Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami, also known as Gurudeva, was a highly revered Hindu spiritual leader who founded the international Hindu magazine, Hinduism Today. He was born on January 5, 1927, in Oakland, California, and was given the name Robert Hansen. However, at the age of 22, he had a profound spiritual experience that completely transformed his life and led him to become a Satguru.

The term Satguru is derived from the Sanskrit words "sat," meaning truth, and "guru," meaning teacher. A Satguru is a spiritual leader who has attained enlightenment and is able to guide others on the path towards spiritual realization. This title is given to those who have reached the highest level of spiritual attainment and are considered to be living embodiments of divine wisdom and grace.

Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami's journey towards becoming a Satguru began when he was just a young boy. He was deeply interested in spirituality and spent a lot of time studying various religious texts and visiting different temples. However, it wasn't until he met his guru, Jnanaguru Yogaswami, that his spiritual journey truly began.

Yogaswami was a highly respected spiritual master who lived in Sri Lanka. He recognized the potential in young Robert and took him under his wing, giving him the name Sivaya Subramuniyaswami. Under Yogaswami's guidance, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami embarked on a rigorous spiritual practice that included meditation, yoga, and selfless service. He also spent many years studying Hindu scriptures and philosophy.

In 1949, Yogaswami declared Sivaya Subramuniyaswami as his successor, passing on the spiritual lineage to him. This was a significant event as Yogaswami had not named anyone as his successor before. This marked the beginning of Sivaya Subramuniyaswami's journey towards becoming a Satguru.

Over the next few decades, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami continued to deepen his spiritual practice and share his wisdom with others. He traveled extensively, giving lectures and conducting workshops on Hinduism. In 1968, he founded the Himalayan Academy, an international educational organization dedicated to promoting Hinduism and its teachings.

In 1970, Sivaya Subramuniyaswami was formally initiated as a Satguru by his guru's successor, Chellappaswami. He was given the title "Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami" and was recognized as a fully enlightened being, capable of guiding others on the path of spiritual realization.

Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami continued to inspire and guide millions of people through his teachings, writings, and personal interactions until his passing in 2001. His legacy lives on through the various organizations he founded