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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a discourse by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj on
the importance of continuing ones spiritual practice until it becomes
part and parcel of ones consciousness. The title of the discourse is
"Sadhana is a Necessity" and is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/mar2002.htm

Gurudev's Hospital in Holy Pattamadai is in need of sponsors for beds at
a newly constructed ward to treat the poor patients at Gurudev's birth
place. The appeal has been posted at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/sscch.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

THE ROOT OF EVIL: Certain principles of the Divine Life Society's
organisation were being discussed.

"My ideal is service," said the Master. "I will therefore keep the doors
of the Ashram open even to a rogue. I will take him in and try to mould
his character on the right lines. Through him I will serve humanity. In
this service his heart also will be purified.

"I do not want to lose even a single worker. You see, this Ashram
started like a small mustard seed, and by God's Grace it has now grown
into a big institution with branches all over the world. Thousands of
aspirants are writing that they are being benefited by our service."

Sri R.V. Sastriji interrupted, "Yes, Swamiji, this is perfectly true.
Sri Satchidananda Swamiji wrote to the All-India Congress Committee for
a pass to join the Congress session. The letter reached Sri Rajendra
Prasad for his sanction. He noticed the name 'Sivananda Ashram' at the
top of the letter and at once remarked, 'Oh! This Swami has written from
Sivananda Ashram. They are doing very good work there. There is no
worry, issue him a ticket.' Sri K. S. Venkataramani was with Sri
Rajendra Babu at that time and he himself told me this."

The Master said, "It is all due to His Grace. We are merely instruments
in His hands. We should always see in what manner we can promote the
work. We should avoid the evils that eat away the very root of an
organisation. Jealousy, for instance, is a great evil which prevents the
growth of any institution. But it is a human vice. It is in everyone. It
can be completely eradicated only when one attains knowledge of the
Self.

"What we should all strive to do is to cripple jealousy so that it will
be unable to work its way into the very vitals of our being. This can be
done only through constant enquiry and dispassion. When jealousy arises
in the mind, try to put it down and prevent it from taking an aggressive
shape.

"Anger is another evil. If you get angry with anyone in the morning,
then at noon you should do enquiry, and in the evening you should make
proper amends and become one with the other man. Always try to
co-operate with all, adapt yourself with all, mix with all and work with
all. The most important point is service. That should be your one motto.
Then everything will be all right. Every moment you should think how you
can enable the divine life message to reach thousands of more aspirants.
Then all evil qualities will gradually leave you."

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

"God is the only Reality. There is nothing worth coveting or desiring in
this world." - Swami Sivananda


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

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

Namaste!

March 12th is the auspicious Mahasivaratri day. There are several
articles on our website about the significance of this festival. They
are:

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

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

The Struggle for Perfection by Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj has been
made available in PDF at:
http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/perf_0.html

Sri Swami Ramaswarupananadaji is going to be in Italy from mid-March.
There is going to be a retreat in Assisi with Swamiji in April. Please
contact Mrs. Stefania Conigliaro for further details at
stefaniamrita@...

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

ps. I am going to be in Rishikesh from the 6th to 15th of March. Please
excuse me from responding to e-mails during this period.

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

YAMA'S FOUR LETTERS: The crowded Sadhana Week programme was almost at an
end. The Master stood up on the platform and spoke in fluent Hindi.

"I thank you all for coming here on this occasion and for sitting
through this performance in the cold. I am indebted to you for this.

"Lord Yama sends four letters to man, but each time man is misguided by
his worldly friends and ignores these letters. The hair turns grey, but
man blackens it with dye; the teeth fall, so he uses false teeth; the
eyesight fails, and he is tempted to put on spectacles; his vitality is
exhausted, so he resorts to tonics. He does not realise that death is
inevitable and that only God's Name will really help him in the end.
When the time of his departure comes, he repents. Who can help him?
There is only selfish friendship in the world. Note this point well.
None but the Lord Himself is your real friend. Everyone else loves you
for his or her own purpose. Understand this moral well.

"Always repeat the Name of the Lord. Merely doing one or two malas of
Japa will not do. Throughout the day you should repeat His Name. Then
only will His Grace descend on you and save you. This is a very easy
form of Sadhana. It is the safest Sadhana, too. Even if you don't
realise God in this birth, but if you go on repeating His Name, you will
continue the thread in the next birth. The spiritual impressions will be
there and you will soon realise Him."

The Master then sang his favourite Kirtan:
Serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realise;
Be good, do good, be kind, be compassionate.

"This is the essence of all the Vedas, of all the Shastras and Puranas.
It is the essence not only of the Hindu religion but of all the
religions of the world. Always aspire to purify the mind. Service alone
can purify the heart. Service gives you opportunities of analysing
yourself and finding out the impurities lurking within. You should
gradually develop all the divine qualities.

"'Isavasyam idam sarvam--the Supreme Lord alone pervades the whole of
creation'. Realise this well. Feel this. Bow to all. Be kind to all.
When you have some sweet­meats, distribute them to the children of
others. This is the way to develop the heart. Give to the 'health
officer' (the scavenger in the Master's dictionary!) the same fruit that
you yourself take. Do not give him stale plantains fit only to be thrown
away. Always analyse yourself. See how many good, spiritual impressions
you have developed. Look at the auditor's wife! Even in this cold she
goes to the Ganga daily in the morning for her bath. Find out how many
good impressions you have implanted in yourself. Perfection is not an
easy thing, but you need not despair. You will surely attain it if you
purify yourself every moment."

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

"Even if there is a set-back in certain things, nil desperandum. March
forward, O adhyatmic (spiritual) hero. Look not back. A brilliant future
is awaiting you." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded some recent photographs of Guru Maharaj Sri Swami
Chidanandaji Maharaj taken between March 7 and March 14 of this year.
Also included are some photographs of Guru Maharaj during the
Mahasivaratri celebration. The pictorial begins with a Darshan (view) of
Mother Ganga at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/chida_mmedia/ganga_image.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

BE MODERATE: The Master then sang another favourite song of his:

Eat a little, drink a little, talk a little, sleep a little;
Mix a little, move a little, work a little, rest a little.

"Eat and drink in moderation. You will have health and long life. It
does not mean that you should starve. You should be moderate. Have one
good meal at noon. Take a light diet of milk and fruit at night, and
that, too, before nightfall. In this respect the Jain custom of
finishing their supper before sunset is very healthy. When you go to bed
you should have digested your food. Then you will have a refreshing
sleep and will be able to get up at 4 o'clock the next morning.

"But what people generally do is just the reverse. They run hither and
thither during the day, and at night, when it is very late, they take a
heavy meal. They do not get proper digestion. And on top of it all they
get up at 8a.m. A day's programme is before them but they do not know
what to do. They get bewildered because the mind is confused.

"Mixing with all sorts of people is very bad. This does not mean that
you should be gloomy and aloof. Talk to people but be moderate in this.
Too much talking only results in fights and quarrels."

The Master again sang the "Song of a Little".

He continued, "You will be able to remember this song very easily. The
moment you think of 'a little', you will remember the instructions, too.
This is the law of associa-tion that governs the mind. Have you heard of
the famous 'tion' sentence? 'Examination is a great botheration to the
Hindu nation, whose sole occupation is cultivation'!" Everyone burst
into laughter!

"Here you take many pious resolves but the following morning you forget
all about them. Get this small song by heart, sing it every morning and
evening. It will inspire you. It will not allow you to slumber again."

At this stage the Master noticed that some people were feeling drowsy,
while some others were slightly inattentive, as the time was nearly
midnight.

"I have a medicine which will revive you marvellously. You will get new
vitality without having recourse to tea. Now sing with me."

The vigorous Kirtan had a miraculous effect on the audience.

He continued, "Remember the moral of today's drama. The more you reflect
on it, the more strength you will get. Dispassion alone is the priceless
treasure. Turn away from the world and direct your gaze towards the Lord
in the heart. Do not run after worldly pleasures. You can never get any
satisfaction from them. Even a millionaire is really a poor man only. A
'crore-pathy' (possessor of a crore of rupees), worries more than an
ordinary man. When the bank fails, the heart of the 'crore-pathy' also
fails! He sleeps over the concealed iron safe in which he has stored his
wealth. He is afraid of thieves. Even his sons hate him. All are jealous
of him. He has hardly a single friend. Throw away worldly riches and
acquire the priceless treasure of God's Name. None can then rob you of
your wealth."

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

"From the top of the head to the tip of your toenails there should be
but one vibration--the vibration of the Divine Name. Diligently
cultivate a permanent background of thought so that when your mind is
not obliged to think of anything else, it is always abiding in That
thought." - Swami Chidananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded the Spiritual Calendar for April 2002 - March 2003. This is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/calendar.htm

We have also uploaded a discourse by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji
titled "Salvation--Rests With You Only" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/apr2002.htm

Pannirselvam

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

THE MASTER'S WORSHIP: It was the Viswanath Mandir Pratishtha (consecration
of idol) Anniversary Day. A programme of worship was being conducted in
the temple. Several aspirants and Sadhus were sitting inside the temple,
worshipping the Lord with flowers and bael leaves. The Shiva Lingam was
fully covered with a thick shawl of flowers.

The Master was circumambulating the temple. As he appeared at the
threshold of the shrine one of the aspirants offered him some flowers and
bael leaves with which to worship the Lord. As the Sannyasin outside was
going on with his recitation of the Mantras, the Master also joined the
devotees in offering flowers to the Lord. This went on for some minutes.

In a mood of complete self-forgetfulness the Master now turned to the
Sadhus and aspirants sitting around the Lingam and began worshipping them
with the flowers intended for the Lord. There seemed to be not a trace in
his eyes or face indicating his recognition of who exactly the individuals
were. The eyes seemed to gaze on, but only he could say what he saw.

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

"There is no pleasure in sense-objects. Eternal Bliss is in the Atman
alone. Therefore embrace spirituality. Practice purity, develop nobility,
do charity and attain Divinity." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a memoriam of Sri Swami Dayanandaji Maharaj which
appeared in the March issue of the Divine Life journal at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/dayasamadhi.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

ASPIRANTS, BEWARE! Sri R. Ramakrishna of Delhi had come with a harmonium
for the Ashram. He narrated to the Master the gist of a thrilling lecture
by an independent spiritual leader.

"Swamiji, Sri X. stresses on the immediate individual transformation to be
brought about by Self-awareness. And he asserts that the awakened
individual will then be able to establish the right relationship with his
environment. His theme begins with an intellectual analysis of one's own
emotions which, through the mental process of naming them as such, become
anger, lust, jealousy, etc. Then such feelings are recorded in memory.

"This triple process of thus experiencing, naming and recording the
emotions is the work of the mind, or self-projection. The separation of
the thinker from his thought, which is a mental process, leads to the
cessation of the thought-process. When the awakened individual is alive to
the force behind his emotions, it is a state of being called love, in
which the individual experiences an inward richness and creative joy. He
is face to face with the Reality, which has no end and is never static
and, viewed from the relative standpoint of time, is ever new, ever fresh
from moment to moment.

"When he says this, Swamiji, it is so convincing and inspiring. He does
not have any organisation; he actually condemns organisations and also the
institution of Guru and disciple. He does not believe in or quote from any
scripture. He does not advocate any religion but says that he arrived at
the Truth independently. He does not like Kirtanists and speaks of them
derisively as the 'shouting-class'."

"You should not attend such kinds of lectures," came the Master's
immediate reply. "What a travesty of truth! Lord Krishna has clearly
stated in the Gita that one should not unsettle another's faith. That is
why the Shastras declare emphatically the need for a Guru. He alone will
be able to understand the aspirant's state and prescribe the proper
Sadhana. The same instructions do not suit all; and if you enunciate some
general principles, they should not be antagonistic to anyone else's
principles.

"These instructions are suitable only for the microscopic minority, for
advanced spiritual aspirants who are well versed in psychology. Those who
have faith in the Lord's Name, in Japa, Kirtan and the Yoga of synthesis,
should not attend such lectures. Their faith in their own Sadhana will be
shaken. They will not know exactly how to proceed on the new path and,
torn between the two, will simply collapse midway.

"Further, organisations are necessary if you want to do some real and
substantial service to humanity. Everyone has his own organisation. Take
the case of this Sri X. Is he not being looked after by the public? Does
he not have a following? That is the organisation, though he may not call
it so and register it. If you have no selfish motives, there is no harm in
having an organisation."

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

"To make the mind obey you is spiritual discipline." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

This Sunday (April 21) is the holy appearance day of Lord Rama (Rama Navami).
In celebration of this blessed ocassion we uploaded an article from
Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj's books "Essence of Ramayana". This
article describes the qualities of Lord Rama and is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/rama.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

UNDESIRABLE HABITS: During the evening Satsang, Sri Rampremji had
concluded the day's portion of the Vinaya Patrika. Quietly he folded the
right-hand top corner of the particular leaf to serve as a book-mark and
closed the book. But the Master, of all people there, noticed this.

"No, no, Rampremji. Don't do that! If you go on doing so, the pages will
start breaking and the book will be spoiled. This is a minor thing but it
matters a lot. You should overcome these little habits of carelessness and
an ease-loving nature. Place a suitable book-mark.

"This is not the only undesirable habit. There are people who, when they
find it difficult to turn a leaf in the book, bring their saliva to use.
God did not intend saliva to be used in this manner. To prevent this only
have the Shastras prohibited such practices, regarding them as unholy.
These habits are unhygienic also.

"There are several other practices which an aspirant should especially
avoid. Cracking the finger-joints is one such habit. Spitting, especially
when it is accompanied by a roaring, throat-clearing sound, is another.
When you are in the company of others during meditation, you should not
disturb them with curious noises. These little habits go a long way in
forming an aspirant's character."

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

"Lord Rama's glory and powers were unlimited. He was peerless on earth. He
was free from malice. He was gentle and the protector of his people. He
always addressed the people in gentle words. He never used harsh words
even when anybody addressed him rudely. He was wise and virtuous. He was
effulgent like the sun, in forgiveness like the earth, in intelligence
like Brihaspati, in frame like Vasava, in prowess like Indra. He observed
ascetic vows and honoured saints. He would forget hundreds of evils done
to him but would gratefully remember a single act of kindness, ever
shown." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded the inspiring biography of Sri Jnanadev (also known as
Jnaneshwar) by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. Sri Jnanadev wrote
his commentary on the Gita (Jnaneshwari) at the age of thirteen. Sri Swami
Krishnanandaji Maharaj recommends reading the Jnaneshwari to get a good
understanding of the Gita. This biography is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/jnanadev.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

TRANSFORMING ONESELF: One of the Ashram inmates who had a grievance, came
into the office with a complaint against an aspirant who had insulted him.
The Master counselled forbearance.

