INSPIRING TALKS OF GURUDEV SIVANANDA

Inspiring Talks of Gurudev Sivananda

30th March, 1950

EKADASHI MAHIMA 

It had been decided in the evening that today’s Nama Ramayana Parayana and Sahasranama Parayana would be done in the Studio and broadcast over the loudspeaker. But, Siva himself came up to the Studio (and he has been fasting without taking even a drop of water, today being Ekadashi).

Seth Pannalalji, the mighty pillar of the Sivananda Mission has generously donated a loudspeaker set to the Ashram. It has been installed in the Ashram. The entire atmosphere is stirred with the Kirtan Dhwanis, Bhajans, etc., through this loudspeaker which has been christened by Siva as the ‘Anandavani Broadcasting Station’.

Siva began with the Omkara Nada and announced himself:

‘Now Swami Sivananda will sing a few Kirtan Khwanis. He will do a little service to you through the loudspeaker.’

Then, he delivered the following speech in Hindi:

‘Today is Ekadashi. It is only nine o’clock now. It is good on Ekadashi to keep vigil at night and sing His names. Therefore, please do not sleep now. Sit up. I will sing the Maha Mantra Kirtan. All of you who hear me also sing the Kirtan along with me. You will quickly attain the Lord’s grace.’

‘Ekadashi is a very auspicious day. I do not know how many of you observed fast today. Fasting on Ekadashi is a potent means of eradicating Avidya and of attaining purity of mind and through the purity, the grace of the Lord. You will attain health and longevity also. You will develop a powerful will. If you are too old to fast completely, then take a little fruits and milk. If you have not fasted today, at least fast from the next Ekadashi. I shall be grateful to you.

   Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

   Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

‘This is a great Mantra which occurs in the Kalisantharana Upanishad. It does not contain any special Bija Aksharas. Therefore, it can be repeated at all times without bothering about Suchi or Asuchi. Eating, sleeping, walking, taking food—at all times repeat this Mantra. You will quickly attain Moksha.

‘In Kali Yuga conditions are not very favourable for Sadhaks to practise Hatha Yoga. Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga require very keen intellect. In this Yuga it is only the Name of the Lord that can take you to the other shore of immortality. Serve all selflessly. Repeat the Lord’s name. You will easily attain Moksha.’

In the same tune:

   Sarva dharman parityajya maamekam sharanam vraja

   Aham twaa sarvapapbhyo mokshayishyami maa shucha

‘What have you learnt, tell me frankly, from the Bihar and Quetta earthquakes? Death may come at any moment. Are you ready? Nothing that you have now will follow you, except the Nama-Khajana (treasure of repetition of the Lord’s Name). Father, mother, wife, son and friends: bungalows, motor cars and coats: property, titles and name-fame—these will not follow you after death. When your throat is choked, your relatives will only be searching for your iron-safe key and bank pass-book. At that time, when you leave this world, only this Nama-Khajana will prove to be a real friend. So, go on hoarding this Name-wealth.’

Then Siva sang various Kirtans.

‘Now I shall sing one English song that will inspire you very much. I used to sing it during my tours in the Punjab and people would sing and dance, forgetting themselves. Another Kirtan they liked was ‘Gopiavallabh Radheshyam’. They would sing so excitedly that they would not know when their pagri (headgear) fell off.

‘The song I am going to sing is a tonic, it is a panacea for all human ills. It is the Chidananda Song. In a few words it reminds you that you are the Satchidananda Atma, ever blissful, and full of knowledge. All your sufferings are due to wrong identification of the Self with this perishable inert body. You have forgotten your real nature and, therefore, imagine you are suffering. Now, wake up and sing…. 

   Chidananda chidananda chidananda hum

   Har-halme almastha satchidananda hum

‘You may be poverty-stricken: it may be days since you have had a morsel of bread. You might have lost all your property in Pakistan. Your body may be assailed by various diseases. But the moment you sing this song with Bhav a new thrill of joy will fill your entire being. You will feel that you are the Amar Atma. You will be fearless, without anxiety or worry.

‘The same song I will now sing in English. Nowadays there is a lot of talk about the replacement of English by Hindi. People do not tolerate their brethren speaking the English language. Such an attitude is unfortunate. English also has come out of OM, the mother of all languages. Like Hindi, English also has a rich diction. English has now come to be spoken in all the Western countries. We cannot live completely isolated from the West. There will always be businessmen in India wishing to go overseas; students who will go to Western universities for further advanced studies. They must know English. We must have a broad Vision. India’s culture is Vedantic culture. Vedanta is universal religion. Our vision also should be universal, not narrow and bigoted. Develop Hindi by all means. Popularise Hindi by all means. But do not hate English: give it also a place.

