(1887–1963) The
Divine Life Society was founded by a Hindu ascetic, teacher, and ascetic.
Shivananda's original calling was to be a doctor, and after
graduating, he spent some time practicing medicine in Malaysia, motivated by a
desire to help people.
He felt the pull of renunciation later in life and moved in
Rishikesh in 1924, where he remained for the remainder of his life.
Shivananda's message emphasized the Advaita Vedanta school's
teachings on monism (the belief in a single Ultimate Reality in which all
things are connected) and the practice of yoga for living a disciplined life.
His own purpose, he believed, was to educate others, a task
aided by the Divine Life Society's books, which are still relevant today.
Shivananda's religious charisma and intellect earned him a
lot of respect, therefore one of the Divine Life Society's humanitarian
initiatives is a free medical clinic, which is in line with his original
mission.
David Miller, "The Divine Life Society Movement,"
in Robert D. Baird (ed. ), Religion in Modern India, 1998, for further details.