Later it was pointed out to the Master by someone that the offending party
had a sharp tongue in truth.

"Everybody has a sharp tongue. After all, we are all human beings only.
But the beauty lies in controlling it. Before an offending word is uttered
you should introspect and check it. And even if you occasionally happen to
use the wrong expression, you should try to learn the art of smoothening
out the matter at once. You should apologise to the man whom you have
offended, talk to him sweetly, ask his pardon and pacify him. Gradually
your entire nature will be changed."

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

"Within a period of twenty-five years, they (Jnanadev and his siblings)
broke down the bigotry of the Brahmins of the period, raised them from the
darkness of ignorance, firmly established the path of Bhakti and Jnana,
made people realise that all were equal and that it was the actions which
counted for the glory and excellence of a man and not the accident of
birth or the mere study of the Vedas and Vedanta." - Swami Sivananda


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Om Namo Bhagavate Sivanandaya!

Meditation on Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj on the occasion of
Swamiji Maharaj's 80th birthday anniversary (April 25, 2002).

Excerpted from Srimati S. Bhagyalakshmi's book "Swami Krishnananda in
Conversation"


Vedantin, sage, sanyasin, friend and guru--Swami Krishnananda is a
many-splendoured personality. This personality is what is described by the
Vedic term hamsa, the Swan. The hamsa abides on the surface of the waters
of the phenomenal world and in the ocean of cosmic consciousness--in the
Absolute. And yet he takes interest in our mundane problems and issues and
clarifies them for us. All problems disappear in his presence.

Sri Swami Krishnananda's maiden attempt at writing was his commentary on
Swami Sivananda's Moksha Gita. Swamiji was very young, hardly
twenty-three, when he wrote it. Yet the commentary reads as coming from a
mature mind of a full blown jnani. Even earlier Sri Gurudev had conferred
on him the title of "Vedanta Kesari". This first work of Swamiji at once
earned the admiration of Sri Gurudev:

"How many Sankaras have been rolled into this young Sanyasin. He is a
great tapaswin, he is a great jnani. Beyond that I should not say in his
presence. When a man performs tapas, he is a well that will never dry up
thereafter. Swami Krishnananda is our Dakshinamurti; and Dakshinamurti was
young too".

Since then Sri Swami Krishnananda has written many books, among which are
two philosophical works of outstanding worth: Realisation of the Absolute
and The Philosophy of Life. He has also written minor works like Bhagavad
Gita Explained and A Short History of Religion and Philosophical Thought
in India. In the words of Sri Chidananda Swami Maharaj:

"Inestimable indeed are the services that he has been rendering ever since
his advent in the Ashram, to Gurudev's spiritual institution and to
Gurudev's great mission of the dissemination of spiritual knowledge. In
fact, he is the institution. The Divine Life Society and the Divine Life
Mission live in Swami Krishnanandaji".

When I had felt the urge to collect and record Swamiji's conversations
through which spiritual knowledge and subtle truths got passed from the
speaker to the listener, I asked him for a message of blessing. He wrote,
"the aim of life is god-realisation and every other duty is only
contributory to this supreme duty." And this message is in fact what
emerges from the compassionate words collected here. Areas like
metaphysics, meditation and yoga are rendered intelligible through these
responses to a variety of doubts raised by the advanced yogi, the
aspirant, down to the curious, casual tourist or visitor.

It is not as if Swami Krishnananda did nothing all these years but write
and give discourses. A karmayogi that he is, he has rendered exemplary
service to the sick in the Sivananda Hospital.

Multifarious were the activities the young Swami was called upon to do.
From sweeping the floor and arranging in detail for the night satsanga to
the polemical level as the professor of Vedanta lecturing in the
Brahmamuhurta classes of the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy under Gurudev's
auspices in the different categories or subjects, he has gone through the
whole gamut of the activities of the Ashram from its very initial stages
to the present day.

Swami Sivananda Maharaj, my most honoured guru has made this mandate that
we give and share everything we have; thus purifying ourselves as a means
to God-realisation. It is of such a sharing that Gurudev speaks of in his
autobiography when he mentions that his writings were a source of joy to
the seeker as these sought to communicate spiritual truths otherwise
beyond ordinary comprehension. Swami Krishnananda's words also represent
the same spirit of sharing--they are a gift from him to the people.

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

Namaste!

We have uploaded the latest news of Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji's
physical health as well as some photographs of Guru Maharaj in Dehra Dun.
Guru Maharaj has given instructions on how Samadhi should be given to his
physical body. This has also been posted at our website. The Samadhi
instruction were composed on 22nd November 2000. These are at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/chida_announce.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

CHARITY: "Padmanabhanji, bring me one rupee worth of small coins. Write
the amount as charity. Whenever I go out I should have some small coins in
my pocket. I see poor people on the roadside but I have nothing to give
them. In Malaya I used to keep a lot of small change in my pocket and
distribute them to the poor. This gives me great joy and peace. Bring the
coins at once."

Padmanabhanji immediately brought the coins.

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

"God reveals Himself only to him who makes a sincere effort to realise
Him." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded an illuminating discourse on the fundamentals of Hinduism
by Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji titled "Hinduism--Monotheism and
Polytheism Reconciled" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/may2002.htm

A Japa Yajna (offering) of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra for the good health
of Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji is going to commence at 0001 hours
through 2400 hours US Eastern Standard Time on Thursday, 16 May, 2002.
Devotees who would like to participate in this Yajna may contact Sri
Kartikji at: kvashisht@...
Full details of this Yajna has been posted at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/japayajna.htm

I am going to be leaving for Greenland on May 12 and scheduled to return
on June 9. During this period Sri Navin Das <navin_das@...> will be
managing the mailing list.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

THE MASTER'S HEART! "What is this?" the Master asked, handling a half-anna
coin.

"Half-anna? I have never seen this. I do not have any occasion because I
do not handle money. It is a peculiarly shaped coin. Is it enough if I
give a poor man only a half-anna coin? What will he get for it?"

It was difficult to convince the Master that half-anna also was money!

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

"Destiny is powerless before Divine Grace." - Swami Sivananda


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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 titled "A
Little I Will Say". This discourse pertains to the qualities an aspirant
must have for success in spiritual life. This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/jun2002.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

HOW MAYA DECEIVES: "Swamiji, these two rupees I found near the Brahmananda
Ashram."

Sri Menon handed the Master the coins.

"You should have found out the owner. How can we appropriate the money to
ourselves just because it lay on the road. Someone else will miss it."

"Swamiji, it was lying on the road. If I had not taken it, it might have
even been lost in the sand. Here, Swamiji, the two rupees would be put to
very good use; and in absentia the donor will receive the Lord's
blessings."

"Ohji, this is how Maya deceives man. You see, I have just written a story
about a man who was told by his Guru to shun lust, gold and fame, but who
was later gradually dragged into the very pit of temptation."

The Master turned to another Sannyasin not belonging to the Ashram and who
was sitting near him. "Supposing you found five thousand rupees on the
roadside, what will you do? Will you give the money to me for this divine
work?"

