He sent him forth saying, “People are waiting” and he gave him ten Indian Rupees. Swami Vishnu later remarked that it was the power and the energy behind the ten-rupee note that created the whole Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Organization.
In The West
Swamiji Vishnu’s journey started from San Francisco. The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers were officially established in 1959 in Montreal. And soon after, he completed his first book, the “The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga” which was sold over a million copies.
And in the summer 1963 he opened his first ashram, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Camp in Val Morin, Canada.
And gradually other ashrams were also opened.
Vision of fire
It was in the temple at the yoga retreat on Paradise Island, Bahamas that Swami Vishnu had an unsettling vision that was to have tremendous effect on his life. He had a vision of fire engulfing the Earth and of people rushing to tear down the walls and barriers that exist between nations and people. He could not at first believe this frightening vision, but knew from similar past experiences that whatever he envisions will sooner or later come to pass.
In Swamiji’s own words: “In the ashram in Nassau I had a powerful vision. It shook me and even several hours after that vision, I could not think properly. I realized that if and when the vision materialized, it would be the most difficult thing in my life. I had no idea how and when it would happen.
A voice came to me telling me to fly. I had no idea why, but the voice said yes. I thought perhaps for freedom, perhaps against war. Years of flying which followed had only one purpose: to break the boundaries of passport and visa.
Our planet is small. Either we are going to live together or we are going to die together. The time has come for the idea of nationalism, of patriotism, to disappear, and for only unity to exist.”
His aim was to fly to the trouble spots of the world and spread the timeless and universal message of peace and love. He flew to Belfast, Tel Aviv and over the Berlin Wall to name a few.
Swami Vishnu’s vision was the inspiration behind his organization called the True World Order, which aimed at promoting peace and understanding. The first program was the Yoga Teachers Training Course designed to train the future leaders of the world and responsible citizens of the world in yogic disciplines.
“True brotherhood and peace can exist only where there are strong and self-controlled leaders to set an example for the masses. It is of vital importance that leaders have inner vision and inner peace. Not until people have this inner peace can they hope to establish global peace.” Swami Vishnu-devananda
The first, ever Yoga Teachers Training Course in the West, was conducted by Swami Vishnu in 1969, and so far over 40,000 people have been trained.
The colorful life of this great yogiraj (the king of yoga) which was an illustration of powerful will, deep devotion and an incredible concentration came to an end on November 9, 1993.
The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Organization today remains one of the most prestigious yoga organizations and it is faithful to the true teachings of Swami Sivananda and Swami
Vishnu-devananda.
To learn more about the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Organization go to to: