SHILLONG, July 3: Swami Sivananda, a 126-year-old social worker and yoga guru, is currently in Shillong meeting people and spreading what he believes is the mantra for longevity and a disease-free life.
Swami Sivananda attributes his success to yoga and strict discipline.
Padma Shri for Yoga, Swami Sivananda was born on August 8, 1896, and has been serving leprosy affected people at Puri for the past 50 years. His healthy and long life has drawn the attention of national and international organisations.
“No money, no donation, no desire, no oil, no salt, no milk, no fruit and no day sleeping. I follow a discipline life,” said Swami on Monday while speaking to The Shillong Times.
“A man can live without money and desire and also has to control his tongue for healthy life. I love poor people,” said Swami.
“I did yoga from the very beginning of my life that is why I am healthy. See my life as an example and extract what is good and reject what is bad,” the 126-year-old yoga guru said.
In his message to the current generation, he said, “Live a well-regulated and disciplined life. Control the tongue. Get up early in the morning and do yoga. Yoga is very important to maintain good health. Without yoga, man cannot be happy; with yoga, man can avoid medicines, this is my experience”.
“Life is unique and I have no depression, disease and desire. I am happy,” he added.
The basic diet of the Swami consists of rice, boiled vegetables, barley and chapattis. He walks on his own, his eye sight is good while his BP is stable and he suffers from no disease. However, his hearing sense is not as strong as the other senses.
Many a devotee came to meet the Swami in the city to offer prayers, while some even came looking for solutions to problems and a few to learn and emulate his lifestyle.
One of his devotes, Debashish Das, said, “Since 1968-69, he visited Shillong on a regular basis and he has a lot of followers in Shillong”. “He has never suffered from any disease. He takes normal food mainly rice and boiled vegetables. He does not consume fruits and milk, because the poor cannot consume them,” he added. Another follower of the Swami, Kisholay Das, said “My wife was her disciple since childhood. I lost my daughter in a mishap, after that I came under him and became his disciple and it has brought me peace. In fact, he has saved my life. It is great to have him here”.
“I have been following him for eight years. I was introduced by my friend and since then became his devotee. I am following his yoga and I feel cured. Whatever he is explaining, I am trying to follow,” said another follower, Galesh Dey.
Sangita Paul, who was sitting with her hands folded and her gaze fixed at Swami Sivananda, said, “I have been following him for the past five years. I am very inspired by his good food habit. Our generations should learn from him”.
