Swami Sivananda's Page

Swami Sivananda, one of the greatest Yoga masters of the 20th century, is the inspiration behind the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers, Yoga Vidya, the Divine Live Society and many other Yoga organisations, teachers and Masters.

His Early Life

Born in 1887 in Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu, South India, Swami Sivananda whose name was then Kuppuswami, was a brilliant boy at studying as well as gymnastics and naturally inclined toward spiritual and religious practices.
His parents were very devoted to Lord Siva and Kuppuswami was eager to join
them twice daily for worship (Puja) and Kirtan (Mantra chanting).
His natural selfless spirit lead him to a career in the medical field. His amazing
eagerness and ability to learn and assimilate his studies earned him the respect
of his professors who invited him to attend surgeries while still in his first
year of medical school.

Dr. Kuppuswami

The young Dr. Kuppuswami felt a strong urge to go to Malaysia where he felt there was great need. In a short time he was given the responsibility of running a hospital. During these years Dr. Kuppuswami was renowned as being both an excellent
doctor and a true humanitarian. Very often he waived consultation fees for patients
too poor to afford his services and on many occasions provided medicine for
free to his neediest patients.

One day Dr. Kuppuswami had the opportunity to cure a wandering Sannyasin (renunciate or Monk) who then gave the doctor instruction on Yoga and Vedanta. From that day on his life changed, and
gradually Dr. Kuppuswami became more introspective and could not stop pondering
the great questions of life. Now he felt the need to help people on a more profound
level, not just healing their physical body, but helping them to find a cure
for all suffering.

The Great Sannyasin Swami Sivananda

Filled with a tremendous desire for spiritual growth and enlightenment Kuppuswami went to North India in search of his Guru. After spending time in Varanasi (Banaras) he travelled north to the Himalayas. There in the
holy town of Rishikesh (which means "the abode of the sages") Kuppuswami discovered
his Guru who gave him Sannyas (a monk's vows of renunciation). After taking
these vows, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, as he would be known henceforth, started
an extremely intense daily Sadhana (spiritual practices) and Tapas (austerities)
for the next 10 years or so. By the end of that period many co-Sadhus felt drawn
to Swami Sivananda for his instruction and his spiritual inspiration.

Swami Sivananda, The World Teacher

From that time Swami Sivananda became one of the most prolific Yoga teachers who has ever existed. Although he rarely left the little town of Rishikesh (with only 2 India tours and no visits abroad) Swami Sivananda's teachings spread
quickly throughout our entire planet. He personally wrote - by hand, no computers
at the time :-) - more than 200 books on topics connected to Yoga and Philosophy.
He wrote in a style that is very direct and bursting with dynamic, spiritual
energy. As a result many who read his books felt their lives deeply touched
and transformed and so came from all of India, all of the world, to learn from
him directly, and to bask in his holy presence. The teachings of Master Sivananda
are summarized in these 6 words: