Inspiring Talks of Gurudev Sivananda
17th November, 1948
SIVA IN EVERY NOOK AND CORNER
Swami Brahmanandaji, an aged Sadhu, came to the Ashram for a day’s stay. Siva nicely entertained him with fruits and milk, gave him the magazine and leaflets and attended to the Swami’s comforts.
‘Swamiji,’ said Swami B., ‘I had been to Ceylon. I have wandered about in the interior of far-off Ceylon. But, I was surprised to find that you have your disciples in that country also. I saw a devotee in that country also. I saw a devotee in the countryside of Ceylon and he said that he has been one of your silent admirers and disciples for a considerable time past.’
Vishnuji took the visiting Sadhu to the temple, Guha, etc. When he returned Swami B. told Siva: ‘Swamiji, from the road I thought that the hillock grew on it only jungles. But what a fine Ashram you have built over it! It is a miracle and a great revelation when one goes up the hillock.’
NOT YET CONFIRMED
Sri Ram Ram Ram of Lucknow is an aged devotee. Even in his advanced age he is reluctant to give up his practice as an advocate. He has, however, been a pious devotee who has regularly visited Rishikesh and attended Satsang on every occasion. Siva sounded him: ‘Why not retire from active life and practise contemplation? You have worked enough: you have no encumbrances.’
‘But, Swamiji, though I have attended Satsang all these years and though I have been doing Japa and Dhyana all these years, I have not yet a confirmed belief in God and His name. There is yet Moha for family, for position, for money and for worldly life. It is strange, Swamiji, I confess.’
‘Maya is powerful,’ said Siva: ‘and, except in very rare cases when the Samskaras are very strong, taste for a life of contemplation does not manifest itself in man. No doubt, Satsang, Japa and Dhyan, help a Sadhaka a lot. But the Avarana of Avidya or the veil of ignorance is so thick that these are not sufficient to pierce it.
They only create Samskaras which take shape in future births. But, if at the same time you do Vichara, develop Viveka and cultivate Vairagya, then the progress is extremely rapid. Vairagya and Viveka are absolutely necessary. Without these no amount of Satsang, Japa, or Dhyan will produce immediate results. Maya is extremely powerful: she can be annihilated only through Dridha Vairagya (intense dispassion).’
18th November, 1948
NO WARM RECEPTION
Swami…., who had once stayed at the Ashram for a considerable time and who had done a lot of work for the Society, had come and gone away. There was a mild discussion about his attitude towards the Ashram.
‘Swamiji, perhaps he did not stay on at the Ashram because he was not given a rousing reception he might have expected.’
‘What reception? A Sanyasin should not have such expectations and desires.’
THE ACID TEST
‘He left the Ashram to do intense Tapasya and Sadhana. If he had really done much Tapasya or Sadhana, he would have developed the loving heart, an entirely changed angle of vision, and this would have electrified whomever he met here. He would have adopted an attitude of humility, of service, of brotherly love towards everyone here. He would thus have endeared himself to everyone. Naturally a different atmosphere would have been created. This is the way. He should always conquer people’s hearts through love and service. There is no other way. If he was not able to do that, it means the Sadhana was a continuous indulgence in inertia and an increased fattening of the ego.’
Good lesson we ourselves learnt today. What more precious lessons can Tapasya teach us? Better to serve selflessly and egolessly than to add to our egoism by other means.
SHIP OF LIFE
We should much rather surrender ourselves at Siva’s feet and let him carry the burden. It is possible by progressively opening up the Antahkarana to Siva’s daily teachings and actions to imbibe his divinity: when the fire of Siva-Sankalpa has burnt our ignorance, the flame of knowledge will get lighted and burn brilliantly illumining every nook and corner of our being.
Strangely enough, the same thoughts have found expression in a letter which we received just today from Srimathi Sivaramaseetha Bai of Tuticorin:
‘There are three types of Jnanis,’ she says. ‘There are the Muktha Purushas who are like the small pieces of wood that float on the surface of a river. They can float, but they cannot bear the burden of even one small bird. If the bird sits on this piece of wood, the wood will sink.
Then, there are the Nityas. Like a country boat these Jnanis will take along with them beyond the ocean of Samsara a small band of devotees. Then there are the Avatara Purushas. They are like huge steamers.
