THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER

O Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love!

Salutations and prostrations unto Thee.
Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient.
Thou art Satchidananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute).
Thou art the Indweller of all beings.

Grant us an understanding heart,

Equal vision, balanced mind,
Faith, devotion and wisdom.
Grant us inner spiritual strength
To resist temptations and to control the mind.
Free us from egoism, lust, greed, hatred, anger and jealousy.
Fill our hearts with divine virtues.

Let us behold Thee in all these names and forms.

Let us serve Thee in all these names and forms.
Let us ever remember Thee.
Let us ever sing Thy glories.
Let Thy Name be ever on our lips.
Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever.

—Swami Sivananda
MEMORY CULTURE
Memory culture is very important. It brings success in God-realisation
as well. A man with strong and retentive memory gets sanguine success in all
his ventures and undertakings. He who has memory can conduct his business
affairs very successfully, remember credits and debits and keep account in a
satisfactory manner. Intelligence is only nine-tenths of memory.
A knowledge of the working of the sub-conscious mind is very necessary
for those who want to develop their memory. Most of the mental operations
take place in the sub-conscious mind. The conscious mind takes some rest,
but the sub-conscious mind works throughout the twenty four hours. It is the
sub-conscious mind that brings the answer like a ash of lightening in the
early morning when you fail to get a solution at night.
 THE DIVINE LIFE
Vol. LXXVIII MARCH 2020 No. 12

PRASNOPANISHAD
CHATURTHA PRASNA (QUESTION IV)
SAURYAYANI AND PIPPALADA
àmUm¾` Ed¡Vpñ_Ýnwao OmJ«{VŸ&
Jmh©nË`mo h dm Efmo@nmZmo ì`mZmo@Ýdmhm`©nMZmo
`Òmh©nË`mËàUr`Vo àU`ZmXmhdZr`… àmU…Ÿ&&3Ÿ&&
3. The res of Prana alone are awake in the city
(body). The Apana is the Garhapatya re. Vyana is the
Anvaharyapachana re. The Prana is the Ahavaniya re,
because it is taken out of the Garhapatya re.

(3)
4 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

‘hmJwédU©‘mV¥H$mñVmoÌ‘²
MAHAGURU-VARNA-MATRIKASTOTRAM
(Jnana Bhaskara Mahamahopadhyaya Sri S. Gopala Sastri)

EH$mJ«oU öXm ¶Oñd M gwJpÝY¨ e§H$a§ Ͷå~H§$,

lo¶:nw{ï>{ddY©Z§ {lVdVm§ ‘¥Ë¶moíM ‘mojàX‘² &
‘w{º$~©ÝYZVmo@‘¥V§ M gwb^§ øofm g¥{V: nmdZr-
˶od§ VÎd‘qV gXmon{Xe{V àmkmJ«Ur: gX²Jwé: &&7&&
7. 'With concentrated mind, worship Tryambaka
(Three-eyed God) who is fragrant, who bestows all
auspiciousness, promotes welfare and prosperity of His
devotees and grants them liberation as well'; 'Freedom from
worldly knots and the nectar of salvation can be easily attained;
this path is very holy'. Thus preaches our Sadgurudev, who is
foremost among the wise ones.

Eo³¶§ Om{V‘VmÝVamoº$~hþY‘m©Um§ {d{YËgZ² ^wdm‘²

EoXån¶©‘{dl‘§ M {dXYV² ÛrnmÝVañWoîd{n&
^³Ëmofw à{WVà^md‘{hVlrZm‘g§H$sV©Z-
lÕm§ nmof{¶Vw§ gXm à¶VVo ø¡íd¶©{Y: gX²Jwé: &&8&&
8. Sri Gurudev, who is the treasure-house of divine
splendour, is working tirelessly to establish unity among the
various religions by propagating their teachings, and is also
ever endeavouring to cultivate faith in the efcacy of Nama-
Sankirtana (chanting of Divine Name) among the devotees of all
the continents.
(To be continued)
MARCH 2020 GAURANGA MAHAPRABHU 5

GAURANGA MAHAPRABHU— HIS DIVINE TOUCH

(Sri Swami Sivananda)
(The birth anniversary of devotees and followers as a six-
Gauranga Mahaprabhu falls on the armed Divinity bearing the
10th March this year. On the implements of Rama, Krishna and
occasion of his Jayanti, we a Sannyasi.
reproduce few excerpts about him Conversion of Jagai and Madhai
from Sri Gurudev's writings, and Jagai and Madhai of
offer our humble homage with Nabadwip were the most
reverence) abandoned of sinners and the
Gauranga Mahaprabhu was worst of criminals even known to
the tenth child of Pandit Jagannath history. They were brothers. They
Misra and Sachi Devi of Nadia in were the Kotwals of Nabadwip.
West Bengal. He was named They plundered the rich, outraged
Vishwambhar. He had a brilliant the modesty of women and
scholastic career, but a chance committed murders on the
meeting with Swami Ishvar Puri, slightest provocation. There was no
whom he accepted as his Guru, heinous crime on earth which those
turned him towards Bhakti. brothers had not committed.
When twenty-four, he was Though Brahmins by caste, they
initiated into the Sannyasa order were inveterate drunkards.
by Swami Keshava Bharati, and Chaitanya and Nitai
was named Krishna Chaitanya or undertook the serious task of
Chaitanya in short. He was often reclaiming the two brothers.
called by his childhood nickname Chaitanya proposed to his
"Gauranga' as he was extremely devotees that they should go to the
fair and handsome. Gauranga was tent of Jagai and Madhai, doing
a great teacher of the doctrines Kirtan all the way and then give
and principles of Vaishnavism. He 'Hari Nam' to them.
is reputed to have reformed many Chaitanya and his devotees
conrmed evil-doers and many appeared in the streets and
miracles are also said to have been started the Sankirtan. Nitai was at
brought about through his the head of the party. He led the
intercession. He is regarded by his party to the camp of Jagai and
6 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

Madhai. He then came face to face despair. He lost all power of

with the two brothers. Nitai said, “ speech. He prostrated at the feet of
Pray, dear brothers, take Gauranga, “O Lord, I am a great
Krishna's name and serve sinner. Have mercy on me.”
Krishna, for He is the Supreme Gauranga asked Madhai to go to
Lord.” This exhortation inamed Nitai and seek his pardon. Madhai
Madhai, the stronger of the two. apologized to Nitai. Nitai pardoned
Madhai pelted Nitai with the Madhai and embraced him.
broken neck of an earthen jar and Madhai also, like his brother, fell
inicted a gaping wound in his down in a state of trance.
forehead. Blood gushed from the Afterwards those brothers
wound. Nitai pressed the wound became holy saints, and as
with both hands to stop the gush. beloved of the world as they were
Madhai picked another piece of hated and dreaded in their earlier
the same jar and wanted to throw days for their brutality. They
it on the head of Nitai. Jagai atoned for their past misdeeds by
caught hold of Madhai's arms and going over on their knees in utter
remonstrated with him, “Hold humility before everybody who
Madhai. You are very cruel. What went to the river for bathing and
is the merit of killing a Sannyasi? by doing for them all sorts of
It will do you no good.” menial services. They prepared,
News was conveyed to spade in hand, a bathing Ghat
Gauranga, who was behind in the which is still known by the name
Kirtan party, that Jagai and of 'Madhai's Ghat' at Nabadwip.
Madhai were killing Nitai. Talks to a washerman
Gauranga immediately ran to the Gauranga with his
spot where Nitai stood wounded. companions came to a
He took his own cloth and washerman who was beating the
wrapped it round the forehead of clothes upon a piece of plank. He
Nitai to stop the bleeding. He then asked the washerman to say 'Hari
embraced Jagai for the good he Bol!' The washerman thought that
had rendered to Nitai by checking the mendicants had come to beg
Madhai from attacking Nitai alms from him. He said to
again. Jagai fell down in a state of Gauranga, “O mendicant, I am
trance. Madhai was in a state of very poor. I have nothing to give
MARCH 2020 GAURANGA MAHAPRABHU 7

you.” Gauranga said, “I do not all proceeded immediately to see

want anything from you. Say 'Hari the washerman. He was still
Bol!' at least once.” The dancing in ecstasy. They were
washerman refused. He thought afraid to go near him. At last, a
he would be required to pay bold man caught hold of the
something to the mendicant. He washerman and tried to stop his
said, “I am very poor. I cannot give dancing. He too caught the
up beating the cloth in order to contagion and began to dance
utter the Name you have given to with the washerman uttering,
me.” Gauranga said, “I shall do “Hari Bol! Hari Bol!” He embraced
the beating of the cloth. Please the onlookers. They too caught the
say, 'Hari Bol!” The washerman contagion and danced in ecstasy.
said, 'Hari Bol!' Then Gauranga The people of the whole village
asked him to repeat the same were affected. Gauranga enjoyed
twice. The washerman repeated the scene for some time and left
twice. Then the re of devotion the place.
started. The washerman repeated Miracle at Puri
the name unasked. He began to During the car festival, the
dance in ecstasy raising both his car of Jagannath did not move. All
hands high. the pilgrims tried their combined
The wife of the washerman strength. It proved futile. The
brought some food for the gigantic elephants of the Raja of
washerman. She saw her Puri also failed to move the car. All
husband dancing with uplifted were in a state of suspense and
hands uttering: “Hari Bol! Hari dilemma. Gauranga came just
Bol!” She also noticed that her then. He pushed the car by his
husband had no consciousness of head and the car moved at once.
his surroundings. She tried to All the pilgrims and devotees rent
rouse him by calling him loudly the air with the sound “Hari Bol”.
but in vain. She was frightened. Healing a leper
She ran to the village and said to Vasudeva was a humble,
the relatives and neighbours, “A pious and good natured Brahmin.
ghost has taken possession of my He suffered from leprosy—a
husband. Please help me. Drive loathsome disease. He was forced
away the ghost from him.” They to live apart from his friends and
8 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

relatives on account of the stench of my body. I came here to

abominable stench emitted by his pay my respects to Thee and see
body. He used to pick up the Thy lotus feet. Certainly I did not
maggots that dropped from his come here with any idea of being
sores and put them back in their healed. The loathsome malady
places. Vasudeva had extreme taught me to be humble and
compassion and equal vision. He compassionate and to remember
believed that all living creatures the Lord at all times. But a healthy
had an equal right to live and that body will again generate pride and
he had no right to deprive them vanity and I will forget the Lord.”
(the worms) of their natural food. Chaitanya consoled him and
What a magnanimous soul with a said, “O Vasudsva! My child! You
wonderful soft heart! have the grace of Lord Krishna.
He lived in the vicinity of the You will never again be puffed up
temple of Kurma at Jagannath. At with vanity and pride. Lord
night, he heard of Chaitanya's Krishna has already accepted you
arrival in the temple of Kurma. on account of your extreme
Next morning, he proceeded to the humility and compassion towards
temple to see him. He learnt that all living creatures and even to
the Master had left the place half those worms which fed on your
an hour before. On hearing this, body. Repeat Lord Krishna's name
he fell down in a faint from and save men by making them
dissapointment and sorrow, also repeat Krishna's name”.
exclaiming as he fell “O Lord His last words
Krishna, hast Thou forsaken me?” Lord Gauranga said,
Chaitanya, who was then "Listen, Swaroopa and
passing along the road, heard the Ramananda Raj! The chanting of
cry of Vasudeva and ran towards Krishna's Name is the chief means
the temple. He lifted the leper in of attaining Krishna's feet in Kali
his arms and embraced him and Yuga. Sankirtan of the Name is the
lo! The leprosy disappeared and supreme healer in the Iron Age.
the body became sound and Sankirtan tantamounts to Vedic
beautiful. Vasudeva said, "O Lord! sacrice. Sankirtan destroys sins
Thou hast embraced me! All and puries the heart and creates
people ed from me due to the Bhakti. Chant the name while
MARCH 2020 GAURANGA MAHAPRABHU 9

sitting, standing, walking, eating, and rain itself but protects those
in bed and everywhere. The Name who take shelter under it from rain
is omnipotent. You can repeat the and sunshine); who, however
Name at any place, at any time. worthy of esteem should, instead
"Listen, Swaroopa and of claiming respect for himself,
Ramananda! I tell you about the give respect to all (from a sense of
mental attitude with which the God's immanency in all beings).
Name should be recited. "Hari's He who thus takes Krishna's
Name should always be chanted Name gets Krishna-prem."
by him who must be humbler than Lord Gauranga became
a blade of grass (which is trodden more humble in spirit and recited
upon); who is more patient, the following Sloka:-
forbearing and charitable than a "O Lord, I ask not for wealth
tree (which does not cry out even or followers, or for poetic genius.
when it is cut down, and which May my motiveless devotion to
does not beg for water even when Thee continue in me whenever I
scorched to death, but on the take birth."
contrary, offers its treasure to Gauranga passed away on
whosoever seeks it, bears the sun the 14th June, 1533.

