PEARLS OF WISDOM

SRI SWAMI SIVANANDA

Published by

The Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy

THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY

P.O. SIVANANDANAGAR (VIA RISHIKESH)

DT. TEHRI GARHWAL, U.P., INDIA

Price) 1962 Re 1-75

Published By Swami Krishnananda for the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy (The Divine Life Society),

Sivanandanagar and Printed by him at the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy Press, Sivanandanagar, via

Rishikesh, Dist. Tehri-Garhwal, U.P., Himalayas.

First Edition: 1958

Second Edition: 1962

(Copies 2000)

The Divine Life Trust Society

Printed in the name of Sri Kunjbihari Ramaniklal

Parikh, B.E. (Elect.), Baroda City, in recognition of his meritorious services rendered to the Divine Life

Society

(1,000 Copies)

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE

The Supreme Being is an Ocean of Wisdom. The individual soul takes dips in it during deep meditation.

The sage of Self-realisation dives deep into it, in Samadhi.

Even among sages, it is given only to a few to gather the pearls from the depths of this ocean of

consciousness and to return to the shore, to share that wealth with all. Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj is

one such sage with a divine mission. The pearls of Wisdom he has gathered during his spiritual dives into

the ocean of wisdom, he has presented in this precious book, for the enrichment of our soul.

P.O. Sivanandanagar, 15th April, 1962

Publishers.

Respected Swamiji,

I am thankful to you for your kind letter and also for your kindness in sending me the following five

books, Bhakti Yoga, All About Hinduism, Students’ Success in Life, The Conquest of Anger and Lord

Siva and his worship.

It is simply amazing that you are still so active and writing.

I am deeply grateful to you for keeping me in a soft corner of your heart.

With best regards

Sri Dr. P.T. Raju M.A., Phd.

Head of the Dept: of Philosophy, Jodhpur University

(now at California. U.S.A.)

THE ABODE OF SWAMI SIVANANDA

(By K.N. Uniyal)

The Divine Life Society is the centre of attraction for countless visitors from all parts of the world and

people from all over India. Its Ashram is situated at Muni-ki-reti, near Lakshman Jhula. The founder of

the Society, Swami Sivananda, also resides here.

Swamiji is a saint of deep compassion and has a love for the mankind. He is hailed as a holy man of

divine illumination, whose only mission in life is to serve all beings for their ethical enlightenment, moral

uplift, and spiritual advancement.

The Sivanandashram has become the headquarters of the Swamiji’s spiritual mission. It is a place of

dynamic and spiritual training for all devotees and seekers. Due to his world-wide contacts, Sri Swami

Sivananda has made the names of Rishikesh and Tehri well-known in all parts of the world, and raised the

culture of India to a position of great veneration and admiration in other countries. Swamiji’s message is

dynamic and he brings spirituality into practical daily living. It is inspiring to have his Darshan. His

teachings and blessings uplift and enrich one’s life with inner strength and peace.

Sivanandanagar is a mile northward from Rishikesh town, on the road to Lakshman Jhula. It is a colony

that has developed on the ancient site of Muniki-reti, right on the holy banks of the Ganga, wher boats ply

between Muni-ki-reti and Swargashram The Ashram is spread over a hill on both sides of the main motor

road. The devotees have the Darshat of Swamiji in the Society’s office building.

The Society was founded by His Holiness in 1936 for the widest possible propagation of the most pre

cious and the best elements of the great culture and living idealism of India. His Holiness has been striv.

Ing ceaselessly to bring about a world-wide dissemination of the vital ethical and spiritual idealism of

India-the knowledge of Yoga, Vedanta, Dharma and the ideal life of divine virtues, right conduct, selfless

service, universal brotherhood, and the unity of life as a whole.

The Society carries the object of a world-wide revival of spirituality through publication of books,

pamphlets, and magazines dealing scientifically with the aspects of Yoga and Vedanta, religion,

philosophy, and ancient medicine; holding and arranging religious conferences and discourses;

establishing training centres for the practice of Yoga and the revival of culture; and taking such other

steps from time to time as may be necessary for bringing about a quick moral and spiritual regeneration in

the world.

