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Articles by Swami Sivananda

The Significance and Observance of Mahasivaratri

The Significance and Observance of Mahasivaratri

Mar. 3 | This falls on the 13th (or 14th) day of the dark half of Phalgun (February-March). The name means “the night of Shiva”. The ceremonies take place chiefly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva. Shiva was married to Parvati...

Lord Siva and His Lilas

Lord Siva and His Lilas

Mar. 3 | Swami Sivananda Siva is known by the name ‘Girisa’, as He is the Lord of the Mount Kailasa. Siva is called ‘Tryambaka’, because He has a third eye in His forehead, the eye of wisdom (Jnana Chakshus). The word ‘Hara’ is derived from the root...

Christmas—Its Spiritual Meaning

Christmas—Its Spiritual Meaning

Dec. 23 | –Swami Sivananda Christmas is known to all men the world over historically as the memorable day of the birth of Jesus, the Saviour. Though it is true that Christmas is thus celebrated as the day of the advent of Christ into this world, yet it also...

Sri Gita Jayanti

Sri Gita Jayanti

Dec. 21 | PHILOSOPHY OF THE BHAGAVAD GITA – Swami Sivananda The philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita is no other than the philosophy of the Upanishads. But in one respect it has gone a step further, in that the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita has brought the philosophy...

SKANDA SHASHTHI

SKANDA SHASHTHI

Nov. 27 | by H. H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj PROSTRATIONS and humble salutations to Lord Subramanya, the Supreme Being, who is the ruler of this universe, who is the indweller of our hearts, who is the second son of Lord Siva, who is the beloved of Valli and...

DEEPAVALI

DEEPAVALI

Nov. 10 | By H. H. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj DEEPAVALI or Diwali means “a row of lights”. It falls on the last two days of the dark half of Kartik (October-November). For some it is a three-day festival. It commences with the Dhan-Teras, on the 13th day...

Durga Puja or Navaratri

Durga Puja or Navaratri

Oct. 12 | by Swami Sivananda SALUTATIONS to the Divine Mother, Durga, who exists in all beings in the form of intelligence, mercy, beauty, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, who creates, sustains and destroys the universe. This festival is observed twice a year,...

SRI GANESH CHATURTHI

SRI GANESH CHATURTHI

Sep. 17 | By Swami Sivananda Salutations to Lord Ganesha who is Brahman Himself, who is the Supreme Lord, who is the energy of Lord Shiva, who is the source of all bliss, and who is the bestower of all virtuous qualities and success in all undertakings. Mushikavaahana...

Sri Krishna Janmashtami

Sri Krishna Janmashtami

Sep. 4 | by Swami Sivananda THIS IS THE birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth Divine Incarnation. It falls on the 8th day of the dark half of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September). This is one of the greatest of all Hindu festivals. Lord Krishna was born...

Significance of The Holy Guru-Purnima Day

Significance of The Holy Guru-Purnima Day

Jul. 15 | Sankaram Sankaracharyam Kesavam Badarayanam; Sutra-Bhashya-Kritau Vande Bhagavantau Punah Punah I adore Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu, Bhagavan Vyasa and Sri Sankaracharya. I again and again prostrate to Sri Vyasa who wrote the Vedanta Sutras, and to Sri Sankaracharya...