योऽन्त:सुखोऽन्तरारामस्तथान्तज्र्योतिरेव य: ।
स योगी ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं ब्रह्मभूतोऽधिगच्छति ।।
{yo 'ntaḥ-sukho 'ntar-ārāmas tathāntar-jyotir eva yaḥ sa yogī brahma-nirvāṇaṁ brahma-bhūto 'dhigachchhati}
[Only that yogi who possess the inner Bliss, who rests on the inner Foundation, who is one with the inner Light, becomes one with Spirit (after attaining freedom from karma connected with the physical, astral, and ideational bodies). He attains complete liberation in Spirit (even while living in the body) –
Sri Sri Paramhansha Yogananda, YSS]
“For the salvation of his own soul, and for the good and happiness of the many, the Sannyasin is born in the world” – Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Sivananda, 127- year old spiritual Yogi of Varanasi, is a unique man in the spiritual history of the world. In his own words, "Sivananda is not only the oldest but also the happiest man in the world." What makes him the oldest, yet happiest, and full of vitality and active?
Early Childhood: Swami Sivananda was born on 8th August, 1896 to a famous Bengali Brahmin Goswami family in Sylhet District of Bengal Presidency, British India (now in Bangladesh). He is the 10th descendant of Thakurbani, who was a great saint in Sylhet, a few centuries ago. His father, Srinath Goswami and mother Bhagabati Devi were Vaishnavas and used to beg from door to door for their livelihood. They offered the food so collected to Lord Narayana first and then thrived on the Prasad which was never sufficient to satisfy their hunger. His parents handed over their 4-year old son to Omkarananda Goswami, a Vaishnava saint and Sadguru (true spiritual master), residing in Nabadwip (now in West Bengal) for his physical, mental and spiritual development.
Passing Away of Sister, Mother and Father when he was 6-year old: 2-years later Sivananda was sent by Omkarananda Goswamiji to Sylhet to meet his parents. On reaching home, he came to know that his elder sister had already died of hunger and starvation. After a few days, his mother passed away before sunrise and his father died only 2-hours later after sunrise by the law of destiny. After performing their last rites, Sivananda returned to his Guru’s Ashram in Nabadwip - his only resort in this world along with the “Shalagram Shila”, worshiped by his father and the Shivalinga”, worshiped by his mother.
Education, Yoga Training and Spiritual Initiation: Sivananda had his "Mantra Diksha" (spiritual initiation from Omkarananda Goswamiji, who arranged for his wordly education, taught him all the important life lessons, imparted both Yoga Training and Spiritual Training.
Self Realization and Service of Mankind: By virtue of Gurukripa (Divine blessings of Guru), intense practice of Yoga, Japa (uttering God’s name with concentration and devotion), Meditation and sheer perseverance, Sivananda realized the Self, saw this physical world as the glorious manifestation of the Almighty and proclaimed” The world is my home. It’s people are my fathers and mothers. To love and serve them is my religion.” Then he devoted his entire life for the well-being of all beings, to the pleasure of God’s name, and to the services of the suffering humanities.
Demonstrating the Art of Living in Western Countries: Swami Sivananda Babaji was sent to London in 1925 by his Guruji. Then he demonstrated the Art of Living in all its dimensions as exemplified in his life throughout the 6-continents for more than three decades.
Return to India, Passing away of Guruji and Service to Indian People: His guruji called him back toIndia in 1959. His spiritual master Omkarananda Goswamiji gave up his mortal body in December, 1959. Though it was a great shock to Sivananda Baba, he consoled himself and started his mission of selfless service to the people of various regions of India, particularly the north-east India, afflicted with physical, mental and spiritual sufferings during 1960s’ and 1970’s.
Life at Vrindaban: Sivananda Baba Continued his Charity, Compassion for poor and exemplary life in Vrindaban for two years since January, 1977.
Permanent Abode in Varanasi since 1979: In 1979, Sivananda Baba came from Vrindaban to live permanently in Varanasi (Kashi).
