The 139th birth anniversary of Sri Swami Sivananda was celebrated on Tuesday, 8 September 2026 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. There was a morning Sadhana programme from 6am until 6.25am, after which devotees had Darshan at Sahaja Kutir and the Sivananda-Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Centre. Akhanda Chanting ensued throughout the day.
Ganga Arati commenced at 5pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a reading, Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message, and a and a segment from a DVD entitled, Wisdom of Sivananda.
The reading, “Integral Perfection”, from Sivananda: Biography of a Modern Sage, gave a vivid account of the Master’s love for any gathering to glorify God, have Satsang and the company of Mahatmas. This is evident in the following excerpts:
“Gurudev was quite happy to have his birthday celebrated. He used to initiate the whole thing. Right in the month of April, one morning he would go to the office and say, ‘Venkatesananda Swami, have you started preparing the circulars inviting articles for the Birthday Souvenir booklet? The first circular must be like this…, the second circular must be like that... Call some musicians, do this, do that’. He used to initiate it all. He himself gave the reason why: ‘Any occasion for celebration is good. It doesn't matter what you call it - birthday, Guru Purnima or Sivaratri. When people come together, we have some nice Satsang. Who is interested in this body being worshipped or not worshipped?’"
He later said: "'When people glorify me, especially on birthdays, I return to my Kutir and I beat myself with a shoe. As I do it. I say to myself, ‘What are you? You wretched flesh-blood-excreta made body? Do you want garlands? Can you not wear torn clothes? Do you think that you are great? Do you want to be prostrated to? Here, take these garlands'".
The article further explains that on the birthday there was a huge big plate on which the Master would place his feet, and about twenty or thirty people would sit around it and throw flowers at his feet. While performing this Padapuja, the Master would sit there, looking around to someone or the other, enquiring about their welfare. These people would not have come to the Ashram if the birthday was not being celebrated, so it was an opportunity to bring them there.
Interestingly, Sri Gurudev also took a keen part in having his biographies published. Once the wife of a great political leader visited the Ashram. As usual she was welcomed and greeted and offered coffee and fruits. It was also usual for Sri Swami Sivananda to give every such visitor a set of books, especially the newly published ones. It so happened that at that time there were only biographies of the Master written by several people. The reading states, “All these biographies also contain one section of teachings, just as the teaching books also contain one section of biography; however, the titles were: Sivananda, the World Saviour; Sivananda, Lord Incarnate; Satguru Sivananda; Jagatguru Sivananda, and so on. This lady looked at all those books and said, ‘Swamiji, why do you allow all these biographies, all this self-glorification, to be published in your own Ashram?’ Her face showed displeasure. His answer was as one that nobody else could have come up with – such a simple answer! He looked at her as if she was his own daughter, and said gently: ‘That is what brought you here, I think!’ And that, of course, was the truth. The lady was deeply impressed. Though such a proud and powerful person, she did namaskar very humbly, and she didn't ask another question. Gurudev had only his great smile; no offence was taken”.
Pujya Swamiji’s audio message was deeply re-assuring. He said that Sri Gurudev was God himself. The Master was meticulous in replying to Pujya Swamiji’s letters, and in one of his letters, he assured Pujya Swamiji that “I am ever ready to serve thee”, and that there was therefore nothing to fear. Pujya Swamiji explained that our Master is ever ready to serve us but we must turn to him in our hearts. When problems come, only God can help us. We must place our problems before the Master, within. Spiritual laws must be observed, for God’s Grace operates on spiritual laws. He urged us to “Try to contact him within”. We must feel the Master’s presence all over – inside and out. The power is there and we must call and it will come. Prayer and faith must be cornerstones of our lives and should be continuous. It will be difficult to pray in later stages of life if we do not begin prayer in early life. If we are not in tune with God, we may experience pain at the time of death. He said “We have to habitually try”. Faith is fundamental. He asked if we will do whatever the Guru requests, without questioning? Obedience to the Guru and faith are paramount. “Before we ask, we must deserve”. If we are not tested, we are not going to get God’s Grace. He also assured us that if we have difficulties then we have possibilities for a higher life.
The DVD, Wisdom of Sivananda which is a guide to Sadhaks (aspirants), is laden with spiritual gems. Each gem is small in expression but immense in significance. Taken to heart and practised sincerely, these teachings can transform thought, conduct and character, leading the aspirant from restlessness to peace, from weakness to strength, and from worldly pre-occupation to God-consciousness. Some of these gems are: “Face obstacles cooly and boldly; Be indifferent to things that do not concern you; Have a burning thirst for God-realisation; Give up curiosities on the spiritual path; Maintain equilibrium of mind always; Forgive and forget the harm done by others; Preserve Veerya carefully; Desires multiply misery; Have a check on all your thoughts, keep them pure and sublime; Rest your mind in God and live in truth, Benefits of Mouna are incalculable; Have intimate connection with none but God”; and “Everyday have self-analysis and introspection”.
The 139th Birth Anniversary of Sri Swami Sivananda is far more than a commemoration of a great spiritual Master; it is a powerful reaffirmation of his living presence, timeless guidance and lasting legacies. Through Satsang, Sadhana and glorification of Sri Swami Sivananda’s life and legacy, and by practical living, we are reminded that the Master is ever ready to serve those who turn to Him with Guru Bhakti, faith, prayer, loyalty and obedience. His message remains eternal: serve, love, give, purify, meditate, cultivate purity, courage and self-discipline, seek God with burning aspiration, and live each day in Divine Life – a life of divinity. May Sri Swami Sivananda’s Grace illumine our hearts and guide us all towards God-realisation.
