Photo courtesy of the Divine Life Society of India
Sri Swami Chidananda
Swami Chidananda was the President of the Divine Life Society founded by His Holiness Swami Sivananda. Born on 24th September 1916, Swami Chidananda attended primary school in Mangalore, high school in Madras, and then acquired a Bachelor of Arts at the Catholic-oriented Loyola College, Madras, where he was recognised as a brilliant student. This institution left an indelible impression in his mind of the Christian ideals of compassion and service. The regular recitation of the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi in the Sivananda School of Yoga originates from Swami Chidananda’s love of this prayer. Service of the sick was a passion with Swami Chidananda and his pioneering work in the field of leprosy relief in the earned for him praise from the Indian government. Acclaimed by many as a great saint in his own right, Swami Chidananda travelled extensively all over the world — including visiting our own Sivananda School of Yoga on a few occasions, and personally initiating our resident swamis into “Sannyas” — disseminating the healing message of his Master Swami Sivananda. A linguist and orator, he also authored a number of books on the life spiritual. Swamiji passed on to higher service on 28 August 2008.
Articles By Swami Chidananda:
“Bliss is within you. Bliss is your own Self.
You are yourself the bliss which you are seeking.
You don’t have to lift a little finger to take a single step to attain bliss.
Be silent and take your mind within, and know that you are bliss.”
— Sri Swami Chidananda