Shivananda, Swami

(1887–1963) Hindu ascetic, teacher, and
founder of the Divine Life Society.
Shivananda’s first calling was to be a
doctor; after getting his degree, he spent
some time practicing medicine in
Malaysia, spurred by a passion to serve
others. Later in life he felt the call of
renunciation and, in 1924, settled in
Rishikesh, where he was based for the
rest of his life. Shivananda’s message
stressed the teachings of the Advaita
Vedanta school, which is devoted to a
belief in monism (the belief in a single
Ultimate Reality where all things are
united), and the practice of yoga for a
disciplined life. He saw his own mission
as teaching others, a mission fostered by
the Divine Life Society’s publications,
636
Shivaji
Ascetics observing Shivaratri.
which continue to be important today.
Shivananda’s learning and religious
charisma made him greatly respected,
and in keeping with his original vocation, one of the charitable works sponsored by the Divine Life Society is a free
medical clinic. For further information
see David Miller, “The Divine Life
Society Movement,” in Robert D. Baird
(ed.), Religion in Modern India, 1998.