Without the least effort, as though playfully, they can carry over their shoulders thousands of Jivas with all their burdens, their bag and baggage (viz., their sins and Samskaras) and take them to the other shore of immortality or God-realisation. You are like the great ocean-going liner: you belong to the third class of Jnanis—the Avatara Purushas,’ says she addressing Siva. She has given another beautiful description:
‘Muktas are like a small lantern placed in a room. This is not of any use to those outside. Nityas are like the street lights. They illumine a whole street. But Avatara Purushas are like the sun. They illumine the entire universe. Like the sun, the Avatara Purusha helps the entire world. You belong to this class of Jnanis. I rejoice when I hear of your glory and service: the glory and service of a true spiritual sun. I rejoice that South India has been thrice blessed in giving birth to an Avatara Purusha like you.’
Well done. You have diagnosed the Doctor of the Soul himself accurately—that is what we should say to Sri Sivaramaseetha Bai.
LESSON IN BEGGING
Sri Swami Muruganandaji wants to lead a life of seclusion and Tapasya. He came to the office to take leave of Siva.
‘Swamiji, I intend to go to Andhra Ashram and stay there for some time. Then I shall find out a suitable place for myself.
‘But, whenever you go, you should make yourself useful. Then only will people like you. Merely taking Bhiksha and sitting idly somewhere is not Yoga. That is Tamasic indulgence. Not only will people not like you, but your own progress will be slow. Combine meditation with service. Then everyone will like you and your progress will also be quick.
‘All right: you can remain wherever you like. Take Bhiksha from the Kshetra. But, you should know the method! Come: I will show you how. Sit here. Now, you are the kitchen manager who distributes the food. You should make a nice bag of your cloth like this. Then hang it on your forearm like this. Go to the man who gives roties. Receive the roties gracefully bending your body, like this. Then catch hold of the loose ends of the cloth with the left hand itself (do not place the improvised bag on the floor) and, with the right hand, take the dhal in the vessel. Then go to the vegetable-walah: take the vegetables and walk off,’ Siva demonstrated the entire process: made M. also do so.
‘Swamiji, the main difficulty for me is that I do not know the language and there are no people here whom I know or who know me. Therefore, I intend to go to South India.’
‘What is this? A Sanyasin should always remain in a place where he is least known. That is the secret behind the Parivrajak life also. Familiarity not only breeds contempt in some quarters, but Moha in others, too. That is very bad. Always remain unknown, a stranger wherever you go. That is the gate to Moksha. And serve at every opportunity that you get. OM Namah Sivaya.’
M. left ultimately for his own South India.
RUB EVERYWHERE: SMALL OR BIG
A Chettiar from the South was describing the affairs of a well-known Ashram. There are parties and cliques: power-politics with national politics thrown in. Provincialism, caste distinctions: distinctions between high and low.
Siva remarked in jest, though with deep significance: ‘Everywhere there is rub. Only in some places it is a small rub: in others it is big rub. World is a place of rubs only. And, which Ashram or locality is ‘out’ of the world? The ideal Ashram is a place where there is the least rub!’
ALWAYS SING ANANDOHAM
Sri Aravamudan had a pricking conscience: he had told an unpremeditated lie, without realising its consequences. And, peculiarly (as it often happens with Siva) events so contrived themselves that it was exposed, though the consequences were not serious, again thanks to the presence of Siva. With a contrite heart, A. had written a note apologising for the mistake and left it on Siva’s table.
On seeing (at first sight), Siva exclaimed: ‘What? Aravamudan is leaving the Ashram?’
‘No, Swamiji, he has only left a note.’
‘Achcha. About that incident?’ Siva threw the note down without reading it further. ‘Whenever someone unusually places a note on my table or prostrates, I take it to be an indication of ‘OM Namo Narayanaya, I am going to Uttarkashi.’ (To A.) ‘Don’t worry. These slips do occur in a man’s life. Learn the lesson: profit by it: then, forget the whole even. Always sing Anandoham: never ‘worryoham’.
A WEEK WITH SIVA
Sri Lakshmi Narayan Chetlur from Geneva had stayed for a week at the Ashram and intended to leave for Geneva tomorrow. He delivered a short talk in the Bhajan Hall on the benefit he had derived from his stay for a week at the Ashram. I give below some points from his lecture:
‘Four and a half years ago, I happened to see on my father’s table a few works of Swamiji and also a spiritual diary. I tried to study the books and also to maintain the spiritual diary. The keeping of the diary was at that time rather a difficult job. Later I went to Europe. There I felt that I should have a more thorough knowledge of Yoga and should be in a position to take Eastern culture into the West. This time when I came to India I wanted to utilise this short visit in the acquisition of this knowledge. Therefore I came to the Ashram. Have I been benefited in my quest?
