Baba Shivanand, the Padma Shri awardee who became a symbol of simplicity and spiritual discipline, passed away at the age of 129. Revered for his extraordinary vitality and self-discipline, Baba had made control over the mind the core mantra of his long and healthy life.
Born in the undivided Bengal’s Haripur village (now in Sylhet district, Bangladesh) on August 8, 1896, Baba Shivanand led a life rooted in austerity and yogic practices. Despite his age, his agility surprised everyone—he never needed spectacles, nor did he require any assistance in walking, sitting, or standing.
A Life of Simplicity and Self-Control
Baba Shivanand’s daily routine began at 3 AM with meditation and Shiv mantra chanting, followed by yoga and spiritual practices. He slept on a mat laid out on the floor and lived without any modern comforts.
His secret to a long life was celibacy, disciplined living, and simple vegetarian food. For decades, he consumed only boiled rice, fresh vegetables with a green chili—strictly avoiding oil, spices, fruits, milk, and sugar. Having lost his parents to starvation in childhood, he resolved to eat only half a stomach’s worth of food each day and remained committed to this vow until his last breath.
Admired by National Icons
Several prominent personalities admired Baba Shivanand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Pranab Mukherjee, and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee were among his well-wishers. Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty also held him in high regard. When Baba went to the Rashtrapati Bhavan to receive the Padma Shri at the age of 126, actor Akshay Kumar shared a video praising his brisk walk and robust health, writing, “He’s 126 years old and so fit!”
Self-Taught Scholar
Though he never attended formal school, Baba Shivanand was proficient in English and his mother tongue, Bengali. At age four, he was taken under the wing of Baba Omkarnand Goswami for spiritual upbringing. He began practicing yoga at the age of six and received his education in the guru’s ashram. “We learn things best when we truly need them,” he would often say.
Medically Proven to Be Disease-Free
In 2020, Baba underwent a full medical check-up at Apollo Hospitals in Kolkata and Chennai. To the astonishment of the team of doctors, no disease or medical complications were found in his body. Even scientific verification confirmed his exceptional age and health.
Baba Shivanand’s passing marks the end of a life that exemplified how discipline, simplicity, and a spiritual mindset can lead to extraordinary longevity and wellness.
