Today, on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami, we are officially inaugurating and celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Bihar School of Yoga. The Diamond Jubilee of Bihar School of Yoga signifies something special as it also coincides with the centenary celebration of our guru, Sri Swami Satyanandaji.
An institution should not be looked at by what it does, for what it does today, it will continue to do tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. As future generations come, and as the institution, the organization advances into the future, people will only remember its contribution to yoga. They will remember it as a centre of yoga. Is it really a centre of yoga? I would say, ‘No.’ Bihar School of Yoga has contributed to the propagation of yoga, however it should not be limited to being called a centre or school of yoga. Why?
Every organization has a founder, and every founder has an aspiration, a goal and a vision. It is with that aspiration, goal and vision that they establish an organization. So, what was the goal, the intent, aspiration and aim of Sri Swami Satyanandaji when he established Bihar School of Yoga? People know that he followed the mandate of his master to propagate yoga from door to door and shore to shore, and to fulfil the mandate, he established Bihar School of Yoga in Munger.
There is another story. Sri Swami Sivanandaji instructed all his disciples, ‘Do not teach philosophy; do not preach religion; teach and live the practical, scientific, simple and easily understandable science, subject, tradition and lifestyle of yoga.” His disciples spread throughout the world in the decade of the 1960s. They became the front line exponents of the yogic science and tradition in the world, when nobody knew what yoga was.
To Sri Swamiji he also gave the mandate to spread yoga from door to door and shore to shore, yet there is another story behind it, for Sri Swami Sivanandaji said:
To others, I give other tasks,
But of you Satyam, an arched bridge made of light, I ask.
For all the people on earth that suffer and strain,
They will come to the bridge to ease their pain.
Make a Bridge of Yoga across the depths and dark,
That shines forth its glory in a radiant arc.
And Satyam said, ‘People will come with heavy hearts,
And with mud on their soles and shoes.
How will I build a bridge so bright,
That will not be tarnished and worn into holes?’
And Sivam said, ‘With the best of yourself, alone,
For your heart is stronger than a diamond.
Put a piece of it in the foundation and the bridge will hold.
Also put in a piece of the hearts of those you love,
And they will also be a part of the radiant bridge above.
Make a Bridge of Yoga in a luminous arc,
That shines its light constantly, in the dark.
Teach Yoga Vidya to all your followers,
And they will maintain it pristine and bright,
For all future travellers and seekers of light.’
This was the mission, aspiration and aim with which Sri Swamiji left Sivanandashram and established Bihar School of Yoga in Munger in 1963. At the time of inauguration of Bihar School of Yoga, he lit the eternal lamp, the eternal light. The meaning and purpose of lighting that eternal light is simple. The light of the lamp is the transcendental, liberating light that all beseech:
O, light of the lamp, I hail thee.
It is freedom from limitations that I seek.
Grant me health, happiness, harmony, auspiciousness and prosperity.
O, light of my soul, I salute thee,
For destruction of my negativity,
For igniting the light of my soul.
I salute thee, O, light of God,
And I bow to the light of Guru,
For unveiling the light of the Lord.
It was with this sankalpa that he lit the Akhanda Deepak in Bihar School of Yoga to inaugurate his work and mission, and to inspire future generations to remember that it is the luminous path that we walk. We have to walk the luminous path, and every effort has to be made for the health, happiness and spiritual prosperity of every individual. That is the mission of Bihar School of Yoga. Sri Swamiji gave the mandate to Bihar School of Yoga to spread health, happiness and spiritual prosperity.
Then he left, for the mandate of his guru was achieved and fulfilled. When he was in isolation performing his own austerities in Rikhiapeeth, he established the teachings of his guru. In Munger, he established the mandate of his guru; in Rikhiapeeth, he established the teachings of his guru, which was to serve, to love and to give. He also inspired a third vision and mission in form of Sannyasa Peeth. It is established in Munger for those people who are dedicated to walk the luminous path and contribute for the development and well being of all humanity. Without thinking of themselves, only with one goal, one mission – to live and work for others and to uplift others.
These are the three missions, actions and inspirations of Sri Swami Satyanandaji. The luminous bridge that Swami Sivanandaji spoke about in 1956, Sri Swamiji made through his actions and continuous inspiration. This year, on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of the Bihar School of Yoga and the birth centenary of our master, Sri Swami Satyanandaji, we have made a bridge out of matter. Sri Swamiji made the bridge of inspiration and we made a bridge out of matter.
When you enter the ashram, you will see the Satyam Setu, the Bridge of Satyam. It has three approaches, depicting the three inspirations of Sri Swamiji. The first is the yogic inspiration; the second is the service inspiration; and the third is the inspiration of samarpan, complete dedication. These three paths lead to Satyam, to truth, auspiciousness, benevolence and goodness, for ultimately that is our aspiration and goal. We may fail, we may falter, we may fall, yet every time we fail, falter and fall, there has to be an awareness that we have to get up again and continue with our journey towards positivity and light. The bridge represents that continuous journey towards positivity and light.
Under the three approaches of the bridge are the three oceans, the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean, which Sri Swamiji crossed to bring the light of yoga and the teachings of his master, Sri Swami Sivanandaji, to each and every one who came in contact with him. He used to say, “I shall consider the purpose of my life fulfilled, when I am able to fill the hearts of millions with the teaching and inspiration of my master.”
It is with the same sentiment that we offer our gratitude and respect to Sri Swamiji. We dedicate this year as the year of selfless service, a year of love and as a year of compassion for one and all. It is not only the yogic work, the spiritual work or the social work; it is the upliftment of the community. Wherever we are, in whatever way we can, let us try to uplift the community where we live, and the community which supports us and helps us grow and develop.
Last year in Munger, different projects were taken up. An effort was made to improve the situations and the plight of people in Munger, and to give them hope and faith that they can be helped by people to regain their health and happiness. This year too, there are definite plans to help the community at large. Rikhia is helping in their region. Munger is helping in this region.
All of you, who come from different areas and parts of the world, must also make an effort, in whatever small way you can, to carry this message of service, unity and luminosity wherever you go and with whomever you come in contact. In that manner, we can also make an effort and attempt to fill the hearts of many with the teachings of our masters, who have illuminated our path and are inspiring us to continue with this journey for the betterment of our community and for future generations. This is the aim of Bihar School of Yoga during its Diamond Jubilee year; and this will be the effort of all aspirants, devotees and disciples during the birth centenary year of our master Sri Swamiji.
26 January 2023, Ganga Darshan, Munger