PATH TO PERFECTION

SWAMI SIVANANDA

(Collections from Sivananda Literature)

Published by

Sivananda Literature Research Institute

(The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy)

P.O. Sivanandanagar,

Rishikesh, Himalayas.

Price ] 1959 [Rs. 2

Published by

Sri Swami Chidananda

for

The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy

First Edition: 1959

The Divine Life Society

Printed by

General Printing Works Private Ltd.

83, Old Chinabazar Street,

CALCUTTA-1

Contents 
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE ........................................................................................................................................ 7 
UNIVERSAL PRAYER ....................................................................................................................................... 8 
FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................. 10 
SWAMI SIVANANDA AND DIVINE LIFE ........................................................................................................ 11 
CHAPTER I. .................................................................................................................................................. 16 
WHAT IS LIFE ? ............................................................................................................................................ 16 
CHAPTER II. ................................................................................................................................................. 19 
LIFE AND ITS PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................ 19 
CHAPTER III. ................................................................................................................................................ 21 
HAPPINESS IS WITHIN. ................................................................................................................................ 21 
CHAPTER IV ................................................................................................................................................. 23 
IMPORTANCE OF SADACHARA .................................................................................................................... 23 
CHAPTER V. ................................................................................................................................................. 25 
CULTIVATION OF VIRTUES .......................................................................................................................... 25 
Character-Building .................................................................................................................................. 25 
Adaptability ............................................................................................................................................. 26 
Ahimsa .................................................................................................................................................... 27 
Truthfulness ............................................................................................................................................ 27 
Self-Reliance ............................................................................................................................................ 28 
Patience and Perseverance ..................................................................................................................... 28 
Sincerity and Honesty ............................................................................................................................. 29 
Contentment ........................................................................................................................................... 29 
Regularity and Punctuality ...................................................................................................................... 30 
Pushing Nature ........................................................................................................................................ 31 
Pluck or Knack ......................................................................................................................................... 31 
CHAPTER VI ................................................................................................................................................. 32 
ERADICATION OF NEGATIVE QUALITIES ..................................................................................................... 32 
Shyness.................................................................................................................................................... 32 
Timidity ................................................................................................................................................... 32 
Pessimism................................................................................................................................................ 32 
Over-Credulousness ................................................................................................................................ 32 
Suspicion ................................................................................................................................................. 33 

Intolerance .............................................................................................................................................. 33 
Sense of Inferiority .................................................................................................................................. 33 
Depression .............................................................................................................................................. 33 
Indecision ................................................................................................................................................ 34 
Carelessness and Forgetfulness .............................................................................................................. 34 
Diffidence ................................................................................................................................................ 34 
Dishonesty............................................................................................................................................... 34 
The Curse of Bribery ............................................................................................................................... 35 
Hatred ..................................................................................................................................................... 35 
Jealousy, Pride and Hypocrisy ................................................................................................................. 35 
Conquest of Anger .................................................................................................................................. 36 
Cares, Worries and Anxieties .................................................................................................................. 36 
Conquest of Fear ..................................................................................................................................... 38 
Control of Evil Habits .............................................................................................................................. 38 
Conquest of Passion ................................................................................................................................ 40 
Attachment ............................................................................................................................................. 41 
Mean-Mindedness .................................................................................................................................. 41 
Crooked-Mindedness .............................................................................................................................. 42 
CHAPTER VII ................................................................................................................................................ 43 
HEALTH AND LONG LIFE .............................................................................................................................. 43 
HEALTH AND LONG LIFE .......................................................................................................................... 43 
Vital Facts About Health ......................................................................................................................... 43 
Fasting-Its Benefits .................................................................................................................................. 45 
Yoga Asans for Health ............................................................................................................................. 46 
1.  PADMASAN ..................................................................................................................................... 47 
2.  SIDDHASAN ..................................................................................................................................... 47 
3.  SIRSHASAN ...................................................................................................................................... 48 
4.  SARVANGASAN................................................................................................................................ 48 
5.  MATSYASAN .................................................................................................................................... 49 
6.  BHUJANGASAN ................................................................................................................................ 49 
7.  SALABHASAN ................................................................................................................................... 50 
8.  HALASAN ......................................................................................................................................... 50 
9.  DHANURASAN ................................................................................................................................. 51 