MoVmoXn©U‘mO©Z§ ^d‘hmXmdm{½Z {Zdm©nU‘²

lo¶:H¡$adMpÝÐH$m{dVaU§ {dÚmdYyOrdZ‘²&
AmZÝXmå~w{YdY©Z§ à{VnX§ nyUm©‘¥VmñdmXZ‘²
gdm©Ë‘ñZnZ§ na§ {dO¶Vo lrH¥$îUg§H$sV©Z‘² &&
Gloried above all is the chanting of the various names of
Krishna which cleanses the mirror of Chitta, which extinguishes
the great forest re of the succession of births and rebirths, which
operates like the moon-beam upon the white lily of spiritual well-
being, which is the elixir of life of the bride Vidya, which swells the
ocean of bliss, which gives the chanter the fullest enjoyment of that
divine love at the utterance of each word and which bathes the
mind and the senses in divine bliss.
—GAURANGA MAHAPRABHU
10 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

1
THE PRIME PROBLEM
(Sri Swami Chidananda)
Radiant Atman! as terrible ego—Ravana,
We have been considering the Mahishasura, Hiranyakashipu.
desirability of being wise, the They were all terrible egos,
necessity of wisdom in order to undivine egos, who denied God,
attain the Supreme Being who is who deed even God. They were
pure wisdom-consciousness. And enraged at the very mention of
the Guru functions as a source of anything divine. The Puranas, the
illumining and enlightening Mahabharata, the Ramayana all
wisdom. The last and ultimate bring out this mystical fact that
message of Gurudev to mankind the undivine is represented by
was: “Happiness is when the hard ego.
individual merges in God”. This was Therefore, the great
the last sentence he wrote before he Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, being a
himself merged in the Supreme. wise teacher, mentioned the
Therefore, the merging of the necessity of transcending the ego,
individual, the losing of the of eliminating the ego, of
individual, is indicated as the renouncing the ego through the
supreme blessedness, the practice of humility, egolessness,
supreme wisdom. For the greatest through the desire to revere all
folly is the ego, the greatest good is beings knowing that the presence
the renouncing and the losing of of God dwells in all beings and
the ego. Again one has to reiterate through the desire to serve, to give
that the answer to the question, honour and reverence to all
“When shall I be free?” is, “When 'I' beings, seeing God in them.
shall cease to be. Then shall I be The desirability of humility,
free, when 'I' shall cease to be." of effacing the ego, being patient,
In the eternal drama forgiving, forbearing was summed
between light and darkness, the up in his famous verse on the
divine and the demoniacal, the spiritual life and worship of God –
demoniacal in countless Trinadapi sunichena tarorapi
scriptures has been represented sahishnuna, amanina manadena
1
Taken from DL 1995
MARCH 2020 THE PRIME PROBLEM 11

kirtaniyah sada Harih (Being every moment— that is regarded

humbler than a blade of grass, by the individual as the highest
more tolerant than the tree, free necessity, the highest need. Ego
from vanity and being respectful to is, therefore, the primary,
others, one should sing the glories fundamental value of the
of Lord Hari). individual's way of approaching
All this points to one fact: that life, of the individual's attitude
ego is folly, and wisdom lies in towards all things in life. The point
renouncing and transcending the of view, the ground, is ego; the
ego. “When shall I be free? When 'I' attitude stems from ego. I, and the
shall cease to be. Then shall I be rest of the world; I, and all
free, when 'I' shall cease to be”. others—wherein 'I' is more
Thus mystics and sages have important than all others.
drawn our attention to this one That is the individual-
great truth of the spiritual life, that consciousness: ego-oriented, ego-
which stands between the based, ego-propelled, ego-
individual soul and the Universal impelled. We are ready to
Soul is the ego in all its perpetuate it. We protect it. For,
aspects—the ethical aspect, the when one is not awakened, one
psychological aspect and the thinks that the ego is the most
philosophical or metaphysical important thing. And that is folly;
aspect—the sense of separatist that is not wisdom.
individuality. They say that this is And this, therefore, is
the barrier between man and God, wisdom: to recognise that what
between the human and the Divine, stands between me and God is my
between the individual soul and the ego, that what stands between
Universal Soul—this mysterious bondage and liberation is ego. Ego
something which makes one feel, “ I is the screen, the Dehatma
am the centre of the universe, all Buddhi, the Ahamkriti, the
things are made for me, I am the Avarana. And through meditation
most important thing.” and Jnana, the Avarana of this
To cherish this ego, to false sense of separation is to be
support it, to protect it, to ght for removed. That is what Vedanta
it, to wish to express it, says, Mala, Vikshepa,
demonstrate it, manifest it, at Avarana—the essential impurity
12 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

of the individual nature, the samsara sagaram duhkham

restless, oscillating tendency of tasmat jagrata jagrata
the mind, and then the veil of (Repeatedly there is pain of birth,
ignorance in the form of the pain of old age, pain from wife
separate ego-sense. and from the painful ocean of
Wisdom, therefore, is in worldly existence; therefore,
recognising what is what, wake up).
recognising the truth about the This ocean of Samsara is
human situation, the truth about Duhkha, Duhkhalayam (the
bondage. Why then do they say, abode of pain). Therefore, if
“Where ignorance is bliss, there it ignorance were indeed bliss, it
is folly to be wise”. Yes, if would certainly be folly to be wise.
ignorance were bliss, wisdom But we actually nd that
would lie in not being wise. But, ignorance is the source of prolic
unfortunately, our experience, sorrow, pain, suffering,
bitter experience, is that complications and human
ignorance is the source of endless clashes, conicts, ghts, quarrels,
trouble. Avidya, Ajnana is the disharmony and discord. They all
source of endless trouble, arise out of the folly of the ego.
bondage, the wheel of birth and Therefore, if one has to live
death and Tapatraya, the harmoniously as a family, a
threefold afictions. spiritual family, there is need to be
The rst of the four great wise and not to allow the ego to
truths expounded by Lord cause clash and conict between
Buddha was the existence of pain one another.
and suffering. Therefore, we nd Among equals, there is
that it is not bliss that the always a sense of competition,
individual soul nds and wanting to get the better of the
experiences on earth but the other. There is intolerance, envy
contrary of it. And the great and jealousy. This, being ego-
Jagadguru Adi Sankaracharya based, is folly, and is always a
says that this entire earth life is source of suffering, the source of
an ocean of grief and sorrow: all problems. Being a seeker, a
Janma duhkham jara duhkham Sadhaka, being in the life
jaya duhkham punah punah; spiritual, being Yogis in the path of
MARCH 2020 THE PRIME PROBLEM 13

Yoga, one should be wise and friendliness is wisdom, is the

awake to this truth—that my greatest good. This is the teaching
prime problem is my ego. of all the sages and seers.
Therefore, I should develop Brotherhood, fraternity, belonging
tolerance and friendliness towards to one family means the ending of
my compatriots (companions), my all envy and jealousy,
brethren in the spiritual competitiveness and rivalry. And
family—not a sense of rivalry but a this is possible only when the ego
sense of friendliness—being very is recognised for what it is and it is
happy to eliminate my ego. Maitri renounced and one becomes wise.
(friendship), Karuna, loving Immediately—harmony, peace,
kindness—that was the great joy—everything comes ooding
prescription of Lord Buddha. And into one's life. One is at peace,
Maharishi Patanjali, the expounder peace with oneself and peace with
of Yoga, advocated Maitri, loving others. And in peace, there is joy.
friendliness, that puts an end to the Egolessness is peace. Therefore, it
competitive spirit, rivalry, envy and is in wisdom that there is peace
jealousy, which is a canker that and joy. Wisdom is the great good.
destroys our peace of mind, makes Therefore, let us pray to the
us restless and agitated. Lord “Jnana hamko dijiye (Give me
So, envy, jealousy and true knowledge and wisdom)”.
rivalry are folly, because we all Give us wisdom to walk the wise
seek happiness and peace. To way, not the way of folly. Let us,
take a contrary code of conduct therefore, seek and pray for
that robs us of our peace and knowledge and wisdom and be
happiness—one could never say wise in our life, and thus be happy.
that it is wise. On the contrary, it One should work for one's own
is folly. We want something, but good and the good of all others.
we work against it. That is That is noble life.
foolishness; that is folly. Let us be wise on all levels.
Therefore, to renounce the Let us be wise in the eld of
folly of the ego with its rivalry and mutual relationships and day-to-
competitiveness, envy and day activities where we have to
jealousy and to live in harmony, in relate ourselves with many others.
peace, in loving kindness and Let us be wise on the psychological
14 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

level, understand ourselves and wisdom when he gave this

do the right thing. Let us be wise prescription for the spiritual life
on the ethical level also. For the and spiritual practice.
ego is unethical, it is immoral. It is He was a wise teacher. He
a destroyer of the welfare of all, was a great healer of souls. He was
ours as well as others. Let us also a great divine physician.
be wise upon the metaphysical Therefore, let us honour his
and philosophical level, which memory. Let us pay homage to
declares to us in categorical terms Gauranga Mahaprabhu by taking
that the ego is the great source of his admonition to heart. Let us
sorrow, it is the great bondage. reect over its meaning for us and
The individual soul is bound by follow its instructions by being
the bondage of one's own ego. egoless and engaging in spiritual
Therefore, upon all levels let Sadhana. This is the highest way
us be wise. Upon all levels, let us we can pay reverence to the lofty
do the right thing. Let us walk in memory of Sri Krishna Chaitanya
the light of wisdom, Mahaprabhu. Thus, let us be wise.
understanding and practical God bless you all to ponder
knowledge. Let us, thus, eliminate well this great insight into the life
clash and conict, discord and spiritual given to us by all sages
disharmony, and live in peace and and seers and by Gurudev Swami
joy through wisdom at all levels. Sivanandaji also, “Abhiman tyago,
Let us start this now by seva karo (Give up pride and do
following the great adage, the great service)”. “Amanitvam,
admonition of Chaitanya adambhitvam (humility,
Mahaprabhu—Gauranga unpretentiousness),” says the
Mahaprabhu, “Being humbler than Gita. May the grace of Gurudev,
a blade of grass, more tolerant than the choicest benedictions of
the tree, free from vanity and being Gauranga Mahaprabhu (Lord
respectful to others, one should Krishna Chaitanya) and all the
sing the glories of Lord Hari.” He sages and seers ever be with you in
was supposed to be a Bhakta lled your noble spiritual life and your
with divine emotion, sublime earnest and sincere spiritual
spiritual sentiment, yet he uttered practices. This is my prayer at the
words of deep philosophical feet of the Lord and the saints.
MARCH 2020 THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING TIME TO SIT ALONE 15

THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING TIME TO SIT ALONE

(SRI SWAMI KRISHNANANDA)
Living by oneself is time, one nds oneself in a state of
something we usually look upon aloneness.
with a sense of fright because We cannot explain what
while it is easy to understand the sweetness is although we can
linguistic meaning of 'living by describe sugar, sugarcane, honey,
oneself', it is not so easy to etc. We cannot adequately explain
understand its implication. If we or give a denition of what
build a small room and live there sweetness means unless we
alone, without anyone else living in actually eat something that is
that particular room, we may be sweet. Similarly, we cannot
said to be living by oneself. But satisfactorily explain what this
here the sense in which 'living by aloneness is, why it is that
oneself' is meant is a little different occasionally we have an urge from
than living alone in a room without within to live without any contact.
any outside contact. This urge for freedom from contact
When we are distressed for can be roused by religious
various reasons, we feel like being instincts from within, or by factors
alone. We do not like a crowd of that can be wholly social.
people sitting around us. When we Just imagine what social
are in a state of danger, threatened factors would cause one to be driven
by forces which we cannot to a state of aloneness. When you
understand and with no hope of have lost your father, mother,
support from available sources, we sister, brother, you have lost your
feel a sense of aloneness which is job, and in addition to that, you are
other than the grammatical in a state of sinking health and do
meaning of being alone. When we not receive sympathy from any
are in the wilderness, when we are corner of the world, what do you feel
deprived of all our possessions, at that time? You do not know
when kith and kin are not near, whether you are alive or dead, and
when things seem to be at sixes yet you exist.
and sevens, we feel a sense of As I already mentioned,
aloneness. When all that we regard those who have not been in this
as dear and near is taken away condition cannot understand what
from us, a condition into which this state is, just as hunger cannot
anyone can enter at any moment of be known by a person who is not
16 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