And, rocking with laughter, he said, "Or will you merely think, 'I will
give two thousand to Swamiji and utilise the rest for myself. After all, I
have my own needs. God has given this money only for this purpose'!"

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

"Spiritual progress is measured by the amount of broad-mindedness,
selflessness, dynamism and dedicated service that the aspirant exhibits in
practical life." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded news of Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji's
physical health (as of May 25, 2002) as well as some photographs of Guru
Maharaj in Dehra Dun. These are at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/chida_announce.htm

We have also posted news and reports of activities at The Divine Life
Society Headquarters. The following reports have been posted for the month
of June:
Sri Ramanavami Celebrations
Service of the Sick and Needy
40th Yoga-Vedanta Course
Sri Adi Sankaracharya Jayanti

These reports are at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/jun02_news.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

CONTENTMENT: Govind Swamiji's heart ached to see the Master clad in an
overcoat worn out with age. It was once upon a time a good woollen coat.
Now it looked like a gunny-bag.

"Swamiji, this coat is torn all over the back. It looks ugly also. Please
wear the other new coat."

The Master looked up and smiled.

"All right, is it torn? Very well, but it keeps the warmth all right."

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

"Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Serve the sick. This is Divine Life."
- 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
titled "Rays From the Light Fountain". This is an inspiring article on
overcoming difficulties and failures to reach the summum bonum of life,
viz. God-realization. This article was given for publication to Sri
Richard Levy in 1970 in Los Angeles, USA by Guru Maharaj. Thanks to Sri
Richard Levy for sharing it with all of us. This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/raylightfountain.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

"ALL SOULS' DAY": After the morning class was over the Master suddenly
confronted the Ashramites with a suggestion.

"From now onward the first of every month will be observed at the Ashram
as 'All Souls' Day'. We should offer special prayer for the peace of all
departed souls. In this modernised, materialistic world, Dharma has long
ago been lost. Many religions have come into being in India itself that
vehemently condemn the practice of ancestor-worship, Tarpana and Shraddha.
The departed souls are in great grief. They naturally look to us to help
them. We must do this."

An aspirant mentioned that a spiritualist who visited the Ashram recently
had contacted several departed souls, who declared that they were
eternally grateful to the Master for his Kirtans and prayers for their
peace. They said that they had received great benefit through his mercy.

Another incident had already been chronicled--that of Sri Gauri Prasadji's
late grand-daughter--who rejoiced in the Master's Kirtan.

"The programme will be," the Master continued, "in the morning we should
arrange for consecrated food-offerings for the departed souls. There will
be a special worship in the temple. We can have poor-feeding and feeding
of the Sadhus also. In the evening there will be a special Ganga worship,
when lights will be floated in the Ganga in the names of the departed
souls. There should be special illumination in the temple."

"More expenses!" someone thought.

The Master at once read the thought and said, "Ohji, don't worry about the
funds. They will come. When the manes are pleased they will goad their
descendants to contribute to the Society. When old people hear of this
arrangement they will allot some portion of their properties to the
Society in their wills. Our motive should be pure. We should always
endeavour to serve all with selfless love. God will look after us."

"Swamiji, you are perfectly right," said an aged inmate. "Since we started
the worship in the temple the Ashram has attained rare heights of
prosperity. Who would have expected the growth of the Ashram so rapidly?
So many cottages, so many typewriters, so many books--all these are no
joke. Surely they are all indications that the Devas are highly pleased.
The Lord also is highly pleased with the worship here."

"I told you that Lord Shiva has run away from Kailas and taken His
permanent abode in the Viswanath temple here, because of the ceaseless
chanting of the Rudram and Chamakam," remarked the Master.

"But, Swamiji," slowly put in another aged devotee, "you are an Advaitin.
Why should you encourage these Karmas? Where are the departed souls and
how are we to please them?"

"That is the mistake you commit. Do not mix absolute truths with relative
activities. As long as the body is there, as long as you think of it,
adorn it, feed it and look after it, you are in the relative plane only.
You can by all means study and try to understand Vedanta, but you should
not attempt to bring it to Vyavahara (worldly existence). When you have
converted this body into a worn-out leather bag, to be used or discarded
at will, then you can discard all these Karmas also. Till then you have to
believe in and carry out all these actions."

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

"In our effort to attain perfection, failure may assail us many times.
This doesn’t matter. Failure is not a sin. It is giving up effort that
sinful. Failing is not a great fault. But wanting to sit down where one
has fallen, refusing to rise up and struggle on, that, indeed is a bad
fault. Ultimately, success is built over failure, won by persevering
effort." - Swami Chidananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded an article by Sri Swami Venkatesanandaji Maharaj titled
"Introduction to the Yoga Vasistha". The Yoga Vasistha has been considered
by some as perhaps the most elaborate exposition of philosophy and
religion ever written under the sun. This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/jul2002.htm

A number of people have asked me about Swami Venkatesanandaji's
translation of the Yoga Vasistha, i.e. "The Supreme Yoga". This book is
currently out of stock at the DLS headquarters. However I have seen it for
sale at: http://www.dkagencies.com/
You can do a search for Venkatesananda to locate the book.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

WHILE IN MALAYA: A doctor from Malaya (known as Malaysia now) arrived with
his wife. After reverently touching the feet of the Master, he said,
"Swamiji, I had the rarest good fortune of living in the same bungalow
that was occupied by you during your stay in Malaya."

"Is that so?" enquired the Master.

"Also, Swamiji, the tulasi that you had planted outside is still being
worshipped, and every day till I left Malaya I used to light the lamps
placed around the tulasipeetham."

It is customary in Hindu households to have a small tulasi-altar in the
courtyard. The tulasi is very sacred and is dear to the Lord. Its glory
has been sung by Indian sages. The Master, who was a prosperous doctor in
Malaya before his renunciation of that life, was very religious and took
great delight in observing all these customs that had been handed down
from generation to generation.

"Yes, yes, even after I had left Negri-Sembilan, Dr Parsons used to tell
me that every time he visited the place he noticed that the tulasipeetham
was being maintained. I am very glad to hear that."

Then the doctor and the Master fell into a discussion of the good old days
and about their mutual friends.

"Swamiji, you know very well that no one in Malaya, especially among those
who had gone from India, was free from the three evils of wine, woman and
tobacco. All over Malaya you alone had acquired the unique distinction of
having been the single man who was untouched by these evils. It is a great
marvel."

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

"To make the mind obey you is spiritual discipline." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded the biography of Mira Bai by Gurudev Sri Swami
Sivanandaji Maharaj. She is considered to be an incarnation of Radha and
one of India's great saints. This article is:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/mirabai.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

VEDANTIC SADHANA: An intellectual friend who had accompanied Sri Pindi
Dassji, the manager of the Kali-kamliwala alms-house, had a desire to know
about things concerning the Self. Even as both of them entered the hall,
the Master welcomed them with his natural hospitality and entertained them
with fruit and tea. He then enquired about their welfare.

"Swamiji, I wish to ask you some questions on the spiritual side. May I?"

"Of course you are welcome."

"I wish to know from you, Swamiji, how I can develop Cosmic
Consciousness."

