By SWAMI SIVANANDA SARASWATI

SIVANANDA GITA - 1

I was born of P.S. Vengu Aiyar and Parvathiammal on 8TH SEPTEMBER 1887 at Pattamadai, Tirunelvely District, S. India, in the line of Appayya Dixit. My star is Bharani.

I was extremely mischievous in my boyhood. I studied in the S.P.G. College, Trichy. I was a Doctor in Malaya States for 10 years. I took Sanyasa in 1924 in Rishikesh.

I did tapas and meditation for 15 years. I went on lecturing tours for 10 years. I founded the Divine Life Society in 1936 and the All­World Religions Federation in 1945.

I am child­like in my svabhava. So I mix with all. I become one with all.

I am ever happy and joyful and make others also happy and joyful.

I am full of educative humour. I radiate joy through humour.

I respect all. I do salutations to all first.

I always speak sweetly. I walk quickly.

I do japa and meditation while walking and while at work also. I am ever hard­working. I have intense application to work. I never leave a work till it is finished. I never procrastinate any work. I finish it then and there. I am very quick in doing things.

I cannot suppress the spirit of service in me. I cannot live without service. I take immense delight in service. Service has elevated me.Service has purified me.

I know well how to extract work from others. I extract work through kindness, service, respect and love.

I am very regular in doing asanas and exercises. I even now do sirshasan, sarvangasan and other asanas. I do pranayama also regularly. These give me wonderful health and energy. I run round the bhajan hall daily.

I cannot deliver fiery lectures sitting on a special seat. Special seat pricks me. I stand up or throw the seat away and then begin to speak. I never sat on a special seat when I presided over spiritual conferences.

I rejoice in giving. I always give.
----------------------------------------------------------

8th SEPTEMBER, 1948 VEDANTA KESARI
From `Inspiring Talks of Gurudev Sivananda'By Chronicler Swami Venkatesananda
No one expected: and no one noticed.

The Bhajan Hall was packed with Sadhaks and visitors: the morning Sadhana class was in progress—silent Japa and meditation had been done, Krishnanandaji had led the audience in reciting Santi Pattha and Guru Stotras, and Sridharji was talking on Sadhana. Visibility outside was yet too poor for persons moving about a little away from you to be recognised.

Quietly, Siva slipped in through a side door! And,—I cannot express in words what my own feelings were when I accidentally happened to see this wonder of wonders—he had taken a `back-bench' seat—as one of the members of the audience intently listening to Sridharji's lecture!

The entire gathering literally sat up and rubbed their eyes when this magnificent personality stood up and roared OM at the conclusion of Sridharji's talk. There was pin-drop silence. Siva did Kirtan, which gradually turned into a lecture-Kirtan on the lines of `God is truth—Govinda'. Then....better hearken to Siva himself:

`The srutis declare, `Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma, Neha Nanasti Kinchana—All indeed is Brahman: there is no such thing as diversity'. This is your essential nature. In truth, you are Akhanda Paripoorna Satchidananda. It is described as Amala, Vimala, Achala, Santam, Sivam, Advaitam. Due to Avidya you do not know your essential nature. When Avidya is removed, you shine as the Akhanda.

Paripoorna Satchidananda. In reality you are Aparichchinna, undivided, one, the Essence. You falsely imagine that you have hands, feet, eyes, mouth. Remember this: `Thou art That' (Tat Twam Asi). Tat Twam Asi—the Self is identical with Brahman. You are one with the Supreme Truth. When you are suffering from any disease, remember you are the Akhanda Paripoorna Satchidananda. Assert `I am not the body, I am not the mind. How powerful is this medicine—Sivoham, Satchidananda Swarupoham. Do not run to doctors. Do not take injections. This is the most potent injection—Satchidananda Swarupoham!

`Through ignorance you identify yourself with the body. Remove ignorance, through constant practice, renunciation, through this powerful assertion. In whatever condition you may be, you may have no bread to eat—even if you have no clothes to wear—assert Sivoham, Satchidananda Swarupoham and constantly dwell on your identify with Brahman.

`Thou art That. This is the gist of Vedanta: this is the most powerful remedy for all ills. This is what the sages have taught in the Upanishads.

`May the blessings of Sankaracharya, Lord Dattatreya and the Brahma Kumaras be upon you all. May you all shine as Jivanmuktas in this very birth.'

Blessed indeed are those who listened to these words of wisdom fall from the lips of Siva—the Vedanta Kesari. Thrice blessed are those who have inscribed his words on the tablet of their heart.

SIVANANDA GITA – 2 (CONTINUED)

I am 59 (1946) now. I ever feel I am quite young. I am full of vigour, vim and vitality. I am ever cheerful. I sing, dance, run, and jump in joy. I am robust and strong. I can digest any kind of food.

I continuously work, read and write. I never go to hill stations or seaside for a holiday. Change of work gives rest. Meditation gives abundant rest.

Work gives me delight. Service gives me happiness. Writing bestows joy. Meditation energises and invigorates me. Kirtan vivifies me.

"Aham Brahmasmi, Sivoham, Soham, Satchidananda Swaroopoham" ­ This is my favourite formula for vedantic meditation.

Hare Rama hare Rama Rama Rama hare hareHare Krishna hare Krishna Krishna Krishna hare hare.—This mahamantra kirtan is my favourite kirtan

At the present moment I am the richest man in the whole world. My heart is full. Further, all the wealth of the Lord belongs to me now.Hence I am king of kings, emperor of emperors, shah of shahs, maharaja of maharajas. I take pity on the mundane kings. My dominion is limitless. My wealth is inexhaustible.

