THE PILGRIMAGE OF 1959 AND INITIATION INTO THE SANNYASA ORDER

In the pilgrimage that Sri Sivananda Ponniah undertook in 1959, the emphasis was on Ashrams and spiritual personalities: Sivapràkasa Swamigal Madam, Upanishad Vihar, Yoga Samaj, Gnanananda Thapovanam. Ramanashramam, Thakshinamurthy Madam, Aurobindo Ashram. Koilur Madam, Eesaniar Madam, Ramakrishna Thapovanam, Ramakrishna Mission Centres, Narayana Sevashram: Theosophical Headquarters. etc; Jagadguru Sankarachariar of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Swami Rajeswarananda, Kaddu, Stamigal, Avadhut Swami Nityananda and Swami Muktananda of Ganesapuri, Swami Purushotamananda of Vasishta Guha, Ananda Mai Ma, Swami Abhedananda and many others. While at Sivanàndashram at Rishikesh. with Gurudev's blessings, Sri Ponniah proceeded on pilgrimage with two other devotees of Gurudev to Badrinath. An interesting article entitled My Pilgrimage' appears elsewhere in this Souvenir.

On his return to Sivanandashram, Rishikesh, an event of momentous importance awaited Sri Sivananda Ponniah. On 1 July, 1959 he entered Gurudev's Kutir whin Gurudev was engaged in some humorous discussion with his senior disciples. On seeing; him Swsmiji said "Here comes Pon lyer'' and after mutual greetings he posed that providential question "What do you think of Sivananda Ponniah being initiated into Sannyasa ?'' All the disciples educated their full support for Gurudev's suggestion whereupon Gurudev turned to Ponniah and asked him "What is the use of bing a white dhotied sannyasi; why not I initiate you now ? Have you any lurking thoughts ?''. Sri Ponniah was indeed perplexed over this sudden call and after a while submitted: "I have a clear preference for monastic life but I am not ready for it. I am now on leave and have to work for at least another two years to become entitled to the full retirement benefit. Besides I cannot entertain any thought of throwing away hard earned money and begging for food and other necessities of life. The Varnashrama Dharma has degenerated at every stage. The begging mendicants are a disgrace to true sannnyas. l would prefer to retire from service in due course and serve the Society as a lay-disciple.

Gurudev was appreciative of the problem for he himself had expressed elsewhere that "those who want to renounce the world and take to pure nivritti marga should prepare themselves for one or two years while they are in the world and save as much money as posible. Even sannyasins want money in these days. Time has entirely changed. Those who desire to lead the nivritti marge must have their own money. They must have their economic independence.

It is hard to get biksha in these days''. Gurudev told him that he was at liberty to keep as much money as possible to serve his needs and to do charity. Gurudev was prepared to initiate him even when he was still in employment, as an exceptional case, provided he was prepared to stop work on the very day he became entitled to his full retiring benefits. Gurudev allowed him 24 hours to decide. Sivananda Ponniah had a sleepless night reflecting over the whole problem and came to the momentous decision that he should conform to the expressed wish of the Worshipful Master. On 2 July. 1959 in the evening the formal rites were performed and Gurudev initiated him into the Sacred Order of Dasanama Sannyasa (Paramahamsa Order) and named him Swami Pranavananda Saraswati.The Sannyasa Diksha Patrika was issued by Gurudev.

Sivananda Ponniah returned to Malaysia and continued in the service of the RRI up to his reaching the age of 55. He regarded this period as on probation, wore saffron within the uniform and observed discipline to the best of his ability. In appreciation of the meritorious services rendered by him in the field of the service of the Master and Dissemination of Spiritual Knowledge, Gurudev Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj awarded him the Sacred Titles of ''Guru Bhakti Ratna'' and 'Prachara Praveena'' nominated him to the Board of Management of the Divine Life Society Headquarters (1958) and made him a Patron of the Society in April 1963.

RETIREMENT FROM SERVICE AND MAHASAMADHI OF GURUDEV

The date for retirement from service was fixed for 29 August, l 963 and Sivananda Ponniah intended to proceed to Rishikesh on leave prior to retirement to be with Gurudev for six months. Divine dispensation proved otherwise. Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda entered into Mahasamadhi on 14 July. 1963. Only then did Sri Sivananda Ponniah realise why Gurudev had insisted that he should receive initiation into the Monastic Order even though he was in service !