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For those persons who are otherwise unfamiliar with the
life, mission and teaching of Swami Sivananda, a most delightful introduction
to him would come through a look into his overwhelmingly generous nature.
The greatness of heart this saint possessed is impossible to gauge. Almost
everyone who came into personal contact with him during his lifetime spoke
primarily about two impressions of him: his joyful personality and his
incredible generosity. He was called "Swami Give-ananda!" Nature
seemed to have endowed him with two enormous physical hands to give, give
and give some more.
To witness this sort of unbridled benevolence must have been mind-boggling.
No sooner was some money or gift presented to him, than it was given further
to someone else. This cannot be understood in merely human terms, for
Swami Sivananda did not think like a human being; he thought like a god-man.
His enlightenment allowed him to see the whole universe as his own Self;
nothing stood outside him, and in a real sense, there was no question
of "giving" because there was nothing and no one outside himself
to give to.
The legacy of this great man is that now, almost 40 years since he cast
off his mortal coil, his tradition of magnanimous generosity continues.
The Divine Life Society runs purely on donations; no funds are solicited
or charged for any of the Ashram services. Yet, a vast institution continues
to do service to thousands of people year after year. One telling mark
of his greatness is the dedication of his own followers, who continue
till the present day that tradition of large-hearted giving.
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