This year, as in earlier years, Sri Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji’s birthday was celebrated. His devotees, disciples and spiritual leaders from India as well as abroad have sent their greetings and felicitations.
Under the auspices of the Divine Life Society a grand function was held on the eighth day of this month. Large numbers of devotees from all over India and abroad have gathered to receive Sri Gurudev’s blessings and this program at Sivanandanagar was unprecedented.
Sri Swamiji has incarnated in this age to show mankind the path to divine life. His teachings are not confined to any particular religion or community, instead he has come to initiate the souls of all religions and nations into the mantra of auspiciousness.
His dharma is not based on the narrow, limiting principles of religion or nation; his dharma does not propound complex austerities, complicated yoga or feeble knowledge, rather it is to illuminate the vastness of life which is shrouded in the darkness of ignorance. Where there is attraction and repulsion in the world, he brings affinity towards all beings; where evil and sin exist, there he brings purity; where there is desire and anger, he brings restraint; and where there is war and strife, he brings peace. Sri Gurudev has incarnated with the purpose of realizing and establishing the divine life.
There is no show or pomp in his demeanour; there are no obscure secrets in his yoga; there is no selfishness in his love; there is no trace of arrogance in his work – by presenting the true ideal of a straightforward and good person to all mankind, he is loved by all and extolled all over the world. ‘Simple living, pure thinking, good actions, good intentions’ – these are the cornerstones and goals of his yoga, dharma, philosophy and propagation; he has adopted many different methods in order to explain these ideas and principles.
Of course, 6 + 3 equals 9 but 7 + 2, 5 + 4 or 1 + 8 also equals 9. Similarly, there are many practices of Sivananda Yoga which all yield the fruits of a divine life, good thoughts, good conduct and good behaviour. What better aim can any religion or philosophy aspire to? This is the real meaning of moksha, liberation; these are the qualities which indicate true liberation; this is the actual challenge and test of self-realization; this is where the ultimate fulfilment of life flowers and flourishes. This is why Sivananda Yoga is a complete yoga, a pure yoga, a yoga which brings true welfare and is an aid to life. Dear Lord, may this yogi be immortal!