Monday, May 28, 2012

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Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Life of a Vegetarian Muslim


Life of a Vegetarian Muslim



“Muslim and A Vegetarian ? How can it be? ” This is the only question I face every time I eat out with a new person. I am a practicing Muslim and a Pure Vegetarian. Everyone has a general conception that all muslims are Meat lovers. Its true. The society that I live in doesn’t have the word ‘Vegetarian’ in their dictionary. A meal without meat or chicken in any ceremony would be nothing but low quality and cheap. A society which considers it holy to consume meat. A society where a child is a meat eater every single day of the week. He/she would go hungry on a day when vegetables would have been cooked. And I was no different. I grew up in this society.
I can say that I have consumed meat like no one else. I went hungry on days my mother cooked vegetables and expressed extreme anger on her for doing so. I used to coax her for not taking care of me. Then I used to rush to a near by restaurant to grab minced meat and bread. It was my favorite. I still smell the same Arabian/Mughalai Minced meat when I pass by that restaurant. I consumed meat for the first 16 years of my life and then I quit.
People taunted me with various fallacies, primarily one which I still get from others : “You’re not even a muslim if you don’t eat meat once in 40 days.”. That hurt sometime, but I ignored. At some point it made me feel that I was committing a sin. I only knew that I may be different and may not be right, but I wasn’t wrong and not a sinner. I am a strong believer of God, the one and only one God. This fact is enough for me to still call myself a Muslim.
I had no reasons to quit meat eating, but something happened when there was a Goat sacrifice in our house on the day of Eid-uz-Zoha. Hours after the Goat was sacrificed, I saw the raw meat on the plate still shivering. As if it still had life in it. Islamic way of sacrifice is no doubt the most scientific method of killing with minimal pain, but I just couldn’t tolerate the view of the pieces of meat shivering in front of my eyes. Some more hours passed by, the meat was cooked -A fantastic dish was served. I just couldn’t consume it. I didn’t see any physical movement on the cooked meat but could feel the shivering. I just couldn’t consume that meat.
It is said that before any sacrifice, the animal comes to know that its going to be sacrificed.  It has already given up the hope. The animal stops eating from the night before. I have seen in the animal’s eyes. Its deep. Its dark. Its scared. When the time comes there is a ceremony in which the animal should drink a few gulps of water just before the knife is rubbed against the skin. This is the most difficult part. The animal refuses to drink the last drink. Just to extend its life for a few more minutes. And when the animal is forced to drink, just when the water reaches its throat, the slaughter begins with prayers. I shall not go into the details of the processes involved in slaughtering. But its all these hurt me more than anything else in the world. The sight is too frightful for me.
Most Islamic clergymen would outcast me or have a Fatwa on me if I said that every time I see a dead animal, I recite the prayers which muslims recite when they come across death of any human. Such is my faith.
At this point, I must confess that I am a food lover; I live to eat rather than eat to live; During my days of Vegetarianism since the age of 16, the most supportive people are my parents, Specially my mother. I take the opportunity to publicly thank her for all the trouble she has taken to cook separately for me Pure Vegetarian food. I may not trust a veg restaurant, but I would trust her that no matter what, she would cook vegetarian food for me where even a single spoon of Oil wouldn’t be shared between their non-veg cooking and my veg cooking.
I am mostly cut from my cultural foodie events. I do not go because the food is non-veg, and no one is that caring enough (except family) to prepare veg food for me. I don’t expect them to understand either.
Once in a blue moon, my parents would casually say to me “Why don’t you start eating for a change?”. I just chuckle.
I don’t force anyone to be a vegetarian though I advocate it. I never win and neither they lose. They respect my vegetarianism because I am not doing anything against the religion or against Islam. Just like any other ‘ideal’ muslim, I pray daily prayers, I don’t indulge in Usury or Interest on money, I offer charity, I don’t gamble, drink, smoke and most importantly, I believe that there is no god, but God. These are the basic pillars of Islam and I don’t think I am breaking them.
Its time when people should know the fact that in the Holy Quran, it is mentioned that one may eat permissible non-vegetarian food, for God has created animals for human consumption but it is not compulsory. It is also mentioned that Animals such as Pig and Pork meat is strictly prohibited (It has a scientific reason). A muslim can be a good practicing muslim by being a 

