A slice of Swamiji’s life

A simple man that he is, Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, even at the ripe age of 101, is both a light eater and a light sleeper. He sleeps only for three hours a day, from 11 pm to 2 am. His routine runs like this:

• 2 am - 3 am: Study.
• 3 am - 3:30 am: Bath.
• 3:30 am - 5:30 am: Meditation, pooja and the singing of bhajans, followed by breakfast.
• 5:30 am onwards: Participating in the prayer session of students, concentrating on the various developmental and administrative aspects of the mutt.
• 6 pm - 8 pm: Evening prayer session with students, followed by the singing of bhajans.
• 8 pm - 11 pm: Devoted to the study of various philosophers.

The Swamiji, who is known for the meaningful talks he delivers, is forever in demand and hence travels a lot.

His eating habits are also as simple as the man himself. He only eats one small idli with non-spicy dal and a piece of fruit for breakfast. His lunch is a small ball of ragi and a little rice with dal, while his supper is even lighter. Not in the habit of drinking cofee, tea or milk, he only drinks bevina kashaya (a concoction made of ground neem leaves).

A learned man that he is, the Swamiji never misses his morning newspapers. Keeping himself abreast of the happenings around the world, the Swamiji admits he is pained by the violence and gore that threatens the world.

Before 1930

• Year of Birth: 1908.
• Place of Birth: Veerapura, Magadi Taluk, Bangalore District.
• Parents: Patel Honnappa and Gangamma.
• Primary Education: Veerapura & Nagavalli.
• Secondary Education: Government High School, Tumkur.
• Pre-University & Graduation: Central College, Bangalore.

The mutt:

Location - About 64 kms from Bangalore on NH 4, the Bangalore-Poona highway.

Founder - Sri Gosala Siddeshwara Shivayogi.