Devotees, well-wishers, donors and members of the public gathered in their hundreds to observe Sri Swami Sivananda’s 61st Mahasamadhi according to the English calendar, on Sunday, 14 July 2024 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 9.30am followed by Satsang at 10am. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a reading from the book From Man to God-Man by N. Ananthanarayanan, Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message, and a DVD on the last few days before the Master left his mortal body.

Despite the Master’s advanced ill-health, his mental state and spirit of compassion were still evident during the period prior to his Mahasamadhi. Excerpts from the reading appear herewith. 

“On July 14, Colonel Puri came to examine the Master. As he tapped with his rod to test the reflexes, the Master said, ‘Doctors are very cruel.’

‘Yes, Swamiji, what can be done? It is our duty,’ said the doctor, and added, ‘Swamiji, you will be all right shortly.’

‘Yes, I must,’ said the Master, ‘I have many things to do.’ 

‘You will do, Swamiji, but with a handicap.’ The Master heard the doctor's words clearly and gave him a steady look. Then in his unfailing hospitality saw to it that the doctor was offered uppama, coffee and books. He finally concluded with a farewell and an Om Namo Narayanaya. 

“After the doctor had left, and before he could take his own food, the Master developed fever and began to shiver. The breathing hardened. He took two or three spoonsful of Horlicks, and at about 3pm asked for water. As was the usual practice the disciples wanted to give him barley water or jeera water, but he wished to have Ganges water, pure and simple. The water was brought. The Master, who had experienced difficulty in taking the smallest quantity of solid or liquid, gulped down half a glassful of Ganges water without apparent trouble-and with that the Being that was Swami Sivananda laid aside its mortal vesture. It was now 11.15pm. 

“The time the Master chose to merge with the Supreme proved to be a holy Muhurta of extreme auspiciousness. It presented an exalted planetary position on the last limit of Uttarayana, and just before the commencement of the ‘Southern Path’. An expert horologist, who was also a capable astrologer, had mentioned only upon the morning of that fateful Sunday, that round about midnight there was going to be such an unparalleled and auspicious planetary conjunction that any Yogi who was getting ready to depart would never miss it. The prediction proved correct and the Master chose the moment”.

Pujya Swamiji’s audio message focused on the transitory nature of the physical world and external conditions, the need for steadfast meditation, and Sri Gurudev’s last days in his mortal body. Referring to physical discomforts during his meditation when ants were troubling him, Pujya Swamiji said, “The lesson I have learnt is that everything is perishable. Don’t place any faith in either buildings or anything else”. He said that wherever we go, we are likely to encounter problems. Referring to challenges during meditation, Pujya Swamiji said that when we meditate, we must try and obliterate everything that affects meditation. Addressing Sri Gurudev in the first person, Pujya Swamiji said, “You left on the 14th of July and 10 days later Papa Swami Ramdas left the physical body. And you gave all the indication that you are going to go, but no one knew. You took the calendar and selected the date”, indicative of Sri Gurudev’s imminent departure from the earthly plane. Despite Sri Gurudev’s physical absence, his mercy and compassion are indicative in Pujya Swamiji’s words, “you’ve established yourself in our hearts”. This is abundantly true for even today, decades after Sri Gurudev left his mortal body, strangers, foreigners, children, the old and infirm, intellectuals and laymen have turned to the Master for comfort, solace and spiritual enlightenment. Pujya Swamiji said that during Sri Gurudev’s Birth Centenary celebrations, devotees have been sending “waves of devotion” to Gurudev, in various forms. Pujya Swamiji’s parting advice was that we have to have extreme loyalty to Gurudev, and then we will all get what we want. Comforting words, indeed, for our salvation lies at the feet of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda.

The DVD showed the Master’s last days before his Mahasamadhi, the reverence displayed by devotees, his Mahasamadhi, procedures and rituals pursuant to his leaving his mortal body. The crowds present during his last rites, the reverential attitudes of those present and the onlookers that lined the streets of Rishikesh, were indicative of the magnitude of the Being that is Sri Swami Sivananda. Interspersed with Kirtans, and some of the Master’s profound teachings, the riveting visuals are sure to have left many in the congregation with feelings of sadness and solemnity. 

The all-compassionate, omniscient and all-merciful Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda merged in God on 14 July 1963, leaving behind numerous followers all over the world, one of the foremost disciples being Sri Swami Sahajananda, Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society of South Africa, to spread his great gospel of love and service, of spiritual growth and transformation, and of the brotherhood of man. 

The glowing tribute of Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of the world-renowned Self-Realisation Fellowship, and author of the famous spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, stands out.  He said, “The life of the great Rishi, Swami Sivananda, serves as a perfect example of selfless activity. He blesses India and the world by his presence".