Vegetarian Muslims

Vegetarian Muslims
source
http://vegetarianmuslim.org/
http://www.islamveg.com/


Victory for Vegetarian Muslims
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Islam,
Assalam-e-aliekum!
Islam teaches us compassion and mercy. When we take the name of Allah, we end it with “compassionate and merciful”.
Amongst many teachings religious in Islam, one of the things we have deviated ourselves from is compassion and mercy, to mankind, as well as to other sentient fellow beings( animals).
Today we muslims are referred to as a meat eating community. What does our religious belief and “ iman” has to do with eating meat? Nothing, if you see it from the religious point of view, but much ,if you see it from the community practice point of view.
Today almost every muslim household, all over the world, has at least one meat diet a day. Thing has come to such a pass that even during a small celebration,a cow or a goat/sheep or a few hens are slaughtered for the celebration,mostly in the name of religion.
During Eid-e- Adha , the cow, sheep or camel are procured instantly and slaughtered the next day. When someone has to flaunt his wealth within the community, he makes it a point to sacrifice several such animals .
The pinning down of the animal on the ground with a “ thud” is applauded by those standing by before the knife of sacrifice runs over the animals neck. 
Must we make meat our staple diet and must we sacrifice animals during Eid-e-Adha?. As a muslim, we need to see these two questions from a different perspective, instead of deviating from the principles of Islam.
1. When Allah himself is “compassionate and merciful” then why do not we look up to his example and spare the lives of the poor animals and instead use that money to help our muslim brothers and sisters in distress . There are so many brothers and sisters who need financial assistance. Better still would be, if with so much money each year, factories and businesses would be set up with the employment exclusively for muslims.
2. Sacrificing animal is not a “Farz” or compulsory on the day of Eid-e-Adha.
3. Avoid ye the seven obnoxious things {deadly sins}: polytheism; magic; the killing of breathing beings(humans and animals! Which God has forbidden except for rightful reason. (Narrated by Abu Huraira. Sahih Mulim - Kitab-ul-Imam [Ref. No. 46]; Chapt. XXXIX, Vol.I; p. 52. Bukhari, 4:23. Also Awn [Ref. No. 32]; Hadith No. 2857)
4. Being merciful for all creatures, the Prophet of Islam (the religion of mercy) has shown us through his commandments and teachings, how to tend and care for these creatures. Thus he said, “The merciful are shown mercy by the All-Merciful. Show mercy to those on earth, and He Who is in heaven will show mercy unto you.”
5. [6:38] All the creatures on earth, and all the birds that fly with wings, are communities like you. We did not leave anything out of this book(Quran). To their Lord, all these creatures will be summoned. The Quran tells us that animals are communities and nations unto their own and that they are more than mere resources. However, animals are treated as nothing but machines on today's "factory farms." Not only are these factory farms found all over the world, they are also becoming the dominant means of meat, egg, and milk production throughout the world. More than 20 billion animals are slaughtered for food each year worldwide. These billions of animals are confined to extremely small spaces so that producers can raise as many animals as possible. Ninety percent of U.S. eggs come from chickens who are crammed together up to five to a cage the size of a record album cover, and this method of egg production is spreading throughout the globe.
6. Muslims are exhorted to eat good, pure, and wholesome food. But we now know that eating animal products is implicated with a host of diseases. People who consume animal products are 10 times more susceptible to heart disease, 40 percent more susceptible to cancer, and at increased risk for many other illnesses, including stroke, obesity, appendicitis, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, and food poisoning. Additionally, meat contains accumulations of pesticides and other chemicals up to 14 times more concentrated than those found in plant foods.When the animal is being slaughtered it is frightened and in pain, it then releases poisonous glandular secretions such as adrenalin which is extremely harmful to us. We also consume the blood of such animals with a completely different DNA which is processed in our liver. Our intestine is longer than carnivores animals , as such, it takes a long time for protein food such as meat to expel from our system . This allows the meat to be lodged for a very long time in our intestine which is the cause for cancer and other diseases in humans ,besides, it is responsible for quick ageing and age related diseases.
7. The habitat of animals are always smelling foul and obnoxious and one cannot stand at that place for a long time , also the raw meat of the animals have obnoxious odour ,which sends an alarm to our brain that these are unclean and should not be consumed. Even after this we consume it camouflaging the bad odour with spices and aromatics. The ultimate result is Mad cow disease, Foot and mouth disease, Swine flue and bird flue, to name a few. 
8. Bury a handful of beans in the ground it will give you small plants to eat. Bury a handful of meat it will give you foul smell of carcass and maggots(worms). Then should we muslims eat of such unclean foods?
9. When you slaughter the animal,bacteria immediately start multiplying within it. Even when you freeze the meat the bacteria is alive and when you eat it you eat the bacteria too.
10. "O Believers! Eat of the good and pure (lawful) that We have provided you with and be grateful to Allah, if you truly worshipHim."[surah al-Baqarah; 2:172] Muslims are exhorted to eat good, pure, and wholesome food.
11.Meat eating is not a criteria to be a Muslim, a pure veg. eating person also can be a good muslim. For any person to be a good muslim he/she must have strong faith on Allah and follow the commandments of Allah. There are 6 Pillars of iman (faith) to be a good Muslim:
1) believing in Allah, the creator of this universe.
2) believing in his Angels
3) believe in his books The Torah, Bible and the Holy Quran,
4) Believe in his messengers, Jesus, Abraham, Moses, And the last and final messenger Mohammed, peace be upon them all,
5) Believing in destiny.
6) believe in the here-after, (day of judgment, Heaven Hell etc,)
Eid -Ul -Adha is an happy occasion for all muslims around the world to celebrate and rejoice. We would rejoice more if we spend that much time with our family and friends rather than in procuring the animals for sacrifice and spending days in cutting and distributing its flesh and donating its skin. When you spare the lives of animals you show your mercy towards them and Allah is happy with your action . The money that would otherwise have gone to buy the animals may be given to charity for the deserving poor muslim brothers and sisters,this action too will make Allah happy . This way you earn two points to make Allah happy. You will also feel happy when you spare the lives of helpless living beings. Better still, the huge amount of money that is collected worldwide in not buying and slaughtering any animal could go into making large factories and business houses employing muslim brothers and sisters across the world. Finance the study of deserving muslim scholars. Build international quality schools,colleges and professional educational centres around the world. Build hospitals and free state of the art medical centres for the community and free for the aged. 
Those of us who would like to flaunt their wealth within the community will have their names written in big letters towards the amount of contribution for the noble cause. This way the name of that person will remain on the board forever. 
Muslims should in any case avoid the eating of flesh. Meat, like wine, is habit forming and dangerous for health. The after effect in old age is pathetic. Most of us blame it on ageing process. This is not so, meat causes arthritis, uric acid accumulation in the joints, cancer, kidney liver, heart and other terminal illnesses are caused due to consuming meat in any form. Allah has made our body to remain young for at least a 100 year. We can live up to 150 year if we do not get angry all for nothing, eat in moderation, consume pure, clean and wholesome food, refrain from meat, wine and other vices. Think pure, eat pure and be of service to mankind.
NAMES OF FEW FAMOUS VEGETARIANS .
Jesus Christ- Charles Darwin, author and scientist-Leonardo da Vinci, artist-Thomas Edison, inventor-Albert Einstein, physicist-Mahatma Gandhi,- Sir Isaac Newton, physicist-Plato, physicist and writer-Pythagoras, Greek philosopher-George Bernard Shaw,- Socrates, Greek philosopher-Leo Tolstoy, author-Carl Lewis, Olympic runner-Bill Pearl, four-time Mr Universe,bodybuilder-Dave Scott (6-time Ironman(strongman-Triathlon winner)-Dr.Abdul Kalam, Past president of India-Abharam Lincoln, ex-president of USA-These are only few out of the thousands of great vegetarian names. 