The Master looked at the questioner as if measuring him with his eyes.
After a couple of minutes came the laconic reply, "Meditate on formulae
like, 'I am not the body, I am not the mind. I am the Absolute Brahman. I
am omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. I am of the nature of
Satchidananda'. As these ideas sink deeper and deeper into your mind, you
will enjoy Cosmic Consciousness."

"In that case, Swamiji, how am I to be sure that I am not merely
hypnotising myself by means of these auto-suggestions? That which is
beyond the mind and senses cannot be attained through the workings of the
mind. In that case even meditation becomes impossible."

"Yes, you are right. If you get into these arguments you will come to an
impossible state. Some sort of autosuggestion is necessary in the
beginning, till you reach the stage of intuitive perception. These
formulae have been culled from the Upanishads, which are the utterances of
seers and are therefore eternal verities."

At this stage Sri Pindi Dassji interrupted and asked, "Swamiji, how are we
to ensure that this consciousness is kept continuously? When we meditate
the consciousness is sometimes aroused, but when we turn to our work it
vanishes."

"You have to go on with the practice. The development of divine virtues is
necessary. The mind does not like to meditate on God. It always flows
outside, but the Yogi tries to take it to its own source. That is Yoga.
You have to cajole the mind and coax it to practise meditation.
Discrimination and dispassion are necessary. Then you will acquire an
intense desire for liberation. Then and then alone will the mind long to
realise the Supreme."

The visitor put another question, "Some philosophers and Yogis say that
the Atma is not attained through all these practices, Swamiji. Their view
seems to be, as I said, that That which is beyond the body, mind and
intellect cannot be attained through effort with these."

"Quite true, that is what the Sruti also says. The Sruti positively hints
at the doctrine of Grace. God's Grace is necessary, otherwise nothing is
possible."

Sri Pindi Dassji asked, "But how are we to deserve His Grace, Swamiji?"

"Exactly! That is the point. You have to deserve the Grace and invite it
to descend on you. Therefore, all these spiritual practices are
prescribed. First acquire the divine virtues, then do reading, reflection
and contemplation. Then you will have Cosmic Consciousness."

"That is a long, long process, Swamiji. We want a shortcut, a royal road."

"That short-cut and royal road is daily meditation. Get up at 4a.m. This
period is very favourable for meditation. Meditate on Vedantic formulae.
Try as far as possible to keep up the thought of Brahman throughout the
day. You will get established in It eventually."

"I have read almost all the works of Rama Tirtha," said Sri Pindi Dassji,
"and many other works on philosophy, but you have very beautifully cleared
my difficulties as none others could."

"Rama Tirtha was at first a Bhakta and later became a Vedantin. I have
heard that he used to dance on the sands of Brahmapuri with tinklers
around his ankles.

"There is no difference between Bhakti and Vedanta. Bhakti eventually
leads to the same realisation of Cosmic Consciousness as Vedanta.
Tulsidas, Kabir and many other Para Bhaktas had that realisation.

"The mind wants something upon which to lean. That is why Patanjali
insisted that a Yogi should have Om as his Mantra and meditate on its
significance. Om is the name of Brahman. Om is Satchidananda. Om is
omniscience and omnipotence. It is light, joy and peace. Meditate on these
ideas, then you will enjoy Brahmic Consciousness. There is no doubt about
this. Behind all names and forms you will then perceive the nameless and
formless Brahman."

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

"Mira Bai wafted the fragrance of devotion far and wide. Those who came in
contact with her were affected by her strong current of Prem (Love). Mira
was like Lord Gauranga. She was an embodiment of love and innocence. Her
heart was the temple of devotion. Her face was the lotus-flower of Prem.
There was kindness in her look, love in her talk, joy in her discourses,
power in her speech and fervour in her songs. What a marvellous lady! What
a wonderful personality! What a charming figure!" - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

The latest information about Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji's health
(in Guru Maharaj's own words) as of June 1st has been posted at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/chidananda.htm

There are some new photographs of Guru Maharaj. In addition, there are
also 27 inspiring songs in MP3 format from Guru Maharaj's Kirtan Amrut CD.
All these can be downloaded from the above link.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

ADVICE TO RENUNCIATES: The morning class again witnessed the Master burst
forth in torrential wisdom. Shivaratri was approaching and a few had
applied for Sannyas initiation.

"Sannyas is not a joke. When you embrace this holy order you take upon
yourself a tremendous responsibility. The glory or ignominy of the entire
order of Sri Shankara then rests upon your shoulders.

"Of course, I have always emphasised that more and more young people with
vigorous limbs and health should come forward to embrace Sannyas and lead
a life of complete self-dedication. There is very little purpose in a man
taking Sannyas when he has one foot in the grave. If you take Sannyas when
you are a blooming youth, you will have ample time to practise intense
austerity, to do a lot of selfless service, to meditate, study, do Kirtan
and enquiry. You will realise the Self in this very birth.

"But you should constantly remember that you are today living in a vicious
world. Maya assails you on all sides. Self-realisation is not an easy
thing. Ignorance is the very nature of the universe, though in its essence
it is Satchidananda. Names and forms deceive you at every moment. Beware!
Even Arjuna, whom the Lord Himself characterised as His own Amsa, who was
so intimate with the Lord, who had His Viswarupa Darshan which no one else
had the good fortune to see, and who was personally instructed by Him in
the Bhagavad Gita--even that Arjuna was afterwards the same man with the
same nature.

"The Guru can only show you the path. He can only point out the goal to
you, but you have to tread the path yourself. The Guru will only point out
the pitfalls. You yourself have to be cautious and avoid them. If you slip
into them, remember it is not the Guru but you yourself who are in the
pit. Instead of treading the path of virtue, if you stray away into sin,
you not only kill yourself, burn yourself and reduce yourself to ashes,
but you bring into disrepute the Guru, the order and the illustrious
founders of the order. Do you now understand clearly the great
responsibility that rests upon your shoulders?

"The foremost among the pitfalls is sexual immorality or lust. This is the
greatest curse for a Sannyasin. It is a terrible fire that burns him
instantly. Not only that, its effects last for many, many births. A
Sannyasin should beware.

"Remember that the world will not be charmed by your erudition or
knowledge of philosophy. Everyone will be watching to find out if you have
the qualities of a Sadhu. They will watch if you are gentle, humble and
polite. If you have virtuous qualities then you need not go and invite
people to admire you. As the scented stick effortlessly wafts its
fragrance all around, so also people will feel themselves drawn to you. If
you have the right mental attitude, while people are walking along the
road and another Sadhu stands like a pole, you will remove glass pieces,
you will run to the aid of a sick man or an old passerby.

"Introspect and find out why you wish to take Sannyas. You will see that
the mind craves for certain privileges. You will think, 'If I am a
Sannyasin, people will respect me. Now they are looking down upon me; they
think that I am only a Brahmachari.' Ideas like these alone impel people
to take Sannyas. When the proper foundation is not there all your
construction will prove futile.

"When there is this desire to be respected, you will grow more and more
sensitive. You will get offended easily. You will get highly irritable.
Fights and quarrels will be the result. Intrigue, backbiting,
scandal-mongering, jealousy, fear, hatred--all these come out of this one
root. As you grow older you will develop this evil more and more. You will
think, 'I have been a Sannyasin for forty years and this little fellow has
insulted me!' Diseases will increase this sensitiveness. You will soon get
exasperated.