hungry. Only a poor, starving society, worshipped by the world,

person knows what hunger is. A have been cast to the winds by the
millionaire who has four meals a law of Nature, and we are not going
day cannot know what hunger is. to be exceptions.
Likewise, this peculiar Why does Nature behave like
individuality that is in every one of this, as if she has no regard for us
us, which speaks in a language of at all? She does not care for me,
its own at different moments of she does not care for you, she does
time, gives us an inkling of what not care for anyone who has been
our ultimate destiny could be. born on this Earth. All have gone to
To give an outline of the a land of the unknown. Nature's
signicance of what I would like to attitude is something very
say at this moment of time in order mysterious, and Nature cares a
that we may have an idea as to hoot for what we call learning,
what this all means, we may have knowledge, and acquisition. If we
to go into a slightly analytical are not to abide by the law of
consideration of the Nature—which is, in some sense at
circumstances under which we are least, a face of that which really
living today. People in the world seems to be, that which really is
are anything but wise, though they and that which ought to be—and if
all pass for men of wisdom, our attitude to Nature is one of
geniuses, masters in science, and carelessness, a 'don't care'
whatnot. But there is a set of attitude, an assumption of
circumstances we call Nature arrogance, and a self-assumed
under whose law we seem to be importance, then Nature shall
living, and who does not seem to take up her cudgel.
care for what we regard as Nature is both a judge and a
learning, wisdom and scientic teacher at the same time. As a
acumen. Nature can pound even teacher, as an instructor, she gives
the most learned of people, and us opportunities to learn by
Nature has already done this. She experience. Every day we pass
has thrown to the winds many through various kinds of
geniuses who have been born, experience, and every experience
great men who trod this Earth, through which we are passing is
rulers, scientic geniuses, an opportunity for learning. The
philosophers, social and perceptions and cognitions, the
philanthropic workers. Men of experiences, pleasures and pains
acumen with great standing in of life are various lessons that are
MARCH 2020 THE IMPORTANCE OF FINDING TIME TO SIT ALONE 17

imparted to us by the law of but the law of Nature is the

Nature; we are supposed to gain ultimate principle of justice. All
wisdom by this experience, but we principles of justice according to
learn nothing of that kind. We take our codes of law, our manmade
these opportunities as either laws, are only symbols, copies of
chances given for the indulgence of this eternal justice of Nature. We
our senses or as an opposition that may be cruel, but Nature and God
is inicted upon us by Nature, and cannot be cruel.
then it is that we complain that The erratic activities and
Providence is against us, God is events apparently occurring in our
cruel, and such other complaints life and in the world outside us
that man has been making. which look antisocial, anti-good,
These complaints of and anti-prosperity are all
mankind against Nature and the instances of our inability to cope
Creator are pointless because with the way in which the law of
Nature has no partiality of any Nature works—or in other words,
kind. She did not care for to put it more precisely, the way in
Mahatma Gandhi, she did not care which God's law operates.
for Julius Caesar, she did not care T h e p rin cip le of law is
for Alexander or Napoleon, or even obedience, abidance, en rapport,
the grandfather of these people. and action according to its
None of these people could evade mandates. The principle of justice,
Nature's law. She draws the which may be equated with the
curtain for anybody. It may be an principle of law operating in Nature,
emperor or a beggar; it makes no is implicit obedience which Nature
difference. When the curtain is demands from the individuals
drawn, there is an exit order. It inhabiting the Earth plane. The
may be you, it may be me, it may be impartiality with which this law
anybody else. works is the reason why we are
The question that I posed sometimes driven to intense pain
was: Why does Nature behave like which we cannot explain, and
this, as if she has no pity upon us? sometimes we are placed on high
Recently there was an air crash. pedestals and thrones which we
Why does the law operate in this regard as boons from Nature and
manner? We think it is something from God. The reason for
cruel, something opposed to good, calamities, catastrophes,
s ometh in g wh ich can n ot b e cataclysms, births and deaths,
regarded as righteous or justice, sorrows and agonies, poverties and
18 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

the various vicissitudes of life is the methodological planetary system,

impartiality of the law of Nature. etc.? It is a law, and in our ancient
When there is an agonising scriptures this law has been called
upsetting of the whole physical Rita and Satya. In the Vedas we
system due to a complicated hear of these terms.
illness that has befallen us, we do Satya is the eternal law which
not say that the law of the body is the underlying principle behind
does not work properly. As a the operative law of the cosmos,
matter of fact, it is precisely known as Rita. If we want to be
because of the fact that the bodily protected by the law of Nature, by
system operates according to a the law of God, we have to abide by
principle and a law that this the law. If we want to be good
catastrophe has taken place, so we citizens, we have to abide by the law
cannot say that divine law or of the country; then we are good
natural law should always mean citizens because we know the law,
pleasure and satisfaction in the and the administrative system will
sense of sensory indulgence. If a guard us, protect us and take care
person is hanged by the law of the of us. We have what we call the
court, we cannot say that law does governmental system, which is
not operate: “Oh, the man is intended to protect the nation. It
hanged. That means there is no takes care of the nation, providing
justice.” The hanging has been its needs to see that the nation does
done because there is justice. not go through sufferings of any
We have to change our kind. But if we boycott our nation
attitude to things a little bit. There and do not care for its laws, then we
is, really speaking, nothing that will not receive this protection. We
needs to be changed in this world, w i l l b e o s t r a c i s e d ,
and we need not attempt to change excommunicated, banished or even
anything anywhere in this world. imprisoned. We will not receive this
Everything is in perfect order, but protection that the law is supposed
what needs to be changed is one's to mete out to us on obedience of the
attitude towards things. We law. Human law, as I mentioned, is
cannot change the world because a reection of natural law, and if
the world has not been created by human law will not take care of us if
us, so who are we to change it? It we disobey it, well, much less will
was there even before we were natural law take care of us if we
born. Who created the world in this disobey it.
order, in this way, in this —(To be continued)
MARCH 2020 SWAMIJI'S DISCOURSE DURING... 19

SWAMIJI'S DISCOURSE DURING

HOLI CELEBRATIONS AT SIVANANDANAGAR
(Chronicler: Swami Chaitanyananda)
15th JUNE, 1958 “Everything in this universe
“We welcome”, Swamiji is invested with a mysterious
began, “these distinguished power. The drugs and medicines
doctors and scientists who have contain their own innate
come from different parts of the potentialities, by virtue of which
world. We are glad to receive they cure diseases; the scientists
them. Science and religion are and doctors do not impart and
not opposed or antagonistic, but cannot impart that power to
they are supplementary to each them. What is the ultimate power,
other. Science enables us to the ultimate essence? That is the
keep up good health, provides us Brahman or the Atman.
with comforts. Health is of “Brahma-Vidya enables us
utmost importance. Without to realise this Atman. It is the
health, we can achieve nothing. Science of sciences. It is Para-
Even for doing spiritual Vidya. It is that by knowing which
Sadhana, we must possess ne everything else becomes known,
health. So we are indebted to the as the Upanishad puts it. This
scientists. They are also Brahmavidya takes you beyond
producing destructive weapons, sorrow, beyond suffering and
which is not in keeping with the beyond death itself.
great ideals of true scientists. “Be up and doing. It is not
These Atom and Hydrogen D.D.T. that can save you, but the
Bombs, these Sputnik ages, D.I.N. (Do it now) that can save
cannot give us lasting peace and you. Don't waste time in
bliss. Only self-discipline, supercial things. Plunge deep
conquest of the lower nature, and realise that Atman. Develop
religion and philosophy can noble virtues. Compassion,
guarantee us these. kindness, charitable nature,
1
From Sivananda Day-to-Day
20 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

sharing of what you have with Thus Swamiji thrilled the

others, love and seless service; whole audience. He then thanked
these are necessary; they are your the distinguished visitors,
wealth. Acquire this wealth. conducted prayers and Kirtan for
“People unnecessarily the health, peace, prosperity, bliss
quarrel over petty things. The and spiritual progress of those
essentials of all religions are the present and the world at large.
same; only the non-essentials Books were distributed to them
differ. Every religion is good and all.
can be practised with prot. There On emerging from the
is so much clamouring for Satsang hall, Swamiji was
universal religion; but every greeted and received by the Holi
religion has the potentialities of a procession. They were dancing
universal religion. People lack real and singing, 'Jai Ho Sivananda
insight, and are lazy to undergo Holi', in rapturous ways. Swamiji
the religious discipline. That is the forgot everything that happened
weakness. It is not the fault of so far and joined the Holi party
religions, but the lower nature of and danced in ecstasy, to the
their followers that create amazement of all. Some ladies
disturbance and discord in the were on the verge of joining him
world. Prophets have no quarrels and perhaps some did respond.
among themselves. They all have The Holi party which mostly
realised the Truth and consisted of boys, made some
endeavoured to lead their gesticulation which had a hidden
generations Godward. meaning for Swamiji. So he
“So let us be practical. We asked, “How much?” “Twenty
have heard enough, now we should Swamiji”, was the reply. “But I
close our eyes and meditate on too danced, what about my
these great ideals and truths. You share?” protested Swamiji. All
are the Light of lights, Jyotishamapi laughed. Rs. 20/- were paid.
Tat Jyotih. That is your real nature; Then, there was real rejoicing
never forget this.” among the boys.
MARCH 2020 THE THREE FISH 21

THE THREE FISH

(Sri Swami Sivananda)
Bhishma said, “O King immediately moved along the current
Yudhishthira! He who provides for of water and reached another deep
the future and he who is endowed lake.
with the presence of mind always After draining the water in the
enjoys happiness.” He who is given to lake, the sherman began to catch
procrastination is lost. Listen to this the sh. The procrastinating Sakula
interesting story attentively. was caught with many others. The
In a small shallow lake which sherman tied them to a long string.
abounded with sh, there lived three The Sakula who possessed presence
Sakula sh. They were intimate of mind thrust himself into the
friends. One of them had much company of those that had been tied
forethought. He always liked to and remained quietly among them
provide for the future. Another was biting the string. The sherman
endowed with great presence of mind. thought that all the sh attached to
The third was a procrastinator. the string had been caught.
One day, a sherman came to Afterwards, he carried the sh to
the lake and tried to empty the water another lake which contained deep
through various channels. The sh, water for washing them. Just as that
that had foresight, said to his two time the Sakula which possessed
friends, “There is immediate danger presence of mind left the string and
for us. Let us quickly move to some quickly escaped. The procrastinating
other place. He who takes measures Sakula was unable to escape and
against future evil with a wise policy met with his death.
never meets with any serious calamity Thus everyone who
or danger. Listen to my advice. Be procrastinates, like the
vigilant and cautious now. Let us all procrastinating sh, meets with
leave this place immediately.” destruction. The Rishis and sages
The sh who was a have pronounced that the man of
procrastinator said, “Friend! Your forethought and the man of presence
advice is really good. You are of mind are the best of men. He who
doubtless wise. There is, however, no does everything after deep thinking
need for such haste. This is my and scrutiny succeeds in attaining
opinion. You are unnecessarily the object. He who acts with due
alarmed.” regard to time and place succeeds in
The third sh said, “When the achieving result better than the man
time comes, I shall act with great of forethought and the man of
presence of mind.” presence of mind.
The sh who had forethought (Santi Parva, Ch. 137)
22 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

TOTAL SATISFACTION
(Swami Atmaswarupananda)

Lord Buddha's rst noble satisfaction is through turning

truth is the existence of our back on this world, and
sorrow. He wanted us to that the world can never give
realize that this world, on its us happiness because it is
terms, can never give us the constantly changing. Actually,
happiness that we all want. it is possible to reach certain
Even if it gives us partial mystical states where this
happiness, the soul is never world seems totally unreal and
s a t i s  e d . W e w a n t o n e we feel separated from it. We
hundred per cent satisfaction. have found a form of total
We may dismiss that thought satisfaction. But that doesn't
because we feel that it is totally seem to be what Lord Krishna
impractical, but still, in our was trying to teach Arjuna,
heart that is what we do want. who wanted to run away from
P u j y a S w a m i the difculties he was facing.
Chidanandaji used to speak of This doesn't seem to be the
total satisfaction. In other answer that Pujya Swami
words, total satisfaction, the Chidanandaji or Gurudev had
happiness that we want, is for total satisfaction.
possible. Many teachers and Finding that place within
even religions say that the way w h e r e t h e r e i s t o t a l
t o h a p p i n e s s a n d t o t a l satisfaction is no doubt a
MARCH 2020 TOTAL SATISFACTION 23

worthy goal, but Vedanta God, doing our duty, treating

teaches that this world, just as others the way we would like
it is, is Brahman, and so, as to be treated and offering
long as we have a body, the everything to God, brings
world should not be seen as that Brahman alone without
something alien. Temporary a second into our
and constantly changing it is, understanding and actions in
but it is also one hundred per this world.
cent divine. Therefore, Lord Thus, the ideal as laid
Krishna said to Arjuna, “Stop down by Lord Krishna and as
b e i n g c o n c e r n e d a b o u t demonstrated by Gurudev and
results, your job is to do your Pujya Swami Chidanandaji
duty. Your job is to worship Me was that we must know the
at all times and in all things.” highest truth, but that the goal
You are, in effect, to nd your nally is to apply that highest
total satisfaction in this truth in our daily lives. And
changing world. there is no better Sadhana, for
Therefore, our goal must both reaching the highest
be to bring that which never truth as well as applying it in
changes into this changing our daily life, than doing the
w o r l d . I d e a l l y , w e d o i t duty that God has given us,
through direct experience, treating others the way that we
through realization. But in would like to be treated and
the meantime, obedience to offering everything to God.
 'S