Friday, May 18, 2012

Swami Nikhileshwaranand/Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimali


Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimali (1933–1998) was a Guru of highest proficiency in mantratantraastrology,HypnosisAyurveda and all ancient Indian sciences.
In his ascetic form, he is the great master of SiddhashramSwami Nikhileshwaranand.
                                                                                                                         
Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimali

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[edit]About Swami Nikhileshwaranand ji

Reverent Gurudev Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimaliji is known to ascetics as Paramhans Swami Nikhileshwaranandji readily took up this challenge to rejuvenate the ancient Indian Sciences and Philosophy. His name, epitomising the rare and secret eruditions of ancient India, shines bright as the sun in the fields of Mantra, Tantra, Astrology, Karmkand (Indian Vedic rituals) and Ayurved. He is a great Indian Yogi and ascetic, sitting in whose feet one attains celestial peace and totality in life.
He spent many decades in the caves of Himalayas gathering the knowledges from the sages, monks and ascetics. He deeply studied all the Vedas, 108 Upanishads and other ancient texts apart from obtaining PhD from Jodhpur University.
Each moment of His life, has been dedicated to the rejuvenation of these ancient Indian sciences and Sadhanas, which had once raised India to the highest echelons in all spheres, in the world scene. He started his work from the grassroots level, inviting the common men & women and imparting them the knowledge of Mantras, Tantras and Sadhnas, to make their magic work for themselves. There are special Mantras to solve problems like marital problems, marriage of children, increasing debts, enemies, problems at work etc. Sadhna is a perfect science and if performed correctly under the guidance of an able Guru always succeeds and bestows results. And once the new-initiates had the first taste of success, they would with added vigour try more Sadhnas and even introduce their friends and relatives to this unique Guru. It was a sort of chain reaction which went on for years till millions of Sadhaks had been initiated into the world of Sadhnas by this selfless Guru.
Working day and night for over forty years, Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimaliji sacrificed even his personal moments to help people gain awareness through thousands of Sadhana meditation camps organised all over India & outside India in countries like UK, Italy, Spain, USA, Mauritius, Nepal and several others. He made the new Sadhaks realise that Mantras do have powers, that divine powers can be summoned to help one out and that one does not need priests to perform rituals on one's behalf i.e. one could learn from the Guru the correct way of chanting Mantras and succeed without any third person's help.
There were occasions when several people with scientific bent of mind came to argue with him but returned completely transformed.To all common folks he taught and practically demonstrated that through the means of Sadhnas one can gain a lot in life. Not only can problem related to health, wealth, property tensions, children, education, job, business be solved permanently, rather one can also make spiritual achievements just by devoting only a hour or two daily. He knew that modern man has little time to spare. Hence he introduced the aspirant to quick acting rituals. Many Sadhaks thus went on to gain superb powers like clairvoyance, telepathy, hypnotism etc. Those who tried with devotion and dedication achieved hundred percent success. Thousands had the glimpse of their favourite deity.
Those who still failed to get results were given special treatment. In fact at the very first look at the person, Dr. Shrimaliji would know whether he could succeed in Sadhana himself or would need divine help. To the latter He would give Shaktipaat Diksha i.e. he would transfer a small part of His own Divine Power into the person through physical and eye contact and awaken his/her own latent divinity. Millions have been able to transform their lives by vanquishing sorrows, tensions, poverty; and imbibing the enlightenment of spiritualism into themselves.
Sadhaks under his guidance have gone onto successfully combat the worst ordeals of life. Many were cured of incurable ailments, others freed of tension. Those desperately in need of wealth found new avenues opening for them. Many childless couples effectively used Mantras in his guidance and others obtained Dikshas from him, and thus had a child. Many are living on borrowed time, for he saved them from sure death in accidents. Besides the knowledge of Sadhnas, Tantra, Mantra and Yantra, he resurrected Astrology to its past glory by making astoundingly precise forecasts in general and for individuals; and he authored no less than 120 books on this subject. He was an authority on Ayurveda and set up special farms to grow the almost extinct herbs. Many disciples mastered the science of Ayurveda under him.
