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Swami Sivananda Quotes

Sivananda Saraswati was a Hindu spiritual teacher and a proponent of Yoga and Vedanta. Sivananda was born Kuppuswami in Pattamadai, in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. He studied medicine and served in British Malaya as a physician for several years before taking up monasticism. He lived most of his life near Muni Ki Reti, Rishikesh.

He was the founder of the Divine Life Society in 1936, Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy and author of over 200 books on yoga, Vedanta, and a variety of subjects. He established Sivananda Ashram, the headquarters of the DLS, on the bank of the Ganges at Sivanandanagar, 3 kilometres from Rishikesh.Sivananda Yoga, the yoga form propagated by his disciple Vishnudevananda, is now spread in many parts of the world through Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres. These centres are not affiliated with Sivananda's ashrams, which are run by the Divine Life Society. Wikipedia  

✵ 8. September 1887 – 14. July 1963
Swami Sivananda photo
Swami Sivananda: 41   quotes 3   likes

Famous Swami Sivananda Quotes

“There is no physical world for me. What I see I see as the glorious manifestation of the Almighty.”

Swami Sivananda

"What Life Has Taught Me"
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda
Context: I consider that goodness of being and doing constitute the rock-bottom of one’s life. By goodness I mean the capacity to feel with others and to live and feel as others do, and be in a position to act so that no one is hurt by the act. Goodness is the face of Godliness. I think that to be good in reality, in the innermost recesses of one’s heart, is not easy, though it may appear to be simple as a teaching. It is one of the hardest things on earth, if only one would be honest with oneself.
There is no physical world for me. What I see I see as the glorious manifestation of the Almighty.

“With a smile I faced all hardships.”

Swami Sivananda

As quoted by Swami Sadananda Saraswati in his Introduction to Autobiography of Swami Sivananda (2000 web edition) http://www.dlshq.org/download/autobio.htm
Context: The life of a mendicant during pilgrimages helped me to develop in a great measure forbearance, equal vision and a balanced mind in pleasure and pain. I met many Mahatmas and learnt wonderful lessons. On some days I had to go without food and walk mile after mile. With a smile I faced all hardships.

“Do not leave Japa and Sadhana even for a day. Adjust and adapt. Bear insult and injury. Learn to forget trifles. Tactfully move with people. Train everyone in Bhajan and Kirtan. Create spiritual vibrations wherever you go. Then you will find peace, joy, happiness and prosperity. There will be joy in all faces. This is the way for harmony. When you are agitated and irritated, take to Japa or leave the place for some time. Love all and serve all.”

Swami Sivananda

When You Are Agitated
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda

“The life of a mendicant during pilgrimages helped me to develop in a great measure forbearance, equal vision and a balanced mind in pleasure and pain.”

Swami Sivananda

As quoted by Swami Sadananda Saraswati in his Introduction to Autobiography of Swami Sivananda (2000 web edition) http://www.dlshq.org/download/autobio.htm
Context: The life of a mendicant during pilgrimages helped me to develop in a great measure forbearance, equal vision and a balanced mind in pleasure and pain. I met many Mahatmas and learnt wonderful lessons. On some days I had to go without food and walk mile after mile. With a smile I faced all hardships.

“I consider that goodness of being and doing constitute the rock-bottom of one’s life.”

Swami Sivananda

"What Life Has Taught Me"
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda
Context: I consider that goodness of being and doing constitute the rock-bottom of one’s life. By goodness I mean the capacity to feel with others and to live and feel as others do, and be in a position to act so that no one is hurt by the act. Goodness is the face of Godliness. I think that to be good in reality, in the innermost recesses of one’s heart, is not easy, though it may appear to be simple as a teaching. It is one of the hardest things on earth, if only one would be honest with oneself.
There is no physical world for me. What I see I see as the glorious manifestation of the Almighty.

“Be Good, Do Good.
Do thou always without attachment perform action which should be done, for by performing action without attachment, man reaches the Supreme.”

Swami Sivananda

Light, Power and Wisdom (1959), p. 6; note that the short phrase "Be good, do good" had occurred in spiritual teachings of others in the 19th century, usually in conjunction with other injunctions. "Be Good, Do Good" became a prominent motto of the Divine Life Society.
Light, Power and Wisdom (1959), p. 207
Variant: Be good, do good, be kind, be compassionate.

Swami Sivananda Quotes about life

“The life of a mendicant during pilgrimages helped me to develop in a great measure forbearance, equal vision and a balanced mind in pleasure and pain. I met many Mahatmas and learnt wonderful lessons. On some days I had to go without food and walk mile after mile. With a smile I faced all hardships.”

