Latest news with #SwamiSivananda
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Removing inner blemishes to spotlight the self
By Jayant B Dave Removing three defects of mind, also called antahkaran quadruple, in the form of mal, impurities, vikshepa, distraction and avarna, veil, is beginning of a spiritual journey from gross to subtle, in the form of karm yog, culminating into the subtlest Atman through practice of Jnan Yog. Bhakti is common to both. Eight-limbed meditation, yog, starts from the gross physical body, food sheath, in the form of asan, and proceeds to the subtle pran (vital sheath) in the form of pranayam and subtler mind (mental sheath) in the form of concentration and meditation until mind merges with the subtlest abode. It is important to realise that we alone can view our progress from gross to subtle, hindrances on the way, and, at times, regression in the process. What others can perceive is only a shadow of this inner movement. That is why saints such as Swami Sivananda have emphasised self-analysis and introspection at every stage of our lives, nay, every day or every opportune moment. Swami Chidananda cautions us to introspect impartially because our ego does not permit us to accept our blemishes as undesirable traits and finds some justification for them. In realising the Absolute, removing mind's defects plays a more important part than conscious cultivation of virtues. This is because man is potentially divine, characterised by sat, chit, and anand – absolute existence, consciousness, and bliss, and their manifestation into relative forms such as empirical truth, objective knowledge, selfless love, and usual happiness should be a natural, spontaneous happening. Intriguingly, this transformation does not usually take place because the soul is covered by maya, beginningless imponderable power of Ishwar and its effects in the form of avidya, ignorance; asmita, ego; raag, attachment; dvesha, aversion; abhinivesh, clinging to worldly objects and fear of death experienced at lower levels of our human personality, bodymind-intellect apparatus. When these lower constituents of human personality are freed from impurities existing as subtle impressions, binding desires and tendencies and delusion, the Self shines spontaneously, radiating objectless consciousness and bliss. Eradication of vices and cultivation of virtues is a simultaneous process. The former happens by conscious effort, and the latter happens in a relatively natural way. At times, cultivation of virtues is also encouraged to counter strong, deep-seated evil influence, and this is known as pratipaksha bhavana . Defects of the inner self, however deep-seated, are extrinsic to our true Self, as the mind and intellect are our adjuncts, superimposed on the self and falsely attributed to our true Self. The highest reality has no attributes of space, time, causation, and it is self-revealing. The inner battle is referred to as dharmakshetra in the Bhagwad Gita and starts with impartial introspection by Sanjay. The third chapter of the Gita concludes by saying that binding desires (kaam) begotten of rajas reside in the senses, mind, intellect and cover the Self like smoke covering fire. Krishn's prescription is to control senses, mind and then overcome desires, products of mental blemishes that obstruct jnan, knowledge of nirgun Brahmn and vijnan, knowledge of Brahmn with attributes. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Mortal remains of Yoga guru Swami Sivananda consigned to flames
1 2 3 4 Varanasi: The mortal remains of Yoga Guru Padma Shri Swami Sivananda were consigned to flames at Harischandra Ghat on Monday evening. His disciples, including two women, performed his last rites. Swami Sivananda died of pneumonia and subsequent cardiac arrest late Saturday. He was 129. His cremation was delayed due to differences of opinion among his disciples and followers about whether he should be cremated or given a Samadhi. However, after his disciples and followers failed to find a suitable place to give him Bhusamadhi by Monday afternoon, they unanimously decided to cremate his mortal remains. The funeral procession was taken out from Sivananda Baba Ashram in Kabirnagar Durgakund area according to Bengali customs . Scores of disciples, followers of the Yoga Guru, dignitaries, and locals joined the funeral procession, which culminated at Harischandra Ghat in the evening. Local BJP MLA Saurabh Srivastava and Kashi ADCP T Sarvanan offered floral tributes to him before the mortal remains were placed on the pyre. Later, his disciples— Hiramani Vishwash, Sanjay Sarvajna, Purushottam Bhattacharya, Mamoni Didi, Sushant, and Sarmila— who arrived from London, lit the funeral pyre . Earlier, uncertainty persisted over the mode of his last rites due to differences in opinion among his disciples and followers. After consulting some seers, one group decided to give Bhusamadhi (bury) his mortal remains, while another group favoured Jalsamadhi, as it is given to sages after their death. Due to these differences of opinion, the initial decision to cremate Swami's mortal remains at Manikarnika Ghat on Monday morning was postponed, said Debashish Das of Bangiya Samaj, who is also associated with Swami's ashram. On Monday morning, the search for a suitable place to give him Bhusamadhi began. When no suitable place was found within the city area, options on the city outskirts were explored, especially in Ramna. However, the disciples and followers did not find any land that met their expectations, after which they returned and held another meeting, where it was unanimously decided to cremate the mortal remains at Harischandra Ghat, added Das. Born on August 8, 1896, in the erstwhile district of Srihatta (now in Bangladesh), Swami spent his life in Varanasi's Kabirnagar since 1979 and had followers in different countries. From 1925 to 1959, he spent his days in France, Greece, Malta, Japan, and other foreign countries. Swami used to start his day at 3 am, and after practising yoga, he indulged in worshipping, reading books, and chanting hymns. Dependent on only boiled rice, boiled water, and boiled vegetables, Swami also loved to walk up to the ghats to take a dip in the Ganga. Before coming to the limelight in 2022, when he was honoured with a Padma Shri, he surprised even vaccinators by reaching the primary health centre to get the Covid-19 vaccine in June 2021. However, following pneumonia and other complications, Swami Sivananda was admitted to BHU Hospital on April 30. Apart from PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath, Union home minister Amit Shah also condoled his demise, terming it an irreparable loss.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Swami Sivananda will continue to inspire every generation in country: PM Modi
