Introduction to Sannyasa Peeth
Swami Niranjan Saraswati

Sri Swamiji had a vision which was inspired by his guru and also by his destiny. Sri Swamiji always had in mind to propagate the teachings of sannyasa, as it was the sannyasa ideals that had guided him to his Guru. Yet when Swami Sivananda told Sri Swamiji that he had to work and to spread yoga from door to door, Swamiji followed his Guru’s mandate. That was the samarpan, surrender and commitment of Sri Swamiji for the mandate of Sri Swami Sivananda.

Sri Swamiji, after having accomplished the mandate, was free to now follow his own inspiration. He left Munger, travelled and settled in Rikhia. In Rikhia he started living the higher spiritual teachings which he had received from his guru. Sri Swamiji never wanted the trappings of an institution, he did everything as his kartavya, as his duty. In his life there was never any personal ambition or aspiration, all was his Guru’s will.

Today everybody wants to live their ambition and believe that they are doing it for their Guru. That characteristic was never there in Sri Swamiji. He came here and established himself in the higher spiritual sadhanas. He always had in mind the upliftment of society, not only through yoga, not only spiritually but also physically and materially.  Therefore, the three cardinal principles of Swami Sivanandaji, were made the foundation of Rikhiapeeth; Serve, Love and Give. Swami Satsangi is carrying on that tradition in Rikhiapeeth.

Sri Swamiji also wants that people be exposed to a lifestyle where they can be complete in their own character, nature, behaviour and personality. For that he inspired and guided the establishment of Sannyasa Peeth.

From 1963 to 1984, Sri Swamiji travelled all over the world for yoga. From 1989 to 2009 he established the spiritual life, tradition and ideas. Then his last instruction was the formation of Sannyasa Peeth where people can imbibe a particular lifestyle, which is not based on social values, but on spiritual values and principles.

Social values are not balanced values, rather they are one sided values. In life we are guided to live artha, kama, dharma and moksha. Today’s society lives artha and kama and the renunciants live dharma and moksha. Artha and kama is acquisition and fulfillment of personal desires and aspirations. The renunciants, the sannyasins, are living dharma and moksha, connection and upliftment. The essence of the teachings of the tradition of Sri Swami Sivananda, of Sri Swamiji is that we should be able to integrate artha and kama with dharma and moksha.

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