"God will test you in a million ways. Why should He not? Is the goal you
aspire for a little thing? Even to a good many saints of great evolution,
God gave Darshan in the form of an ass, buffalo and monkey. You do not
aspire for that, you do not aspire even for a vision of the Virat that
Arjuna had; you wish to go beyond Maya and realise that Supreme Self, the
Paramatman. This is the meaning of Sannyas. Ask yourself, 'Am I ready to
sacrifice everything that is not this Supreme Self?'

"You are already in an Ashram which acts as an impregnable fortress to
protect you. Remain in white clothes and practise Sadhana. Eradicate all
evil qualities and cultivate virtues. This itself is sufficient.

"When you take Sannyas you should make up your mind once and for all to
stick to the path and bring glory to the order. Never wander about. You
get nothing by that and expose yourself to all kinds of temptations. Never
have anything to do with householders. You will realise too late that you
have been led into the deep abyss of ruin."

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

"You must wear yourself out in service of others, in trying to do good to
others, in trying to benefit others. But on that account you should not be
proud. Living such a highly worthy life, yet you must bow down in
humility, have a servant attitude to others--I'm lesser than you." - Swami
Chidananda


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

Namaste!

Over the last few months several new books 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) From Man to God-Man (Biography of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji) by N.
Ananthanarayanan
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/eo6.htm

2) The Holy Stream (Biography of Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji with
rare pictures of Guru Maharaj) by Dr. Sarat Chandra Behera
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/eo1.htm

3) Easy Path to God-Realisation by Swami Sivananda
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/es310.htm

4) Pearls of Wisdom by Swami Sivananda
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/es308.htm

5) Constipation - Its Causes and Cure by Swami Sivananda
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/es311.htm

6) Renunciation-A Life of Surrender and Trust by Swami Chidananda
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/books/ec68.htm

We have also posted a chapter from The Holy Stream entitled "The Life
Divine" at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/chidadivine.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

RUNNING AN ASHRAM: The Master gave some precious instructions to Swami
Chidanandaji about the conduct of the Society's affairs and the
maintenance of the Ashram.

"No one should feel estranged in the Ashram. Everyone has so many
faculties. There is the capacity also to do something grand. The Will of
God also guides them. But the difficulty is that when a man leaves his
hearth and home, his wife and children, his parents and relatives, his
wealth and position, he feels that he is entitled to be independent and
refuses to be dominated. We should appreciate that, or at least recognise
its existence. Personally, each aspirant should take care that this
independence does not blossom forth into arrogance. Those who run the
institution should not hurt the individual's feelings or make him feel
that he is being looked down upon. Each department, the moment you entrust
it to a particular person, should be almost independent.

"There is a difficulty in this. For instance, we have here the Ayurvedic
Pharmacy, the Publication League, etc., where saleable articles are
stocked. If those who handle these things are left to themselves, Maya
will spread her net over them and instigate them to pilfer, thus ruining
themselves and also the institution. The system should be foolproof and
there should be frequent checking also.

"This should not lead us to adopt a suspicion complex. If those who are
responsible for the various departments feel that they are being watched
over with suspicion, their interest and zeal will be lost. Just once in a
while have an inspection. It is not only good for the institution but also
prevents individuals from falling a prey to evil.

"Every inmate should be made to feel that this Ashram is his own home.
Those who do not belong to your own caste, creed, community or group
should be specially looked after. They should be made to feel that they
are in fact looked after better here than they would be in an Ashram
predominated by their own people.

"And there should be a sort of tribunal to settle disputes and grievances
and listen to complaints. It should meet once in a while and iron out
differences that may crop up.

"Old workers, I mean both those who are aged and those who have served the
institution for a long period, should be well looked after. If an aspirant
has served with devotion for three or four years and has been very useful,
the Society should attend to his needs till the end of his life. What
little service he can render to the Society, he should do voluntarily.
There should be no extraction of work from such aspirants. They should be
allowed to meditate and progress in their Sadhana.

"But this should not bring about an effeminate attitude in you. Some
people have an intriguing nature. They will create parties, cliques and
troubles. To them say, 'Om Namo Narayanaya, Swamiji Maharaj! You can leave
the Ashram.' These vipers should not be allowed to poison the atmosphere
and create internal dissensions.

"These are just some thoughts that occurred to me. Keep them in mind. The
organisation has grown worldwide, beyond our own expectations. It is
better, therefore, that we adhere to certain principles. The whole world
looks to us for guidance. So it is essential that the main hub of the
institution be efficient and run on systematic lines.

"I have a feeling that even if all of us disappear from the scene, the
Lord's Will will work itself out through other instruments. But this
should not lead us into complacency. We should exert our utmost to do our
bit."

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

"Develop fiery determination, an iron will, burning dispassion and
yearning for liberation. You will realise the Truth right now." - Swami
Sivananda


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

Namaste!

Today (July 24) is the sacred Guru Purnima day. In celebration of this
holy day we uploaded a book entitled "A Great Guru And His Ideal
Disciple". This book contains inspiring letters from Gurudev Sri Swami
Sivanandaji Maharaj to Sri Swami Prananvanandaji Maharaj, former president
of the Divine Life Society of Malaysia. These letters reveal the loving
relationship between a Guru and disciple. This book is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/download/download.htm#greatguru

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

WHY ONE WANTS SANNYAS: A young boy had left his home and come to the
Ashram. The Master noticed his presence in the Bhajan hall during the
morning class.

"What have you come here for? How long do you want to stay?" the Master
enquired of him.

"I have come here to become a Sannyasin, Swamiji. I shall stay here
permanently."

"You to take Sannyas? What for? You think that if you take Sannyas you can
have a comfortable living, free food and clothing? You wish to eat without
working? Otherwise, why have you come here? You are afraid that you will
be unable to earn your livelihood by working in some office. You imagine
that you can deceive the world by taking upon yourself the robes of a
Sannyasin, expecting the world to feed your laziness. Go back and do some
service somewhere. Earn your livelihood by honest means and practise
Sadhana. You will get liberation quickly."

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

"Give up the delusive notion that to submit to the preceptor, to obey him
and to carry out his instructions, is slavish mentality. Only the ignorant
man thinks that it is beneath his dignity and against his freedom to
submit to another man'’s command. This is a grave blunder. If you reflect
carefully, you will see that your individual freedom is in reality an
absolute abject slavery to your own ego and vanity. It is the vagary of
the sensual mind. He who attains victory over the mind and the ego is the
truly free man. He is the hero. It is to attain this victory that a man
submits to the higher, spiritualised personality of the Guru. By this
submission he vanquishes his lower ego and realises the bliss and freedom
of the infinite Consciousness." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded an essay by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji on the
interesting subject of creation. This article is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/creation.htm

A biography of Guru Maharaj Sri Swami Chidanandaji (in Hindi) was recently
released on Guru Purnima. I have attached below some information about the
book. Please contact Sri Nitin Deshpande <nitin@...> for further
information.

