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Inspirers
Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati continued...
Although he had a photographic memory, a keen intellect, and his guru
described him as a versatile genius, Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati's
learning did not come from books and study in the ashram. His knowledge
unfolded from within through his untiring seva as well as his abiding
faith and love for Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati, who told him, "Work hard and
you will be purified. You do not have to search for the light; the light
will unfold from within you."  In
1956, after spending twelve years in guru seva, Sri Swami Satyananda Saraswati
set out as a wanderer (parivrajaka). Before his departure Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati
taught him kriya yoga and gavehim the mission to "spread yoga from
door to door and shore to shore".
As a wandering sannyasin, Sri Swamiji travelled extensively by foot,
car, train and sometimes even by camel throughout India, Afghanistan,
Burma, Nepal, Tibet, Ceylon and the entire Asian subcontinent. During
his sojourns, he met people from all strata of society and began formulating
his ideas on how to spread the yogic techniques. Although his formal education
and spiritual tradition was that of Vedanta, the task of disseminating
yoga became his movement.
His mission unfolded before him in 1962 when he founded the International
Yoga Fellowship Movement with the aim of creating a global fraternity
of yoga. Because his mission was revealed to him at Munger, Bihar, he
established the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger. Before long his teachings
were rapidly spreading throughout the world.
From 1963 to 1982, Sri Swamiji took yoga to each and every corner of
the world, to people of every caste, creed, religion and nationality.
He guided millions of seekers in all continents and established centres
and ashrams in different countries. His frequent travel took him to Australia,
New Zealand, Japan, China, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand,
Singapore, USA, England, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland,
Denmark, Sweden, Yugoslavia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Russia,
Czechoslovakia, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain,  Dubai,
Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Argentina,
Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico, Sudan, Egypt, Nairobi, Ghana, Mauritius, Alaska
and Iceland.
One can easily say that Sri Swamiji hoisted the flag of yoga in every
nook and cranny of the world. Nowhere did he face opposition, resistance
or criticism. His way was unique. Well-versed in all religions and scriptures,
he incorporated their wisdom with such a natural flair that people of
all faiths were drawn to him. His teaching was not just confined to yoga
but covered the wisdom of many millenniums.
Sri Swamiji brought to light the knowledge of tantra, the mother of all
philosophies, the sublime truths of Vedanta, the Upanishads and Puranas,
Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Islam and Christianity, including
a modern scientific analysis of matter and creation. He interpreted, explained
and gave precise, accurate and systematic explanations of the ancient
systems of tantra and yoga, revealing practices hitherto unknown.
It can be said that Sri Swamiji was a pioneer in the field of yoga because
his presentation had a novelty and freshness. Ajapa japa, antar mouna,
pawanmuktasana, kriya yoga and prana vidya are just some of the practices
which he introduced in such a methodical and simple manner that it became
possible for everyone to delve into this valuable and hitherto inaccessible
science for their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development.
Yoga nidra was Sri Swamiji's interpretation of the tantric system of
nyasa. With his deep insight into this knowledge, he was able to  realize
the potential of this practice of nyasa in a manner which gave it a practical
utility for each and every individual, rather than just remaining a prerequisite
for worship.Yoga nidra is but one example of his acumen and penetrating
insight into the ancient systems.
Sri Swamiji's outlook was inspiring, uplifting as well as in-depth and
penetrating. Yet his language and explanations were always simple and
easy to comprehend. During this period he authored over eighty books on
yoga and tantra which, due to their authenticity, are accepted as textbooks
in schools and universities throughout the world. These books have been
translated into Italian, German, Spanish, Russian, Yugoslavian, Chinese,
French, Greek, Iranian and most other prominent languages of the world.
People took to his ideas and spiritual seekers of all faiths and nationalities
flocked to him. He initiated thousands into mantra and sannyasa, sowing
in them the seed to live the divine life. He exhibited tremendous zeal
and energy in spreading the light of yoga, and in the short span of twenty
years Sri Swamiji fulfilled the mandate of his guru.
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