‘Yes: as a result of my stay here for a week, the meaning of life has become infinitely more clear to me. I have often been drawn out of my self-imposed seclusion and taught the principles of Yoga. I find in the Ashram a congenial atmosphere in which everyone works in a spirit of brotherly love. I find, too, that the moment one enters the Ashram one forgets all about caste, creed, colour and nationality. I find one family from California, a couple of Sadhaks from Africa, all mixing freely together, as though they are all members of one fraternity. Unsolicited, the Ashramites go out of their way, greet me and help me in solving my problems. That is something which marks this Ashram out from others.
‘I leave with a definite feeling that I have been benefited in the moral fabric of my being.’
Later, Siva gave him invaluable instructions in regard to his propaganda work in the West, and encouraged him in his endeavours to spiritualise the Indian Association in Geneva of which he is the Secretary.
‘There is no harm in having a materialistic department in the organisation. You need finance to run the Association. You need to attract people to the cause. I will tell you a secret. Open a small restaurant with the help of an Indian cook. The dosai there will attract a large clientele.
You will be financially benefited: and you will get a large membership for the Association, too. You can then introduce them into Yoga and work wonders. All these are necessary in the present age.’
Then Sri R.V. Sastri explained how many immoral people had been turned to the divine path by Siva contributing articles to very low-class trash journals.
‘People first purchase the journal to read the trash stories. Later they find in it one page of matter which is absolutely the opposite of the matter contained in the others. There comes a moment in the life of every man, a hit somewhere, a knock somewhere, when he turns to God. This one-page catches fire in his heart at that psychological moment: he turns away from the rubbish and buys the magazine only for this one page. It goes to such an extent that he cuts the page away from the ugly matter of the magazine and then reads.’
That is the secret. Siva will find out the worldly man’s weak-points, and seemingly try to feed him there, but inwardly draw him to Divine Life. This is what Lord Krishna was doing: an art in which He, too, was an adept.
19th November, 1948
CHILD MAKES THE AGED CHILDREN
Sri S.Y. Krishnaswami, I.C.S., and his wife have come again from Delhi. Siva met them after they had finished their night-meal: in the Dining Hall.
‘You have had your meal?’
‘Yes, Swamiji. Last time we came here, we had a great desire to attend the evening Bhajan: but we could not. So, today we have come with the express intention of attending the Bhajan. When we returned to Delhi, we were always thinking of the calm and serene atmosphere of Rishikesh. It is only your Ashirvad that has brought us back here.’
‘Very good. There is, I think, not one better place in the whole world, than Rishikesh. You must settle down here. What job, money, family, wealth, position? Peace you can get only in this sort of life.’
‘I entirely agree with you, Swamiji. I have enjoyed all the comforts and joys that worldly life has to offer man. I have travelled all over the world. First I went to America through the Western route. The second time I went through the East. I have stayed in the very best hotel in America paying thirty-five dollars a day. I have presided over international conferences. But, nothing like spending even one evening here, sharing the simple food, leading the simple life, sleeping in a simple cottage.’
In the Bhajan Hall Siva prompted Sri Krishnaswami to sing. And, in the magnetic aura of this child-like Siva, K. forgetting the urban life he was accustomed to, and sang a couple of stanzas from Ananda Lahari, beautifully and with Bhav. Siva greatly appreciate the songs.
Old Satchidanandaji also sang. It was a thrilling Satsang gathering. All old men become like children in the presence of this utterly simple child Siva!
27th November, 1948
TAGORE OF SOUTH INDIA SINGS SIVA’S GLORY
At the Bhajan Hall, during the evening Satsang, Sri of Kaveripoompattinam, a great author of repute, whose famous stories and novels had earned for him the title of ‘Tagore of South India’ spoke. Even before he commenced, the tender Siva in maternal affection had requested Sri K.S.V.:
‘If your health permits, you may speak a few words: otherwise, please, do not strain yourself.’ Such is Siva’s natural concern for others.
Sri K.S.V. spoke of his great admiration for the Nama-Prachar that Siva has been carrying on in the country, and particularly for the fact that the Akhanda Maha Mantra Kirtan was going on in the Ashram. ‘An infinite power is generated where this Mantra is repeated and that works out for the good of the individuals concerned and of the world at large. I have just visited the famous Samadhi of Bodhendra Swami, the great exponent of Nama-Sankirtanam: and I am very happy to find here another great Swamiji carrying on the same tradition. If devotion to the Lord and His name is today kept up in the human heart it is due to the Herculean endeavours of Swami Sivanandaji.’