STUDENTS' SUCCESS IN LIFE

Beloved Divine Children!
Om Namo Narayanaya!
Every man is a power
in himself. He can inuence
others. He can radiate joy
and peace to millions of
people. He can elevate
others. He can transmit his
powerful soul-stirring,
benecial thoughts to his
far off friends. He is an
image of God. There is no
such thing as inanimate
matter. There is life in
everything. Life is involved
in a piece of stone. Matter is
vibrant with life.
Smile with the owers
and shake hands with ferns
and twigs of trees. Talk to the green grass. Play with the birds and the
deers, the rainbow, wind, stars and the sun. Converse with the
running brooks and the waves of the sea. Develop friendship with all
your neighbours, dogs, cats, cows, human beings, trees and owers.
Then you will have wide, perfect and full life. This state can hardly be
described in words. You will feel the highest peace, bliss and joy.
—Swami Sivananda
24
 CULTIVATION OF VIRTUES
ALERTNESS
Alertness is watchfulness. It is briskness. It is sprightliness.
Alertness is an attitude of vigilance.
A captain of a ship is ever alert. A sherman is ever alert. A
surgeon in the operation theatre is ever alert. A man of alertness is
keenly watchful. He is ready to act at a short notice. He is nimble like
the squirrel. He is characterized by briskness.
Be on the alert. Have an alert attitude. Be on the lookout. Be
ever ready. Be circumspect. Be watchful. Be vigilant. You will always
attain success in all undertakings and spiritual Sadhana.
ERADICATION OF VICES
ANGER
Anger is a negative Vritti or whirlpool in the mindlake. It is a
strong emotion, excited by a real or fancied injury and involving a
desire for retaliation. It begins in folly and ends in repentance. The
re you kindle for your enemy, burns yourself.
Raga or attachment is a long-standing associate of anger. To
become angry for triing things is mean, childish and brutal. When
anger is on the throne, reason takes to its heels. He who is inuenced
by anger is like one intoxicated with strong liquor.
When anger arises, think of the consequences. It will soon
subside. When you are angry, count twenty. By the time you nish
counting twenty, anger will have subsided. Drink a little water. It will
cool the brain and calm the excited, irritated nerves. Repeat 'OM
Shanti' ten times.
Control anger by practice of Kshama (forgiveness), love,
Dhairya (patience), and Nirabhimanita (absence of egoism). Be
always ready to forgive the faults of others. Kill the spirit of revenge.
Return good for evil.
—Swami Sivananda

25
 SHAVASANA
“Shava” means 'dead body'. When one performs this Asana, it gives
the appearance of a dead body. So it is named Shavasana.
Technique: Spread a soft blanket and lie on the back. Keep the
hands on the ground by the sides. Let the legs be straight. Keep the heels
together and the toes separated. Close your eyes. Now relax all the muscles
of the body. Breathe slowly and rhythmically. Forget all your bubbling
emotions and direct all your thoughts internally. Relax all muscles, nerves
and organs. Start the relaxation process from the toes. Then proceed to the
calf-muscles, muscles of the back, chest, arm, forearm and hands, neck,
face, etc. See that the abdominal organs, heart, chest, brain are also
relaxed. Have an order. Do not sleep. In this pose, you will enjoy perfect
peace, ease, comfort and relaxation. This must be done at the end of all the
exercises. Then only the course will be complete.
Benets: The pleasant and exhilarating feeling can only be realised by
those who can successfully do this Asana. If you are tired from a hard work,
perform this Asana for ve minutes. You will be t again to continue your
hard work with the same vigour. This is a blessing for all hard workers.
If you like, you can practise the relaxation by lying in an easy chair
after nishing your Asanas or exercises. Those who know relaxation can
take a small nap for ten minutes at any time they like. Students,
journalists, busy lawyers, doctors and businessmen should know the
science of mental relaxation. They should practise it also daily. Relaxation
refreshes a man completely.
—Swami Sivananda

26
 SUKHA PURVAKA PRANAYAMA
(EASY COMFORTABLE PRANAYAMA)
Sit on Padmasana or
Siddhasana in your meditation
room, before the picture of your
Ishta Devata (guiding deity).
Close the right nostril with the
right thumb. Draw in the air
very, very slowly through the
left nostril. Then close the left
nostril also with little and ring
ngers of the right hand.
Retain the air as long as you can comfortably do. Then exhale very,
very slowly through the right nostril after removing the thumb. Now
half the process is over.
Then draw air through the right nostril. Retain the air as
before and exhale it very, very slowly through the left nostril. All
these six processes constitute one Pranayama. Do 20 in the
morning and 20 in the evening. Gradually increase the number.
Have a Bhava (mental attitude) that all the Daivi Sampat (divine
qualities), e.g., mercy, love, forgiveness, Shanti, joy, etc., are
entering into your system along with the inspired air and all Asuri
Sampat (devilish qualities) such as lust, anger, greed, etc., are being
thrown out along with the expired air. Repeat Om or Gayatri
mentally during Puraka (Inhalation), Kumbhaka (Retention) and
Rechaka (Exhalation).
This Pranayama removes all diseases, puries the Nadis,
steadies the mind in concentration, improves digestion, increases
the digestive re and appetite, and helps to maintain
Brahmacharya.
—Swami Sivananda
27
28 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

SRI MAHASIVARATRI CELEBRATIONS AT

THE HEADQUARTERS ASHRAM

ËdÎmmo OJØd{V Xod ñ‘amao Ëdæ¶od {Vð>{V OJÝ‘¥S> {dídZmW &

Ëdæ¶od JÀN>{V b¶§ OJXoVXre {b“mË‘Ho$ ha MamMa {dídê${nZ² &&
O Lord Siva, Thou destroyer of Cupid, the world is born of
Thee; it exists in Thee, O Lord of the Universe; O Lord, in Thee,
who art symbolised as Lingam, it again is absorbed; this world of
movable and immovable objects is but Thyself.
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 29

The auspicious occasion of Mahasivaratri was celebrated

with great sacredness and devoutness at the Headquarters
Ashram on 21st February 2020. A large number of devotees
from different parts of India and abroad had come to the holy
abode of Sadgurudev to participate in Mahasivaratri
celebrations.
As a prelude to the celebrations, the sacred Panchakshari
Mantra 'Om Namah Sivaya' was devoutly sung daily for two hours
by the Sannyasis, Brahmacharis, Sadhaks and visitors of the
Ashram from 16th to 20th February at Sri Vishwanatha Mandir.
The Mahasivaratri day's programme commenced at 5.00
a.m. with prayers and meditation followed by Prabhat Pheri. Sri
Vishwanatha Mandir reverberated with the soulful chanting of
'Om Namah Sivaya' from 7.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. as the inmates,
devotees and guests of the Ashram participated joyously in its
30 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

Akhanda chanting. A Havan for peace and welfare of the world

was also performed at the Yajnashala. At 8.00 p.m., the
Mahasivaratri Puja commenced in the beautifully decorated and
splendidly illuminated shrine of Lord Sri Vishwanatha; four
grand worships in four Praharas were offered to Lord Siva to the
chanting of Namakam, Chamakam and
Vedasarasivasahasranamavali, wherein everyone got the
blessed opportunity of performing Abhisheka and Archana of
the Lord. The devout and sonorous singing of Kirtans and
hymns glorifying Lord Siva throughout the night lled the hearts
of one and all with ineffable peace and indescribable joy. The
celebration concluded at 4.00 a.m. with Mangala Arati and
distribution of sacred Prasad at Annapurna Dining Hall.
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 31

May the ever-auspicious Lord Siva and Sadgurudev

shower their blessings upon all.
32 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

RECITATION OF THIRUVACHAKAM AT
THE HEADQUARTERS ASHRAM

'Thiruvachakam' is a beautiful composition in Tamil

glorifying Lord Siva by the great saint Manikkavachakar.
The recitation of 'Thiruvachakam' was organised on 24th
and 25th February 2020 at the Headquarters Ashram.
Sri Arunachalam, along with forty devotees of DLS
Karikudi, Branch Tamilnadu visited the Ashram to attend
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 33

Mahasivaratri Celebrations. On 24th and 25th February,

they sang 'Thiruvachakam' and the selected verses from
'Panniru Thirumurai' at Sri Vishwanath Mandir in
melliuous tunes to the accompaniment of musical
instruments as their worshipful offering at the lotus feet of
Lord Siva.

May the blessings of Lord Almighty and

Sadgurudev be upon all.
34 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

Birth Centenary Celebration of Param

Pujya Sri Swami Premanandaji Maharaj

The year 2020 marks the Birth Centenary Year of Param

Pujya Sri Swami Premanandaji Maharaj. Under the auspices of
Birth Centenary Celebration of Pujya Sri Swamiji Maharaj, a
special programme was organised at the Headquarters Ashram
from 3rd February to 5th February 2020.
Param Pujya Sri Swami Premanandaji Maharaj was a great
exponent of Sri Ram Katha and loved to narrate and listen to the
divine glories of Lord Sri Rama. Therefore, Sri Rama Katha and
Akhand chanting of Sri Ramacharitamanas were organised to
commemorate the sacred occasion of Pujya Sri Swamiji Maharaj's
Birth Centenary.
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 35

Revered Sri Brijesh

Pathakji of Faridpur was
invited to bless the
gathering with Sri Rama
Katha for these three days.
In his series of discourses
during the night Satsang at
the Samadhi Mandir, Sri
Pathakji spoke on Navadha
Bhakti as enunciated by Lord Sri Rama in Sri Ramacharitamanas.
On 4th February morning, the devotees of DLS Faridpur Branch
commenced the 75th Akhand chanting of Sri Ramacharitamanas
at Sri Divya Naam Mandir and it was concluded on 5th morning.
On 5th February 2020, the sixteenth Punyatithi Aradhana
Day of Param Pujya Sri Swami Pre m a n a n d a j i M a h a r a j , w a s
observed with great sanctity. The day's programme commenced
with Prabhat-pheri followed by a Havan at the Ashram
36 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

Yajnashala. In the forenoon, a grand worship was offered to the

holy Padukas of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj wherein
Sannyasis, Brahmacharis and devotees gathered together to offer
their loving tributes to Pujya Sri Swamiji Maharaj. A special Ganga
worship was organised in the evening at Sri Vishwanath Ghat in
the sacred memory of Pujya Sri Swamiji Maharaj. A large number
of devotees and guests devoutly attended all these programmes
and felt themselves immensely blessed.

May the abundant blessings of the Almighty Lord, Sri

Gurudev and Param Pujya Sri Swami Premanandaji
Maharaj be upon all.
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 37

Cultural Tour of
H.H. Sri Swami Padmanabhanandaji Maharaj
In response to the kind invitation of the devotees of
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, H.H. Sri Swami
Padmanabhanandaji Maharaj undertook cultural tour of these
States in the second week of January 2020.
On 12th January 2020, Sri Swamiji Maharaj, along with Sri
Swami Sridharanandaji and Sri Mahendranji, proceeded to
Bangalore to attend the Platinum Jubilee Celebration of the
Divine Life Society Bangalore Branch. The Branch had completed
75 years of its service to the sacred mission of Sri Gurudev and
was celebrating its Platinum Jubilee from 12th to 14th January
2020 with various programmes. Sri Swamiji Maharaj presided
over the Platinum Jubilee Celebration Programmes on 13th and
14th January 2020 and blessed the gathering with his discourses.
On 14th January, Sri Swamiji Maharaj released a Souvenir
commemorating Platinum Jubilee of the Branch and also
presented awards to the participants of Gita Chanting
Competition organised on 7th December 2019 by the Branch.
Upon the invitation from Acharya Sri Nochur
Venkataramanji, Swamiji Maharaj visited Yoga Nikaya Trust
situated at Hosur on 15th January. Sri Swamiji Maharaj stayed
there for two days and had Satsang with Sri Nochur
Venkataramanji. On 17th January, Sri Swamiji Maharaj
proceeded to Vishakapatnam and blessed the devotees with his
talk in the evening Satsang at the DLS Vishakapatnam Branch.
38 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