Apart from Astrology, He authored more than 150 books on diverse subjects like Sadhnas, Kundalini Tantra, Palmistry, Paarad Vigyan (alchemy), Hypnotism, Meditation, Numerology, Ayurveda , Signature Analysis, Yoga and other subjects of the spiritual field. He has also released hundreds of audio and video cassettes to detail the exact procedures of performing worship and to record the authentic sound vibration and pronunciation of the Mantras. Many of his articles have been published in leading newspapers and magazines. He accomplished significant spiritual and religious ceremonies at various religious places of pilgrimage in India and thus re-established the religious and historical significance of these places in the society. He presided over various Tantra and Mantra conferences and is recognized as the pillar stone of the field of the Tantra. He has been honoured with several titles of recognition in various fields. He was honoured with the title of "Maha Mahopadhyay" in 1982 by the then vice-president of India, Dr. B.D. Jatti. He was honoured with the title of "Samaj Shiromani" in 1989 by the then Vice-President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma. In 1991, he was honoured by the then Prime Minister of Nepal, Sh. Bhattarai for his unique and singular work in the social and religious fields.
He was nominated as the President of the World Astrology Conference from amongst representatives of various countries in 1979 and has been nominated as President of most of the All India Astrology Conferences organised since 1979. He was honoured with the title of "Tantra Shiromani" by the Para-psychological Council in 1987. He was honoured with the title of "Mantra Shiromani" by the Mantra Sansthan in 1988. He was the Founder and Patron of Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimali Foundation International Charitable Trust for upliftment of society through establishment and running of hospitals, schools, temples etc.
To shatter all mis-apprehensions, myths, taboos and misconceptions about ancient Indian sciences and Philosophy, He started the prestigious Hindi monthly magazine - Mantra Tantra Yantra Vigyan in the year 1981. The publication of this magazine has been a milestone in the process of resurrection of the ancient Indian knowledges and has uprooted all baseless dogmas regarding Mantra & Tantra from the social sphere. Today, almost every leading newspaper and magazine has started showing interests in Mantra & Tantra, by publishing various articles on this subject. Slowly , the people are becoming aware and attracted to these knowledges, and all its credit goes to reverent Gurudev who has introduced common man to these eruditions by books and magazine. A full fledged English language version of the magazine "Mantra Tantra Yantra Vigyan" has been launched in March 2000 for universal appeal.
This monthly magazine reveals the knowledge & wisdom of ancient Indian sages and ascetics. It opens the gates of Sadhnas, Astrology, Ayurveda, Gold Alchemy, Solar Sciences, Numerology, Palmistry, Hypnotism, Mantras,Tantras and Yantras . By spreading True Knowledge, this magazine aims at removing the superstitions, fears and misbeliefs associated with the traditional Indian Occult Practices, and is a step towards spreading the correct and complete knowledge discovered by the ancient Indian Sages and Rishis.It is an attempt to resurrect and save all this ancient knowledge by compiling it in a systemic way to save it from decadence.
Along with the publication of the magazine, several Sadhana camps are organised every month in various places. And magazine readers participate in these camps to gain practical knowledge like Mantra pronunciation, techniques of worship, Yogic methods, learn intricacies of Sadhana etc. Sadhana camps give practical knowledge of such Mantras -- how to use them, how to attain divinity through them and how to achieve success through them.
After passing thousands of rigorous tests and performing extremely tough Sadhnas in Himalayas, Revered Gurudevs Nand Kishore Shrimaliji, Gurudev Kailash Chandra Shrimaliji and Gurudev Arvind Shrimaliji were elevated into the Gurupad in Cheitra Navratri, 1993 whence Reverent Gurudev Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimaliji transferred His spiritual energy into Them. In June, 1998, Gurudev Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimaliji announced that Gurudev Nand Kishore Shrimaliji, Gurudev Kailash Chandra Shrimaliji and Gurudev Arvind Shrimaliji will handle all His responsibilities from then on. Subsequently Revered Gurudev Nand Kishore Shrimaliji , Revered Gurudev Kailash Chandra Shrimaliji and Revered Gurudev Arvind Shrimaliji have been shouldering all the responsibilities and guiding the disciples after Third July, 1998, when Reverent Gurudev Dr. Narayan Dutt Shrimaliji left for Siddhashram. He is the chief controller of Siddhashram as Reverent Paramhans Swami Nikhileshwaranandji. This work is surely against the tides of the times and is truly amazing in itself. Dikshas and Sadhanas have blown in fragrant breezes in the lives of many despaired and frustrated men and women.