Swami Sivananda

Introduction
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda

“The diseases we suffer from the births we get here on earth are all products of actions done by us in previous times. Every action has its reaction and no action goes unrewarded in a suitable manner. Evil actions do not go without their bitter effects upon the doer. Here are given some of the many pitiable conditions of life which man has to live in due to his careless sinful deeds.”

Swami Sivananda

Karmas and Diseases, Divine Life Society, http://dlshq.org/download/karmadisease.htm (1959)

“The misery and suffering that abound everywhere, reveal clearly that you have wantonly rejected the lessons of life. Foolish man! Your repeated, wanton neglect to learn the lessons of centuries has wrecked your boasted civilisation upon the rocks of hatred and greed.”

Swami Sivananda

Sayings of Swami Sivanada (1947)

“Live with a definite purpose. Do not roam about aimlessly. Walk with a definite aim. Climb the hill of knowledge steadily and reach the summit of the temple of Brahman or the grand abode of Life Immortal.”

Swami Sivananda

Sayings of Swami Sivanada (1947)

“As you think, so you become. As you think, so you develop. As is your ideal, so gradually your life will become. This is so, because there is a great transforming power in thought.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear (c-1960)

“Fear is of two kinds, viz., natural or rational fear, when there is a threatening situation to endanger life; and unnatural or unusual fear which has no objective reality.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear (c-1960)

Swami Sivananda Quotes about fear

“Fear is illusory; it cannot live. Courage is eternal, it will not die. Perils, calamities, dangers are the certain lot of every man who is a denizen of this world. Therefore, O Man! Fortify your mind with courage and patience. Fortitude, courage, presence of mind will sustain you through all dangers.”

Swami Sivananda

“God bestows perfect security on His devotees and removes all sorts of fears. He transforms the sense of insecurity and fear into one of confidence and faith. He saves him from panic and despair.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear (c-1960)

“Sit with closed eyes in the early morning. Meditate on courage, the opposite of fear, for half an hour. Think of the advantages of courage and the disadvantages of fear.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear (c-1960)

“If the fear is released or dispelled, he will have peace of mind.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear (c-1960)

“Anxiety and worry are the effects of fear. Some sort of fear gets buried in the subconscious mind. So man worries himself. There is continued strain and tension in the mind.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear (c-1960)

“Panicky fear is more contagious than typhoid or cholera. The atom bombs cause terrible panicky fear. People leave their houses and move to villages.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear (c-1960)

Swami Sivananda Quotes

“Run in the open air. Do mild Pranayama. Chant OM. Sing with devotion. Dance in ecstasy. Depression will vanish soon. You are Ananda Svarupa—where is gloom and depression? They are mental creations only. Remain silent. You can gain more by silence.”

Swami Sivananda

Overcome Depression and Gloom
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda

Singing , Silence , Dance

“This world is a strange world. We have to learn many lessons. One of the disciples of the Lord Jesus betrayed the Lord. Many obstacles will come to the growing aspirant at every step. We will have to show our strength. Do not be agitated by little things. Be cheerful. Smile. Walk boldly. Think and feel that nothing has happened. Don’t worry about little things. You have to do many great actions yet. Prakriti is preparing you in a variety of ways. Feel this. Be grateful to the Lord.”

Swami Sivananda

You Cannot Get Away From Evil
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda

Smile , Learning , Thinking , Way

“A man of courage does not tremble in the hour of danger. He is not embarrassed and bewildered. He does not sink down. He is not overwhelmed by despair.. He smiles away all dangers and difficulties, blows the trumpet of triumph and attains victory in the end.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear, Divine Life Society, http://dlshq.org/download/conquest_fear.pdf (circa 1960)

Despair , Courage , Victory , Smile

“Beef, wine, garlic, onions, and tobacco are Tamasic food-stuffs. They exercise a very unwholesome influence on the human mind and fill it with emotions of anger, darkness, and inertia.”

Swami Sivananda

Bliss Divine, Chapter 82, Vegetarianism, Divine Life Society, http://www.dlshq.org/books/es19.htm (circa 1959)

Exercises , Wine , Anger , Food

“Milk, barley, wheat, cereals, butter, cheese, tomatoes, honey, dates, fruits, almonds, and sugar-candy are all Sattvic food-stuffs. They render the mind pure and calm and play a very important part in the practices of spiritual aspirants, in the mental development of the student, and in the personality- power of the leaders of mankind.”

Swami Sivananda
Personality , Parting , Food

“Those men or women who abuse innocent poor servants, and coolies who are rather to be pitied and helped for their miserable condition, fall into a hell where they are severely thrashed and forced to embrace a burning image of iron like unto a man or woman. Those who abuse their marriage beds are given a similar punishment.”

