Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda
The Day of Descent of Divine Grace was celebrated on Friday 1 March 2024 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang, which comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, The Song of Salutations and a reading from "Conversations with Gurudev" from Guidance in Daily Life which was written by Pujya Swamiji and published in 1998.
The following utterance by Pujya Swamiji in November 2007 aptly captures the significance of this occasion, "Since the 1st of March I am enjoying 24 hours unbroken peace of mind. Previously there used to be a sharp pain inside, but now there is nothing".
The years, 2024 and 2025, are milestone years in the history of Divine Life Society of South Africa. Three major events coincide in these two eventful years.
It is primarily for the above reasons that Divine Life Society of South Africa is holding its Centenary Celebrations in 2024 and 2025. The launch of the Centenary Celebrations on 07 January 2024 coincided with our Sivananda Day Satsang, and was marked by the symbolic lighting of lamps by our senior Rishikumars, the unveiling of the Centenary picture of Sri Gurudev for 2024, and a keynote address.
DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA'S CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS HOSTED BY ESTCOURT BRANCH AT THE SWAMI SAHAJANANDA COMMUNITY CENTRE, FORDERVILLE, ESTCOURT ON SUNDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2024
Divine Life Society of South Africa, Estcourt Branch, hosted the Society's Centenary Celebrations at the Swami Sahajananda Community Centre on Sunday 25 February 2024. The Celebration was attended by approximately 400 devotees, well-wishers, members of the public, officials of other Hindu organisations, donors, educators and learners of Drakensberg Secondary School, and non-governmental organisations supported by the Estcourt Branch in the Society's poverty alleviation programmes.
The most auspicious Mahasivaratri was celebrated at all Sivanandashrams on Friday, 8 March 2024, coinciding with Sri Swami Sivananda's monthly birthdate Satsang. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm, followed by the Mahasivaratri celebration, which concluded the next morning at 5am. The varied programme comprised an array of readings, Kirtans, Bhajans, musical items, guest artistes, videos, offerings at the shrine and chanting of the sacred Om Namah Sivaya Mantra while circumambulating the Ganga Rani pool. Guest artistes included Samika Chetty and Troupe (B. Harriram Sungeeth School of Music), Smt. Archana Sridhar and troupe, Jay Udith and Bhavna (Jai Ho Satsang) and Kantharuby Dance Academy.
Divine Life Society of South Africa joined the world in commemorating the Pran Pratishtha of the historic Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on Monday 22 January 2024, led by Prime Minister of India, the Honourable Narendra Modi.
Lord Rama has been glorified extensively by our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, and is the Ishta Devata of Pujya Swami Sahajananda. Hence, devotees of Divine Life Society of South Africa hold Lord Rama in great reverence and close to their hearts.
In his article in a chapter from the book Essence of Ramayana, Swami Sivananda says:
"Rama was Lord Hari Himself, incarnate on earth for the destruction of Ravana. He was well accomplished, beautiful and endowed with royal marks. He was the foremost of those who were skilled in the use of bows and arrows. He was born of the Ikshvaku line. He had his sway all over the world...