[edit]Early years

Dr. Shrimali was married to Bhagavati Devi at the early age of 12. He was inspired by the ancient Indian sciences such as Mantra and Tantra from his childhood. His eagerness to learn the ancient sciences made him quit his home and search for masters in the Himalayas. He wandered in the Himalayas as a Sanyasi. After learning various occult studies such as Mantra, Tantra, Surya Vigyan, Hypnotism, Ayurveda, Palmistry, Alchemy from various sages, he finally had the chance of meeting his Guru Paramhans Swami Sacchidanand in Siddhashram. After he became complete master and enlightened, his Guru ordered him to go back to his family life and spread his knowledge to the common society. He took up the arduous task of removing the misconceptions of Mantra and Tantra in the society and making the secret knowledge of Mantra, Tantra available to the common man. He left his mortal frame on 3 July 1998.

[edit]Awards and recognition

Dr. Shrimali was nominated as the President of the World Astrology Conference from amongst representatives of various countries in 1979. He was the president of most of the astrological conferences that happened in India since 1979. In 1987 he was honored with the title of "Tantra Shiromani" by the Para-psychological Council. In 1988 he was honored with the title of "Mantra Shiromani" by the Mantra Sansthan.
Dr. Shrimali was honored with the title of "Maha Mahopadhyay" in 1982 by the then Vice-President of IndiaDr.B.D.Jatti. In 1989 he was honored with the title "Samaj Shiromani" by the then Vice-President of IndiaDr.Shankar Dayal Sharma. In 1991, he was honored by the then Prime Minister of Nepal,K.P.Bhattarai for his unique and singular work in the social and religious fields.

[edit]Mantra Tantra Yantra Vigyan Magazine

In his quest for spreading the knowledge of Mantra, Tantra and various other sciences, Dr.Shrimali started now defunct monthly magazine Mantra Tantra Yantra Vigyan in the year 1981. Initially the magazine was available in Hindi and English. However, the english version was later discontinued.
The magazine contains Dr. Shrimali's speeches given to his disciples, various mantric and tantric Sadhnas (rituals). The articles published in this magazine are aimed at providing material as well as spiritual fulfilments.
==SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION==
Revered Gurudev always strived to shatter all myths, taboos and misconceptions related to the ancient Indian sciences and instill faith and respect for them in the mind of the common man. With this aim he launched a unique magazine "Mantra Tantra Yantra Vigyan" in 1981.
Ever since its conception the monthly has been dedicated to revealing the knowledge and wisdom of ancient Yogis and Rishis. It opens the gate to the amazing world of Sadhanas, Astrology, Ayurveda, Alchemy, Numerology, Palmistry, Hypnotism, Mantras, Tantra and Spiritualism . The magazine by propagating true and authentic knowledge aims at banishing misconceptions and fears regarding the ancient Indian knowledge of the spiritual world.
The monthly magazine contains wonderful Sadhanas which can be performed in special auspicious moments in that month for gaining solutions to the various problems of human life. Powerful Mantra practices based on the Vedic knowledge are revealed which could help the common man to overcome tensions, diseases, adversities, poverty and enemies. Thousands of readers have been initiated into the field of Sadhanas through this powerful medium.
The magazine also carries the divine experiences of Sadhaks and disciples who have tried Sadhanas and benefited through them. Besides it gives valuable information related forthcoming Sadhanas camps and the monthly astrological forecast.
The most precious part of the magazine is very special features based on Revered Gurudev's discourses which deal with the problems faced by Sadhaks during Sadhanas, and dwell on the intricacies of the world of spiritualism. Needless to say these words of Gurudev have helped several lost, troubled souls to find a new ray of hope in their lives. In the new millennium the magazine aims at providing fast and quick solutions to all problems of modern human life.
The "Mantra Tantra Yantra Vigyan" magazine is available in primarily Hindi language and has a small English section in each issue.
The "Mantra Tantra Yantra Vigyan" magazine has now been replaced with three sister magazines. These magazine are