My joy is inexpressible. My treasure is immeasurable. I attained this through sanyasa, renunciation, untiring selfless service, japa, kirtan and meditation.

I am tall. My height is 6 feet. I have a sinewy frame. I have symmetrical limbs. I was a first class gymnast.

I fast on Ekadasi. I do not take even a drop of water. I take milk and fruits on Sundays. I do not take salt on Sundays.

I lead a simple natural life. There is a fountain of youth in me. I beam with joy. I observe fasting, resting, airing, bathing, breathing, exercising, sun­bathing and enjoy freedom, power, beauty, courage, poise and health.

Om. Om. Om.

SIVANANDA GITA – 3 (CONTINUED)
I love nature, music, art, poetry, philosophy, beauty, goodness, solitude, meditation, yoga and vedanta.

I am humble and simple. I am frank and straightforward. I am perfectly tolerant and catholic. I am merciful and sympathetic. I have spontaneous and unrestrained generosity.

I am bold and cheerful. I am patient. I can bear insult and injury. I am forgiving. I am free from vindictive nature. I return good for evil. I serve that man who has injured me, with joy.
I love Ganga and the Himalayas. Ganga is my mother divine. Himalayas is my father divine.

They inspire and guide me. I take bath in Ganga.I swim in Ganga. I adore Ganga. I feed the fishes of Ganga.

I wave light to Mother Ganges. I pray to Ganga. I do salutations to Ganga. I sing the glory of Ganga. I write about the grandeur and glory of Ganga.

Ganga has nourished me. Ganga has comforted me. Ganga has taught me the truth of the Upanishads. Glory to Ganga!

My daily routine is like that of Lord Buddha. I always remain in the room. I do japa, kirtan and meditation. I study sacred books. I write. I come out of the room for a short time for work, service and interview.

I talk a little. I think much. I meditate much. I try to do much and serve much.

I do not waste even a single minute. I ever keep myself fully occupied. I lead a well-­regulated life. I perform worship of atman at all times. I work for the good of others. Om. Om. Om.
Gita, Upanishads, Bhagavat, Yoga Vasishta, Avadhootha Gita, Vivekachudamani are my constant companions.

I am a strange mixture of service, devotion, yoga and wisdom. I am a follower of Sri Sankara. I am a Keval-Advaita vedantin. I am not at all a dry lip-­vedantin. I am a practical vedantin.
I practise and advocate the yoga of synthesis. I practise ahimsa, satyam and brahmacarya. Glory to Sri Sankara!

SIVANANDA GITA – 4 (CONTINUED)
I respect all saints and prophets of all religions. I respect all religions, all cults, all faiths and all creeds.

I serve all, love all, mix with all and see the Lord in all. I stick to my promises. I serve the poor. This is my delight. I do mental prostrations to asses, dogs, trees, bricks, stones and all creatures.
I respect elders and sadhus. I obey. I please all through sincere selfless service.

I attend on guests very carefully. I run hither and thither to serve them. I shampoo the legs of sick persons and sadhus.

I give very prompt reply to all my letters. I do several things at a time. I write with electric speed.

I spend everything. I do lot of charity. I do not keep anything. I take immense delight in feeding the poor and my students. I try to be a mother to them.

I talk to others on things which I have myself practised. I look within always, introspect, analyse, and examine. I hold the trisul, spiritual diary, daily routine and resolve.

I ever served my masters with great sincerity and intense faith and devotion. I learnt many useful lessons for life. I developed many virtues.

I wandered without food during my parivrajak life. I slept on the roadside at night without clothing during winter. I ate dried bread with water.

I stick tenaciously to my principles and ideals. I do not argue much. I live in silence.

I pray and do kirtan for the peace of the whole world, for the health and peace of sick people, and for the peace of the departed souls and the earth bound spirits also.

I take a dip in the Ganges in the name of all those who are longing for a bath in the Ganges.

I sing the names of all saints of all religions in the bhajan hall. I observe All-Saints day and All-Souls day.

Om. Om. Om.

SIVANANDA GITA – 5 (CONTINUED)
I constantly meditate on the following:

Prajnanam brahman, aham brahmasmi, tat tvam asi, ayam atma brahman. Satyam jnanam anantam brahman, santam sivam advaitam. Aham atma gudakesa. Aham atma nirvikarah sarvavyapi svabhavatah. Brahma satyam jagan mitya jivo brahmaiva na parah. Akarta, abhokta, asanga, saksi, ajo nityah sasvatoyam purano. Jyotisamapi tat jyotih.

To raise the fallen, to lead the blind, to share what I have with others, to bring solace to the afflicted, to cheer up the suffering are my ideals.

To have perfect faith in God, to love my neighbour as my own self, to love God with all my heart and soul, to protect cows, animals, women and children are my aims.

My watchword is love. My goal is sahaja samadhi avasta or the natural, continuous, superconscious state.

SONG OF JOY
Om Om Om Om - Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om - Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om Om - Om Om Om Om Om Om Om.

Within you is hidden God Within you is immortal soulKill this little `I' Die to live Lead the divine life.Within you is the fountain of joy Within you is the ocean of bliss.Rest peacefully, in your own atma And drink the nectar of immortality.

***************************************************