The Ashram has been set up to serve as a model of many-sided altruistic activity, an ideal to copy, and to

reveal the essential blending together of all sides of human nature.

An allopathic general hospital attached to the Society with arrangement for indoor patients, is doing

valuable service by making available free medical aid to the suffering. Its reputed Ayurvedic

Pharmaceutical Works prepare genuine and high quality Ayurvedic medicines that have gained a name in

India and abroad. Ayurvedic medicines costing several thousands of rupees are given free every year to

the poor patients and Yogic students.

The Sivananda Eye Hospital is also doing a great service to the patients in the neighbouring areas,

offering them facilities of indoor treatment. Indoor patients are given free treatment as also free boarding.

The Society’s Photo Studio has prepared valuable movie films of the different Yogic exercises and

processes. A beautiful temple and a prayer hall pro vide scope for devotional exercises and prayers in an

ideal setting. A Yoga Museum serves to give, in brief and at a glance, the essence of Yoga and Vedanta.

The Society also runs a Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy, which trains students coming from different parts

of India and abroad. The Academy is established to impart specialised knowledge of the different

techniques of Yoga and to prepare students for the highest form of meditations and selfless service of

humanity based on the spirit of universal love and brotherhood. The Academy has a printing press of its

own and has specialised in bringing out valuable publications on Yoga and Vedanta and allied spiritual

and cultural subjects.

The Society distributes every year books worth more than a lakh of rupees free to students of Yoga,

Sadhaks, and aspirants in order to help them achieve quick progress on the spiritual path. The

Annakshetra, run by the Society, provides free food to the poor, the sick, and the needy, in addition to

main training regular Sadhaks, devotees, and Sadhus, to help them in their Sadhana. The fundamental

aims and objects of the Society are purely spiritual, entire ly non-sectarian, universally applicable, and

perfectly tolerant. The Society offers a peaceful haven of peace to the troubled, conflict-ridden, and

psychologically-tormented man today.

The activities of the Society have now grown to such an enormous extent that it has presently become a

problem to provide for necessary finances for the continuous working of its different departments.

Philanthropists and generous devotees and admirers have been the main source of its unhindered activities

all the time.

It is a public charitable institution maintained purely by donations received from the public. It is earnestly

hoped that more of such well-wishers will come forward and actively help in the furthering of the sublime

cause of the Society and the Ashram that is endeavouring to radiate the light of divine life.

(From the Special Issue Kumbhamelu

Viseshank of “Tourist Uttarapradesh”)

Contents 
Chapter 1 ..................................................................................................................................................... 14 
THE GREATEST WISDOM ............................................................................................................................. 14 
i)  The most precious thing of all ......................................................................................................... 14 
ii)  Realise thy true Nature ...................................................................................................................... 15 
iii) Atman or Brahman is bliss ................................................................................................................. 16 
(iv) The Pearl of Supreme Worth ............................................................................................................ 16 
Chapter 2 ..................................................................................................................................................... 18 
KNOWLEDGE THAT BESTOWS BLISS ........................................................................................................... 18 
i)  The Great Educators ....................................................................................................................... 18 
ii)  What the Upanishads teach ............................................................................................................ 19 
iii)  Teachings that Release ................................................................................................................... 20 
Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................................................................... 22 
WISDOM OF INDIA ...................................................................................................................................... 22 
i)  The Ancient Heritage ...................................................................................................................... 22 
ii)  Yoga Explained ................................................................................................................................ 23 
iii)  Precious Spiritual Tradition ............................................................................................................. 24 
iv)  The Upanishadic Ideal ..................................................................................................................... 25 
Chapter 4 ..................................................................................................................................................... 27 
FRUIT OF WISDOM ...................................................................................................................................... 27 
i)  The Godly Man Serves God in Man................................................................................................. 27 
ii)  Wise Way to Live ............................................................................................................................. 28 
iii)  Wisdom Begets True Love............................................................................................................... 28 
iv)  Perceive the Power of Love ............................................................................................................ 29 
v)  Wisdom of Bharatavarsha ............................................................................................................... 30 
vi)  Religion is Humanity’s Greatest Refuge. ......................................................................................... 30 
vii)  Basis of peace .............................................................................................................................. 31 
Chapter 5 ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 
STUDY YOURSELF FIRST ............................................................................................................................... 33 
i)  The mystery within. ........................................................................................................................ 33 
ii)  The wise man. ................................................................................................................................. 34 
iii)  Beloved friend! Control the mind ................................................................................................... 34 
iv)  Science of thought. ......................................................................................................................... 35 