Nikhil Mantra Vigyan

Pracheen Mantra Yantra Vigyan

Narayan Mantra Sadhana Vigyan


[edit]Books Authored

  • Practical Palmistry
  • Practical Hypnotism
  • The Power of Tantra
  • Mantra Rahasya
  • Meditation
  • Dhyan, Dharana aur Samadhi
  • Kundalini Tantra
  • Alchemy Tantra
  • Activation of Third Eye
  • Guru Gita
  • Fragrance of Devotion
  • Beauty - A Joy forever
  • Kundalini naad Brahma
  • Essence of Shaktipat
  • Wealth and Prosperity
  • The Celestial Nymphs
  • The Ten Mahavidyas
  • In Hindi:-
  • publisher= Hind Pocket books, 18-19, Dilshad Garden,Shahadara,Delhi
  • Gopniya Durlabh Mantron Ke Rahasya.
  • Rahasmaya Agyaat tatntron ki khoj men.
  • Shmashaan bhairavi.
  • Himalaya ke yogiyon ki gupt siddhiyaan.
  • Rahasyamaya gopniya siddhiyaan.
  • Phir Dur Kahi Payal Khanki
  • Yajna Sar
  • Shishyopanishad
  • Durlabhopanishad
  • Siddhashram
  • Hansa Udahoon Gagan Ki Oar
  • Mein Sugandh Ka Jhonka Hoon
  • Jhar Jhar Amrit Jharei
  • Nikhileshwaranand Chintan
  • Nikhileshwaranand Rahasya
  • Kundalini Yatra- Muladhar Sey Sahastrar Tak
  • Soundarya
  • Mein Baahen Feilaaye Khada Hoon
  • publisher= Sadhana pocket books, 39 UA, Banglo Road,Jawahar Nagar, delhi-110007
  • Hastrekha vigyan aur panchanguli sadhana.

Swami Sivananda Saraswati


Swami Sivananda Saraswati

Swami Sivananda Saraswati (September 8, 1887 – July 14, 1963) was a Hindu spiritual teacher and a proponent of Yoga and Vedanta. Sivananda was born Kuppuswami in Pattamadai, in the Tirunelvelidistrict of Tamil Nadu. He studied medicine and served in Malaya as a physician for several years before taking up monasticism. He lived most of the later part of his life near Muni Ki RetiRishikesh.
He is the founder of The Divine Life Society (1936), Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy (1948) and author of over 200 books on yoga, vedanta and a variety of other subjects. He established Sivananda Ashram, the location of the headquarters of The Divine Life Society (DLS), on the bank of the Ganges at Shivanandanagar, at a distance of 3 kilometres from Rishikesh.[1][2][3]
Sivananda Yoga, the yoga form propagated by him, are now spread in many parts of the world throughSivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, but these centres are not affiliated with Swami Sivananda's original ashrams which are run by the Divine Life Society.

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[edit]Early life

Sivananda was born Kuppuswamy in Pattamadai near Tirunelveli in Tamil NaduIndia, as the third son to his parents on 8 September 1887.[4] As a child he was very active and promising in academics and gymnastics. He attended medical school in Tanjore, where he excelled. He ran a medical journal called Ambrosia during this period. Upon graduation he practiced medicine and worked as a doctor in Malaya for ten years, with a reputation for waiving his fee for poor patients needing treatment.[4] Over time, a sense that medicine was healing on a superficial level grew in him,[4] urging him to look elsewhere to fill the void, and in 1923 he left Malaya and returned to India to pursue a spiritual quest.

