Reprogramming Your Life At The Divine Life Society

In this digital age both devices and humans are very much congruent. As much as devices, humans too need touch, love and care (TLC) and need to connect to a trusted source to upgrade/rewrite their internal operating system and re-purpose/reprogram their life. So, where does one find much needed TLC and a trusted source for this re-purposing exercise?

Guru for the mankind

Realizing the need to serve humanity afflicted by disease, desires and ego, a visionary by the name Dr. Kuppuswamy decided to take the path less travelled to reach Rishikesh in 1924. He transformed himself to Swami Sivananda leaving behind his medical profession for spiritually to emancipate humans eternally stuck in the cycle of birth and death like a hamster running on a wheel.

In 1932, he started the Sivananda Ashram; in 1936 the Divine Life Society and the Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy in 1948, all with the aim of spreading the teachings of yoga and vedanta. Swami Sivananda’s teachings crystallized the basic tenets of all religions, combining all yoga paths into one – the Yoga of Synthesis which he summed up with, ‘Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize’. His own life was a shining example of the ideal wish to spread his message of love and service.

Where do we head?

The Divine Life Society aka Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh offers a great opportunity for people to defragment their internal hard disk, upgrade their operating system and clean-up their lives. Inmates at the ashram are expected to follow the twenty tenets of Swami Sivananda. Though it may sound simple to read, it takes time to make that a part of your routine and lifestyle. And staying at the ashram for a week to 10 days is a great way to re-program our lives.

Up before the birds

Life at the ashram begins at 4 am and one can see the lights go up in Kutirs (inhabited by Swamijis). The main shrine complex consisting of a Shiva Temple, Bhajan Hall and Sivananda Samadhi is the epicenter of activity. They are all open at 5 am for people to come in start their routine with meditation, one of the tenets of Sivananda.

Going gaga over yoga?

Right across from the campus, on the main road connecting Haridwar and the hills, is a complex encompassing Sivanada Hospital/Clinic that was started in 1934; it continues to treat people for free. And they recently concluded an eye-camp treating over 300 patients with cataract and other eye-defects from nearby towns. In the same complex is a Yoga Studio against the backdrop of the Ganges and the serene mountains. Free yoga classes are conducted each day of the week (except Sunday) from 6 am to 7 am and even if you forget your yoga mats, don’t worry.

Service begins at 5.30 am

For those who strongly believe in seva and karma yoga, the Annakshetra (Dinning Hall) offers a great opportunity. From cutting vegetables, wiping washed utensils and cutlery, handing over plates and cups to serving the hungry inmates there is plenty to do and derive happiness from serving others.

 

Resetting our palette

The food served at the ashram is well balanced with proteins, carbs, fats and fiber. It is devoid of mustard, vegetable oil, hinge, garlic, onions and is very much sathwik and in line with what Sivananda has outlined in his book Health and Diet.

Breakfast opens at 7 am and we are served hot idlis or Pongal along with a cup of tea. Lunch begins at 11 am and we are served rice, rotis, subzi, sambar and buttermilk. On festivals days and special occasions, there is some luxury and we get served pooris, vada and sweet (payasam, kesari). Evening tea is served at 3 pm and dinner consisting of rice, roti, dal and subzi is served at 7pm. A small chant is done prior to each meal. No breakfast is served on Ekadasi day. In line with Sivananda’s teachings on being self-reliant and the ashram expects you to clean your plates, cups and glasses after each meal.

Shiva Temple and Bhajan Hall

Though Shiva is the main deity, the sanctum contains a Krishna idol made of black marble, Rama Parivar, Ganesha and Ganga Maa all made of white marble. At 5.30 am each day public is offered a chance to do ablutions to the Shivalingam. An elaborate abhishegam is performed every morning at 6 am followed by by aarati and parasadam distribution at 6.45 am. Every evening there is Lalitha Sahasranama Parayanam followed by aarati and parasadam distribution at 6.45 pm. Besides the sanctum is a yagna shala where havans are performed every morning starting at 6.30 am. You can participate in the havans by visiting the Cash Office next in the hospital complex across the ashram.