In response to the kind invitation of Param Pujya Sri

Jnaneshwari Mataji of Shanti Ashram, Swamiji Maharaj visited
Shanti Ashram situated in Thottapalli hills in the East Godavari
district of Andhra Pradesh. This year, Pujya Sri Jnaneshwari
Mataji had organised a special programme combining the
Centenary Celebration of Pujya Sri Swami Satchidanandaji
Maharaj of Anandashram with the Celebration of 126th Birth
Anniversary of Pujya Sri Swami Omkarji Maharaj. Sri Swami
Muktanandaji Maharaj of Anandashram had also come to Shanti
Ashram to attend this special programme. On 19th morning, both
the Swamijis, along with Pujya Sri Jnaneswari Mataji inaugurated
Ram Naam chanting at the Samadhi Shrine of Pujya Sri Swami
Omkarji Maharaj with the lighting of the sacred lamp. On 20th
January, Sri Swamiji Maharaj and Sri Swami Muktanandaji
Maharaj witnessed the cultural programme presented by the
students of Swami Omkar School of Thottapalli hills and
Vishakapatnam. As per yesteryears, Swamiji Maharaj presided
over the Birthday Celebrations of Pujya Sri Swami Omkarji
Maharaj on the 21st January 2020 and attended Paduka Puja in
the morning followed by Laksharchana at Vishwanath Mandir. Sri
Swamiji Maharaj also blessed the gathering with his discourse in
the evening Satsang.
From Thottapalli, Sri Swamiji Maharaj proceeded to
Karavadi, a village in Prakasam district of Andhra Pradesh to
attend the 46th All Telugu Divine Life Society Spiritual Conference
held from 25th to 27th January 2020. Sri Swamiji Maharaj
presided over the Conference and also blessed the devotees with
his talks on all the three days of the Conference. The Conference
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 39

was well attended by nearly 2000 devotees from all over Andhra
Pradesh and Telangana.
Upon the humble request of the devotees of DLS
Gundaipalem Branch, Sri Swamiji Maharaj visited the Branch on
28th January. Gundaipalem is a small shermen hamlet near
Ongole of Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh. Inspired by Sri
Gurudev's teachings, some of the shermen used to attend the
Satsangs at DLS Karvadi Branch. These humble folks of
Gundaipalem desired to open a DLS Branch at their village.
During his cultural tour in 2012, Sri Swamiji Maharaj
inaugurated the DLS Gundaipalem Branch. Since then, Sri Sai
Babu and Dr. Gita Mataji started conducting Satsangs there at
regular intervals and organised a special Satsang on 24th
September every year to celebrate the Birthday Anniversary of
Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj. Sri Swamiji
Maharaj attended the Satsang organised by DLS Gundaipalem
Branch on 28th January and blessed the devotees with his
inspiring words.
From Gundaipalem, Swamiji Maharaj proceeded to Tirumala
Tirupati and had Darshan of Lord Venkateswara. On 30th
January, Sri Swamiji Maharaj visited Rashtriya Sanskrit
Vidyapeeth at Tirupati to discuss about the distribution of
scholarship given in the holy name of Sri Gurudev. Sri Swamiji
Maharaj also attended the All India Sanskrit Quiz Competition
organised at the Vidyapeeth and addressed the gathering how
ancient Sanskrit knowledge can be clubbed with modern day
science. Sri Swamiji Maharaj returned to the Headquarters
Ashram on 2nd February 2020.
40 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

CULTURAL TOUR OF
H.H. SRI SWAMI NIRLIPTANANDAJI MAHARAJ
TO SOUTH AFRICA AND MAURITIUS
H . H . S r i S w a m i welcome to Swamiji Maharaj.
Nirliptanandaji Maharaj, Vice- Sivananda Yoga Ashram and
President, D.L.S. Headquarters, DLS Mauritius Branch have
undertook a cultural tour to been established by H.H. Sri
South Africa and Mauritius S w a m i V e n k a t e s a n a n d a j i
d u r i n g N o v e m b e r a n d Maharaj who was a leading
December, 2019. direct disciple of Worshipful
On 14th November, 2019 Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji
Swamiji Maharaj left Delhi and Maharaj.
arrived in Mauritius. At Swamiji Maharaj also
Mauritius Airport Sri Swamiji attended the Satsang at the DLS
was received warmly by Revered M a u r i t i u s B r a n c h o n 1 5
Sri Gopal Jankeeji, President, November, and gave a brief talk.
DLS Mauritius Branch, Revered The Branch had another
Sri Ranaji, Secretary, and Satsang on 16th November at
Revered Sri Devanandji. On that the Ashram which was also
day Swamiji attended the attended by Sri Swamiji and
Satsang at Sivananda Yoga Swamiji gave a short discourse.
Ashram of DLS Mauritius There was a special
Branch where many devotees S a t s a n g o r g a n i z e d b y t h e
had participated. At the Ashram B r a n c h a t t h e i r A s h r a m
the devotees gave a warm premises for Swamiji Maharaj
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 41

o n 1 7 t h N o v e m b e r . T h e and gave the parting message to

occasion was for celebrating the the devotees of the Branch.
special Citizenship Award Sri Swamiji left Mauritius
a w a r d e d b y R o s e H i l l for Durban in South Africa on
M u n i c i p a l i t y f o r t h e 18th November. At Mauritius
outstanding work done by the Airport he was given a warm
DLS Mauritius Branch over the send-off by Revered Sri Gopalji,
years in the eld of Yoga, social Revered Sri Ranaji and Revered
services, religious and racial Laila Mataji.
harmony and other benecial At Durban Airport that day
activities for the society at large. Swamiji Maharaj was warmly
S r i S w a m i j i a t t e n d e d t h e received on 18th November by
function and gave a talk on the devotees of South Africa.
topic “Yoga the Basis of Life”. Sri Swamiji then
On the same day Swamiji proceeded to Pietermaritzburg.
p a i d a v i s i t t o C h i n m a y a On that day Swamiji Maharaj
Mission, Mauritius, and met took part in the Satsang at
Revered Sri S w a m i Integral Yoga Centre,
Pranavanandaji Maharaj, the Pietermaritzburg.
Head of the Centre, and other On 19th November, invited
devotees and inmates of the by the Ramakrishna Centre of
Ashram. Upon their request Sri South Africa, Phoenix, which is
Swamiji gave a brief talk. a Branch of the Ramakrishna
Swamiji Maharaj also Mission, Belur Math, India, Sri
attended the Satsang at DLS Swamiji visited the Centre. The
Mauritius Branch on that day, Centre has been doing excellent
42 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

work with several good In the evening on that day

programmes to address social there was a Welcome-Satsang
evils, providing health facilities, for Swamiji Maharaj at Integral
e x t e n d i n g l e g a l s e r v i c e s , Yoga Centre, Pietermaritzburg.
creating job opportunities, etc, This was attended by Swamiji
for the local community. It has and he gave a discourse on the
a l s o b e e n u p h o l d i n g t h e occasion.
greatness of Hinduism and its Sri Swamiji left
culture and doing its best for P i e t e r m a r i t z b u r g o n 2 0 t h
November for Cape Town. At
protecting the interests of
Cape Town Swamiji was
Hindus. The Centre has also
received warmly by important
formed the Ramakrishna Senior
inmates of Ananda Kutir
Citizens Forum for rendering
Ashram, which is an afliated
service to the Senior Citizens,
B r a n c h o f t h e D L S
which holds weekly get-together
Headquarters, Rishikesh.
of the Senior Citizens. Swamiji
On 21st November Sri
Maharaj was received cordially at
Swamiji Maharaj attended the
the Centre by Most Revered Sri
Satsang in Ananda Kutir
Swami Sharadaprabhanandaji
Ashram and gave the rst of the
Maharaj, President of the series of discourses as per their
Centre, and others. Sri Swamiji s u g g e s t i o n , o n
attended the weekly session of “ A m r i t a s h t a k a m ” o f 1 2 t h
the Senior Citizen Forum and Chapter of Bhagavad Gita. On
addressed the Senior Citizens 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th and
present, who were around 600. 26th Swamiji continued his
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 43

discourses one each, on the At Johannesburg Airport

“ A m r i t a s h t a k a m , ” a n d on that day, Sri Swamiji was
completed the series. received by the devotees of
Swamiji Maharaj visited Sivananda School of Yoga,
“Children of Light Educare” run Johannesburg.
by Ananda Kutir DLS Branch at The same day Swamiji
Cape Town. At this institution Maharaj attended the Satsang
they take care of children within at Sivananda School of Yoga and
the age group of 3 to 6 who have gave a discourse on “Raja Yoga.”
had a very difcult family The Branch had another
background, and try to bring Satsang on 28th November. Sri
them up providing both care Swamiji attended it and gave a
and education at the same time. talk on “Ashtanga Yoga”, for the
Sri Swamiji met the children devotees.
and spent some time with them. On 28th November there
T h e c h i l d r e n a r e b e i n g was a meeting of the devotees at
immensely beneted by the Sivananda School of Yoga with a
work at the Centre. Swamiji also Question and Answer session.
addressed the staff of the Swamiji Maharaj joined them
Educare, giving them some and answered their questions.
advice and guidance. In the usual Satsang on the
Swamiji left Cape Town on same day also Sri Swamiji
2 7 t h N o v e m b e r f o r participated and gave answers
Johannesburg. He was seen off to the queries of the devotees
at the Airport by devotees of present.
Ananda Kutir Ashram. A Question and Answer
44 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

session had been xed by the a Satsang on 1st December for

Branch for benet of spiritual c e l e b r a t i n g t h e 1 9 t h
seekers on 29th November. Anniversary of Mahasamadhi of
Swamiji Maharaj attended it H . H . S r i S w a m i
and answered the questions of Shankaranandaji Maharaj, the
the devotees. In the evening on illustrious founder of the
that day Swamiji also took part Ashram, who was a direct
in the Satsang at the School of disciple of Worshipful Gurudev
Yoga. There were also some Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. Sri
questions put by the devotees in Swamiji participated in the
the Satsang, and these were Celebrations on being invited,
answered by Sri Swamiji. and gave a discourse on the
On 30th November the o c c a s i o n a b o u t “ T h e
School of Yoga had held a Signicance of Mahasamadhi.”
Spiritual Retreat for its On 2nd December Swamiji
devotees. In the forenoon, Maharaj left Johannesburg for
Swamiji Maharaj joined them Durban. At Johannesburg he
and answered the questions of was given a warm send-off by
t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s . I n t h e Sivananda School of Yoga. At
afternoon, there was the Du rb an A irp ort S wamiji
concluding session and Satsang Maharaj was cordially received
of the Retreat. Sri Swamiji on that day by some members of
attended it and gave a spiritual Swami Sivananda Fellowship of
discourse. South Africa.
Sri Adi Shankara Ashram In the evening Sri Swamiji
of Johannesburg had organised visited Sivananda Vedanta
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 45

Centre, Tongaat. He attended C e n t r e h a s b e e n b u i l t b y

the Satsang arranged by them, S i v a n a n d a W o r l d P e a c e
a n d g a v e a d i s c o u r s e o n Foundation for the benet of the
“Vedanta in Daily Life.” people of the area.
On 3rd December at the In the evening on that day
invitation and as per the request Swamiji Maharaj attended the
o f R e v e r e d S r i I s h w a r Satsang at Vishwaroopa
R a m l u t c h m a n , P r e s i d e n t , Temple, Tongaat, arranged by
S i v a n a n d a W o r l d P e a c e Sami Sivananda Fellowship of
Foundation, Swamiji Maharaj S o u t h A f r i c a , a n d g a v e a
visited Empangeni and did the discourse on “The Philosophy of
O f  c i a l O p e n i n g o f t h e Yoga”.
Sivananda Peace Pillar installed On 4th December there
by the Peace Foundation, at was a Satsang of Verulam and
G i n g i n d l o v u , a l o n g w i t h District Hindu Unity forum at
R e v e r e d S r i I s h a r Verulum. Sri Swamiji attended
Ramlutchman. it and as per the programme
Thereafter there was also gave a discourse on “Practical
ofcial opening of Sivananda Hindu Philosophy and Japa
E n i w e C o m m u n i t y C e n t r e Yoga.”
which was done by Sri Swamiji At the residence of Sri
together with Revered Sri Pradeep Ramlallji, General
I s h w a r R a m l u t c h m a n j i , Secretary, Swami Sivananda
President of Sivananda World Fellowship of South Africa, a
Peace Foundation, on the same Satsang had been arranged on
day at Eniwe. The Community 5th December. Swamiji Maharaj
46 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

joined it and gave a talk on “The message for the people of South
Purpose of Life.” Africa. Swamiji also gave a
Sarva Dharma Ashrama, message on the Gita, to “Radio
Durban, had organized a “Youth Lotus F.M.” as requested by
Development Camp” for Youths them, on Gita Jayanti day, for
and Children, from 6th to 8th broadcast that day.
December. Sri Swamiji took part Thereafter Sri Swamiji
in it, and addressed the Youth proceeded to Pietermaritzburg
and students. Swamiji gave on the same day. In the evening
talks for the benet of the Swamiji attended the Satsang at
participants in the various Integral Yoga Centre Ashram,
sessions on the three days, on arranged for Gita Jayanti and
“Divine Life”, “Success in Life”, took part in the recitation of the
“Cultivation of Virtues”, etc. 8th entire Bhagavad Gita.
December was the Gita Jayanti. On 10th December Sri
Swamiji Maharaj joined the Swamiji visited Sri Vishnu
celebrations and spoke on Temple in Grey Town. A Satsang
“Importance of the Bhagavad had been organized there. Sri
G i t a a n d i t s I m p o r t a n t Swamiji attended it and gave a
Teachings” discourse on “Philosophy of
On 7th December Radio Japa Yoga” for the benet of the
“Hind Vani” took an interview of devotees assembled there.
Swamiji Maharaj for the Gita Swamiji attended the
Jayanti, and Sri Swamiji spoke Satsang at the Ashram of
on the signicance of the Integral Yoga Centre on 11th
Bhagavad Gita, and gave a December, and gave a discourse
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 47

on “Chapter 2 of Bhagavad They are also having regular

Gita”, as requested by them. prayers and Satsang. Swamiji
The Integral Yoga Centre blessed them with a brief talk.
had another Satsang on 12th At the Satsang on the same
D e c e m b e r . T h i s w a s a l s o day in the evening at Integral
attended by Sri Swamiji and he Yoga Centre, Pietermaritzburg,
gave the concluding discourse S w a m i j i M a h a r a j g a v e a
on “Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad discourse on “The Philosophy of
Gita” that day. Yoga.”
There was “Guru Paduka The Integral Yoga Centre
Puja” in the Ashram of Integral had a farewell Satsang for
Yoga Centre on 13th December, Swamiji on 16th December in
in which Swamiji Maharaj their Ashram. Swamiji Maharaj
participated and as per their attended it and gave a talk on
request Sri Swamiji spoke on the “Divine Life” for the benet of the
“Importance of Paduka Puja.” devotees of the Ashram present.
On 14th December On 18th December Sri
S w a m i j i v i s i t e d S h a n k a r a Swamiji left South Africa for
Goshala Shanti Niwas, New India. At Durban Airport he was
Castle, of Revered Sri Sarvesan. given a warm send-off by some
It has been set up for taking care members of Swami Sivananda
of cows needing such care and Fellowship of South Africa and
for rendering service to them. some other devotees. Swamiji
Sri Sarvesan is a very great reached Delhi on 19th and then
devotee of Worshipful Gurudev came back to Rishikesh the
Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj. same day.
48 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

