PATH TO PERFECTION
BY
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
All Rights Reserved by
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.”