“Is there not a higher mission in life than the daily round of official duties, eating, and drinking? Is there not any higher form of eternal happiness than these transitory and illusory pleasures? How uncertain is life here? How insecure is existence on this earth-plane, with various kinds of diseases, anxieties, worries, fear, and disappointments! The world of names and forms is constantly changing. Time is fleeting. All hopes of happiness in this world terminate in pain, despair, and sorrow. Such were the thoughts constantly rising in my mind", wrote Swami Sivananda in his autobiography.
The doctor’s profession gave me ample evidence of the sufferings of this world. For a Vairagi who has a sympathetic heart, the world is full of pain. True and lasting happiness cannot be found merely in gathering wealth. With the purification of heart through selfless service, I had a new vision. I was deeply convinced that there must be a place - a sweet home of pristine glory and purity and divine splendor - where absolute security, perfect peace and lasting happiness can be had through Self-realisation.
Rolling back the years, Swami Sivananda wrote,
I decided to try my luck in the Straits Settlements of Malaya, and wrote to a friend, Dr. Iyengar who had his establishment next to Dr. Haller sometime ago and later settled in Singapore. I wrote to Dr. Iyengar that I was planning to go to Malaya.
I left Madras by S.S. “Tara.” I was unaccustomed to such long travels. I had no idea of the food I was to take on the way, of what preparations I was to make to begin my career in Malaya, and how much money was needed. I packed my things and did not forget to take a good consignment of sweets which my mother lovingly prepared for me. I belonged to an orthodox family and was frightened to take the non-vegetarian food on board the ship and so I carried a good quantity of sweets. In youth I liked immensely sweet preparations. Throughout the voyage, I managed to live with the sweets and drank plenty of water. Being unaccustomed to this diet, I reached Singapore almost half dead!
It was a bold adventurous bid to throw oneself on the high seas of uncertainty. I had no money to fall back upon in case of a reverse in my expectations. However, I had tremendous hopes and took a plunge to test the mettle of my destiny. Strength of will and a fiery determination played a lot in moulding my life and spiritual career. No easy-going prospect was awaiting me in the distant swamps of Malaya, as I was altogether unknown and friendless, with no financial safeguard whatsoever. I had to start from the very scratch and encounter disappointing setbacks in the beginning. But the later events turned out much in my favour and I felt my position secure.
Immediately after disembarking I went to the residence of Dr. Iyengar. He gave me a letter of introduction to an acquaintance of his, Dr. Harold Parsons, a medical practitioner in Seremban, the capital of Negri Sembilan.
When I reached Seremban, I found that Dr. Parsons was absent. By this time, the little money I had was spent away. I was highly optimistic about my getting a job. Dr. Parsons himself did not need an assistant. I was able to impress this physician in such a manner that he took me to Mr. A.G. Robins, the Manager of a nearby Rubber Estate which had its own hospital.
Fortunately for me, Mr. A.G. Robins was just then in need of an assistant to work in the Estate Hospital. He was a terrible man with a violent temper, a giant figure, tall and stout. He asked me: ‘Can you manage a hospital all by yourself?’ I replied: ‘Yes. I can manage even three hospitals.’ I was appointed at once. I had been told by a local Indian resident that I ought not to accept, in accordance with their policy, anything less than a hundred dollars a month. Mr. Robins agreed to give me one hundred and fifty dollars to start with.
The doctor who was in charge of the Estate Hospital had just then left. Moreover, I was told that he was not very competent. I quickly acquired a good knowledge of the hospital equipment and the stock of medicines, and found myself absorbed in the job. Here again hard work awaited me. I had to dispense medicines, in addition to keeping accounts and personally attending on patients as I did for Dr. Haller in Madras. Unusual handicaps began to tell upon me and I felt like resigning the job after some time, but Mr. A.G. Robins did not allow me to go.
I served in the Estate Hospital near Seremban for nearly seven years, after which I joined the Johore Medical Office, Ltd., at the instigation of Dr. Parsons who had by then returned from war service. I served in Johore for three years before renouncing the world.
In Malaya I came in direct contact with hundreds of the poor natives and indentured labourers as well as the local citizens. I learnt the Malaya language and conversed with the natives in their own tongue.