28th November, 1948
INITIATION INTO ASANOLOGY
Sr. K.S. Venkataramani is leaving for Delhi today. He was in the Sivananda Publication League section purchasing some of the Ayurvedic Pharmacy products, books, etc.
‘Venkataramaniji, I wanted to teach you some Asans and Kriyas before you go.’ So saying, Siva got out of his seat and met Sri K.S.V. half-way. And, unceremoniously Siva sat on the ground where he thought fit! Then he started demonstrating Asans to the astonishment of Sri K.S.V. and Sri R.V. Sastriji.
‘This is Uddiyana Bandha. Pumping it quickly, it becomes Agnisara kriya. These two act as natural insulin. The pancreatic secretion is increased. This is Maha Mudra. Just bend and try to touch the knee with your nose. It is not necessary that you should actually do so—a mere effort is sufficient. And, this is Paschimottanasan. These are all natural treatments for diabetes. You can do them just for a few minutes every day.’
With profound gratitude, K.S.V. said: ‘Swamiji, what wonderful Kriyas these are. What a wonderful spiritual heritage we have, which we do not know. The pity is that the average man today is not aware of the very existence of these Asans, Kriyas and so on. But for you, they would have been altogether forgotten. Indeed, in this respect I must say you have rendered a service which no one else has done.’
MODERATION IS SATVIC FOOD
Then Sri K.S.V. wanted to know if Brahmi-Buti would be of use to him.
‘Yes, it is very good. Soak almonds in water overnight: peel them: make them into a paste along with Brahmi Buti in the morning. Prepare a sherbat and take it, say, after your morning coffee.’
‘Swamiji, I thought of it only as a substitute to coffee which I want to give up altogether.’
‘No, no. You need not give it up. It is necessary for brain-workers like you. The prohibition is only for the sake of those who drink gallons of coffee every day. Always observe strict moderation in diet. Then, whatever food you take becomes Satvic.’
SIVA TRIES A SANDAL ON
I watched Siva coming, through the window of the office. I thought: ‘Why is he walking so slowly, almost limping?’ Siva’s gait is always majestic (even if he is not well) and his pace fast. Siva noticed my curiosity.
‘In all these sixty-two years I have not worn these!’ He pointed to the sandals (chappals) he was wearing. ‘My shoes started pinching and I noticed small eruptions on my feet. So, I am trying these on. But, being unaccustomed to it, I feel a strange uneasiness. I feel as though the sandals would slip off. I have to grip them tightly with my toes.’
‘Man is born with nothing in this world. The child gets a toy: and grips it tightly, lest it should lose the toy. The boy gets a chocolate, and holds it tightly. The man grips tightly to himself wife, children, property, position, prestige, etc., lest he should lose them. These are the glamorous objects that allure the human being. Once he throws them away and rests in his own Swarupa, he is at peace.’
DECEMBER, 1948
1st December, 1948
TAPO BHUMI
Sri Lakshminarayama Sastrigal and his sister came into the office and bowed to Siva. After enquiring about their health, etc., and whether they had taken their morning coffee and tiffin, Siva said:
‘Take your bath in hot water. It is rather cold today and cloudy, too.’
Smilingly, Sri Lakshmi Ammal said: ‘Swamiji, should we take hot water bath on the very bank of the Ganga? But, the water of the Ganga is really very cold: otherwise, we would have taken our bath earlier in the morning as we usually do in the South.’
‘That is different. Uttara Khand is Tapo Bhumi. The Achara of the south does not apply to those who live here. The very life here is Tapas and soul-purifying. The very atmosphere bathes us continually in a spiritual Jnana Ganga.’ After a pause, Siva added half in humour: ‘Do you know?
When Suka Deva was roaming about in the Himalayan forests, he did not even clean his teeth.
He purchased a packet of tooth powder only when he reached Delhi.’
Side splitting laughter was the result of this humorous remark full of sublime import.
SANYASIN IS NOT HUMAN BEING?
In the evening, after the Kirtan, Siva took Srimathi Lakshmi Ammal round to the Library, to the stock-room of books, to the Yoga Museum, to the Yajnashala and the photographic dark room. Padmanabhanji was showing them the photo-printing process. When this inspection was over and we were about to leave the dark room, Siva said:
‘What has a Sanyasin go to do with photography? What use has he for photographs?’
We turned to Siva himself for an answer.
After a few moments, Siva added: ‘That way people will start asking: ‘What has a Sanyasin to do with food? With clothing? Is not a Sanyasin a human being? Everyone’s body and bodily needs are the same and all that the householder needs and does, the Sanyasin, too, needs and does. Only the attitude is entirely different.’