Swami Sivananda

Karmas and Diseases, Divine Life Society, http://dlshq.org/download/karmadisease.htm (1959)

Hell , Marriage , Help , Women

“Until and unless Self-realisation is attained, Knowledge-Absolute is gained, there is ever the ebb and flow, the constant see-saw between the animal and the man in every human being. The beast or the brute is never completely absent or overcome except through a final Divinisation of the individual. As long as there is the human, side by side there will be the animal also, now the one having the upper hand, now the other.”

Swami Sivananda

Karmas and Diseases, Divine Life Society, http://dlshq.org/download/karmadisease.htm (1959)

Knowledge , Self-confidence , Animals

“Fish, eggs, meat, salt, chillies, and asafoetida are Rajasic food-stuffs; they excite passion and make the mind restless, unsteady, and uncontrollable.”

Swami Sivananda
Passion , Fish , Making love , Food

“Humanity, wake up! Turn Godwards. Turn towards the Divine Light while there is yet time. You can yet mend and make good. However low you may have fallen you can rise yet. The Lord has assured glory even to the worst sinner, if he but mends his ways.”

Swami Sivananda

Sayings of Swami Sivanada (1947)

Light , Time , Way

“Strive to attain the supreme Reality” is the bold declaration of Sri Sankara. Yet you have made the material world alone the only solid reality. This treacherous mirage is luring humanity to its destruction. Stop this downward plunge.”

Swami Sivananda

Sayings of Swami Sivanada (1947)

Reality , World

“Seek within. All power dwells in you, infinite power for good. Realise your real nature and be perennially happy and peaceful.”

Swami Sivananda

Sayings of Swami Sivanada (1947)

Peace , Happiness , Nature

“Stand not a beggar before the door of science seeking power that kills more than heals.”

Swami Sivananda

Sayings of Swami Sivanada (1947)

Science

“In the spiritual path there are constant failures and set-backs. Repeated endeavour, constant vigilance and undaunted perseverance are needed.”

Swami Sivananda

Sayings of Swami Sivanada (1947)

Failure , Perseverance

“A devotee sees only the Lord in all names and forms.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear (c-1960)

“The origin of most neurotic fears can be traced to childhood. The seeds of fear may lie dormant in childhood in the subconscious mind. They sprout forth after some time during some period of crisis or stress.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear (c-1960)

Childhood , Lie , Fear , Time

“Fear is a great enemy of man. It is the enemy of his progress. It disturbs his peace and harmony. It sucks or saps his vitality and energy. It drains the nervous system of its reserve of energy. It produces weakness.”

Swami Sivananda

Conquest of Fear (c-1960)

Fear , Peace

“Yoga does not consist in sitting cross-legged for six hours or stopping the beatings of the heart or getting oneself buried underneath the ground for a week or a month. These are all physical feats only.”

Swami Sivananda

What Is Actual Yoga
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda (1958)

Heart

“You have to do many great actions yet. Prakriti is preparing you in a variety of ways. Feel this. Be grateful to the Lord.”

Swami Sivananda

You Cannot Get Away From Evil
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda (1958)

Way , Feeling

“Do not be agitated by little things. Be cheerful. Smile. Walk boldly. Think and feel that nothing has happened. Don’t worry about little things.”

Swami Sivananda

You Cannot Get Away From Evil
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda (1958)

Smile , Thinking , Feeling

“This world is a strange world. We have to learn many lessons. One of the disciples of the Lord Jesus betrayed the Lord. Many obstacles will come to the growing aspirant at every step. We will have to show our strength.”

Swami Sivananda

You Cannot Get Away From Evil
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda (1958)

Learning , World

“It is not through compulsion or rules or regulations that men can be transformed into divine beings. They all must have convincing experiences of their own.”

Swami Sivananda

Helpfulness and Love Towards All
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda (1958)

Men

“Goodness is the face of Godliness. I think that to be good in reality, in the innermost recesses of one’s heart, is not easy, though it may appear to be simple as a teaching. It is one of the hardest things on earth, if only one would be honest with oneself.”

Swami Sivananda

What Life Has Taught Me
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda (1958)

Heart , Thinking , Appearance , Reality

“I consider that goodness of being and doing constitute the rock-bottom of one’s life. By goodness I mean the capacity to feel with others and to live and feel as others do, and be in a position to act so that no one is hurt by the act.”

Swami Sivananda

What Life Has Taught Me
Autobiography of Swami Sivananda (1958)

Hurt , Life , Feeling

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