I served the workers of the estate nicely and endeared myself to them all. I gained the esteem of the employer and the employee alike. I was always fond of service. This moment I would be in the hospital; and the very next moment in some poor patient’s house to attend on him and his family. Dr. Parsons who was a visiting physician to the estate hospital, loved me very much. I used to assist him in his private work also. Off and on I gave my earnings to help friends and the patients. I even went to the extent of pawning some of my own valuables.
I was a friend of both the management as well as the labourers. If the scavengers went on strike, the estate manager would come only to me. I would somehow run about here and there and bring them back to work. In addition to my own work, I would go about visiting other hospitals and acquire special knowledge in bacteriological and other subjects.
There was not a single available English medical book at that time that I had not read and digested. In addition to all this I would help my assistants too and train them for sometime daily, and then send them to other hospitals with a recommendation letter, providing from my pocket their railway fare as well as some emergency money. Soon I became well-known in Seremban and Johore Bahru. The Bank Manager would oblige me at any time even on holidays, by honouring my cheques. I became everybody’s friend through my sociable disposition and service. I got rapid promotions and with that my salary and private practice increased by leaps and bounds. All this was not achieved in a single day. It meant very hard work, unflagging tenacity, strenuous effort and indomitable faith in the principles of goodness and virtue and their practical application in my daily life.
I specialised in microscopical study and Tropical Medicine. Subsequently I moved to Johore Bahru, near Singapore, to join Drs. Parsons and Green and lived there for three years. Doctors Parsons, Green, Garlik and Glenny complimented me as highly competent for the medical profession and admired me for my agile, nimble and efficient nature. I was happy, cheerful and contented. I carefully attended on all patients. I never demanded fee from my clients. I felt happy when they were free from disease and trouble. To serve people and to share what I have is my inborn nature.
I used to cheer up people with my wit and humour, and elevate the sick with loving and encouraging words. The sick persons at once felt a new health, hope, spirit, vigour and vitality. Everywhere people declared that I had a special gift from God for the miraculous cure effected in the patients and acclaimed me as a very kind and sympathetic doctor with a charming and majestic personality. In serious cases I used to keep vigil at night. In the company of the sick, I understood their feelings and endeavoured to relieve their sufferings.
I was liberal in my views. The spirit of Sannyasa was ingrained in me. Crookedness, diplomacy, double-dealing, are not known to me. I was very candid, straightforward, simple and open-hearted. I trained many young persons in the Hospital where I worked and fixed them up in various Estate Hospitals. I spent all my energy and time in relieving human sufferings by serving the poor and the sick, day and night, with a sympathetic heart. This kind of selfless service gave me purification of heart and mind, and led me to the spiritual path.
Swami Sivananda chose to bring a change into his mundane life.
I gave up the life of ease, comfort and luxury, and reached India in search of an ideal center for purposes of prayer and contemplation, study and a higher form of service to the whole world.
In 1923, I renounced the life of ease and money-making and took to the life of a mendicant, a true seeker after Truth. I left my luggage in Malaya with a friend. A School Master in Malaya who came to the Ashram in 1939 told me: “Mr. S. is still keeping all your articles intact, awaiting your return!”
From Singapore, I reached Banaras and had Darshan of Lord Siva. Then I proceeded to Nasik, Poona and other important religious centres. From Poona I walked to Pandarpore, a distance of seventy miles. On my way I stayed for a couple of days in the Ashram of Yogi Narayan Maharaj at Khedgaon. Then I spent some four months in Dhalaj on the banks of Chandrabhaga. During my incessant travels, I learnt how to adjust and adapt myself to various types of people.
I learnt a lot from the lives of Yogins, Mahatmas and great men. The spirit of service ingrained in me enabled me to lead a smooth life of peace everywhere. The life of a mendicant during pilgrimage helped me to develop in a great measure Titiksha (forbearance), equal vision and a balanced state of mind in pleasure and pain. I met many Mahatmas and learnt wonderful lessons. On some days I had to go without food and walk mile after mile. With a smile, I faced all hardships.
I led the life of a wandering monk, just for a short period, in search of my Guru and of a suitable place charged with spiritual vibrations, for spending my life in seclusion and to do rigorous Sadhana.
In search of a Guru, I reached Rishikesh and prayed to the Lord for His Grace. From the sacred hands of Paramahamsa Viswananda Saraswati, I received Holy initiation on the bank of the Ganga on 1st June, 1924. The religious rite of Viraja Homa was done for me by my Acharya Guru, Sri Swami Vishnudevanandaji Maharaj at Kailas Ashram.