17th November, 1948
SIVA IN EVERY NOOK AND CORNER
Swami Brahmanandaji, an aged Sadhu, came to the Ashram for a day’s stay. Siva nicely entertained him with fruits and milk, gave him the magazine and leaflets and attended to the Swami’s comforts.
‘Swamiji,’ said Swami B., ‘I had been to Ceylon. I have wandered about in the interior of far-off Ceylon. But, I was surprised to find that you have your disciples in that country also. I saw a devotee in that country also. I saw a devotee in the countryside of Ceylon and he said that he has been one of your silent admirers and disciples for a considerable time past.’
Vishnuji took the visiting Sadhu to the temple, Guha, etc. When he returned Swami B. told Siva: ‘Swamiji, from the road I thought that the hillock grew on it only jungles. But what a fine Ashram you have built over it! It is a miracle and a great revelation when one goes up the hillock.’
NOT YET CONFIRMED
Sri Ram Ram Ram of Lucknow is an aged devotee. Even in his advanced age he is reluctant to give up his practice as an advocate. He has, however, been a pious devotee who has regularly visited Rishikesh and attended Satsang on every occasion. Siva sounded him: ‘Why not retire from active life and practise contemplation? You have worked enough: you have no encumbrances.’
‘But, Swamiji, though I have attended Satsang all these years and though I have been doing Japa and Dhyana all these years, I have not yet a confirmed belief in God and His name. There is yet Moha for family, for position, for money and for worldly life. It is strange, Swamiji, I confess.’
‘Maya is powerful,’ said Siva: ‘and, except in very rare cases when the Samskaras are very strong, taste for a life of contemplation does not manifest itself in man. No doubt, Satsang, Japa and Dhyan, help a Sadhaka a lot. But the Avarana of Avidya or the veil of ignorance is so thick that these are not sufficient to pierce it.
They only create Samskaras which take shape in future births. But, if at the same time you do Vichara, develop Viveka and cultivate Vairagya, then the progress is extremely rapid. Vairagya and Viveka are absolutely necessary. Without these no amount of Satsang, Japa, or Dhyan will produce immediate results. Maya is extremely powerful: she can be annihilated only through Dridha Vairagya (intense dispassion).’
18th November, 1948
NO WARM RECEPTION
Swami…., who had once stayed at the Ashram for a considerable time and who had done a lot of work for the Society, had come and gone away. There was a mild discussion about his attitude towards the Ashram.
‘Swamiji, perhaps he did not stay on at the Ashram because he was not given a rousing reception he might have expected.’
‘What reception? A Sanyasin should not have such expectations and desires.’
THE ACID TEST
‘He left the Ashram to do intense Tapasya and Sadhana. If he had really done much Tapasya or Sadhana, he would have developed the loving heart, an entirely changed angle of vision, and this would have electrified whomever he met here. He would have adopted an attitude of humility, of service, of brotherly love towards everyone here. He would thus have endeared himself to everyone. Naturally a different atmosphere would have been created. This is the way. He should always conquer people’s hearts through love and service. There is no other way. If he was not able to do that, it means the Sadhana was a continuous indulgence in inertia and an increased fattening of the ego.’
Good lesson we ourselves learnt today. What more precious lessons can Tapasya teach us? Better to serve selflessly and egolessly than to add to our egoism by other means.
SHIP OF LIFE
We should much rather surrender ourselves at Siva’s feet and let him carry the burden. It is possible by progressively opening up the Antahkarana to Siva’s daily teachings and actions to imbibe his divinity: when the fire of Siva-Sankalpa has burnt our ignorance, the flame of knowledge will get lighted and burn brilliantly illumining every nook and corner of our being.
Strangely enough, the same thoughts have found expression in a letter which we received just today from Srimathi Sivaramaseetha Bai of Tuticorin:
‘There are three types of Jnanis,’ she says. ‘There are the Muktha Purushas who are like the small pieces of wood that float on the surface of a river. They can float, but they cannot bear the burden of even one small bird. If the bird sits on this piece of wood, the wood will sink.
Then, there are the Nityas. Like a country boat these Jnanis will take along with them beyond the ocean of Samsara a small band of devotees. Then there are the Avatara Purushas. They are like huge steamers.
