Swami Satchidananda was born on December 22, 1914, during the month known as Margali, the Dawn of the Devas. He was the second son of Sri Kalyanasundaram Gounder and his wife Srimati Velammai. Their home had always been a meeting place for poets, musicians, philosophers and astrologers. Sannyasis (monks) and holy men passing through the area were directed to the home of Sri Kalyanasundaram and Srimati Velammai for food and lodging. Srimati Velammai was inspired by the holy men and decided that her next child should be this type of person. She and her husband traveled sixty miles to Palani, the holy hill, to the ashram of Sri Sadhu Swamigal where she was given a mantra to invoke the Divine Light as manifested in the sun. She repeated it constantly, developing a vibration conducive to receiving the type of soul she desired.

From the time he was a little boy, Swami Satchidananda (then known as “Ramaswamy”) was deeply spiritual. Even as a young child, he spoke truths and displayed insights far beyond his years. His devotion to God was strong, and he looked at people of all castes and faiths with an equal eye, always recognizing the same light within every being. That recognition of the universal light equally present in all people remained as he grew to adulthood, became a businessman, and a husband.

And so began a new level of dynamic service for Swami Satchidananda. Sri Swami Sivananda (photos: newly shaved Sannyasi; with his Guru, Swami Sivananda; in the Ganges just prior to Sannyas initiation) recognized the gift that his newly-initiated Sannyasi had for touching the lives of others and did not let this disciple stay in the Rishikesh ashram for long. Soon, he sent Swami Satchidananda to serve in various parts of India and Sri Lanka. That led to Swami Satchidananda’s service in many other countries, and eventually—at the insistence of his many American students—to his moving to the United States, as well as to the founding of Integral Yoga International, with centers around the world, and later, Satchidananda Ashram—Yogaville, Virginia.

In 1979, Sri Swamiji was inspired to establish Yogaville. Founded on his teachings, it is a place where people of different faiths and backgrounds can come to realize their essential oneness. Today, Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville,  Integral Yoga Institutes and Centers,  and certified teachers throughout the United States and abroad offer classes, workshops, retreats, and teacher training programs featuring all aspects of Integral Yoga. Integral Yoga is also the foundation for Dr. Dean Ornish’s landmark work in reversing heart disease and Dr. Michael Lerner’s noted Commonweal Cancer Help program.