Swami Sivananda Quotations

Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.

Desire nothing, give up all desires and be happy.

Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.

It is divinity that shapes, not only your ends, but also your acts, your words and thoughts.

Go beyond science, into the region of metaphysics. Real religion is beyond argument. It can only be lived both inwardly and outwardly.

A mountain is composed of tiny grains of earth. The ocean is made up of tiny drops of water. Even so, life is but an endless series of little details, actions, speeches, and thoughts. And the consequences whether good or bad of even the least of them are far-reaching.

A desire arises in the mind. It is satisfied immediately another comes. In the interval which separates two desires a perfect calm reigns in the mind. It is at this moment freed from all thought, love or hate.

Meditation is painful in the beginning but it bestows immortal Bliss and supreme joy in the end.

The harder the struggle, the more glorious the triumph. Self-realization demands very great struggle.

Moral values, and a culture and a religion, maintaining these values are far better than laws and regulations.

Life is a pilgrimage. The wise man does not rest by the roadside inns. He marches direct to the illimitable domain of eternal bliss, his ultimate destination.

The real spiritual progress of the aspirant is measured by the extent to which he achieves inner tranquility.

Always do good to others. Be selfless. Mentally remove everything and be free. This is divine life. This is the direct way to Moksha or salvation.

There is something good in all seeming failures. You are not to see that now. Time will reveal it. Be patient.

Thinking of disease constantly will intensify it. Feel always 'I am healthily in body and mind'.

There is no end of craving. Hence contentment alone is the best way to happiness. Therefore, acquire contentment.

Today is your own. Tomorrow perchance may never come.

Your duty is to treat everybody with love as a manifestation of the Lord.

Forget like a child any injury done by somebody immediately. Never keep it in the heart. It kindles hatred.

Crave for a thing, you will get it. Renounce the craving, the object will follow you by itself.

Practice meditation regularly. Meditation leads to eternal bliss. Therefore meditate, meditate.

Humility is not cowardice. Meekness is not weakness. Humility and meekness are indeed spiritual powers.

Do not love leisure. Waste not a minute. Be bold. Realize the Truth, here and now!

Complete peace equally reigns between two mental waves.

Desire is poverty. Desire is the greatest impurity of the mind. Desire is the motive force for action. Desire in the mind is the real impurity. Even a spark of desire is a very great evil.

Terrible is the fight put up by the senses. Fight bravely! Conquer them you must.

God is all-full. He is self-contained. He is eternal satisfaction.

If you do not know the laws of right conduct, you cannot form your character.

Life is short. Time is fleeting. Realize the Self. Purity of the heart is the gateway to God. Aspire. Renounce. Meditate. Be good; do good. Be kind; be compassionate. Inquire, know Thyself.

Give up salt, give up sugar, give up spices, give up vegetables, give up chutnies, give up tamarind. Serve Bhangis, serve rogues, serve inferiors, remove faecal matter. Do not revenge, resist not evil, return good for evil, bear insult and injury. Forget like a child any injury done by somebody immediately. Never keep it in the heart. It kindles hatred.

Today is you own. Tomorrow perchance may never come.

Know that wealth, sex-delights, power, learning are all bondage. This is the beginning of wisdom.

Put your heart, mind, intellect, and soul even into your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.