Sivananda Ashram: Divine Abode in Rishikesh

My association with Swami Sivananda started through reading his book “The Science of Pranayama.” The Divine Life Society is extremely generous in making their precious literature available for free on the net, and I fortunately chanced upon it one day while surfing. The book is simple yet so profound that it automatically makes you bow down to the author. He has explained cryptic techniques in such a simple manner that anyone can easily follow and gain benefits. In this book, Swamiji has also mentioned a technique for self-healing, and the best part of that technique is his unambiguous assurance that it will work for you. This technique is like an emergency Brahmastra (most powerful weapon created by Lord) that can be used anywhere, anytime and in any situation to immediately relieve one of pain. Since the first time I read this technique, I have used it successfully to cure many ailments. I have shared this with my family and friends who also reported extraordinary relief from pain. One can read this book here: http://www.dlshq.org/download/pranayama.htm

I was so fascinated by this book that I started reading more literature online and then arose a strong desire to visit this ashram. Finally in November 2017 I could manage to stay there for almost a week with my husband and the experience was nothing less than spectacular. I actually have no words that can capture the spiritual knowledge, simplicity, generousness, kindness, selfless service and organizational skills I experienced at Sivananda Ashram during my stay with them. However I would still make an effort to give a whiff of the same.

The Swamijis and Matajis there are very simple and humble and their faces glow with divine energy. Just looking at them one feels blessed. And if you get an opportunity to sit quietly near them for sometime, your mind loses outward focus and becomes internalized. I experienced it first during the Matri satsanga, which is a special session for women. ‘Matri’ means ‘Mother’ in Sanskrit. This session takes place everyday in the Audio-visual Library from 4pm to 5pm. Respected Matajis (women ascetics) there chant few mantras and read from the scriptures. While chanting of the powerful mantras and listening to the divine scriptures is itself devotional, what was overwhelming was the vibration inside my body and spine as I sat next to these Holy Mothers. Each Mataji seemed to me like a power generator with whom I got connected and their combined energy was raising me above my body and mind consciousness. And all this was happening absolutely effortlessly on my part. This happened every day I attended the satsang. Alas, I was there only for a week. When I told these divine Mothers what was happening to me, they just smiled.

I had similar sensations when I met some of the Swamijis there and sat quietly next to them in both the Samadhi shrine and Gurudeva Kutir. Even the place next to Gurudeva Kutir where major events of Swami Sivanandaji’s life are depicted through jhankis, was brimming with spiritual vibrations. It seemed that the ashram is not a physical structure but a living embodiment of divine. The dogs living inside the premises also seemed very saintly, and even calling them dogs because of the nomenclature seemed blasphemous.

Another highlight of the ashram is their stay and meal arrangements. The rooms are large, spacious and well lit and everything is kept very neat and clean. Time for meals is fixed and the food is perfect for spiritual aspirants; simple and nutritious and it tastes divine. While just initially we had a little difficulty sitting on the floor and eating without a spoon, later we started enjoying it. Chanting of the mantras just before the meal was also an amazing experience and we have tried to inculcate this practice even at home now. Not once in our entire stay at the ashram did we face any digestion issue or discomfort because of food. The body always felt light and easy. It also received much needed exercise as part of the daily routine since the ashram is situated on a hill and one needs to do regular up and down to visit various places within or outside the ashram.

At the Matri satsanga I also got introduced to some fascinating literature by an author named ‘Sri Sudarshan Singh Chakra.’ He has created some amazing work on the popular Hindu divinities like Rama, Krishna, Hanuman etc and yet his stories are different from the well-known folklore. While my focus during the satsanga was always on the vibrations inside, I just could not ignore the mesmerizing tales of Rama and Krishna that I had never heard before in my life. Back home I continue to read his books and they are simply marvelous. One can read his books here: https://chakrasahityaonline.wordpress.com/