If you are fond of nama japa the hall adjoining the temple, Bhajan Hall, is the place for you. The Krishna worshipped by Swami Sivananda adorns one side of the hall, while a granite status of Karthikeya adorns the other side. On the inside walls of the hall you will see pictures of saints from across India.

Satsang - Twice a day

Swami Sivananda entered mahasamadhi (left his physical body) on July 14, 1963. Beside the Shiva Temple, they’ve constructed a temple for Swami Sivananda by installing a Shivalinga over his samadhi. Ablutions are done at the samadhi in the morning and even public is given a chance to participate. Vishnu Sahasranamam is chanted daily in the morning and on Pournami (full-moon) Ashtakshara mahamantra is chanted from 7 am to 11 am and from 5 pm to 7pm. Key dates for 2017-18.

Swami Vimalananda, President attends satsang every day for an hour at 11 am where he speaks on topics like Bhagavad Gita, importance of sadhana, Nama Japa, Karma yoga, etc.  The Samadhi of Swami Sivananda is kept open all day for the benefit of those tourists who walk randomly into the ashram.

Similarly, in the evening there is Bhagavad Gita chanting at the Samadhi after dinner followed by satsang by one of the Swamijis on Bhagavad Gita. From time to time visiting artists also perform at the Samadhi. Here is a performance from Krishna Das and a flautist.

Rest and Reading

Amidst the busy schedule from 4 am till 12 noon and again from 4 pm until 9 pm, there is time for a nap and some reading. A small book store between the Samadhi and Shiva temple is open from 9 am to 12 noon and again from 3pm-5pm and sells books written by Sivananda and discourses of his disciples. I picked up a Health and Diet, Yoga Divine Life, and What Becomes Of The Sould After Death for my afternoon read. You can download some of his books here.

Congregation and Contemplation

   

Across from the ashram campus (descend 100 steps) along the banks of the Ganges is Sivananda Ghat. It is a safe place to take a dip in the Ganges and offers a great view of Ram Jhula and the opposite bank. Don’t be surprised to see animals and birds come down from time to time to quench their thirst, yogis practicing yoga and Sadhus reading scriptures.

Also, early mornings and late evenings are great time to mediate on the banks of the Ganges. On special days, Sivananda Ashram holds Ganga Aarti at 5.30 pm in the evening. Though this is not as elaborate as the one held at Parmartha Niketan, but it is done with utmost devotion.

If you need some noise and contact with humanity you can walk along the Ganges till Swami Dayananda Ashram to the west and Laxman Jhula to the east. Also, you can visit temples on the Swargashram side (Rameshwar Mandir) (opposite bank of the Ganges) and in the city of Rishikesh (Chandreshwar Mandir, Venkateshwara Mandir and Chandrmoulieshwar Mandir built and maintained by TTD).

Are you ready for a reset?

At various stages of life our needs and wants change. Some of us get less materialistic and more metaphysical as we age. We seek solitude and ask the simplest of questions – who am I? and end up with a profound answer that changes not only our outlook on life, but also alters the course of our life. Swami Sivananda Ashram is one such place that resets your life and alters its course. This is the only place where you can learn to Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize. Repeating this routine at the ashram over a week to 10 days is enough to reprogram your operating system and re-purpose your life. The Divine Life Society also organizes a 2 month intensive Yoga Vedanta Course for this who would like explore further on Vedanta.

Book your stay now!

Rooms at the ashram are very basic, yet comfortable. Each room will be provided with a cot, pillow, cupboard and an attached toilet (western) and hot water. You are expected to bring your own blankets. Book your stay by writing to generalsecretary@sivanandaonline.org and remember to read and follow the rules. Though the ashram doesn’t charge you for food and accommodation, but  donate liberally.

How to get to Rishikesh and the ashram?

If you are flying, Jolly Grant airport at Dehradun is the closest and there is good connectivity from New Delhi. A taxi ride from the airport to the ashram costs 1000 Rs.

If you are taking a train, Haridwar is the nearest railway head. Plenty of busses and tuk-tuks ferry passengers to Rishikesh each hour.  A taxi ride from the airport to the ashram costs 1000 Rs.