[edit]Initiation

Upon his return to India in 1924, he visited VaranasiNashik, and then Rishikesh, where he met his Guru, Swami Vishwananda Saraswati. It was Swami Vishwananda who initiated him into the Sannyasa order, and gave him his monastic name.[4] However, since Sivananda spent only a few hours with Swami Vishwananda, the full Viraja Homa ceremonies were performed later[when?] by Swami Vishnudevananda, the Mandaleswara of Sri Kailas Ashram .[4] After initiation, Sivananda settled in Rishikesh, and immersed himself in intense spiritual practices. Sivananda performed austerities for many years but he also continued to help the sick. With some money from his insurance policy that had matured, he started a charitable dispensary atLakshman Jhula in 1927, serving pilgrims, holy men and the poor using his medical expertise.

[edit]Travels

After a few years, Sivananda went on an extensive pilgrimage and traveled the length and breadth of India to meditate at holy shrines and study with spiritual teachers throughout India. During this Parivrajaka (wandering monk) life, Sivananda visited important places of pilgrimage in the south, including Rameshvaram.[4] He conducted Sankirtan and delivered lectures during his travels. He visited the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and met Maharishi Suddhananda Bharati. At the Ramana Ashram, he had the darshan of Ramana Maharshi on Maharshi's birthday.[5] He sang bhajans and danced in ecstasy with Maharshi's bhaktas. He also went on pilgrimages to various places in northern India including Kedarnath and Badrinath. He visitedKailash-Manasarovar in 1931.

[edit]Foundations

Sivananda Kutir at Sivananda Ghat, and Sivananda Ashram above, Muni Ki RetiRishikesh
During Sivananda's stay in Rishikesh and his travels around India, many came to him for guidance in the spiritual path. He permitted some of them to live near him and instructed them. Sivananda asked his students take copies of his short articles and send them for publication. Over time, large numbers of people started coming to him and his circle started growing.
Sivananda founded the Divine Life Society in 1936 on the banks of the Ganges River. The free distribution of spiritual literature drew a steady flow of disciples to the Swami, such as Swami Satyananda Saraswati, founder of Satyananda Yoga.
In 1945, Swami Sivananda created the Sivananda AyurvedicPharmacy, and organized the All-world Religions Federation. He established the All-world Sadhus Federation in 1947 and Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy in 1948. He called his yoga the Yoga of Synthesis.

[edit]Disciples

Interiors of the Sivananda Samadhitemple, Divine Life SocietyMuni Ki RetiRishikesh
Swami Sivananda's two chief acting organizational disciples were Swami Chidananda and Swami Krishnananda. Swami Chidananda was appointed President of the Divine Life Society by Swami Sivananda in 1963 and served in this capacity until his death in 2008. Swami Krishnananda was appointed General Secretary of the Divine Life Society by Swami Sivananda in 1958 and served in this capacity until his death in 2001. Swami Krishnananda is widely regarded as one of the most important theologians and philosophers of the 20th century.[6][7]
Other prominent disciples were Swami Venkatesananda Saraswati (South Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar, Australia), Swami Pranavananda Saraswati (Malaysia) and Swami Sivananda Radha (Canada). Another prominent disciple was Swami Sahajananda Saraswati (South Africa), who was directed by Swami Sivananda to establish the Divine Life Society of South Africa.
Disciples who went on to grow new organisations

[edit]Authorship

A prolific author, Swami Sivananda wrote 296 books on a variety of subjects: metaphysicsyogareligionwestern philosophypsychologyeschatology,fine artsethicseducationhealthsayingspoemsepistlesautobiographybiography, stories, dramas, messages, lecturesdialoguesessays andanthology.[8] His books emphasized the practical application of Yoga philosophy over mere theoretical knowledge. He was known to have said, An ounce of practice is better than tons of theory. Practice Yoga, Religion and Philosophy in daily life, and attain Self-realization.[9]

[edit]Death

Swami Sivananda died on 14 July 1963 in his Kutir on the bank of the Ganges, in Shivanandanagar.[5]

[edit]Bibliography

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