Varanasi: Yoga guru , Swami Sivananda , the 129-year-old recipient, died of pneumonia and subsequent cardiac arrest at SSL Hospital of BHU Saturday night. His cremation will take place at Manikarnika Ghat on Monday morning, said Debashish Das of Bangiya Samaj, who is also associated with the ashram. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He mentioned, "Some of his followers have started from as far as London to take part in his funeral, while several are arriving from Assam and other northeast states, so it was decided to cremate him on Monday." As news of his demise spread, his followers started reaching the hospital late Saturday night. In their messages, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled his demise, while a large number of people, public representatives and officials kept reaching his 'Sivanand Baba Ashram' in Kabirnagar to offer tributes. On Sunday morning, the PM mourned his passing away on his X post, stating, "I am deeply saddened by the passing of yoga practitioner and resident, Sivanand Baba Ji. His life, dedicated to yoga and meditation, will continue to inspire every generation in the country. His departure to the divine abode is an irreparable loss for all of us in Kashi and the millions who drew inspiration from him. He was honoured with the Padma Shri for his service to society through yoga. I pay my respects to him in this moment of grief." Paying humble tributes to him through his X post, the CM said, "The passing of the renowned yoga guru from Kashi, who made an unparalleled contribution to the field of yoga, is deeply saddening. His dedication and life immersed in yoga serve as a great inspiration to the entire society." Many public representatives, including BJP MLAs Neelkanth Tiwari and Saurabh Srivastava and district magistrate Satyendra Kumar, reached the ashram too. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Born on Aug 8, 1896, in the erstwhile district of Srihatta (now in Bangladesh), Swami Sivananda lived in Varanasi's Kabirnagar Bhelupur area since 1979. A spiritual guru who loved to lead a life of simplicity, Swami Sivananda had followers in different countries. From 1925 to 1959, he spent his days in France, Greece, Malta, Japan and other foreign countries. Regarding his daily routine, Swami Sivananda used to say that he started his day at 3 am and practised yoga, especially 'ardhchandra aasan', 'pranayam' and several free-hand exercises, for an hour or two daily, before worshipping and reading books. A major part of his day was spent chanting hymns. Dependent on only boiled rice, boiled water and boiled vegetables, Swami Sivananda also loved to walk up to the ghats to take a dip in the Ganga. Over five decades, Swami Sivananda dedicated himself to caring for 400-600 leprosy-affected individuals who lived as beggars. He consistently participated in all Kumbh Melas across Prayagraj, Nashik, Ujjain and Haridwar for the past 100 years. He attended the Jan-Feb Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Swami Sivananda's followers emphasised his humble nature and spiritual dedication. He never accepted any monetary offerings. In 2022, Sivananda was honoured with Padma Shri by then President Ram Nath Kovind, prompting the audience to rise and applaud. The yoga practitioner's gesture of prostrating in front of the President and PM drew further appreciation, with attendees applauding once again during the ceremony. Before this, he surprised even vaccinators by reaching the primary health centre to get the Covid-19 vaccine in Jun 2021. Following pneumonia and other complications, Swami Sivananda was admitted to BHU Hospital on Apr 30.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Kashi's centenarian guru, a Padma Shri awardee, dies at 129
Lucknow: Yoga guru Swami Sivananda , Padma Shri recipient who claimed to be 129-year-old, died of pneumonia and subsequent cardiac arrest late Saturday. Talking to TOI, his disciple Sanjoy Sarbajna said: "Swamiji passed away around 9pm Saturday." He said: "Swami Sivananda was admitted to BHU hospital on April 30 following pneumonia and other complications." In 2022, Sivananda was honoured with a Padma Shri by then President Ram Nath Kovind, prompting the audience to rise and applaud. The yoga practitioner's gesture of prostrating in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President drew further appreciation, with attendees applauding once again during the ceremony. Swami Sivananda claimed he was born on 8 August, 1896, in pre-partition Bangladesh. He had spent some time in Nabadwip (Bengal) and a few years in Vrindavan before coming to Varanasi in 1979 and setting up a modest ashram at Durgakund in Kabirnagar. Swami Sivananda's mortal remains will be kept at his ashram on Sunday for the public to pay their last respect before the last rites in the evening, Sarbajna said. Over five decades, Swami Sivananda had dedicated himself to caring for 400-600 leprosy-affected individuals who live as beggars in Puri. He visited their dwellings regularly to provide assistance and ensure they receive treatment with respect and dignity. The distinguished yoga practitioner had been consistently participating in all Kumbh Melas across Prayagraj, Nashik, Ujjain and Haridwar throughout for the past 100 years. In fact, he had also attended the Jan-Feb Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. A sign positioned at Baba's encampment along Sangam Lower Road in Sector 16 exhibited his Aadhaar identification, which indicated he was born on August 8, 1896. Swami Sivananda's followers emphasised his humble nature and spiritual dedication. He never took any monetary offerings.
