Yoga icon and Padma Shri laureate Swami Sivananda passes away at 128 in Varanasi

Swami Sivananda Saraswati, the legendary yoga guru whose serene presence and austere lifestyle inspired generations, passed away on Sunday at the age of 128 following a cardiac arrest in Varanasi.

Born on August 8, 1897, in Sylhet — then part of British India, now in Bangladesh—Swami Sivananda’s life was marked by extraordinary resilience and unwavering devotion. Orphaned by the age of six, he was taken in by Guru Omkaranand Goswami at an ashram in Nabadwip, West Bengal. Despite having no formal education, he was immersed in spiritual teachings, and from a young age began practicing and mastering yoga.

For decades, Swamiji lived a life of disciplined simplicity, dedicating himself to the service of humanity. He cared for hundreds of leprosy-afflicted beggars, visiting them in their hutments with food, medicine, and compassion.

In recognition of his lifelong contributions, he received the Yoga Ratna Award in 2019 and was honored with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 2022 by then-President Ram Nath Kovind.

Swami Sivananda was also a revered fixture at the Maha Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest religious gathering, which he reportedly attended for more than 100 consecutive years.

Condolences poured in from across the nation. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow, describing Swamiji’s passing as “an immense loss to the spiritual and yogic community.”

“Your spiritual practice and life of yoga are a great inspiration for the entire society,” the Chief Minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “You dedicated your entire life to the expansion of yoga.”

Swami Sivananda’s life was a rare tapestry woven with faith, humility, service, and longevity. He leaves behind not just disciples, but a legacy that will continue to illuminate the path for seekers and yogis across the globe.