Divine Life Society of South Africa had its 10th Centenary Celebrations’ programme on Saturday, 10 August 2024. Our Shallcross Branch hosted the Celebrations at the Everest Primary School in Shallcross. Hundreds of devotees, donors, well-wishers and members of the public attended the spiritually elevating Havan and Satsang. 

The day’s programme comprised a Havan at 8am, Ganga Arati at 9.30am and Satsang at 10am. 

The soulful chants of sacred Mantras during the Havan by the Ashram’s priests reverberated and created a beautiful ambience befitting the occasion. Ganga Arati, conducted possibly for the first time in Shallcross, was a unique and novel experience for many. Indeed, Pujya Swami Sahajananda has brought the sacred Mother Ganga to South Africa, into our cities and towns, into our homes, and now even into one of our schools. A marvel of a concept indeed!

The Satsang Programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a message from the Society, a children’s item, entitled, “Sri Gurudev Says”, a conversation on Sri Swami Sivananda’s cardinal teachings, an address by the principal of the school and a dance. The Song of Salutations, a tribute to Sri Swami Sivananda, was done with decorum and sincerity by the Spiritual Darlings, whose innocence, eloquence and Bhav were overwhelming.

The message from the Society focused on the glory of Hinduism, Sri Swami Sivananda’s life of ascetism and renunciation, his contributions to the world, and Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s enormous contributions to South Africa in the fields of religion, poverty alleviation, nation-building and education. The message also stressed the importance of Satsang, Mantra chanting and moral and spiritual values. The principal of Everest Primary School, Mr Anash Singh, expressed profound appreciation and gratitude to the Society for its contributions to the school, through renovations and infrastructure upgrades. He emphasised the need for a spiritual lifestyle, and expressed the hope that his school will benefit from the strong spiritual vibrations of the Satsang and the weekly Satsangs held by the Shallcross Branch at his school. Meena Mothilall, a Radio Hindvani personality, recited Slokas of the Ramayana. The beautiful chants and the English translations, were done with dignity and decorum. Evident also, was participation in the chants by the congregation. Tuhina Asharam, a Bharathanatyam dancer, gave a beautiful dance offering (Jathiswaram) on this auspicious occasion.

The Shallcross Branch mothers brought forth some of the teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda, in the item, “Take a Packet of Grace Home Today”. Some of the topics covered were Sadhana, meditation, prayer and Satsang. The Master explained that Sadhana is any spiritual practice, and advised that we be serious about our Sadhana for maximum benefit. Let us choose our own methods, be it chanting of the Divine Name, attending Satsangs, meditation, Japa or Karma Yoga. He says, “Stern self-discipline is absolutely essential…. The spiritual path is rugged, thorny, and precipitous. The thorns must be weeded out with patience and perseverance. Some of the thorns are internal; some are external. Lust, greed, wrath, delusion and vanity are internal thorns”.

In respect of meditation, Sri Swami Sivananda says that through meditation, the mind is focused, purified and strengthened. “All worldly thoughts are shut out from the mind. It is filled or saturated with divine thoughts, divine glory and the Divine Presence….It makes the approach to God easier”. Some of the benefits of meditation are: it takes us to God, enhances focus and concentration, increases feelings of compassion, empathy and kindness, supports personal and spiritual growth and reduces stress. The Master says that meditation is an absolute necessity in spiritual practices. On prayer, Sri Swami Sivananda says, “Prayer can reach a realm where reason dares not enter. It can take you to the spiritual realm or kingdom of God. It frees the devotee from the fear of death. It brings him nearer to God and makes him feel his essential, immortal and blissful nature”. He explained further that the power of Prayer is indescribable. “Sincere devotees only realise its usefulness and splendour….. Do not argue about the efficacy of Prayer. You will be deluded.” He says that we should pray and wait, and the rewards are sure to come. The Master explained that Satsang is the association with holy company seeking spiritual growth. Satsang is about being in the company of those who support and inspire one’s spiritual journey, helping one to connect with one’s inner Self. The following is a summary of the benefits of Satsang, according to Sri Swami Sivananda:

•    It is the easiest and quickest means to take us towards God.

•    Satsang elevates the mind and fills it with Sattva or purity.

•    It forces one to lead a divine life. 

•    The company of a saint or holy people helps eradicate undesirable negative qualities and defects. 

•    Satsang is the greatest of all purifiers of man. We should all regularly engage in Satsang for spiritual sustenance, protection, peace and prosperity.

An array of stalls graced the fore-court of the school. Book stalls, stalls displaying Centenary Celebrations’ memorabilia, souvenirs and gifts, and a Sunlit Path Schools’ stall, with free literature providing coping strategies for social ills such as drug addiction, alcoholism, suicidal tendencies and related ills, were also available. The beautifully decorated gardens of the school with Sri Swami Sivananda’s quotations and pictures, were informative, educational, and an impressive sight to behold.

Many stalwarts of the Society hail from the Shallcross Branch. We are confident that its members, through their dedication and Guru Bhakti, will be a beacon of hope for many seeking solace, peace and contentment through prayer, through their weekly Satsang and the Society’s programmes.  