10.  PASCHIMOTTANASAN ................................................................................................................. 51 
11.  MAYURASAN ............................................................................................................................... 52 
12.  ARDHMATSYENDRASAN ............................................................................................................. 52 
13.  PADHASTASAN ............................................................................................................................ 53 
14. SAVASAN- .................................................................................................................................... 53 
Pranayama .............................................................................................................................................. 54 
CHAPTER VIII ............................................................................................................................................... 55 
AID TO GOD REALISATION .......................................................................................................................... 55 
GOD EXISTS ............................................................................................................................................. 55 
The Life Divine ......................................................................................................................................... 55 
Mind and Its Control ............................................................................................................................... 57 
Concentration ......................................................................................................................................... 58 
Twenty Hints On Meditation................................................................................................................... 59 
The Essence of Bhakti ............................................................................................................................. 61 
Bhakti Commandments .......................................................................................................................... 61 
JAPA YOGA .............................................................................................................................................. 62 
Gayatri Mantra ........................................................................................................................................ 63 
Mantra for Getting a Child ...................................................................................................................... 64 
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra ...................................................................................................................... 64 
The efficacy of prayer. ............................................................................................................................ 65 
Secret of Karma Yoga. ............................................................................................................................. 65 
Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions ................................................................................................. 66 
Resolves Form and Spiritual Diary .......................................................................................................... 68 
SANKIRTAN DHWANIS AND SONGS ........................................................................................................ 71 
PEACE CHANTS ........................................................................................................................................ 77 
ARATI ....................................................................................................................................................... 78 
 
 
 
 

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

There is a significant story behind this publication. When they bid farewell to him, the officers of the

Burmah Shell presented a purse to Sri Sivananda-Nilakantan, the saintly disciple of Sri Gurudev, who

was retiring from 30 -year-long faithful and fruitful service to the Company. The noble and saintly

Nilakantan has converted that purpose into wonderful spiritual treasure and handing it back to the donors

themselves!

This is the greatest characteristic of a saint. This is the inevitable course that charity takes. This is the

glory of service of saintly and divine beings. As Gurudev has often said: “Look after the body of the saint;

he will look after your soul.” Lord Jesus, too, assures us that what we give will be given back to us, a

thousand fold.

A word about this marvellous book. It reveals the most remarkable trait in Gurudev’s writings: one book,

one chapter, one article, nay even one page from any of his books is quite sufficient to lead a sincere

spiritual aspirant to the Goal of life, viz, God-realisation. This small book is quite sufficient to inspire you

and keep you ever inspired till you reach the goal. Sri Nilakantan, in his supreme love and compassion for

you, has kept in view, in compiling this work, to provide you with all that you need. He has placed you

under a deep debt of gratitude to him. You can repay it only by translating every word written in this book

in your daily life, by treading the Path to Perfection, and by reaching Perfection here and now. May God

bless you !

P. O. Shivananda Nagar }Publishers

22nd August, 1959.

UNIVERSAL PRAYER

Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love,

Salutations and Prostrations unto Thee

Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient.

Thou art Satchidananda

Thou art the Indweller of all beings.

Grant us an understanding heart,

Equal vision, balanced mind,

Faith, devotion and wisdom.

Grant us inner spiritual strength

To resist temptations and to control the mind.

Free us from egoism, lust, greed and hatred,

Fill our hearts with divine virtues,

Let us behold Thee in all these names and forms.

Let us serve Thee in all these names and forms,

Let us ever remember Thee.

Let us ever sing Thy glories,

Let Thy name be ever on our lips,

Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever.”