Swami Sivananda, a 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, happiest, the most active, and full of vitality?
Early Childhood: Swami Sivananda was born on 8 August 1896 to a famous Bengali Brahmin Goswami family in Sylhet District of the Bengal Presidency of British India (now in Bangladesh). He is the tenth descendant of Thakurbani, who was a great saint in Sylhet, a few centuries ago. His father, Srinath Goswami, and his mother, Bhagabati Devi, were Vaishnavas and used to beg door to door for their livelihood. They offered the food collected to Lord Narayana first and then thrived on the Prasad, which was never sufficient to satisfy their hunger. His parents handed over their four 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 his Sister, Mother, and Father when he was a six-year-old: Two 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 two 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,” worshipped by his father and the Shivalinga,” worshipped by his mother.
Education, Yoga Training, and Spiritual Initiation: Sivananda had his “Mantra Diksha” (spiritual initiation from Omkarananda Goswamiji, who arranged for his worldly education, taught him all the important life lessons, and imparted both Yoga and Spiritual Training.
Self-Realisation and Service of Mankind: By the virtue of Gurukripa (Divine blessings of Guru), the 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. Its people are my fathers and mothers. To love and serve them is my religion.”
Then he devoted his entire life to the well-being of all beings, to the pleasure of God’s name, and services of the suffering humanity.
Demonstrating the Art of Living in Western Countries: Swami Sivananda Babaji was sent to London in 1925 by his Guruji. There, he demonstrated the Art of Living in all its dimensions as exemplified in his life, across six continents for more than three decades.
Return to India, Passing away of Guruji and Service to Indian People: His guruji called him back to India 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 north-east India, afflicted with physical, mental, and spiritual sufferings during the 1960s and 1970s.
Life at Vrindaban: From January 1977, Sivananda Baba continued his charity and compassion for the poor and lived an exemplary life in Vrindaban for two years.
Permanent Abode in Varanasi since 1979: In 1979, Sivananda Baba moved 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 a 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 to his everyday provisions and the necessities of life. He is wholly dependent on God. By the grace of God, a few chosen devotees provide his necessities of life. Similarly, his desire to serve suffering humanity is also fulfilled by God automatically.
His Daily Life: Sivananda Babaji’s daily life is a reflection of dedication, discipline, undivided surrender to God, and service to humanity. He gets up from bed at around 3 AM and practices Yoga, free hand exercises, and Pranayama for one hour. He also walks for one hour in the morning. He is devoted to Japa, Meditation, and Puja the entire day, and also helps the seekers to attain physical, mental, and spiritual
well-being. He does not sleep in the daytime. His daily menu is rice or roti with boiled vegetables. He does not eat sweets and oil-fried food. He does not drink milk or consume fruit as poor people cannot afford to purchase milk or fruit. He sleeps around 9 PM.
His Mission: He dreams that everybody on earth can lead a disease-free, joyful life like him. He expects everyone to practice Yoga for 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, and 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 constitute the fundamentals 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 necessities of life. He radiates his goodwill around him and inspires others to join his endeavour to bring joy to their lives.
Major Recognition: Swami Sivananda has been bestowed with many awards for his lifelong commitment to humanity and Yoga including the Yoga Ratna Award on 20 June 2019, and Basundhara Ratan Award on 30 November 2019 by Respect Age International. He demonstrated Yoga at the World Yoga Day Celebration in 2019 at Kantiraba Stadium, Bengaluru. On 21 March 2022, he was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award by the then President Ram Nath Kovind for Yoga and compassion towards human society. His healthy and long life has drawn the attention of different national and international media like BBC, AFP, History Channel, Times of India, Dainik Jagran, Aaj Tak, Assam Tribune, etc., who have published articles on him.
Corporate hospitals have conducted a complimentary master health check-up on him, and declared him free from diseases, except degenerative changes in the eyes and ears due to old age. He was also hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a session of ‘Man Ki Baat’, who 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 Sivanand is the subject of discussion today. Indeed, the life of Baba Sivanand is an inspiration for all of us”.
Contribution to the Society: His contribution to mankind is being felt gradually by people all over the world, which will be greater in the years to come. People all over the world are interested in and inspired by Yoga seeing a disease-free 127-year-old Yogi. They are also charmed by his views of life, his concept of religion, his philanthropic activities, and his simple yet joyful life. Swami Sivananda is like a pole star who shows the right path and direction not only to this generation but also to future generations.
“I hold that real religion is the religion of the heart. The heart must be purified first. Truth, love, and 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 constitute the fundamentals 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.”