   Knowledge-Bliss, Knowledge-Bliss Bliss Absolute

   In all conditions I am Knowledge-Bliss Absolute

‘Do not identify yourself with this little perishable body and suffer. Identify yourself with the Atman and be ever blissful. The nature of the Atman is described in another song’….

   OM Antaratma

   Nitya Suddha Buddha

   Nirakara Kutastha

   Vyapak Swayam Jyoti Purna Para Brahma

   Sakshi Drashta Turiya

   Santam Sivam Adwaitam

   Amala Vimala Achala

   Avang-Mano-Gochara

   Anandamaya Chidanandamaya

   Anandamaya Chidanandamaya

   (OM)

‘Some people do not like Vedant. They like only Bhakti. They think Vedant is opposed to Bhakti. Some others like only Hatha Yoga and think that only through Hatha Yoga they can awaken the Kundalini. All Yogas are one. They lead to the same goal. A Bhakta may say that he does not want Moksha, but when in Para Bhakti he becomes one with the Lord, he attains Moksha. A Jnani may not wish to awaken the Kundalini, but in deep meditation, the Kundalini will awaken itself and proceed towards the Sahasrara. Only in the preliminary exercises do these Yogas differ. All culminate in the same Supreme Nirvikalpa Samadhi.’

APRIL, 1950 

1st April, 1950

SUCH IS LIFE IN THIS WORLD 

Sr. G.C. Sharma writes to Siva: 

‘Revered Gurudeva,

I hope your holiness is in receipt of my last letter. I am extremely worried now-adays. Although I know very well that worrying will not help materially in any way, yet I am helpless. My worries are based on the following facts:

I lost my job that was fetching me Rs. 300 per month. My own son aged 17 years is missing since 18.2.50. My other son is very badly indisposed. Last but not least, I had started some business on a small scale in partnership with three gentlemen. One of the partners proved to be of criminal brain, and the whole thing is going to be turned out as nothing.

Revered Gurudev, you know my heart very well. I have absolutely no place for shelter except your kind self. If one’s lot cannot be changed, all that I would request you to favour me is to kindly pray for my peace of mind.’

Siva remarked: ‘Is not this more or less the experience of everyone at some time or the other in his life? The world is Anitya, Asukha. It is sheer foolishness to search for happiness and peace in the world. We have taken our birth in this world, as human beings, for an entirely different purpose. That purpose is to realise God. ‘Having taken your birth in this world which is Anitya and Asukha, worship Me,’ says the Lord—and that is the way to salvation. Blessed are they that are in a position mentally to renounce the world. They alone enjoy peace and happiness, not others.’

3rd April, 1950

THE DHARMAPURAM MAHASANNI-DHANAM AT ANANDA KUTIR 

The scorching sun could not prevent Siva from going up to the temple where His Holiness, the Mahasannidhanam of Dharmapuram Adheenam, of South India, had arrived. Siva met the Mahasannidhanam and took him to the studio where H.H. and party witnessed a Yoga Movie film.

Siva did the Panchakshari Kirtan. The ex-Mayor of Madras, Sri S. Ramaswamy Naidyu, who was one of the members of the party, delivered the following speech:

‘It is a great wonder that Sri Swami Sivanandaji, who was born in the South, has established such a lovely Ashram on the bank of the Ganga in Rishikesh and is spreading through this great institution knowledge of ancient scripture. In the Ashram everything is permeated with the Pranava OM. In the small children who sing the Lord’s name beautifully, in the buildings of the Ashram, in the beautiful temple of Lord Viswanath, in Swamiji’s talk, in Swamiji’s songs, in Swamiji’s form, in Swamiji’s words—there is the Prana reverberant. Why, even in these sweets that we are given here, in the fruits and the coffee, there is that OM.

‘The Mahasannidhanam has been wishing to come to Rishikesh, and to pay a visit to the Ashram of Sri Swamiji also. By God’s grace, this wish has today been fulfilled. I consider it a historical meeting. Never once since the days of the sixty-three Nayanmars has there been a meeting between such great saintly personalities. The previous Mahasannidhanam hardly moved out. Today the Mahasannidhanam has actually met another great Acharya, Swami Sivananda. 

‘I do hope in the near future Sri Swami Sivananda might pay a visit to the Dharmapuram Adheenam in South India. It is the fervent wish of the Mahasannidhanam also. That is what the Mahasannidhanam has asked me to convey to Sri Swamiji.

‘These days when materialism is fast spreading, it is encouraging to see institutions such as this growing rapidly and spreading the counter-current of divine life. May the Almighty bless the institution with prosperity and progress to enable the sacred lore to spread throughout the world.’