Yogi, Sadguru Sivananda Baba and his Dependence on God: Sivananda Baba concealed himself for a long time. But ultimately people came to know him as great Yogi and Sadguru who is free from all worldly desires and lusts. He is unwilling to accept any kind of donation. He is always in a state of indifference with regard to his everyday provisions and the necessaries of life. He is wholly dependent on God. By the grace of God a few chosen devotees provides his minimum necessaries of life. Similarly, his desire of serving suffering humanity is also fulfilled by God automatically.
His Daily Life: Sivananda Babaji’s daily life is a reflection of the dedication, discipline,undivided surrender to God and Service to humanity. He gets up from bed at around 3 am and practices Yoga, free hand excercises and Pranayam for one hour. He also walks for one hour in the morning. He is almost all day long devoted to Japa, Meditation, Puja and helps the seekers to attain physical, mental and spiritual well-being. He does not sleep in day time. His daily menu is rice/roti with boiled vegetables. He never takes sweets and oil-fried food. He does not take milk or fruit as poor people can’t afford to purchase milk or fruit. He sleeps at around 9 pm.
His Mission: His dream is that everybody on earth will lead disease-free, joyful life like him. He expects everyone to practice Yoga at least half an hour a day. Sivananda Baba says “ I hold that real religion is the religion of the heart. The heart must be purified first. Truth, love & purity are the basis of real religion. Control over the baser nature, conquest of the mind, cultivation of virtues, service of humanity, goodwill, fellowship and amity constitutes the fundamental of true religion.These ideals are included in the principles of the Divine life. And I try to teach them mostly by example which I consider to be weightier than all precepts."
Service to Humanity: For the past 60 years, he has been working tirelessly by serving hundreds of leprosy-affected downtrodden people at Puri, Bankura, Bishnupur, Garbeta, Purulia, and other suffering humanity in Varanasi, Nabadwip, Birbhum, tribal and remote villages in North-east India. He does their “Seva” (service) by himself with utmost humility and even visits them in their huts. He treats them as his own and tries to fulfil all their needs, be it food, clothes or basic necessities of life. He radiates his goodwill around him and inspires others to join his endeavour to bring joy in their lives.
Major Recognition: SwamiSivananda has been bestowed with many awards for his lifelong commitment to humanity and Yoga including Yoga Ratna Award on 20th June 2019, Basundhara Ratan Award on 30th November, 2019 by Respect Age International. He demonstrated Yoga in World Yoga Day Celebration in 2019 at Kantiraba Stadium, Bengaluru. In March 21, 2022, he was awarded Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award by then President Ram Nath Covind for Yoga and compassion towards human society. His healthy and long life has drawn attention of different national and international media like BBC, AFP, History Channel, Times of India, Dainik Jagaran, AajTak, Assam Tribune etc. Who have published articles on him. Corporate Hospitals have performed complimentary master health check up and declared him free from diseases except degenerative changes in eye and ear due to old age. He was also hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a session of 'Man Ki Baat' and said "My dear countrymen, you must have observed Baba Sivanand Ji in the recently held Padma Award Ceremony. Seeing the agility of the 126-year-old, everyone must have been surprised just like I was…". He added " At the age of 126 years, the fitness of Baba Sivanad is the subject of discussion today. …Indeed the life of Baba Sivananda is an inspiration for all of us."
Contribution to the Society: His contribution to the mankind is being felt gradually by the people all over the world, which will be greater in the years to come. People all over the world are being interested and inspired in Yoga seeing this disease-free 127-year-old Yogi. As well they are charmed with his views of life, concept of religion, philanthropic activities and simple yet joyful life. Swami Sivananda is like a pole star which will show path and direction not only to this generation but also to future generations.
*Written by Ashim Krishna Pyne, Author of "Daiba Kripay Rog Mukti o Samasyar Samadhan", a book about life and teachings of Swami Sivananda released by Swami Sivananda himself.