1. Name of the book - "Amrit Putra" (Hindi)

2. Author's name - Mrs. Rajlaxmi Deshpande

3. Date of release - July 24, 2002 (Guru Purnima)

4. Price - Rs. 100/- (Hundred Rupees Only)

5. Address - 11, Amrapali Apartments, Bibwewadi, Pune -411037, Phone -
(020)- 4281035

6. Mode of Payment - V. P.

7. Alternately some copies will also be available at "Divine Life
Society", Thane Branch, with Mr. Ramkrishna Seth. The address is:

19, Indrapuri C. H. S. Ravi Compound, Thane- 400 602, Phone No. - 5367587
/ 5335405. E-mail: ramkseth@...

8. About the book - this is biography of Sri Swami Chidanandaji Saraswati
Maharaj. Originally this book was written in Marathi- "Putra Amrutacha"
and was released in 1995 at Sadhana Camp, Lonawala by the hands of Guru
Maharaj Himself. On the request of a no. of non-Maharashtrian devotees,
this has been translated in Hindi. Guru Maharaj blessed this book on June
30, 2002 at Dehradun.

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

CURE FOR LAZINESS: The Master paid a visit to the room of Sri S. after the
class was over in the morning. S. was still in bed fast asleep. The
Master's chanting of Om woke him up. Later in the day the Master remarked,
"S., I think that your Kundalini needs awakening by a new and special kind
of Tadana Kriya! I should take a small stick and give a few good Tadanas
so that the Shakti in you may get awakened. You are so young and yet so
lazy. I have requested you so often to attend the class, yet you never
care to listen. Even though you are in the next room you do not attend the
Kirtan in the office. You are slowly becoming a 'Thahappan Swami'."

'Thahappan Swami' was a humorous way of saying, "an undisciplined and
disobedient disciple."

Turning to the other disciples the Master said, "There are various methods
of awakening the Kundalini--through Hatha Yogic Kriyas, Pranayama,
enquiry, selfless service, etc. There is a special Kriya called Tadana
Kriya. This method of Tadana has a special value. My Tadana Kriya is an
entirely new method. It consists of taking a suitable stick and giving a
mild caning. Then the Kundalini will get awakened and the aspirant will be
brisk!"

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

"If you attain Knowledge of the Self, the meaning of life will cease to be
a mystery. You will clearly understand the why and how of this universe.
The purpose and progress in the scheme of things will become clear to you.
All transcendental things will be known to you like the apple in the palm
of your hand." - Swami Sivananda


-----------------------------------------------------
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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
on the essence of Vedanta. The article titled "Gist of Vedanta" is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/aug2002.htm

A German translation of Sri Gurudev's "Hindu Fasts and Festivals" has
been uploaded to:
http://www.sivananda.de/Buecher/HinduistischeFest/hinduistischefesttage.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

HOW TO BE PEACEFUL: Chidanandaji was coming down along the hillock with
the Master after the night Satsang. The Master noticed this and
enquired of the reason.

"Nowadays, Swamiji, I am sleeping near the kitchen." This was after he
had taken over as general secretary of the Society.

"Why?"

"Much of the misunderstanding and ill-will among the inmates has its
origin in the kitchen, Swamiji. Nowadays I spend most of my time in or
near the kitchen so as to be on the spot to smoothen out matters."

"No, no, Chidanandaji," said the Master, "do not worry yourself over
these matters. The kitchen is a tiresome business. You will waste all
your precious energy on silly things. No, no. Do not come down. Just
supervise the work for a few minutes everyday. You should go on with
your study, meditation and other practices. I myself have much
experience of kitchen-politics, but I am indifferent. God's Will be
done. If He wants, then people will remain here, otherwise not.

"I am always peaceful because I am prepared for anything. If all the
aspirants go away I will take my alms in the alms-house or in some
houses here and remain in the room. I will serve the few patients that
come to me. If some devotee would like to print, I will give him some
of my writings. The rest of the time will be my own. If just two or
three hundred rupees come every month, then I will keep a few hard-
working aspirants and run the show on a small scale. If lakhs and
crores come, then I am prepared to expand the work to any magnitude. I
am prepared for anything, so I am always peaceful. You also should be
indifferent to these things. From tomorrow just remain in your room and
supervise the work. Do not bother yourself always about finance and the
kitchen."

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

"When the mind is withdrawn from sense-objects, the sense-organs also
withdraw themselves from their respective objects." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded an article titled "A Simple But Powerful Spiritual
Practice" by Sri Swami Atmaswarupanandaji. In this article Swamiji
describes to us a technique for raising our consciousness even in the
midst of 'mundane' activities. This is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/messages/powerful.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

SANNYAS LIFE: As the disciples were coming down after the night
Satsang, a discussion arose about discipline and Sannyas. Swami
Chidanandaji quoted several instances of Sannyasins quarrelling with
their own Gurus or with others.

"Sannyas is not an easy thing," said the Master. "In Sannyas life also
we notice all the Lilas that characterise the worldly life--fights and
quarrels, jealousy and hatred, greed and passion. Many Sannyasins go
back to household life after they embrace the order. Perhaps they take
Sannyas before they are really ready for it. Some such individuals
later return to a life of renunciation. They thenceforth become very
good Sadhus. Sri K., who started the Satya Seva Ashram was one such.
Evil is there within. Man has to be always vigilant and exert to
annihilate it. Sometimes this evil overpowers him and he goes astray.

Then he wakes up again and comes back to the proper path. It is all His
Maya. We should not condemn anything. The moment a Sadhu who had fallen
comes back to the proper path, the Lord takes him back with open arms
and leads him along the right path. Only he should take care not to
revert to evil ways again."

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

"Awake, O aspirant! Do vigorous Sadhana. Burn all impurities. Attain
illumination through meditation." - Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a recent conversation with Guru Maharaj Sri Swami
Chidanandaji on the Bhagavad Gita. This is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/announce/chida4.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS: Vishnu Swamiji's eyes were red. The Master noticed
this the moment he came into the office in the afternoon.

"O Vishnu Swamiji! why are your eyes red?" Vishnu Swamiji kept silent.

"Ohji, don't do Tratak too much," said the Master. "It is due to an
overdose of Tratak, is it not?"

"Yes, Swamiji."

"Always be moderate. There is no fun in overdoing these exercises and
spoiling the eyes. Apply boric lotion to the eyes."

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

"Anger, lust, greed, jealousy and hatred will always lurk in your
subconscious mind. Beware! Be cautious. Be vigilant. Be alert.
Eradicate them. Otherwise they will gain strength and crush you later
on and swallow all your Sadhana." - Swami Sivananda


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

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

Namaste!

We recently uploaded a biographical sketch of Sri Aurobindo by Gurudev
Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. This is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/saints/aurobindo.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

THE MASTER'S INFLUENCE: The principal of the Bharat Mandir High School
met the Master.

"Swamiji, I have something very interesting to tell you. I advertised a
vacancy for a teacher's post in my high school. I received hundreds of
applications from highly qualified candidates. Believe me, almost every
application contained the plea that the applicant selected this high
school for he wished to be near Swami Sivananda. It is very strange how
your fame and spiritual influence have spread so far and wide and how
everyone is eager to be near you and get your spiritual instructions in
person."

The Master smiled away the remarks saying, "It is all His Grace."