SEVA THROUGH SIVANANDA HOME

'Sivananda Home is a Centre for the loving care of the
destitute and the dying people who are found by the roadside,
with no one to care for: the people who are home-less, temporary
or permanent, fell sick, got lost or were abandoned'.
(Swami Chidananda)
Originally, she hailed from Maharashtra, but the banks
of Mother Ganga at Triveni Ghat had become her home for
years, from where she was admitted to Sivananda Home. Her
mental health condition was one issue, but her physical
condition too was beyond words, having a deep infected
wound right on the scalp, infested with large number of
maggots. The pain and itching itself could make a person
completely out of balance, almost impossible to tolerate, but
she bore the daily cleaning and dressing patiently and the day
came by Gurudev's grace when the wound was completely
closed and cured. She was a type of Sadhu, as she herself
told, and never wanted to share anything about her person or
past. She stayed on, always contented with what was given to
her, never complaining, and just being by herself, till she got
acutely ill, and in spite of intravenous drip with injectable
medicines and drainage of the stomach, she slipped into a
coma and passed away this month in the early hours of
Brahma-Muhurta.
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 49

Traumatic events or experiences, be they physical,

psychological or emotional, have often their impact on the mental
health. Also hailing from Maharashtra, more than 15 years ago,
an elderly lady was brought from Rishikesh, where she was found
sitting on a gunny bag, right in front of a Namkeen shop. She was
crying out loudly and was severely upset and anxious, not
allowing even to have a look at her foot which was deformed,
injured and infected with maggots as well. She was admitted, and
is still one of the longest residential inmates, though the mental
health issue still remains, with its ups and downs. She has
become bedridden, and needing all the seva regarding her input
and output, her turning in the bed, drinking a sip of water or
having a y removed from her skin. Giving bad words often, out of
frustration and needing to spill it out on somebody, but good old
Maharashtrian songs make her forget her agony for a few minutes
and it looks like she re-lives for a moment the joy of days bygone.
We pray for a peaceful state of mind during her remaining
days on this planet, tolerating, allowing and nally trusting and
surrendering.
Om Shantih. Shantih. Shantih.
“Let us behold Thee in all these names and forms. Let us
serve Thee in all these names and forms. Let us ever remember
Thee. Let us ever sing Thy glories. Let Thy Name be ever on our
lips. Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever.”
—Swami Sivananda
50 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

46th All Telugu Divine Life Society

Spiritual Conference
The 46th All Telugu Divine
Life Society Conference was held at
Karvadi village of Prakasam
district in Andhra Pradesh from
25th to 27th January 2020. About
2000 devotees from Andhra
Pradesh, Telangana and other
neighbouring states devoutly
participated in the three-day
Spiritual Conference.
On 25th January, H.H. Sri
Swami Padmanabhanandaji
Maharaj inaugurated the
Conference with the hoisting of
Divine Life ag and lighting of the
sacred lamp. Sri Swamiji Maharaj presided over the Conference
and also blessed the gathering with his talks on all the three days of
the Conference.
Every morning, the programme commenced with Nagar
Sankirtan followed by Yogasana Class and recitation of Srimad
Bhagavadgita and Sri Vishnusahasranama. During the day, the
eminent saints and scholars from different places addressed the
gathering on various subjects pertaining to spiritual life. Among
them were Param Pujya Sri Vidyaswarupanandaji Maharaj of Sri
Kalahasti, Sri Swami Prasannandaji, Sri Swami Sivachidanandaji,
Sri Swami Shuddhachaitanyanandaji, Sri Swami
Satyatmanandaji, Sri Swami Sarvatmanandaji, Swamini
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 51

Vedatmanandaji, Swamini Sreyanandaji, Sri Swami Srihari

Tirtha, Sri M.T. Alwar, Sri Sthal Sai, Sri
Muralikrishnamacharyulu, Sri Hayagreevacharyulu and Dr. Kasi
Reddy Venkata Reddy.
52 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

The evenings featured cultural programmes by the eminent

artists and the students of Sivananda School, Karavadi. On the
rst day, members of Matru Sivananda Kalakshetra, Narasaropeta
and students of Sivananda School, Karavadi performed
Bharatanatyam dance. On the second day, a beautiful Kuchipudi
dance was presented by the students of Sri Sai Manjira Kuchipudi
Art Academy. The third day witnessed the enthralling performance
of Bharatanatyam by the members of Manomani Nritya Kala
Parishat, Ongole.

May the grace of the Lord Almighty and

Sadgurudev be upon all.
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 53

Decennial Celebration of Swami Sivananda

Study Centre, M .S. University, Baroda

Swami Sivananda Study Centre for Cultural and Spiritual

Heritage of India established by the Divine Life Society
Headquarters on 3rd November 2009 at the Faculty of Arts, M. S.
University Baroda, Vadodara jointly with DLS Vadodara Branch,
has been organising lectures every year by eminent speakers in
the sacred memory of Sadgurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji
Maharaj for the last ten years.
This year, Swami Sivananda Study Centre, jointly with the
Divine Life Society, Vadodara Branch, Faculty of Management
Studies, Faculty of Technology and Faculty of Pharmacy
54 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

organised two lectures by Sri Swami Viditatmananda Saraswati,

a great scholar, a visionary saint and founder of Adhyatma Vidya
Mandir, Tattvatirth, Ahmedabad as its Decennial Celebration
Programme on 10th and 11th February 2020.
The rst lecture was organised on 10th February at Pandit
Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium, Faculty of Management
Studies, M. S. University on 'VALUES IN MANAGEMENT'. Prof.
Parimal Vyas, Vice Chancellor of the University, graced the
programme as the chief guest and also addressed the gathering.
Prof. Jadeja, Dean of the Management Faculty gave welcome
address and Dr. Jayant Dave, joint coordinator of Study centre,
read out message from Pujya Sri Swami Padmanabhanandaji
Maharaj. Prof Surendra Sundarrajan ably summed up the
proceedings and presented vote of thanks.
The Second lecture was held at Chemical Engineering
Department Auditorium, Faculty of Technology and Faculty of
Pharmacy, Kalabhavan, M. S. University of Baroda on 11th
February. Prof Arun Pratap, Dean of the Faculty of Technology
and Engineering and Dr Jayant Dave of DLS made betting
introductory address in the beginning. Dr Krutika Sawant, Dean,
Faculty of Pharmacy gave vote of thanks and Dr Chetan
Limbachiya, Students' Dean conducted the programme as the
Master of ceremony. A large number of students, faculty
members and devotees enthusiastically attended these inspiring
talks and also interacted with Pujya Swami Viditatmanandaji.

May the blessings of Lord Almighty and Sadgurudev

be upon all.
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 55

9TH ALL ODISHA YOUTH & STUDENT

Personality Development Camp
at The Dibya Jivan Sangh Gaham Branch,
Sivananda Sevagrama Charitable Society, Gaham, Angul, Odisha.

Wednesday 27th To Sunday 31st May 2020

By the Grace of Almighty & Worshipful Gurudev, The Dibya Jivan

Sangha, Swami Sivananda Sevagrama Charitable Society, Gaham,
Odisha, proposes to organize its 9th All-Odisha Youth & Student
Personality Development Camp from 27th to 31st May 2020 at
Sivananda Sevagrama, Gaham, Talcher, Angul, Odisha.
Senior Saints from the Headquarters Ashram and other eminent
dignitaries shall grace the Camp. We request all the Branches of the
Divine Life Society of Odisha and parents to avail this opportunity and
send students to participate in the Camp, which aims at inculcating
values in life.
Enrollment, food and accommodation are free.

Age Limit : 16 to 25 years

Qualication : 10th Standard Pass out and above.
Last date of registration : 20th May 2020
Address for communication : Dibya Jivan Sangha,
Swami Sivananda Sevagrama
Charitable Society, PO-Gaham,
Dist-Angul, Odisha-759100.

Contact : Sri Akshaya Kumar Dash

Mobile : 9437043225, 79781 41003
 \
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
YOGA-VEDANTA FOREST ACADEMY , (THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY)
P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR, PIN: 249 192, Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand, (INDIA)
ADMISSION NOTICE
Applications are hereby invited for undergoing the 95th residential Basic YOGA-VEDANTA COURSE of
two months' duration, i.e., from 04-05-2020 to 28-06-2020. This Course will be held in the Academy
premises at the Headquarters of the Divine Life Society, Shivanandanagar, Rishikesh.
The details are as follows:
1. It is open to Indian citizens (Men) only. The classes are for admitted applicants who have been duly
registered as students for the Course.
2. Age Group: Between 20 and 65 years.
3. Qualifications:
(a) Preferably Graduate with keen spiritual aspiration and deep interest in the practice of Yoga-
Vedanta.
(b) Must be able to converse in English fluently as the medium of instruction is English.
(c) Should have sound health.
4. Duration of the Course:- Two months' residential Course on Yoga, Vedanta and Cultural Values.
5. Scope and syllabus of the Course:
(a) An outline study of History of Indian and Western Philosophy, Studies in Upanishads, Studies in
Religious Consciousness, study of the Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali's Yoga System, Narada Bhakti
Sutras and The Philosophy of Swami Sivananda.
(b) Practical:—Asana, Pranayama, Meditation and Karma Yoga, Lectures, Group discussions,
Questions and Answers, and final examination will form part of the Course.
6. There will be no charges for training, boarding and lodging. Pure vegetarian food (Breakfast and two
meals a day only) will be provided. Smoking, drinking and use of intoxicants are strictly prohibited.
7. The students who are admitted for the Course and complete the training shall give an undertaking
that they will pursue and practise the teachings in their life.
8. Application Form duly filled-in should reach the undersigned by 15-03-2020. The aim of the Yoga-
Vedanta Forest Academy is not merely an academic equipment of students, but to prepare the
students for a successful life in the world and to facilitate the living of a wholesome life with an
integrated personality. The Course conducted in this Academy is more of the nature of an all-round
discipline than merely providing students with scriptural learning or textual information.

For the Application Form and Prospectus please write to:

THE REGISTRAR,
The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy,
Also Application Form and Prospectus
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY,
can be downloaded from website
SHIVANANDANAGAR P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192
www.sivanandaonline.org
Distt: Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand
JAN, 2020 www.dlshq.org
Himalayas, INDIA
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone : 0135-2433541 (Academy)

Note:— (i) The selected student alone is expected to come. He is not permitted to bring along any
other family member or relative with him.
(ii) The above syllabus (vide 5) is subject to slight alterations without previous notice, in
case such a need arises.
56
 Applicable in India only

MEMBERSHIP FEE AND BRANCH AFFILIATION FEE OF

THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY HEADQUARTERS
SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192, Uttarakhand
1. New Membership Fee* ` 150/-
Admission Fee . . . . . . ` 50/-
Membership Fee . . . .. ` 100/-
2. Membership Renewal Fee (Yearly) ` 100/-
3. New Branch Opening Fee** ` 1,000/-
Admission Fee . . . . . ` 500/-
Afliation Fee . . . . . . ` 500/-
4. Branch Afliation (Renewal) Fee (Yearly) ` 500/-
* Application for Membership should be sent with Photo Identity
and Residential proof of the Applicant.
** Prior written permission has to be obtained from the Head
quarters for opening a New Branch.
ð Kindly send Membership Fee and Branch Afliation Fee by
Cheque or by DD payable at any Bank in Rishikesh.

IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR ‘‘REMITTANCE’’

All remittances to the D.L.S shall be by cheque/ D.D. drawn in
favour of “The Divine Life Society” Shivanandanagar,
Uttarakhand, payable at Rishikesh. A covering letter with Post Mail
address, Phone No, Email Id and PAN should accompany the
remittance.
In case of remittances through Electronic Money Order, please
send us a letter indicating purpose of remittance and EMO number
and date.
Remittance directly into our Bank Account without our consent
are not accepted by the Society due to Management and accounting
reasons.

