In 1956, during the auspicious brahmamuhurta
Satyam was initiated,
into kriya yoga sadhana by his delighted guru who then stated,
“O son! Adorned with sannyasa,
may you become a conqueror of all directions,
travel all over the world as a parivrajak
without any binding ties or connections.
People the world over are ailing and in dire distress,
teach them yoga so they are relieved of their stress.
In this era, for the benefit and welfare of suffering humanity,
it is necessary to bring yoga out of the caves and into society.
Yoga is not only useful for an ascetic or sannyasin,
but for householders too it is an unerring medicine.”
Prostrating before his guru, Satyananda left the ashram,
with 108 rupees and two dhotis being his sole possession.
Hearing about his departure
his fellow-sannyasins were greatly saddened,
they wondered aloud to each other
as to why he had decided to leave them.
Then the guru spoke thus, in order to dispel their lingering doubts,
“Tell me, is it possible to stop the sea or the thunder of rainclouds?
The rays of the sun, or the light of the moon,
or furious storm and rain,
or the changing of seasons –
trying to halt any of these is totally in vain.
Satyananda was born for the welfare of humanity,
any attempt to stop him is an exercise in futility.
I am totally convinced, assured and certain of the fact,
that his scientific teaching of yoga will have a deep impact.
Without a doubt India will become a Jagatguru
in various realms, and in the sphere of yoga too.
When he travels to western countries,
yoga will flourish definitely.
Those countries are quite advanced,
materially and technologically,
There yoga-related research will be quite conducive and fruitful.
For reviving and refining yoga, science will prove very helpful.
Instead of feeling sad, all of you should be rejoicing,
each one of you should aspire to work hard like him.”
Extracts from Srimat Satyananda Charitamritam – The Immortal, Inspiring Life Story of Swami Satyananda, published in Satyam Aradhana