Sivananda (yoga teacher)

Sivananda (also known as Swami Sivananda) is a yoga teacher from India, who has claimed to be born on August 8, 1896 in Sylhet District of Bengal Presidency of British India. On March 21, 2022, he was awarded Padma Shri.[2]

Not to be confused with Sivananda Saraswati.

Swami Sivananda
Personal
Born
Sivananda

Claimed to be August 8, 1896 (not verified)
Sylhet District, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Sylhet Division, Bangladesh)[1]
ReligionHinduism
NationalityIndian
OccupationYoga teacher
HonorsPadma Shri

Biography

He claims to be born on August 8, 1896, although this has not been independently verified.[3] He was born in Sylhet District of Bengal Presidency of British India (present-day Sylhet Division of Bangladesh).

His parents were beggars and in extreme poverty. His sister, mother, and father all died within a month of each other when he was just six years old. Then he travelled to Kashi from Bengal and began serving there. Swami Sivananda mastered yoga and meditation after receiving his education from Guru Omkarananda.[4]

For over three decades, he has taught yoga on the banks of river Ganga in Varanasi. Over the last 50 years he has served 400-600 beggars affected by leprosy. He arranges food, fruits, clothes, winter garments, blankets, mosquito nets, and cooking utensils for their needs. He promotes Yoga.[5]

He calls fruits and milk as fancy food and avoids eating them.[3] He has been an active supporter of the COVID 19 vaccine.[5]

Awards

Sivananda is the recipient of several awards including the Yoga Ratna Award, Basundhara Ratan award (2019). In March 2022, he was awarded Padma Shri by the government of India.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Who is Swami Sivananda, the 125-year old Padma Shri awardee whom every Indian must know". 22 March 2022.
  2. "Watch: Swami Sivananda receives Padma Shri for his contribution in Yoga". Economic Times. 21 March 2022.
  3. "India's 'oldest man ever' says yoga, celibacy key to long life". The Hindu. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  4. "The 125-year-old yogi winning hearts: Who is Swami Sivananda, the oldest man ever to receive a Padma Shri?". 22 March 2022.
  5. "Watch: Yoga Guru, 125, Bows To PM, President Before Receiving Padma Shri". NDTV.com. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
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