57
58 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

REPORTS FROM THE D.L.S. BRANCHES

INLAND BRANCHES Prayers, Yogasana class,
Bargarh (Odisha): The Prabhat Pheri, Pravachans and
Branch had daily Swadhyaya, cultural programmes.
Pranayama and Meditation, Bhubaneswar (Odisha):
Rudrabhishek on Mondays, Daily Paduka Puja, weekly
Guru Paduka Puja on Satsang on Thursdays, mobile
Thursdays, weekly Satsang Satsang on Sundays and
every Saturday, and recitation of Ramataraka Mantra Japa on
Bhagavad Gita and discussion 24th of every month are the
on it on Sundays. The Oriya regular programmes of the
Magazine “Mahat Vani” was Branch. There was recitation of
published for free distribution, Hanuman Chalisa on 1st
and Homeopathic treatment of December. Gita Jayanti was
poor patients was carried on celebrated on 10th with Gita
regularly. Besides, Srimad Path and Havan. The Branch
Bhagavat Saptah was arranged arranged a Youth Camp on 29th,
from 23rd to 29th January, and and special Satsang on 31st. As
on 30th Sri Viswanath Mandir usual free treatment and
Pratistha Diwas was celebrated medicines were provided to
with Rudrabhishek, Paduka needy people.
Puja, Bhajan and Kirtan. Chandapur (Odisha): The
Bilaspur (Chattisgarh): Branch continued daily Puja,
The Branch conducted 9th DLS weekly Satsang on Saturdays,
State Spiritual Conference from Guru Paduka Puja on Thursdays
4th to 6th January. The and mobile Satsang on 8th and
programme was followed by 24th of every month. On 1st
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 59

January, New Year was Gita Jayanti on 10th, talk on

celebrated. Special Satsangs Atma Bodhah on 23rd and
were arranged on 10th and 15th Christmas on 25th. Mobile
with Sundarakanda Parayan. Satsang was held on 26th
There was recitation of Hanuman January with Paduka Puja,
Chalisa on 18th and 26th. recitation of Hanuman Chalisa,
Chatrapur (Odisha): Bhajan and Kirtan.
Daily Puja and study of Srimad Dalabhanapur (Odisha):
Bhagavat was continued by the The Branch had daily Yoga
Branch, besides weekly class, weekly Satsang on
Satsang on Thursdays. Tuesdays with Gita Path,
Monthly Jayanti ceremonies recitation of Hanuman Chalisa,
were held on 8th and 24th with Bhajan and Kirtan. Sadhana
Paduka Puja. Gita Jayanti was Day was held on 15th December,
celebrated from 7th to 9th and special Satsangs were
December with Gita Path. Five arranged on 22nd and 29th.
mobile Satsangs were arranged Dhananjayanagar
at the residence of devotees. (Odisha): The Branch celebrated
There was Sundarakanda annual day on 2nd January with
Parayan on 26th. talk on Bhagavata and Narayan
Cuttack (Odisha): During Seva. Besides, weekly Satsangs
the months of December and continued on Sundays.
January, daily Puja, weekly Gaham (Odisha): In the
Satsang on Thursdays and free month of January, the Branch
medical treatment continued. has successfully rendered
The Branch conducted special service to poor patients
Satsangs like Sadhana day on through Chidananda
1st December and 5th January, Centenary Charitable
60 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

Dispensary. Around 512 Maharaj Jayanti was observed

patients were examined and on 7th January with Paduka
provided with free medicines. Puja, Bhajan and Kirtan.
Gandhinagar (Gujarat): In Recitation of Vishnu
the month of December, the Sahasranam, Gita Path and
Branch had daily two-session Hanuman Chalisa were done
Yogasana class and weekly on Ekadasis. Special Satsangs
Satsang on Sundays. Besides were held on 21st December
this, nancial aid and medicines and 23rd and 30th January
were given to poor and needy with Paduka Puja and Bhajans.
patients, and also sweaters were They were concluded with
distributed to the students. Narayan Seva.
Gopinathpur (Odisha): The J a m s h e d p u r
Branch had daily morning (Jharkhand): The Branch
Prayers. Dattatreya Jayanti was continued its weekly Satsang on
celebrated on 11th December. Fridays, and organised free
There were Mahamantra drawing and Yoga classes for
Sankirtan on 3rd and 26th, and poor children of the Antyodaya
chanting of Vishwanatha Bastee every Sunday. On 1st
Stotram on 31st. The Branch January, New Year was
arranged Sadhana Shivir at celebrated with Gita Path,
S.C.B. High School from 22nd to Bhajan, recitation of Hanuman
24th. Chalisa, and a special Satsang
Jatni (Odisha): The was held on 26th.
Branch celebrated Gita Jayanti Jeypore (Odisha): The
on 10th December and Makar Branch had daily Puja, and
Sankranti on 15th January. weekly Satsang on Sundays and
H.H. Sri Swami Devanandaji Thursdays. Sivananda day was
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 61

observed on 8th of the month K a n p u r ( U. P . ) : U n d e r

with Puja and Havan. Srimad Birth Centenary Celebration of
Bhagavad Gita chanting and H.H. Sri Swami Premanandji
Havan were arranged on 15th Maharaj, the Branch conducted
December. Sundarakanda Path on 4th
Kabisuryanagar (Odisha): January, Narayan Seva on 5th,
Daily Narayan Seva and weekly and Paduka Puja on 7th.
Satsang on Thursdays and Besides, daily chanting of Maha
Sundays were continued Mrityunjaya Mantra was
regularly. Pravachan was continued. Monthly Satsang
arranged on Gopi Gita from 10th was held on 26th.
to 14th January. Makar Khatiguda (Odisha): The
Sankranti celebrated on 15th Branch continued its daily Puja
with Paduka Puja, Bhajan and and weekly Satsang on
Kirtan. Sadhana day was Thursdays. Sadhana day was
observed on 28th. observed on 5th January with
Kakinada (A.P.): The Paduka Puja and Swadhyaya
Branch conducted Pravachan etc. There was recitation of
on Sundarakanda on Mondays, Vishnu Sahasranam on
and Meditation, Bhajan, Ekadasis.
Parayan and Pravachan on all Kukuda Khandi (Odisha):
Wednesdays, Fridays and The Branch celebrated Gita
Saturdays. Kishora Bharati Jayanti from 1st to 12th
programme for students and December with Pravachan on
Narayana Seva for needy people Gita and Havan.
were on Sundays. The Branch Lanjipalli Ladies Branch
arranged Pravachan on Srimad (Odisha): The Branch continued
Bhagavatam every Saturday. regular daily Puja, weekly
62 THE DIVINE LIFE MARCH 2020

Satsang on Sundays, Paduka Jayanti was celebrated on 10th

Puja and mobile Satsang on and Sundarakanda Parayan
Thursdays. Special Satsang was was done on 16th. Besides,
arranged from 3rd to 7th weekly Satsang was continued
January and Narayan Seva on on Wednesdays.
15th. On 26th, a Blood Donation Panchkula (Haryana): The
camp was held where 33 Units of Branch continued daily
blood was collected by Red Cross Swadhyaya from Yoga Vashishtha
Blood Bank. Besides this, and Ramayana. Mobile Satsangs
Ekadasis were observed with were held on Sundays at the
chanting of Srimad Bhagavatam residence of devotees with Prayers,
and Gita, and recitation of Swadhyaya and chanting of
Hanuman Chalisa and Mahamantra for world peace etc.
Sundarakanda Parayan on On 24th, January Narayana seva
Sankranti day. was done, and milk, biscuits and
Lucknow (U.P.): The fruits were distributed to the
Branch celebrated Republic Day children at Radha Madhav Mandir
on 26th January, and regular School.
Satsang was held at Lekhraj Rourkela (Odisha):
Homes on 19th with Prayer, Weekly Satsang on Thursdays
Bhajan, Gita Path, Mantra Japa and Sundays continued with
and Swadhyaya etc. Paduka Puja, Bhajans,
Nayagarh (Odisha): The Swadhyaya and chanting of
Branch arranged Sadhana day Vishnusahasranam etc. As
on 8th December with Prayers, usual free Accupressure
Paduka Puja, Gita Path, treatment and medicines were
recitation of Hanuman Chalisa provided to needy people.
and Vishnu Sahasranam. Gita Special Satsangs were held on
MARCH 2020 NEWS & REPORTS 63

12th and 20th January. Sundays were continued

Sambalpur (Odisha): regularly. The Branch celebrated
Daily Puja, weekly Satsang on special occasions like: Gita
Sundays, Narayan Seva on Jayanti on 8th December with
Mondays, Sundarakanda Havan, Branch Foundation Day
Parayan on second Saturday, on 20th January, special
Paduka Puja on 8th and 24th of Satsangs on 24th and 25th,
every month were the regular Republic day on 26th.
programmes of the Branch. Sunabeda Ladies Branch
Homeopathic Dispensary as (Odisha): The Branch had daily
usual provided free treatment one hour Maha Mantra
and medicines for needy people. Sankirtan, weekly Satsang on
Gita Jayanti celebrated on 10th Sundays and Tuesdays with
December. Paduka Puja was Narayan Seva. Besides this,
done on 29th at the residence of a Ekadasis were observed with
devotee. Four special Satsangs recitation of Vishnu
were arranged on 31st December Sahasranam, and Gita Path, and
and on 1st, 9th and 31st recitation of Sundarakanda was
January, with chanting of done on Sankranti day. Bal Vikas
Mahamantra and Vishnu programme on Sunday afternoon
Sahasranam. These were continued as usual. Gita
concluded with Narayan Seva. Pravachan was conducted from
Steel Township - Rourkela 14th to 20th January.
(Odisha): Mobile Satsangs, free Warangal (Telangana):
Yoga and Music classes on The Branch conducted Satsang
Mondays, Guru Paduka Puja on on 11th January, and continued
Thursdays, Swadhyaya on helping 30 orphan children at its
Saturdays and weekly Satsang on Orphan Home.
 AVAILABLE BOOKS ON YOGA, PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
By H.H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj Inspiring Stories ................................................ 170/-
In the Hours of Communion .............................. 65/-
Adhyatma Yoga ................................................ ` 125/- Isavasya Upanishad .......................................... 30/-
Ananda Gita .................................................... 60/- Inspiring Songs & Kritans ................................. 130/-
Ananda Lahari ................................................. 35/- Japa Yoga ......................................................... 120/-
Analects of Swami Sivananda ........................... 55/- Jivanmukta Gita ............................................... 75/-
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda .................. 110/- Jnana Yoga ....................................................... 120/-
All About Hinduism .......................................... 255/- Karmas and Diseases ........................................ 20/-
Bazaar Drugs ................................................... 60/- Kathopanishad .................................................. 75/-
Beauties of Ramayana ...................................... 120/- Kenopanishad ................................................... 40/-
Bhagavad Gita (One Act Play) ........................... 35/- Kingly Science and Kingly Secret ....................... 165/-
Bhagavadgita Explained ................................... 55/- Know Thyself ..................................................... 65/-
Bhagavadgita (Text & Commentary) .................. 110/- *Kalau Keshavkirtanat ......................................... 300/-
Bhagavadgita (Text, Word-to-Word Meaning, Life and Teachings of Lord Jesus ....................... 80/-
Translation and Commentary) (H.B.) ................ 500/- Light, Power and Wisdom .................................. 55/-
” ” (P.B.) ........................ 490/- Lives of Saints.................................................... 375/-
Bhagavad Gita (Translation only) ..................... 65/- Lord Krishna, His Lilas and Teachings ............... 170/-
Bhakti and Sankirtan ...................................... 150/- Lord Siva and His Worship ................................ 155/-
Bliss Divine ..................................................... 480/- Maha Yoga ........................................................ 20/-
Blood Pressure—Its Cause and Cure ............... 65/- May I Answer That ............................................ 125/
Brahmacharya Drama ..................................... 40/- Mind—Its Mysteries and Control ....................... 255/-
Brahma Sutras ............................................... 375/- Mediation Know How .......................................... 180/-
Brahma Vidya Vilas ........................................ 75/- Meditation on Om ............................................. 60/-
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad ............................ 325/- Moral and Spiritual Regeneration....................... 75/-
Come Along, Let's Play .................................... 80/- Mother Ganga ................................................... 70/-
Concentration and Meditation ........................ 225/- Moksha Gita ..................................................... 55/-
Conquest of Mind ........................................... 330/- Mandukya Upanishad ....................................... 35/-
Daily Meditations ........................................... 95/- Music as Yoga ................................................... 80/-
Daily Readings ............................................... 95/- Nectar Drops ..................................................... 40/-
Dhyana Yoga .................................................. 125/- Narada Bhakti Sutras ........................................ 100/-
Dialogues from the Upanishads ...................... 100/- Parables of Sivananda ....................................... 75/-
Divine life for Children ................................... 90/- Passion and Anger ............................................. 20/-
Divine Life (A Drama)...................................... 25/- Pearls of Wisdom ............................................... 55/-
Divine Nectar ................................................. 230/- Philosophy and Signicance of Idol Worship ...... 25/-
Easy Path to God-Realisation ......................... 75/- Philosophical Stories .......................................... 65/-
Easy Steps to Yoga.......................................... 95/- Philosophy and Yoga in Poems ........................... 25/-
Elixir Divine ................................................... 35/- Philosophy of Life ............................................... 35/-
Essays in Philosophy ...................................... 75/- Philosophy of Dreams ........................................ 50/-
Essence of Bhakti Yoga .................................. 110/- Pocket Prayer Book ............................................ 35/-
Essence of Gita in Poems ............................... 35/- Pocket Spiritual Gems ........................................ 35/-
Essence of Principal Upanishads..................... 105/- Practical lessons in Yoga ................................... 120/-
Essence of Ramayana .................................... 110/- Practice of Ayurveda .......................................... 180/-
Essence of Vedanta ........................................ 165/- Practice of Bhakti Yoga ....................................... 305/-
Ethics of Bhagavad Gita.................................. 125/- Practice of Brahmacharya ................................... 125/-
Ethical Teachings ........................................... 105/- Practice of Karma Yoga ...................................... 150/-
Every Man’s Yoga ........................................... 160/- Practice of Nature Cure ...................................... 210/-
First Lessons in Vedanta ................................ 100/- Practice of Vedanta ............................................ 145/-
Fourteen Lessons on Raja Yoga ...................... 55/- Practice of Yoga .................................................. 215/-
Gems of Prayers ............................................. 70/- Precepts for Practice .......................................... 125/-
Glorious Vision (A Pictorial Guide) .................. 650/- Pushpanjali ........................................................ 35/-
God Exists ..................................................... 60/- Radha’s Prem ..................................................... U.P./-
God-Realisation ............................................. 60/- Raja Yoga ........................................................... 140/-
Gurudev Sivananda (Pictorial)........................ 250/- Revelation .......................................................... 130/-
Guru Bhakti Yoga ......................................... 100/- Religious Education ........................................... 65/-
Guru Tattwa ................................................. 50/- Sadhana ............................................................ 630/-
Hatha Yoga ................................................... 120/- Sadhana Chatushtaya ....................................... 35/-
Health and Diet ............................................ 110/- Saint Alavandar or The King's Quest of God ...... 40/-
Health and Happiness................................... 130/- Sarvagita Sara .................................................. 100/-
Heart of Sivananda ....................................... 115/- Satsanga and Swadhyaya ................................. 45/-
Health and Hygiene ...................................... 190/- Samadhi Yoga .................................................. 310/-
Himalaya Jyoti ............................................. 35/- Self-Knowledge .................................................. 155/-
Hindu Gods and Goddesses ......................... 100/- Science of Reality .............................................. 60/-
Hindu Fasts and Festivals ............................ 85/- Self-Realisation .................................................. 85/-
Home Nursing .............................................. 75/- Sermonettes of SW. Sivananda ........................... 130-
Home Remedies ........................................... 125/- Sivananda-Gita (Last printed in 1946) ................ 65/-
How to Become Rich .................................... 30/- Sixty-three Nayanar Saints ................................. 85/-
How to Cultivate Virtues and Eradicate Vices .... 180/- Spiritual Experiences ............................................ 135/-
How to Get Sound Sleep ..................... 70/- Spiritual Lessons .................................................. 115/-
How to Live Hundred Years ............................... 70/- Stories from Yoga Vasishtha ................................. 110/-
Illumination ...................................................... 60/- Student's Success in Life ...................................... 55/-
Illuminating Teachings of Swami Sivananda ...... 75/- Stories from Mahabharata..................................... 180/-