v)  Root out mental impressions. ......................................................................................................... 36 
vi)  Secret of mind-conquest. ................................................................................................................ 36 
Chapter 6 ..................................................................................................................................................... 38 
PEARLS OF WISDOM ................................................................................................................................... 38 
i)  Light on Religion. ................................................................................................................................. 38 
ii)  Glory of Religion .............................................................................................................................. 39 
iii)  In the Footsteps of the Wise ........................................................................................................... 39 
iv)  The support of your life. ................................................................................................................. 40 
v)  Pearls of Wisdom. ........................................................................................................................... 41 
vi)  The Greatest Good. ......................................................................................................................... 42 
vii)  Gems of Truth. ............................................................................................................................ 42 
Chapter 7 ..................................................................................................................................................... 44 
THE WAY TO WISDOM ................................................................................................................................ 44 
i)  The Divine Secret ............................................................................................................................ 44 
ii)  Faith First: Reason Second. ............................................................................................................. 45 
iii)  Name bestows wisdom and illumination ........................................................................................ 46 
iv)  Source of all wisdom ....................................................................................................................... 46 
v)  Divine unity of all things.................................................................................................................. 47 
vi)  Seek for Him within ......................................................................................................................... 48 
Chapter 8 ..................................................................................................................................................... 49 
RAZOR PATH TO IMMORTALITY .................................................................................................................. 49 
i)  Deserve first; then desire. ............................................................................................................... 49 
ii)  Condition for knowledge ................................................................................................................ 50 
iii)  Qualification of a Sadhak ................................................................................................................ 51 
iv)  Guide to Sadhak .............................................................................................................................. 51 
v)  Practical Hints on Yoga .................................................................................................................... 52 
Chapter 9 ..................................................................................................................................................... 54 
Ο ΜΑΝ! BE WISE NOW ............................................................................................................................... 54 
i)  Sleep no More ................................................................................................................................. 54 
ii)  Exercise Discrimination Every Moment .......................................................................................... 55 
iii)  Attachment is the Enemy of Wisdom ............................................................................................. 56 
iv)  The Bondage of Folly ....................................................................................................................... 57 
Chapter 10 ................................................................................................................................................... 59 

THUS SIVANANDA SAYS .............................................................................................................................. 59 
i)  Be Brave .......................................................................................................................................... 59 
ii)  Evolve through Actions ................................................................................................................... 59 
iii)  Mystery of Life ................................................................................................................................ 60 
iv)  Valuable is Health ........................................................................................................................... 60 
v)  Unfold in Silence ............................................................................................................................. 60 
vi)  Stray Thoughts ................................................................................................................................ 61 
vii)  The Book of Wisdom ................................................................................................................... 61 
Chapter 11 ................................................................................................................................................... 62 
SIVANANDA’S WISDOM TREASURE ............................................................................................................ 62 
i) Attain Life’s Goal ............................................................................................................................. 62 
ii)  Utilise Well This Life. ....................................................................................................................... 63 
iii)  Lead the Divine life.......................................................................................................................... 64 
iv)  Know Thyself ................................................................................................................................... 65 
v)  Secrets of Life .................................................................................................................................. 66 
vi)  Arise, O man! Be Divine .................................................................................................................. 67 
Chapter 12 ................................................................................................................................................... 69 
ROYAL ROAD TO REALISATION ................................................................................................................... 69 
i)  The fundamental process in Yoga ....................................................................................................... 69 
ii) Meditation awakens intuition ............................................................................................................. 70 
iii) Seek not powers: lose not thy way .................................................................................................... 70 
iv) Higher Power in real Yoga .................................................................................................................. 71 
v) Supreme Worship is Realisation ......................................................................................................... 72 
vi) Growing Glory .................................................................................................................................... 72 
BOOK TWO .................................................................................................................................................. 74 
Pearls of Wisdom ........................................................................................................................................ 74 
Chapter 1 ..................................................................................................................................................... 74 
1.  Universal Prayer .............................................................................................................................. 74 
2.  Prayer Works Wonders ................................................................................................................... 74 
3.  Live in God ....................................................................................................................................... 74 
4.  Nectar Drops ................................................................................................................................... 74 
Chapter 2 ..................................................................................................................................................... 75 
1. So-called Friends ............................................................................................................................. 75 