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

"Never complain against bad environments. Create your own mental world
wherever you remain, wherever you go. The mind deludes you, at every
moment, at every step. Try to overcome the obstacles and difficulties
by suitable means. Do not try to run from bad, unfavourable
environments. God has placed you there to make you grow quickly." -
Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

Today (Aug. 30) is the holy appearance day of Lord Krishna. We uploaded
a message by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj for this occasion
at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/religions/krishnajay.htm

One of Gurudev's foremost disciples, Sri Swami Satchidanandaji Maharaj
whom Swami Chidanandaji referred to as His twin brother, attained
Mahasamadhi on the 18th of August. More details are at:
http://www.yogaville.org/

The second 24 Hour Non-Stop Global International Japa Yajna of the
Sacred Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra will be held on Sunday, 8 September,
2002 to coincide with Gurudev's birthday. The focus of this Japa Yajna
is for World Peace and the Spiritual Upliftment of all mankind. All are
encouraged to participate. Full details of the Yajna are at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/japayajna.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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

GLORY OF SANNYAS: A pious social worker was somewhat upset by certain
young Sannyasins going astray. He had heard many stories from the
Rishikesh public of such misconduct on the part of the Sannyasins. What
struck him as unique was the fact that in the Master's Ashram almost
all the Sannyasins were young.

"Swamiji, pardon my presumption, but would it not have been better for
these people to have waited for some time more before embracing this
holy order, which is so very difficult to stick to? Are you sure that
these young initiates have really understood the duties of the order
and that they will adhere to its principles? I think it is a great
mistake to initiate them so early."

The Master laughed gently.

"Why, I myself can give you many examples of young Sannyasins going
astray. One young man took Sannyas. He had great dispassion. His
exemplary life made his brother also take to Sannyas. Later on his
dispassion waned. He married and ate eggs and meat. His brother,
however, stuck to the line. The former did not live with his Guru. He
had his own whimsical Sadhana. He had not protected himself by means of
seclusion and Satsang.

"Another young Sannyasin was fiery in his Sadhana. He inspired and
elevated many aspirants. Later on he married and now has a child. How
did this happen? He mixed freely with householders. He allowed women to
shampoo his legs. He had a downfall and brought forth a child. There
are many such instances."

"That is exactly what I mean, Swamiji. In such cases is it not better
to refrain from giving Sannyas to them?" "My dear Bhagatji, this is
where you are mistaken. Even though they fall, yet they are worthy of
your veneration. For at least one day they were Sannyasins. They had
the courage to throw up their hands and say, 'I renounce the pleasures
of the three worlds.' How glorious is Sannyas! How glorious is such
renunciation of the pleasures of the three worlds!

"They had the boldness and daring to stand up against the greatest
forces of Nature--the forces of self-preservation and procreation--that
maintain this worldly existence. They stood as masters of Nature. You,
on the contrary, are driven mercilessly by these forces whose slave you
are. Maybe some young renunciates do not assess properly the strength
of these opposing forces. So they are sometimes taken unawares when
they are a little heedless. But those who never renounce for fear of
having a downfall are cowardly; so they never know what it is to
renounce. They fear to look at the battlefield lest their nose be
injured. They jest with scars that never felt a wound. But a brave
warrior wears these scars as ornaments, for they taught him how to
protect himself in battle.

"Churchills are required for Sannyas! Courageous and brave even in the
face of successive defeats, Sannyasins should learn lessons and pin
their faith in ultimate victory. Sure victory will be theirs if only
they persist, persevere and plod on, without yielding midway. Let the
light of God shine brightly in their hearts; let them protect their
faith with tenacious adherence to the Lotus Feet of the Lord. Storms of
passions may sweep the externals, but when God's Grace descends on the
aspirant, everything will be quiet and tranquil. Glory, glory to
Sannyas and Sadhana!

"Aspirants should learn lessons from these stories. They should be
vigilant and cautious. There is no need to lose heart. Each such
episode ought to re-awaken in the young Sannyasin a love for seclusion,
for Satsang with his own Guru. Aspirants should never drift away from
their Gurus. They should plunge themselves in Sadhana and at every
moment endeavour to realise God.

"A wise man profits by the experiences of others, a middling by his
own, and a fool by neither. The story of the downfall of some
Sannyasins ought not to dishearten others. On the contrary, it should
teach them a lesson. It should put them on guard. They should uphold
the glory of Sannyas. Because one young man has failed to live up to
Sannyas, one should not think that the order itself is not suitable for
the youth.

"What about the names of great Sannyasins like Swami Vivekananda, Swami
Rama Tirtha, Swami Dayananda and Bhagawan Ramana Maharishi. As a matter
of fact you will discover that many of the noteworthy Sannyasins
renounced the world while yet youthful. What can an old man achieve?

"When the power of hearing is gone he will not be able to hear the
scriptures being expounded. No Sadhana would be possible for an old
man. It is only mock-Sannyas if he embraces the holy order. Sannyas
would then become a formality. Further, conditions are such these days
that an old man finds himself inextricably entangled in family life.
Therefore, it is essential that young boys should renounce the world
and embrace Sannyas. They have fewer worldly ties.

"It was because, perfectly or imperfectly, man has striven to live, to
exist, that we see his survival today when countless other species have
perished and gone. Similarly, it is because men, young or old, felt a
disgust for worldly life and embraced Sannyas, that today that glorious
and most ancient order has survived. Whether they later rose to
eminence or fell victims to animal nature is immaterial.

"Young Sannyasins should keep themselves busy in Japa, Kirtan, study,
meditation and enquiry. They should live in the company of their Gurus
and practise vigorous Sadhana. They should never enter a city. As far
as possible they should avoid moving among crowds. Seclusion is the key
to a successful Sannyas life. I advise my disciples never to enter the
plains. And even if they have to do so owing to the exigencies of
selfless service, I ask them to finish their work quickly and run back
to their Himalayan abode. The Himalayas is the home of Sannyasins and
aspirants. A Sannyasin is safe so long as he is there. Sannyas was born
in the Himalayas; it continues to live, and will ever live in the
Himalayas alone."

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"There was no end to the domestic troubles that Krishna had, no limit
to the social and political disturbances and threatening situations in
which Krishna was involved, no bound to his responsibility and yet
there was no match to his success, no equal to his shining example of
the Life Perfect. Certainly, only an Avatara (incarnation of God) can
be such a perfect being. The man on earth, the householder, with the
weight of responsibility on his head and an environment attempting to
menace and flout him at every step, should learn the science and art of
right, good and happy life, from Sri Krishna, who combined knowledge
with action with wonderful dexterity, for the good of the universe." -
Swami Sivananda


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

Namaste!

We have uploaded a lecture by Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj
titled "Light of Yoga". In this article Gurudev gives a brief overview
of the various Yoga techniques and the requirements for success in
Yoga. This is at:
http://www.SivanandaDlshq.org/discourse/sep2002.htm

Photographs of Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebration which was held on
August 30th at Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh have been posted at:
http://www.dlsmd.org/album/krishna/srikrishnajanmashtami.htm

Yours in the service of Gurudev,

Pannirselvam

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LIGHT OF THE SELF: While returning to his cottage after Satsang, the
Master saw the electric bulb alight in front of his kitchen. Pointing
to it he observed, "Just as there is light in the bulb, there is the
Atma, the light of the Self in the body and in the intellect. The bulb
is inert. So also the body and mind are inert; they function because of
the immortal Self."

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"As a diamond can be cut only by a diamond, so also, the mind can be
conquered only by the mind. The lower instinctive mind should be
conquered by the higher, pure, Sattvic mind." - Swami Sivananda


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