Without the least effort, as though playfully, they can carry over their shoulders thousands of Jivas with all their burdens, their bag and baggage (viz., their sins and Samskaras) and take them to the other shore of immortality or God-realisation. You are like the great ocean-going liner: you belong to the third class of Jnanis—the Avatara Purushas,’ says she addressing Siva. She has given another beautiful description:
‘Muktas are like a small lantern placed in a room. This is not of any use to those outside. Nityas are like the street lights. They illumine a whole street. But Avatara Purushas are like the sun. They illumine the entire universe. Like the sun, the Avatara Purusha helps the entire world. You belong to this class of Jnanis. I rejoice when I hear of your glory and service: the glory and service of a true spiritual sun. I rejoice that South India has been thrice blessed in giving birth to an Avatara Purusha like you.’
Well done. You have diagnosed the Doctor of the Soul himself accurately—that is what we should say to Sri Sivaramaseetha Bai.
LESSON IN BEGGING
Sri Swami Muruganandaji wants to lead a life of seclusion and Tapasya. He came to the office to take leave of Siva.
‘Swamiji, I intend to go to Andhra Ashram and stay there for some time. Then I shall find out a suitable place for myself.
‘But, whenever you go, you should make yourself useful. Then only will people like you. Merely taking Bhiksha and sitting idly somewhere is not Yoga. That is Tamasic indulgence. Not only will people not like you, but your own progress will be slow. Combine meditation with service. Then everyone will like you and your progress will also be quick.
‘All right: you can remain wherever you like. Take Bhiksha from the Kshetra. But, you should know the method! Come: I will show you how. Sit here. Now, you are the kitchen manager who distributes the food. You should make a nice bag of your cloth like this. Then hang it on your forearm like this. Go to the man who gives roties. Receive the roties gracefully bending your body, like this. Then catch hold of the loose ends of the cloth with the left hand itself (do not place the improvised bag on the floor) and, with the right hand, take the dhal in the vessel. Then go to the vegetable-walah: take the vegetables and walk off,’ Siva demonstrated the entire process: made M. also do so.
‘Swamiji, the main difficulty for me is that I do not know the language and there are no people here whom I know or who know me. Therefore, I intend to go to South India.’
‘What is this? A Sanyasin should always remain in a place where he is least known. That is the secret behind the Parivrajak life also. Familiarity not only breeds contempt in some quarters, but Moha in others, too. That is very bad. Always remain unknown, a stranger wherever you go. That is the gate to Moksha. And serve at every opportunity that you get. OM Namah Sivaya.’
M. left ultimately for his own South India.
RUB EVERYWHERE: SMALL OR BIG
A Chettiar from the South was describing the affairs of a well-known Ashram. There are parties and cliques: power-politics with national politics thrown in. Provincialism, caste distinctions: distinctions between high and low.
Siva remarked in jest, though with deep significance: ‘Everywhere there is rub. Only in some places it is a small rub: in others it is big rub. World is a place of rubs only. And, which Ashram or locality is ‘out’ of the world? The ideal Ashram is a place where there is the least rub!’
ALWAYS SING ANANDOHAM
Sri Aravamudan had a pricking conscience: he had told an unpremeditated lie, without realising its consequences. And, peculiarly (as it often happens with Siva) events so contrived themselves that it was exposed, though the consequences were not serious, again thanks to the presence of Siva. With a contrite heart, A. had written a note apologising for the mistake and left it on Siva’s table.
On seeing (at first sight), Siva exclaimed: ‘What? Aravamudan is leaving the Ashram?’
‘No, Swamiji, he has only left a note.’
‘Achcha. About that incident?’ Siva threw the note down without reading it further. ‘Whenever someone unusually places a note on my table or prostrates, I take it to be an indication of ‘OM Namo Narayanaya, I am going to Uttarkashi.’ (To A.) ‘Don’t worry. These slips do occur in a man’s life. Learn the lesson: profit by it: then, forget the whole even. Always sing Anandoham: never ‘worryoham’.
A WEEK WITH SIVA
Sri Lakshmi Narayan Chetlur from Geneva had stayed for a week at the Ashram and intended to leave for Geneva tomorrow. He delivered a short talk in the Bhajan Hall on the benefit he had derived from his stay for a week at the Ashram. I give below some points from his lecture:
‘Four and a half years ago, I happened to see on my father’s table a few works of Swamiji and also a spiritual diary. I tried to study the books and also to maintain the spiritual diary. The keeping of the diary was at that time rather a difficult job. Later I went to Europe. There I felt that I should have a more thorough knowledge of Yoga and should be in a position to take Eastern culture into the West. This time when I came to India I wanted to utilise this short visit in the acquisition of this knowledge. Therefore I came to the Ashram. Have I been benefited in my quest?