64
 Sureways for Success in Life ................................. 260/- Swami Sivananda—Saint, Sage and Godman ....... 205/-
Svara Yoga ........................................................... 75/- The Quintessence of the Upanishads ................... 45/-
*Sw. Sivananda - His Life in Pictures..................... 75/- The Role of Celibacy in the Spiritual Life .............. 25/-
Spiritual Treasure ................................................ 55/- The Divine Destination ........................................ 120/-
Spiritual Aspiration & Practice ............................ 115/- The Truth That Liberates ..................................... 35/-
Tantra Yoga, Nada Yoga and Kriya Yoga ............... 120/- *The All-Embracing Heart .................................... 100/-
Ten Upanishads ................................................... 165/- Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions .............. 80/-
The Devi Mahatmya ............................................. 120/- Verses Addressed to the Mind .............................. 155/-
The Divine Treasure of Swami Sivananda ............. 25/- Walk in This Light ............................................... 140/-
The Glorious Immortal Atman .............................. 50/- *Worshipful Homage ............................................ 500/-
The Science of Pranayama .................................... 70/- By Swami Krishnananda
Thought Power ..................................................... 75/- A Brief Outline of Sadhana .................................. 60/-
Thus Illumines Swami Sivananda.......................... 20/- Ascent of the Spirit .............................................. U.P.
Triple Yoga ........................................................... 95/- Chhandogya Upanishad........................................ 100/-
Total Thinking ...................................................... 110/- Commentary on the Bhagavadgita ....................... 485/-
Unity of Religions ................................................. 80/- Commentary on the Kathopanishad ..................... 145/-
Universal Moral Lessons ...................................... 45/- Commentary on the Mundaka Upanishad ............ 95/-
Upanishad Drama ............................................... 90/- Commentary on the Panchadasi (Vol - II) ............. 210/-
Upanishads for Busy People ................................ 40/- Epic of Consciousness ......................................... 20/-
Vairagya Mala ..................................................... 20/- Essays in Life and Eternity .................................. 50/-
Vedanta for Beginners ......................................... 55/- Interior Pilgrimage ............................................... 75/-
Voice of the Himalayas ......................................... 185/- Mundaka Upanishad ........................................... 40/-
Waves of Bliss ..................................................... 75/- Philosophy of Bhagavadgita.................................. 130/-
Waves of Ganga ................................................... 70/- Philosophy of Religion .......................................... 50/-
Wisdom in Humour ............................................. 70/- Realisation of the Absolute ................................... 125/-
Wisdom Sparks.................................................... 70/- Religion and Social Values ................................... 50/-
World Peace ........................................................ 95/- Resurgent Culture ............................................... 20/-
What Becomes of the Soul after Death ................. 150/- Self-Realisation, Its Meaning and Method ............ 45/-
Yoga and Realisation ........................................... 120/- Sri Swami Sivananda and His Mission ................. 45/-
Studies in Comparative Philosophy....................... U.P.
Yoga Asanas ........................................................ 85/-
Sessions with Ashram Residents .......................... 300/-
Yoga for West ...................................................... 35/-
The Attainment of the Innite .............................. 50/-
Yoga in Daily Life ................................................. 75/- The Development of Religious Consciousness ...... 85/-
Yoga Vedanta Dictionary ...................................... 70/- The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad .......................... 250/-
Yoga Question & Answers ...................................... 95/- The Heart and Soul of Spiritual Practice .............. 150/-
Yoga Vedanta Sutras ............................................ 90/- The Mighty God-Man of our Age ........................... 75/-
The Tree of Life .................................................... 60/-
By Swami Chidananda The Vision of Life ................................................. 85/-
The Yoga of Meditation ........................................ 70/-
A Guide to Noble Living......................................... 55/- The Universality of Being ..................................... 100/-
An Instrument of Thy Peace.................................. 265/- Ture Spiritual Living II.......................................... 135/-
Awake, Realise Your Divinity ................................ 195/- The Glory of God .................................................. 90/-
*Autobiography (Swami Chidananda) ................... 150/- The Spiritual Import of the Mahabharata and
Bilss is Within ...................................................... 95/- The Bhagavad Gita 190/-
*Chidanandam (The Joy of Knowing Him) ............. 300/- The Struggle for Perfection ................................... 35/-
*Cosmic Benefactor .............................................. 300/- Yoga as a Universal Science ................................. 65/-
Ego ...................................................................... 20/- Yoga, Meditation and Japa Sadhana .................... 30/-
Essentials of the Higher Values of Life .................. 65/- Your Questions Answered..................................... U.P.
Eternal Messages ................................................. 45/- Others
Forest Academy Lectures on Yoga ......................... 325/- Bhajan Kirtan in Gurudev's Kutir ........................ 60/-
Gita Vision ........................................................... 20/- Ekadasa Upanishadah ........................................ 140/-
God As Mother ..................................................... 85/- From Man to God-Man (N. Ananthanarayanan) .... 170/-
Guidelines to Illumination .................................... 120/- Greatness Amidst Us ........................................... 40/-
Lectures on Raja Yoga .......................................... 80/- Guru Gita (Swami Narayanananda) ..................... 95/-
Life ....................................................................... 25/- I Live to Serve ...................................................... 25/-
Light-Fountain ..................................................... 80/- *Memories of Swami Chidananda ........................ 250/-
Liberation Is Possible! ........................................... 30/- Miracles of Sivananda .......................................... 80/-
Sivananda Day-To-Day ........................................ 85/-
Light on the Yoga Way of Life ................................ 30/-
Sivananda: Poet, Philosopher and Saint
Manache Shlok ..................................................... 30/-
(Dr. Savitri Asopa) .................................. 70/-
Message of Swami Chidananda to Mankind .......... 45/- Sivananda : Raja Yoga (Vol-4) .............................. 355/-
New Beginning ..................................................... 45/- Sivananda : Bhakti Yoga (Vol-5) ........................... 175/-
Path Beyond Sorrow ............................................. 155/- Sivananda Vedanta (Jnana Yoga).......................... 230/-
Path to Blessedness ............................................. 105/- Sivananda: The Darling of Children
Ponder These Truths ............................................ 245/- Sw. Sivananda-Hridayananda.............................. 30/-
Practical Guide to Yoga ........................................ 50/- Sw. Sivananda Chitrakatha .................................. 45/-
Renunciation—A Life of Surrender and Trust......... 25/- Sivananda Integral Yoga ................................... 65/-
Seek the Beyond ................................................... 300/- The Holy Stream .................................................. 185/-
*Souvenir ............................................................. 200/- This Monk from India .......................................... 125/-
Swami Chidananda Talks in South Africa ............. 135/- Yoga Divine.......................................................... 60/-
Swami Sivananda our Loving Awakener ................ 80/- Yoga Sutras of Patanjali ....................................... 60/-

For Direct Orders: The Divine Life Society, Shivanandanagar—249 192, Uttarakhand, India.
For online orders and Catalogue visit: dlsbooks.org

*No Discount on these Star-marked Books 65

 NEW RELEASE!

Part - I Pages: 456 Price: ` 415/- Part - II Pages: 448 Price: ` 410/-
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A beautiful and lucid verse-to-verse English translation of 'Sri
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A Trip to Sacred Kailas – Education for Perfection Bhagavad Gita for the Blind
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An inspiring spiritual travelogue by A soul-elevating address of
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Pages: 64 Price: ` 30/- Pages: 40 Price: ` 25/- Pages: 48 Price: ` 30/-
Particulars under Section 19D Sub-section (b) of the Press
and Registration of Books Act:
1. Name of the Publication:..... The Divine Life
2. Place of Publication:............ Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy Press
Shivanandanagar, Uttarakhand
3. Publisher's Name:.............. Swami Advaitananda
4. Periodicity of Publication:... Monthly
5. Editor's Name:................... Swami Nirliptananda
6. Nationality:........................ Indian
7. Address:............................ The Divine Life Society,
P.O. Shivanandanagar—249 192,
Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand
8. Language:.......................... English
9. Owners:............................. The Divine Life Trust Society,
Registered under the Societies'
Registration Act of the Government
I, Swami Advaitananda, hereby declare that the particulars given above
are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

1st March, 2020 Swami Advaitananda

PUBLISHER

To serve the poor, the sick, the saints and the country, to
raise the fallen, to lead the blind, to share what you have with
others, to bring solace to the aficted, to cheer up the suffering
are your ideals. To have perfect faith in God, to love your
neighbour as your own Self, to love God with all your heart,
mind and soul, to protect cows, animals, children and women
should be your watchword. and your goal should be God-
realisation.
Registrar of Newspapers for India Postal-Registration No. TRI/006/2018-20
No. 2395/57
LICENSED TO POST WITHOUT PREPAYMENT
MARCH 2020 (Inland) Licence No. WPP No. 03/18-20 Valid upto: 31-12-2020
(Foreign) Licence No. UA/FGN/01/18-20 Valid upto: 31-12-2020
Posted at Shivanandanagar P.O., Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand
DATE OF POSTING : 15TH OF EVERY MONTH:
P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR—249192

ILLUSION ORIGINATING
FROM EXCESSIVE EXTROVERSION
The senses have been created with a natural
tendency to ow out towards the objective universe.
The externalisation dissipates the rays of the mind,
weakens the intellect and blinds the eye of intuitive
perception: Unity is falsely represented as diversity;
the untrue appears to be true; pain appears to be
pleasure and shadow holds out greater charms than
the Substance Itself. This is the path of Preyas (the
pleasant) which the dull-witted ignorant man pursues.

To

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