Siva took H.H. to the photographic dark-room. As he was inspecting the various new additions to the studio, Chidanandaji remarked: ‘Swamiji would be surprised to know that this place was a jungle, the abode of tigers, twenty years ago.’

The Mahasannidhanam said: ‘Saints can work wonders through mere Sankalpa. What can Swamiji not do?’

10th April, 1950

THE BIGGEST MANSION 

Sri Nagarmull Murmuria has come from Calcutta for the Kumbha Mela. He is accompanied by nearly fifty members of his family and friends, too.

‘Swamiji, it is a long time since I have had your Darshan. We wish to stay here for a few days. 

But it appears that there is a great shortage of accommodation here due to Kumbha Mela rush.’

‘Occupy any vacant room you like. Accommodate yourself in the heart. You can accommodate the whole world in it. It is the biggest mansion.’

Instruction of very great significance. He who has found his dwelling in the Atman that resides in his own heart does not hanker after mansions and forts. He is ever peaceful and contented. What is more, he finds in that heart accommodation enough for the entire universe. He identifies himself with everything, loves, all, serves all, and feels that he is one with all.

HINTS TO SPIRITUAL PROPAGANDIST 

During the All-World Sadhus Federation session this morning, Siva had asked Srimathi Karin to speak, and she delivered a beautiful lecture based on her experiences in Europe.

Afterwards, she was talking to Siva about delivering lectures on spiritual topics.

‘Swamiji, but it looks to me like carrying coal to Newcastle to deliver lectures on Atma and Jiva  in a place like this where my knowledge of these is poorer than that of the audience.’

‘You are right. You must be practical in your lectures. Talk always what you have experienced yourself, without revealing that they are your own experiences. Think over the steps through which you have ascended, of the difficulties you have met with and overcome, of the solutions that you have used in dissolving your problems: and string them into a lecture. Everyone will appreciate it, for it will be a unique lecture, highly interesting. Sadhana is an ever-fresh blossom, ever sweet, ever fragrant, ever enchanting.

‘Another important point you must bear in mind. Be short in your talks. Just fly past the platform like a lightning—ten or fifteen minutes, half an hour at the most. People should get something like an electric shock: they should be charmed; they should want to hear more. That is the way to keep the listeners’ appetite healthy. Get up before they feel satiated. Give them time to digest what you have given—and given in small mouthfuls every time.’

‘Begin with Kirtan, and end with Kirtan. In the middle also do some Kirtan. It will keep the audience alive to what you are talking, and bring home to their heart the lessons you wish to instil in them.’

11th April, 1950

GAIT AND CHARACTER 

‘I was sitting in the office. I heard footsteps. It was like the trotting of a horse. I turned to see who it was. It was Swami….!’ said Siva and continued:

‘You can study a man’s character by his looks, his speech, and his gait also. There is no harm in wearing sandals, or shoes. A good-natured man will see that the soles of his shoes are soft. His gait will be modest, easy and soft. He will be ever mindful of not disturbing others by his rough gait. Trotting about like a horse betrays lack of manners and lack of culture.

‘Especially so in the case of a Sanyasin. A Sanyasin is expected to walk slowly, placing each foot deliberately on the ground, taking care that he does not thereby kill any insects that might be crawling on the ground. He should practise humility. He should walk looking at his toes, always withdrawn into his own Self. But look at this young Swami! He is Rajasic. He cannot control himself. He has no regard for others. He does not care if his walking disturbs others. Such should not be your nature. You must mind these little details. Then only will the major virtues manifest themselves in you.’

 

AS COAL IN NEWCASTLE: SO IS YOGA IN INDIA 

Sri S.N. Mitra, I.C.S., Excise Commissioner of the U.P., has come. He will stay here for a few days supervising the Mela arrangements in Rishikesh. He has been accommodated in the Ashram premises for the period of his stay here.

While light refreshments were being served to him, he was discussing certain matters with Siva. He was very happy that India had saints like Siva to guide her population along sane lines. He felt that it was India’s message alone that could save the world from chaos, riots and wars.

‘Spirituality is the very salt of the earth in this country,’ said Siva. ‘World peace can be well and truly established only when India takes over the spiritual leadership of the world.’

‘Yes, Swamiji. All the other nations are steeped in materialism: and the lead materialism can give can only be towards war.’

‘Each country has its own speciality, its own glory. There is something wonderful in every inch of God’s creation. No nation is without its own glorious points. As Newcastle is famous for coal, as some other country is famous for iron, so also India is famous for renunciation and Yoga. Renunciation is the key to peace. Soon the world will learn to listen to India’s spiritual message.’