‘Yes: as a result of my stay here for a week, the meaning of life has become infinitely more clear to me. I have often been drawn out of my self-imposed seclusion and taught the principles of Yoga. I find in the Ashram a congenial atmosphere in which everyone works in a spirit of brotherly love. I find, too, that the moment one enters the Ashram one forgets all about caste, creed, colour and nationality. I find one family from California, a couple of Sadhaks from Africa, all mixing freely together, as though they are all members of one fraternity. Unsolicited, the Ashramites go out of their way, greet me and help me in solving my problems. That is something which marks this Ashram out from others.
‘I leave with a definite feeling that I have been benefited in the moral fabric of my being.’
Later, Siva gave him invaluable instructions in regard to his propaganda work in the West, and encouraged him in his endeavours to spiritualise the Indian Association in Geneva of which he is the Secretary.
‘There is no harm in having a materialistic department in the organisation. You need finance to run the Association. You need to attract people to the cause. I will tell you a secret. Open a small restaurant with the help of an Indian cook. The dosai there will attract a large clientele.
You will be financially benefited: and you will get a large membership for the Association, too. You can then introduce them into Yoga and work wonders. All these are necessary in the present age.’
Then Sri R.V. Sastri explained how many immoral people had been turned to the divine path by Siva contributing articles to very low-class trash journals.
‘People first purchase the journal to read the trash stories. Later they find in it one page of matter which is absolutely the opposite of the matter contained in the others. There comes a moment in the life of every man, a hit somewhere, a knock somewhere, when he turns to God. This one-page catches fire in his heart at that psychological moment: he turns away from the rubbish and buys the magazine only for this one page. It goes to such an extent that he cuts the page away from the ugly matter of the magazine and then reads.’
That is the secret. Siva will find out the worldly man’s weak-points, and seemingly try to feed him there, but inwardly draw him to Divine Life. This is what Lord Krishna was doing: an art in which He, too, was an adept.
19th November, 1948
CHILD MAKES THE AGED CHILDREN
Sri S.Y. Krishnaswami, I.C.S., and his wife have come again from Delhi. Siva met them after they had finished their night-meal: in the Dining Hall.
‘You have had your meal?’
‘Yes, Swamiji. Last time we came here, we had a great desire to attend the evening Bhajan: but we could not. So, today we have come with the express intention of attending the Bhajan. When we returned to Delhi, we were always thinking of the calm and serene atmosphere of Rishikesh. It is only your Ashirvad that has brought us back here.’
‘Very good. There is, I think, not one better place in the whole world, than Rishikesh. You must settle down here. What job, money, family, wealth, position? Peace you can get only in this sort of life.’
‘I entirely agree with you, Swamiji. I have enjoyed all the comforts and joys that worldly life has to offer man. I have travelled all over the world. First I went to America through the Western route. The second time I went through the East. I have stayed in the very best hotel in America paying thirty-five dollars a day. I have presided over international conferences. But, nothing like spending even one evening here, sharing the simple food, leading the simple life, sleeping in a simple cottage.’
In the Bhajan Hall Siva prompted Sri Krishnaswami to sing. And, in the magnetic aura of this child-like Siva, K. forgetting the urban life he was accustomed to, and sang a couple of stanzas from Ananda Lahari, beautifully and with Bhav. Siva greatly appreciate the songs.
Old Satchidanandaji also sang. It was a thrilling Satsang gathering. All old men become like children in the presence of this utterly simple child Siva!
27th November, 1948
TAGORE OF SOUTH INDIA SINGS SIVA’S GLORY
At the Bhajan Hall, during the evening Satsang, Sri of Kaveripoompattinam, a great author of repute, whose famous stories and novels had earned for him the title of ‘Tagore of South India’ spoke. Even before he commenced, the tender Siva in maternal affection had requested Sri K.S.V.:
‘If your health permits, you may speak a few words: otherwise, please, do not strain yourself.’ Such is Siva’s natural concern for others.
Sri K.S.V. spoke of his great admiration for the Nama-Prachar that Siva has been carrying on in the country, and particularly for the fact that the Akhanda Maha Mantra Kirtan was going on in the Ashram. ‘An infinite power is generated where this Mantra is repeated and that works out for the good of the individuals concerned and of the world at large. I have just visited the famous Samadhi of Bodhendra Swami, the great exponent of Nama-Sankirtanam: and I am very happy to find here another great Swamiji carrying on the same tradition. If devotion to the Lord and His name is today kept up in the human heart it is due to the Herculean endeavours of Swami Sivanandaji.’
