Swami Sivananda, the founder of Divine Life Society, was a highly revered spiritual leader and a renowned yogi. He was born in 1887 in the town of Pattamadai in Tamil Nadu, India. From a young age, Swami Sivananda was deeply interested in spirituality and spent most of his time reading and studying religious texts. His parents were devout Hindus and they instilled in him a strong sense of faith and devotion towards God.

Swami Sivananda's spiritual journey began when he left his home at the age of 18 to pursue higher education in Malaysia. It was during this time that he came across a book on Raja Yoga by Swami Vivekananda, which deeply influenced him. He was fascinated by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and was drawn towards the path of renunciation and self-realization.

After completing his education, Swami Sivananda returned to India and started working as a doctor in the state of Malaya. However, he soon realized that his true calling was not in the field of medicine, but in the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and service to humanity. He left his job and embarked on a journey to various holy places in India, seeking guidance and enlightenment.

It was during this journey that Swami Sivananda met his guru, Swami Vishwananda Saraswati, who initiated him into the path of Sannyasa (monastic life). Swami Sivananda then spent several years studying and practicing various forms of yoga and meditation under the guidance of his guru. He also traveled extensively, spreading the message of love, peace, and unity.

The turning point in Swami Sivananda's life came when he met Swami Tapovan Maharaj, a highly evolved spiritual master, who recognized his potential and encouraged him to spread the teachings of Vedanta and yoga to the world. Inspired by his guru's words, Swami Sivananda established the Divine Life Society in 1936, with the aim of promoting spiritual values and serving humanity.

Swami Sivananda's decision to become a monk was not a sudden one, but a culmination of his lifelong quest for spiritual knowledge and his desire to serve others. He was deeply inspired by the lives and teachings of great spiritual masters like Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who had renounced the material world to dedicate their lives to the pursuit of truth.

In conclusion, Swami Sivananda's journey towards monkhood was a result of his deep longing for spiritual fulfillment and his unwavering commitment to serving humanity. He dedicated his entire life to spreading the message of love, peace, and unity, and his teachings continue to inspire and guide people towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life.