HOW TO STUDY GITA 

A young aspirant of emotional nature sat at Siva’s feet and begged for instructions. Siva said: 

‘Study Gita regularly. Gita contains all that you need know in regard to Yoga and Sadhana. You cannot understand the real meaning of the Slokas all at once. You will have to sit at the feet of some learned, saintly personality and learn. Do Japa. Do selfless service. Purify your heart. If your mind is pure, then you will instantly understand the meaning. All knowledge is within. When you attain purity, the meaning will instantly flash on your mind.’

12th April, 1950

YOUR NAME, A BY-WORD IN JAFFNA 

Two European Sanyasins came into the office. One was a German who fled from an internment camp years ago, and taking Siva’s guide-book to Kailas Manasarovar, escaped into the Himalayan interior.

The moment Siva saw him, Siva recalled the past incident.

‘Yes, Swamiji, you are perfectly right. I am now in Jaffna. I have a small Ashram there. This Swami is a French Sadhu and has come out to India recently. He was greatly inspired by your teachings and is now practically your follower.

‘And, Swamiji, I understand that you are shortly going to undertake a tour of South India. Kindly do visit Jaffna. I already have the personal invitation of several prominent citizens of Ceylon. We shall arrange everything there. We shall take you by plane from Madras to Jaffna, and after your programme there, shall leave you safely back at Madras. You will have no difficulty at all.

‘You have no idea, Swamiji, of your influence in the South. There is practically none who has not read your books or pamphlets, and who does not literally worship you and follow your teachings. Your name is a by-word in Ceylon. And, all are anxious to have your Darshan.’

YOUR WORD HAS LIFE-TRANSFORMING POWER 

Sri S.N. Mitra was relating to Siva the measures taken by the Government to eradicate the drink-evil. The discussion drifted onto the present state of society and Sri Mitra deplored the depraved moral condition of the youth of the land. ‘It would be a very good thing, Swamiji, if you can find time to write small, simple books for school children, on ethics and religion. I envisage graded series of books suitable to the school children at various stages of their career.’

‘Why, there are very good writers already in the educational field, and they can write good books on these subjects.’

‘Yes, people can write, Swamiji. Perhaps, Dr. Sampurnanandaji is already in touch with one or two writers for books on these subjects. But what they write will be words only:, and that is not what is needed. What we need is the force of spirit, a transforming power in the words that form the lessons in the book. Only you can do that. Your words have a special charm, a compelling force.’

LAST MELA EXPERIENCE 

A retired Collector of the U.P. has come to witness the Kumbha Mela arrangements at Hardwar and Rishikesh. He was a Deputy Collector some years ago and was the Mela Officer in charge of the Garmukteshwar Mela. Siva at once recognised him: and the officer was astonished at Siva’s memory.

‘Yes, Swamiji. I was the Mela Officer at that time when you visited the Garhmukteshwar Mela. And I still remember with great joy the ecstatic Kirtan that you did at Garhmukteshwar on the occasion. As the Mela Officer I had given permission to the convening of the Satsang where you did ecstatic Kirtan: I still remember that Kirtan scene. I had posted some police officers to look after the arrangements. Soon there were fewer people at the bathing-place than at the place where your Kirtan was held. After the Mela was over, some people complained that the whole Mela had been foiled on account of my permitting you to carry on the Kirtan propaganda, which had become a more or the most important function during the Mela. But Swamiji, that was the very purpose of the Mela—to enable people to derive inspiration from the direct contact of Realised saints. If I were appointed Mela Officer to any of the Kumbha Melas, I will do just the same thing again. Millions were benefited by your Darshan and Upadesha at that time.’

15th April, 1959

SOCIAL NATURE vs. SOLITUDE 

Srimathi Karina had been invited by Dr. Kailas Nath to a tea party held by all the doctors who were on Kumbha Mela duty and whose work had come to an end. She came back for the night Satsang.

‘Was the party nice?’ enquired Siva. ‘Did you like it?’

‘I had just to endure it, Swamiji. It bored me stiff. Thank God, I had taken my Japa Mala with me and I did ten Malas of Japa during the course of the party.’

‘Perhaps you wish now that you had not gone?’

‘Absolutely, Swamiji.’

‘That is why I remain in solitude. When you get a little bit of discrimination, all this worldly activity seems uninteresting and often revolting to you. You long to get out of it and to enjoy the peace of meditation in solitude. There is nothing like solitude if you wish to have peace.’

And Siva added, after a pause, ‘But this social nature is very difficult to curb. Man wants to live and move in society. Man is a social animal. He wants company. He wants friends. He takes great delight in parties and social gatherings. It takes a long time to get over this craving for company. Once it is got over, then you enjoy unbroken peace.’

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