28th November, 1948
INITIATION INTO ASANOLOGY
Sr. K.S. Venkataramani is leaving for Delhi today. He was in the Sivananda Publication League section purchasing some of the Ayurvedic Pharmacy products, books, etc.
‘Venkataramaniji, I wanted to teach you some Asans and Kriyas before you go.’ So saying, Siva got out of his seat and met Sri K.S.V. half-way. And, unceremoniously Siva sat on the ground where he thought fit! Then he started demonstrating Asans to the astonishment of Sri K.S.V. and Sri R.V. Sastriji.
‘This is Uddiyana Bandha. Pumping it quickly, it becomes Agnisara kriya. These two act as natural insulin. The pancreatic secretion is increased. This is Maha Mudra. Just bend and try to touch the knee with your nose. It is not necessary that you should actually do so—a mere effort is sufficient. And, this is Paschimottanasan. These are all natural treatments for diabetes. You can do them just for a few minutes every day.’
With profound gratitude, K.S.V. said: ‘Swamiji, what wonderful Kriyas these are. What a wonderful spiritual heritage we have, which we do not know. The pity is that the average man today is not aware of the very existence of these Asans, Kriyas and so on. But for you, they would have been altogether forgotten. Indeed, in this respect I must say you have rendered a service which no one else has done.’
MODERATION IS SATVIC FOOD
Then Sri K.S.V. wanted to know if Brahmi-Buti would be of use to him.
‘Yes, it is very good. Soak almonds in water overnight: peel them: make them into a paste along with Brahmi Buti in the morning. Prepare a sherbat and take it, say, after your morning coffee.’
‘Swamiji, I thought of it only as a substitute to coffee which I want to give up altogether.’
‘No, no. You need not give it up. It is necessary for brain-workers like you. The prohibition is only for the sake of those who drink gallons of coffee every day. Always observe strict moderation in diet. Then, whatever food you take becomes Satvic.’
SIVA TRIES A SANDAL ON
I watched Siva coming, through the window of the office. I thought: ‘Why is he walking so slowly, almost limping?’ Siva’s gait is always majestic (even if he is not well) and his pace fast. Siva noticed my curiosity.
‘In all these sixty-two years I have not worn these!’ He pointed to the sandals (chappals) he was wearing. ‘My shoes started pinching and I noticed small eruptions on my feet. So, I am trying these on. But, being unaccustomed to it, I feel a strange uneasiness. I feel as though the sandals would slip off. I have to grip them tightly with my toes.’
‘Man is born with nothing in this world. The child gets a toy: and grips it tightly, lest it should lose the toy. The boy gets a chocolate, and holds it tightly. The man grips tightly to himself wife, children, property, position, prestige, etc., lest he should lose them. These are the glamorous objects that allure the human being. Once he throws them away and rests in his own Swarupa, he is at peace.’
DECEMBER, 1948
1st December, 1948
TAPO BHUMI
Sri Lakshminarayama Sastrigal and his sister came into the office and bowed to Siva. After enquiring about their health, etc., and whether they had taken their morning coffee and tiffin, Siva said:
‘Take your bath in hot water. It is rather cold today and cloudy, too.’
Smilingly, Sri Lakshmi Ammal said: ‘Swamiji, should we take hot water bath on the very bank of the Ganga? But, the water of the Ganga is really very cold: otherwise, we would have taken our bath earlier in the morning as we usually do in the South.’
‘That is different. Uttara Khand is Tapo Bhumi. The Achara of the south does not apply to those who live here. The very life here is Tapas and soul-purifying. The very atmosphere bathes us continually in a spiritual Jnana Ganga.’ After a pause, Siva added half in humour: ‘Do you know?
When Suka Deva was roaming about in the Himalayan forests, he did not even clean his teeth.
He purchased a packet of tooth powder only when he reached Delhi.’
Side splitting laughter was the result of this humorous remark full of sublime import.
SANYASIN IS NOT HUMAN BEING?
In the evening, after the Kirtan, Siva took Srimathi Lakshmi Ammal round to the Library, to the stock-room of books, to the Yoga Museum, to the Yajnashala and the photographic dark room. Padmanabhanji was showing them the photo-printing process. When this inspection was over and we were about to leave the dark room, Siva said:
‘What has a Sanyasin go to do with photography? What use has he for photographs?’
We turned to Siva himself for an answer.
After a few moments, Siva added: ‘That way people will start asking: ‘What has a Sanyasin to do with food? With clothing? Is not a Sanyasin a human being? Everyone’s body and bodily needs are the same and all that the householder needs and does, the Sanyasin, too, needs and does. Only the attitude is entirely different.’
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