Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati
ON THE COVER
63
june / july 2018yogajournal.com.sgART DIRECTOR: ANUJA BAGADE, PHOTOGRAPHER: VINOD, BALAG STUDIOS, RISHIKESH
Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati is an extraordinary woman who was leading an ordinary life before her backpacking trip to India 22
years ago. She was raised in a Jewish family in Hollywood, California, and graduated from Stanford University. She was completing
her Ph.D. when she went on a holiday to India in 1996 with some friends. When she arrived at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in
Rishikesh, her life took an unexpected and surreal turn, and she decided to make the holy place her home. She has been living
there for the last two decades, engaged in spiritual practice and dedicated service. She was officially initiated into the order of
Sanyas (monastic renunciation) in the year 2000, by her Guru, His Holiness Swami Chidanand Saraswati. She is now referred to as
“Sadhvi-Ji” by her followers.Sadhviji is a renowned speaker who gives keynote addresses at large forums on a wide variety of topics ranging from conscious
business to science, spirituality and sustainable development, as well as happiness, peace and all aspects of yoga. She has
also been a speaker at the United Nations, Parliament of World Religions, Women’s Economic Forum and many international
conferences and summits. Her talks blend the knowledge and logic of the West with the insights, spirituality and wisdom of the
East. At the ashram in Rishikesh, which also hosts the International Yoga Festival every year, she gives spiritual discourses and daily
satsang, teaches meditation, provides counseling and oversees myriad charitable and humanitarian projects and activities. Read more at http://www.sadhviji.orgTo watch her interview, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS7hETIM-WM&t=9s