Divine Life Society of South Africa’s latest Centenary Celebrations’ function was hosted by the Newlands West Branch on Sunday, 23 March 2025, at the Hillgrove Vishnu Shakti Mandir (AMF Hall), in Hillgrove, Newlands West. The programme commenced with Ganga Arati at 9.30am, followed by Satsang at 10am. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a message from the Society, a video on the Society’s service activities, a presentation on the history of the Newlands West Branch and motivational talk, as well as a dance item. In marking the Centenary Celebrations over 2024 and 2025, emphasis is given in 2025, to Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s 100th birth anniversary. Pujya Swamiji was born on 10 July 1925 and led Divine Life Society of South Africa from humble beginnings, to the multi-faceted, iconic and multi-dimensional organisation it is today – one of the foremost of Hindu organisations in South Africa. 

Newlands has a special significance in Pujya Swamiji’s life, as is evident in the following message by the Society, “Today, we have gathered to celebrate the life of Pujya Swami Sahajananda, Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society of South Africa. It is indeed a joyful event to celebrate a birthday, but a centenary is even more special. We are also very fortunate that we are having this celebration in Newlands, as not far from here was the FOSA settlement where Pujya Swamiji worked in his youth, and started training a few devotees to repeat Mantras and to conduct Satsang. In 1949, after reflecting on the instructions from Sri Swami Sivananda, our Swamiji took the decision at the FOSA gates to establish the Divine Life Society here in South Africa. Newlands has been blessed by Pujya Swamiji’s presence. At the FOSA gate Swamiji said to himself that it is Sri Gurudev who is starting the Divine Life Society, and if it succeeds, it is his will, and if it fails, it is also his will. Today we are seeing Sri Gurudev’s Grace unfolding”.

The message from the Society recounted Sri Gurudev’s and Pujya Swamiji’s enormous contributions to all across the world, and Pujya Swamiji’s unconditional obedience and loyalty to the Divine Master. This is evident in, “The fact that all of us are here, and that millions of households around South Africa and many countries around the world have a copy of one or more of Swami Sivananda’s books, is only because of this one life that we are celebrating today. After taking the Master as His Guru, Swamiji never questioned or doubted anything that Gurudev did. He lived only to propagate the Divine Master’s work and to do the Divine Master’s will. With supreme self-surrender, Swamiji offered his all to our Gurudev, so much so that they became one. Swamiji decrypted the phrase ‘learn to type and make tea’ (which was the original instruction our beloved Gurudev gave to Swamiji), and found the treasure that it held. Beloved Gurudev stated that he works through Swami Sahajananda. Swamiji made himself a perfect instrument for the Lord to work through. Millions of books were published and distributed, and silently scores of service activities and nation building projects went on unnoticed for decades”.

The Society’s Service Activities’ video captured the Master’s and Pujya Swamiji’s lives and legacies with distinction, such that a person coming into contact with the Society for the first time, will be deeply inspired. It also presented a comprehensive account of the Society’s multifarious activities in the fields of promotion of spirituality, Hinduism, poverty alleviation, eradication of social ills, the Sivananda Ghat, its magnificent Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC), the Sunlit Path Centre in Chatsworth, our Yoga Camps and Yoga Retreats, self-help projects and its building of a mini-hospital, schools, classrooms, Peace Centres and Early Childhood Development centres. The gripping visuals, dynamic commentaries, images and videos of Pujya Swamiji, brought life and divinity to the fore. A highly inspirational, spiritually stimulating and awe-inspiring video indeed!

A youth of the Branch aptly captured the history of the Newlands West Branch in his presentation. He said, “From humble beginnings, commencing with Satsangs in devotees’ homes, the Newlands West Branch of Divine Life Society of South Africa is pleased to announce that it celebrated its 26th Anniversary in February this year. Today we wish to pay tribute to the pioneer members who spent countless hours spreading our Master’s teachings and writings amongst the residents of Newlands West.  Since 1999, we have been holding weekly Satsangs, on Tuesdays from 6:30pm at the Shree Kamatcheeaman Temple.  Coincidentally, the year 1999, was also auspicious for the Temple Society which celebrated its 110th year of existence then”.

He also alluded to the magnitude of Sri Gurudev’s and Pujya Swamiji’s contributions and their impact on the lives of all, both young and old. His strong and inspiring motivation to all to attend Satsangs, Yoga Camps and Yoga Retreats was sincere, convincing and deeply inspirational. He said, “As a youth member of the Society, I would like to encourage all children, youth and adults to attend our monthly Yoga Camps, at our beautiful Sivananda International Cultural Centre in La Mercy.  The Yoga Camp is a spiritual feast for all age groups, and includes a morning Sadhana session, Yoga Asanas, scriptural lessons, sport and practical sessions on life skills and health topics.  It is a day of renunciation, mindfulness and connection with like-minded individuals.  The spiritual gain for all participants who make the sacrifice by arriving at 6am for a peaceful start to their morning, is remarkable.   Sumptuous breakfast and lunch are provided.  Our Pujya Swamiji has advised us that the value of attending one Yoga Camp, is equivalent to attending 12 Sivananda Day Satsangs.

“Once you commit to weekly Satsangs at branch level, then a monthly Sivananda Day Satsang and Yoga Camp at SICC, your days and months will be filled with spiritual activity, peace and prosperity.  Participation in these elevating activities is sure to strengthen and guide you to face the year ahead. Having been exposed to these life-changing activities since birth, I can attest to the insight and strength they have given me to better cope with the challenges that face youth today; challenges such as peer pressure, lack of confidence, coping skills, etc.”.

Sri Logasen Moodley performed a Bharatanatyam Dance. He is a national and international performing artist, specialising in various forms of dance, namely modern, South Indian village and contemporary dance. Logasen, is the artistic director of LMDC Logasen Moodley Dance Company.  His offering to the Divine Mother, was awe-inspiring, professional and deeply spiritual, indicative of his Bhav and love for the fine arts. 

We express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to our Newlands West Branch devotees for their outstanding work in organising the Centenary Celebrations in Newlands and helping to sustain Sri Gurudev’s and Pujya Swamiji’s legacies. Their dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence have truly stood out, and it is abundantly clear that they put their hearts into every aspect of this celebration. Their consistency, Guru Bhakti, personal sacrifices and hard work are worthy of emulation.

The Society’s Centenary Celebrations, celebrating Sri Swami Sivananda’s 100th Sannyas Anniversary in 2024, the Society’s 75th Anniversary in 2024 and Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s 100th Birth Anniversary in 2025, are indeed a beautiful expression of appreciation for the opportunity to connect with higher energies, the community, and our own inner selves. It is an acknowledgment of the sacrifices and contributions of our Divine Master and Pujya Swamiji. The sacred nature of the event and the transformative experiences that arise from participating in such gatherings, lends credence to the aspiration to lead a Divine Life.

May our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda bless us all.