sisters were sick and the whole family had poor health
owing to the shock.

"Swamiji, I have some good religious books. I wish to dispose of them as
I am not able to make both ends meet with the salary I am getting. I
wonder if you will purchase some of these books."

He showed the Master the list which totalled Rs. 68.12. The Master was
scanning it but his eyes seemed to be straying elsewhere. He was deeply
immersed in thought. He read out the names of the books. Most of them
were either already in the Ashram library or were unnecessary. "It does
not matter," the Master said to a disciple. "Select some good books from
the list for half the amount. Premanandaji, get Rs. 40. Rs. 30 we shall
give him for the cost of the books and Rs. 10 shall be my humble
offering. Yes, merely purchasing books is not charity. I should also
give him some money as a donation."

When the money came, the Master handed it to Sri Gandhi with reverence
and regard, and with the words, "Patram, Pushpam!" (I am worshipping you
through this. See Bhagavad Gita 9.26)

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

"The existence of a human individual in society is tremendously
influenced by the nature of the society around, so much so that one
cannot easily, as a physical and psychological individual, wrench
oneself from social relations. Society has become a part of our very
skin, and to peel off social contact would be like peeling our own skin.
Yet, some such super-normal adventure has to be embarked upon when we
take to the practice of pure spirituality, or Yoga." - Swami
Krishnananda


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

Namaste!

Several beautiful photographs of Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj from the
late 1970s has been posted at Swamiji's site at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/photos.html

Swamiji Maharaj's "The Philosophy of Panchadasi" has been made available
in PDF at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/panch_00.html

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

STRANGE CHARITY: The Master was proceeding to Swarg Ashram with a party.
On his way he met a Sadhu who was fond of sweetmeats. Nearby, a sweetmeat
vendor was sitting, a very poor man who subsisted on these sales. The
Master quickly perceived an opportunity. He took out some money, purchased
the sweetmeats and gave them to the Sadhu, thus helping both the Sadhu and
the sweetmeat vendor.

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

"Truth is the seed. Celibacy is the root. Meditation is the shower. Shanti
or peace is the flower. Moksha or emancipation is the fruit. Therefore,
speak the truth, practise celibacy, cultivate Shanti and meditate
regularly. You will surely attain the final emancipation." - Swami
Sivananda


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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
------------

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

Namaste!

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

This issue has a report on the 2nd Global International DLS
Conference that was held in Orissa. There are also several articles on the
subject of Peace.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

MANUAL LABOUR: Arriving in the office in the morning, the Master's eyes
fell upon a few banana peels lying in a corner.

"Nowadays no one sweeps the office in the morning. All enthusiasm has
faded away, I think."

"Last Sunday I swept, Swamiji," said one Ashramite.

"The day before yesterday was my turn," another added.

The Master listened as a schoolmaster listened to the lame excuses of
children who had forgotten to do their homework!

"If there is a genuine interest in all of you to keep the office clean,
then even the thought of 'my turn' and 'his turn' will not arise.

"Vishnu Swamiji may be busy with letters. But then, at least the junior
inmates ought to take this task upon themselves. I am not saying this
because the others are senior, but they may feel that they could do more
intellectual work in that period.

"Physical labour is very essential. It keeps the body healthy. It provides
an opportunity for cultivating the spirit of selfless service. One will be
able to develop humility, forbearance and many other divine virtues by
engaging in manual labour.

"Cleanliness is next to Godliness. You should take great delight in such
service. There should be no compulsion from outside nor should you do it
just because someone else is asking you to do so."

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

"Moksha is Freedom, Independence or Perfection. Desire is the enemy of
Moksha. It binds man to the Samsaric wheel of birth and death. It is the
root-cause of human sufferings. You must annihilate all desires and reach
that incomparable seat, where all the illusions of pleasure and pain and
other heterogeneities vanish." - Swami Sivananda


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