I came to Rishikesh in June 1924 and found it my destination. My Guru gave me initiation and enough spiritual strength and blessings. I found Rishikesh an ideal place for intense and undisturbed spiritual practices true for all seekers after Truth. I had the goal of my life as Self-realisation and determined to spend every bit of my energy and time in study, service and Sadhana.
Service of the sick and the poor and the Mahatmas purifies the heart. This is a field for developing all divine qualities such as compassion, sympathy, mercy, generosity. That helps to destroy the evil qualities and impurities of the mind such as egoism, selfishness, pride, hatred, anger, lust, jealousy, etc. Mahatmas and the poor villagers who were sick did not have proper medical aid. Thousands of pilgrims to Badrinath, Kedarnath also needed medical help. Therefore I started a small dispensary, Satyasevashram, at Lakshmanjhula on the way to Badri-Kedar, and served the devotees with great love and devotion. I arranged special diet for the serious cases and provided milk and other requirements. Spiritual evolution is quicker through service done with proper Bhav and attitude.
For maintaining a high standard of health, I practised Asanas, Pranayamas, Mudras and Bandhas. I used to go out for long brisk walks in the evenings. I combined physical exercises such as Dand and Bhaitak also. I paid special attention to simple living, high thinking, light food, deep study, silent meditation and regular prayers. I loved seclusion and observed Mauna. I did not like company and futile talk. From the Ram Ashram Library in Muni-ki-reti I used to get some books for my study and devoted some time to study every day. I kept always a Dictionary by my side and looked up the meaning of difficult words. Rest and relaxation gave me enough strength to carry on intense Sadhana. I moved closely with some Mahatmas but I never indulged in discussion and debates. Self-analysis and introspection were my guide.
With a view to devoting more time to prayer and meditation, I moved to the Swargashram. I lived in a small Kutir, 8 feet by 10 feet, with a small verandah in front, and depended on the Kali Kambliwala Kshetra for my food. Now the Kutir is numbered as 111 with some additional rooms by its side. I continued my Sadhana and service to the sick persons of the place. Just for an hour daily, I used to go from Kutir to Kutir to attend to the sick Mahatmas, enquire about their welfare and supply their requirements. I spent much of my time in meditation and practised various kinds of Yogas in my Sadhana, and my experiences have all come out in many of my publications as advice to aspirants. I quickly sent out my thoughts and experiences to help the world and struggling seekers after Truth.
My joy was indescribable when I spent hours in the evenings on the sand banks of the Ganga or sitting on a fine rock and gazed at wonderful Nature. I became one with Nature. During this period, I established the Swargashram Sadhu Sangha, to obtain redress for the grievances of the Mahatmas, and registered the Institution. I invited great Mahatmas and organised weekly discourses and daily Bhajan and Ramayana Katha for some time. For some months, we had discourses on the Yoga-Vasishtha, Tulasidas Ramayana and Upanishads also. I trained my students in organisational work through the Swargashram Sadhu Sangha.
I had no ambition to become world-famous by any extensive tour or thrilling lectures from the platform. I never attempted to be a Guru to anyone. I am not pleased when people call me: “Sat Guru” or “Avatar.” I am dead against “Gurudom.” That is a great obstacle and has caused the downfall of great men in the spiritual path. “Gurudom” is a menace to society.
I am only a common Sadhu. I may not be able to help you much. Further I do not make disciples. I can be your sincere friend till the end of my life. I do not like to keep persons by my side for a long time. I give lessons for a couple of months and ask my students to meditate in some solitary places in Kashmir or Uttarkashi.
I never said or did anything to tempt people with promises of grand results like Mukti from a drop of Kamandalu water or Samadhi by a mere touch. I emphasised the importance of silent Sadhana, Japa and meditation for a systematic progress in the spiritual path. Invariably I asked all aspirants to purify the heart through selfless service to mankind.
Do not give me titles as ‘World Teacher’, ‘Mandaleshwar’ and ‘Bhagawan’. Lay bare the truth, Truth will shine, I lead a simple and natural life. I take immense delight in service. Service has elevated me. Service has purified me. This body is meant for service. I live to serve everyone and make the world happy and cheerful.
Excerpts from Swami Sivananda's "Autobiography of Swami Sivananda", a Divine Life Society Publication, Sixth Edition: 1995.