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...

Sri Mahasivaratri Photos

Mar. 3 | Photos Taken During Sri Mahasivaratri Celebration at Sri Viswanath Temple, Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh-Himalayas.

Lord Siva and His Lilas

Feb. 23 | 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...

Siva – The Mystic Night

Feb. 23 | By Swami Krishnananda We conceive God as glory, as creativity and as austerity. Vishnu is glory and magnificence; Brahma is creativity force; and Siva is austerity and renunciation. You might have heard it said that God is the embodiment of six attributes...

Sri Mahasivaratri Photos

Mar. 9 | Photos taken during Sri Mahasivaratri Celebration at Lord Sri Viswanath Temple, Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh-Himalayas.

The Message of Mahasivaratri

Mar. 3 | Mahasivaratri is one of the holy days that my guru, Swami Sivananda observed with great intensity and devotion. There are numerous stories in our myths and legends to illustrate the popular belief that Lord Siva is pleased with even unintentional and...

Siva Yoga Sadhana

Mar. 1 | by Swami Krishnananda SECRET OF PANCHAKSHARA Panchakshara is a Mahamantra which is composed of five letters, Namassivaya. A Mantra is that which removes all obstacles and miseries of one who reflects on it and bestows eternal bliss and immortality. Panchakshara...

The Subjective Dimension of Prayer

Feb. 12 | By Swami Chidananda We will soon be observing the sacred annual worship of Lord Siva, Mahasivaratri. It is customary to regard and to speak of Lord Siva in terms of being a destroyer. The three aspects of the Supreme Being are Brahma the creator, Vishnu...

The Four Asramas

Mar. 5 | There are four Asramas or stages in life, viz., Brahmacharya or the period of studentship, Grihastha or the stage of the householder, Vanaprastha or the stage of the forest-dweller or hermit, and Sannyasa or the life of renunciation or asceticism. Each...

Gurudev—An Exemplar of Renunciation

Feb. 27 | Loving adorations to revered and beloved Holy Master Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj who was a sage established in the great Reality—a state which did not come easily to him. It came by dint of great effort, great austerity, great penance, great...