The man-of-God is a philosopher's-stone that transforms all base metal that comes in contact with it into the nobler metal. While, in the life of every great saint, there have been instances of such transformation, it might be said with certainty that it is Swami Sivananda to whom could be ascribed the glory of inviting people sunk in the mire of materialism and sensual pleasures, and of transforming them, by patient, loving and kind methods, into sadhakas and spiritually aspiring souls.

One such instance is portrayed in this volume. It is the story of Swami Sivananda's cosmic love that rejects none, invites all to share the nectar of divine experience of which the sage is full, and protects them, with the strong arm of His Self-realisation, from the pitfalls with which an aspirant's path is beset.

Swami Venkatesananda is one such soul that came within the transforming influence of Swami Sivananda, in 1945; and what Swami Sivananda could make of this aspirant is portrayed in the following pages in which are published the articles written and speeches delivered by disciples and devotees of Swami Sivananda, during the occasion of the celebration of the 34th Birthday of Swami Venkatesananda at Sivanandashram, on the 26th and 27th December, 1954.

The enlightening words of Swami Sivananda, uttered during the Birthday Celebrations, are worth being engraved upon the heart of every seeker after Truth.

P.O. Sivananda Nagar

March 8th, 1955