Swami Sivananda's name has become synonymous with the dissemination of spiritual knowledge. Illustrious author of over 300 books, Swamiji has endeared himself to all humanity through his catholic teachings spiced with love and understanding. Swami Sivananda takes a special interest in the younger generation. During his all-India tour in 1950, he gave preference to schools, colleges and universities for lecturing and demonstration of Yoga exercises. Unlike platform orators, Swamiji does not rest content merely with saying that the youth is the hope of tomorrow; he works day and night to mould the younger generation into future citizens. "Students are moulded to the education they receive," says Swamiji. At a time when education in this country has lost much of its meaning by its being devoid of man-making spiritual content, Sivananda Literature comes as a God-sent boon to the student community. No one, perhaps, is better qualified to advise the students and command their love and reverence than Swami Sivananda, because Swamiji speaks not as a Master, but as a friend and well-wisher. Says he: "I speak as your humble Sevak and 'Hitakankshi'. Whatever I say, I say by way of friendship and you have to act upon it after hearing me. Please accept this as a gift and make it your own." Gurudev's gift, not only to youth but to the whole mankind, is his literature, sweet and sublime, vast and luminous-the Divine Literature in commemoration of which the Sivananda Literature Festival is being celebrated today (July 20, 1959) throughout the whole world.
Swami Sivananda - Message - Value Spiritual Education