Sivananda

Sivananda is a Sanskrit name meaning “bliss of Shiva.” It is used as a given name in Hindu tradition and is associated with several spiritual figures, most notably Swami Sivananda Saraswati (1887–1963), a Hindu monk and yoga master who founded the Divine Life Society.

Swami Sivananda Saraswati was a prominent Hindu teacher who promoted a practical synthesis of yoga, Vedanta, and service. In 1936 he established the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh to propagate a holistic approach to spiritual practice. He authored hundreds of books and commentaries on yoga, meditation, and Vedanta, emphasizing a balanced path that integrates moral living, selfless action, and spiritual inquiry. His teaching is typically described as a synthesis of Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Jnana Yoga, sometimes referred to as Integral Yoga, aimed at universal spiritual upliftment.

Legacy and influence: The Divine Life Society maintains ashrams and centers in India and abroad, continuing Sivananda’s work through education, humanitarian activity, and spiritual guidance. The Sivananda lineage also gave rise to the global Sivananda Yoga movement, popularized by Swami Vishnudevananda, a disciple who founded the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers worldwide in the mid-20th century. Sivananda Yoga is commonly presented as a structured practice combining asanas, pranayama, relaxation, and meditation within a Vedantic philosophical framework.