DISCOVER THE ESSENCE OF HINDUISM

Jagat Guru Swami Sivananda Saraswati ji Maharaj

Swami Sivananda (1887-1963) was a renowned Indian yoga guru, a prolific author,
and the founder of the Divine Life Society. He established the Sivananda Ashram
on the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh, which became the headquarters of the
Divine Life Society. His teachings emphasized selfless service, love, meditation,
and realizing the divine within. He authored over 300 books on yoga, Vedanta, and
other spiritual topics. 
Key aspects of Swami Sivananda's life and teachings:
 Early Life and Medical Career:
Born in Tamil Nadu, he initially pursued a medical career, practicing as a doctor
in Malaya for over a decade. 
 Spiritual Awakening:
He renounced his medical practice in 1923 to embrace a spiritual path, eventually
becoming a sannyasin (renunciate) in 1924. 
 Founding the Divine Life Society:
In 1936, he established the Divine Life Society (DLS) to disseminate spiritual
knowledge and promote selfless service. 
 Yoga and Vedanta:
Swami Sivananda was a master of yoga and Vedanta, emphasizing their role in
spiritual growth and self-realization. 
 Core Teachings:

His philosophy centered on the idea that every human being is essentially divine
and can attain divinity through self-discipline, selfless service, and spiritual
practices like yoga and meditation. 
 Prolific Author:
He wrote extensively on various subjects, including yoga, Vedanta, health, and
spirituality, leaving behind a vast body of literature. 
 Emphasis on Service:
A central theme in his teachings was the importance of serving humanity, with
the motto "Serve, Love, Meditate, Realize" according to The Divine Life
Society. 
 Influence and Legacy:
Swami Sivananda's teachings continue to inspire millions worldwide through the
Divine Life Society and its branches, as well as through his numerous books.