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 “Swami Sivananda said of him: “Venkatesananda’s letters are full of honey. He does not even prepare a draft; he sits at the typewriter and the letter is at once ready. The work he does other people won’t be able to do. So many books and pamphlets are coming out of the press – all through his work only. “He has not uttered a single word that could displease me. If I want to get some work done urgently, the next morning it is ready; he would go on sitting up all night. He has no ego. He will never say ‘This is not good.’ He is humble and egoless.”
Introduction Swami Venkatesananda (Parthsarathy as he was known then) wa born in Tanjore on December 29th, 1921, to a South Indian Brahman family. He learned Sanskrit at an early age from his uncle and grandfather, and used to love to take part in religious observances. He was intelligent and full of fun (a trait which endeared him in later life when, as a Swami, he travelled in the West, illustrating the everyday concepts we live by with his humorous stories.)
At the age of fourteen he discovered a book by Swami Sivananda in a bookshop. He was so impressed that he wrote to Swami Sivananda asking if he could join him in his ashram. Swami Sivananda told him to finish his education and then come to Rishikesh
On leaving school, he studied shorthand and typing, coming first in the examination. After working for the Madras Corporation, he obtained the position of Private Secretary to the Minister of War in Calcutta.
In this capacity one day he was asked to escort some V.I.P's to Haridwar and Rishikesh. He visited Sivananda Ashram and was told that Swami Sivananda was resting and he wouldn't be able to meet him. Shortly after, Sivananda unexpectedly came out. He looked at Parthasarathy and said, "So. You have come," and asked him to stay at the ashram.
Swami Venkatesananda (EARLY YEARS) was born in a South Indian Brahman family in 1929. He learnt Sanskrit at an early age from his uncle and grandfather, and used to love to take part in religious observances. After leaving school, he studied shorthand and typing, coming first in the examination. He was intelligent and full of fun, a trait which endeared him in later life when, as a Swami, he traveled in the West, illustrating the everyday concepts we live by with his humorous stories. At 14 he discovered a book by Swami Sivananda in a bookshop. He was so impressed that he wrote to Swami Sivananda asking if he could join him. After working for the Madras Corporation, he obtained the position of Private Secretary to the Minister of War. In this capacity one day he was asked to escort some V.I.Ps to Rishikesh. When he realized he might be able to see Swami Sivananda, his joy knew no bounds. While the V.I.Ps were resting in Rishikesh he went to the ashram office and asked to see Swami Sivananda. He was told that Sivananda was resting and he wouldn't be able to meet him. He was walking near Sivananda's room when Sivananda unexpectedly came out of his room, saying, "So. You have come," and asked him to stay at the ashram. Swami Sivananda told him to finish his education and then come (RISHIKESH). So after fulfilling his work commitments for a year, he returned to Rishikesh to stay. Sivananda put him to work in various departments of the ashram's kitchen, temple, office, and typing, the press etc. After that he became the private secretary to Swami Sivananda, typing his books, answering letters and generally helping in his day to day activities. . Later he travelled the world - follow the links below to read more...
SOUTH AFRICA EARLY YEARS
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND SOUTH AFRICA LATER YEARS MAURITIUS
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