 We See A Very Good Man Suffering Too Much. Why? ................................................................... 75 
 Nectar Drops ................................................................................................................................... 75 
Health & Longevity .............................................................................................................................. 75 
The Biggest .......................................................................................................................................... 76 
Glory of God’s Name ........................................................................................................................... 76 
Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................................................................... 77 
Prayer for World Peace and Amity ..................................................................................................... 77 
Power of Suggestions .......................................................................................................................... 77 
Yoga Asanas ........................................................................................................................................ 77 
Wealth ................................................................................................................................................. 78 
Wisdom Nectar ................................................................................................................................... 78 
Can you Show me your God? An Athiest ............................................................................................ 78 
 Selfless Service ................................................................................................................................... 78 
Chapter 4 ..................................................................................................................................................... 79 
Divine Life for Children........................................................................................................................ 79 
Nectar Drops ....................................................................................................................................... 79 
A Word to Doctors .............................................................................................................................. 79 
“Even This Will Pass Away” ................................................................................................................. 79 
Learn From Nature .............................................................................................................................. 79 
Famous For .......................................................................................................................................... 80 
Inspiring Letter .................................................................................................................................... 80 
Chapter 5 ..................................................................................................................................................... 81 
Man Is the Master of His Destiny ........................................................................................................ 81 
One Thing At A Time ........................................................................................................................... 81 
What If You May Live With Family and Children?............................................................................... 81 
Wisdom Nectar ................................................................................................................................... 81 
Do You Know? ..................................................................................................................................... 81 
Inspiring Letter .................................................................................................................................... 81 
Do You Know? ..................................................................................................................................... 82 
O Man! Get Ready Now ...................................................................................................................... 82 
A Practical Vedantin ............................................................................................................................ 82 
Chapter 6 ..................................................................................................................................................... 83 
Advice to Students .............................................................................................................................. 83 

2. Education ............................................................................................................................................ 84 
3. Message to Tutors ............................................................................................................................... 84 
4. Message to Parents ............................................................................................................................. 84 
5. Message to Ladies ............................................................................................................................... 84 
6. Nectar Drops ....................................................................................................................................... 85 
Chapter 7 ..................................................................................................................................................... 86 
1. Don’t Postpone! .................................................................................................................................. 86 
2. Destroy Vices ....................................................................................................................................... 86 
3. Who Is A Blind Man? ........................................................................................................................... 86 
4. Nectar Drops ....................................................................................................................................... 86 
5. You Cannot Please the Word .............................................................................................................. 86 
6. Hoard Not Give! Give!! Give!!! ........................................................................................................... 87 
7. Letter to A Girl Aspirant ...................................................................................................................... 87 
8. Tell Me Friends. ................................................................................................................................... 87 
Chapter 8 ..................................................................................................................................................... 88 
Guide To Sadhakas ...................................................................................................................................... 88 
Chapter 9 ..................................................................................................................................................... 91 
TWENTY IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTIONS ....................................................................................... 91 
Chapter 10 ................................................................................................................................................... 93 
YOGA OF SYNTHESIS ................................................................................................................................... 93 
VOICE OF THE DEVOTEES ............................................................................................................................ 96 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 