We thank all officials and devotees, donors, well-wishers and devotees of our Shallcross Branch, and wish them every success in bringing the message of Divine Life to the people of Shallcross, and pray that Sri Gurudev’s and Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s Grace and blessings be upon them. May the Shallcross Branch continue to propagate the life, teachings and legacies of Sri Gurudev and Pujya Swamiji for years to come.

The 61st Mahasamadhi of Sri Swami Sivananda according to the Sanskrit calendar was observed at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, on Monday, 29 July 2024. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a reading and an audio message by Sri Swami Sahajananda. Amongst the singers was Smt Mahenthri Pillay, a long-standing devotee, now resident in Abu Dhabi.

Sri N. Anathanarayanan, author of From Man to Godman, captured intimate glimpses of Sri Gurudev’s last days. He said, “At about 9pm, an electric massage was administered. The machine made a croaking noise. The Master commented, ‘You see, frog is crying’! People around were grieved over the Master's health, but could not help letting out a smile at his remark. Just then a close disciple of the Master came in. He was bare above the waist, and his bulging stomach showed to prominence. The Master saw him and exclaimed jocularly, ‘Oh! Put the machine on his belly’! His mood turned a little serious, however, when the doctors began to apply the electric massage to his face. Overtired as he was, he said, ‘Enough, enough’! The attitude of the Master at that moment revealed extreme dispassion. He wanted nothing. After all, what could all the doctors in the world do when the call had come to him? … He lay on his bed totally relaxed like a child, tapping the pillow with the fingers of his right hand. Or he moved his right palm lightly over his stomach in gentle circles. He had nothing to accomplish now; his work was over”.

On the morning of 14 July 1963, close devotees were at the Master’s bedside. As sick as he was, the Master was concerned that all inmates should take their meals, indicative of his love unto the last moments.

In the Master’s conversation with Colonel Puri who examinedhim on the morning of 14 July 1963, the doctor assured the Master that he will be well, to which the Master replied, “Yes, I must. I have many things to do.” This is prophetic, as the Master’s teachings and legacies live on decades after his Mahasamadhi. Indeed, he continues to do his work even to this day.

The Master’s last moments, as captured by Ananthanarayanan, leave one with a sense of desolation. He said, “After the doctor had left, and before he could take his own food, the Master developed fever and began to shiver. The breathing hardened. He took two or three spoonsful of Horlicks, and at about 3pm asked for water. As was the usual practice, the disciples wanted to give him barley water or jeera water, but he wished to have Ganges water, pure and simple. The water was brought. The Master, who had experienced difficulty in taking the smallest quantity of solid or liquid, gulped down half a glassful of Ganges water without apparent trouble-and with that the Being that was Swami Sivananda laid aside its mortal vesture. It was now 11.15pm”.

In Pujya Swamiji’s audio message, he addressed the Master in the first person, saying that the Master’s physical manifestation is filled with divinity, indicative in, “The whole world is really your form”. Pujya Swamiji recounted the Master’s boyhood antics and his love for sport and adventure. He continued, “Shuddhananda Bharatiar said that you are born with the vision of God. You are not born like ordinary people. You are born sage and Siddha”. The Master would run out with his plate of food when he heard the cry of a beggar, indicative of the Master’s compassion and love for the destitute and forlorn. He prostrated at his fencing tutor and garlanded him, when his orthodox parents told him not associate with the low caste tutor. Pujya Swamiji’s concluding remark, “Even from the very early days, God shone through you”, sums up the Master’s munificence.

Sri Gurudev’s words of advice to disciples who survive after their Guru’s passing, is an apt conclusion to this report and pertinent to us all. He said, “A true disciple is one who serves his Guru till the end of his life. If the disciple survives after the Guru leaves his mortal body, he should lead the remaining portion of his life in accordance with his Guru’s teaching and live to preach them to others by practising them himself”.

The majority of us, young and old have had no physical contact with Sri Swami Sivananda. Yet, we marvel at his teachings, relish his spiritual legacy and follow his teachings steadfastly. Is it of wonder, therefore, that generations to come will continue to be inspired by this spiritual dynamo, this silent yet eloquent personality – Sri Swami Sivananda? May we be true disciples who will serve our Master till the end of our lives, and lead the remaining portion of our lives in accordance with our Guru’s teachings, and live to preach them to others, by practising them ourselves.

 

Divine Life Society of South Africa launched the 41-Day recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa, 11 times daily, on Tuesday, 30 July 2024. The recital will end on the most auspicious 137th Birth Anniversary of Sri Swami Sivananda on Sunday 8 September 2024 at Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC), La Mercy. The final recital will be at 6am on 8 September 2024, followed by a Havan. Ganga Arati will be at 8am, followed by a march-past on the stadium at 9.10am and Satsang at 9.45am.

The recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa was strongly recommended by beloved Pujya Swami Sahajananda, who encouraged all to recite the Sri Hanuman Chalisa for protection, safety, welfare and peace in the world. Sri Swami Sivananda, in his book, Essence of Ramayana paid glowing tributes to Sri Hanuman, as is evident in, “Hanuman ranks first amongst the heroes of the world. His heroic deeds, wonderful exploits and marvellous feats of strength and bravery cannot be adequately described. His sense of duty was extremely laudable. He had great skill in all military tactics and methods of warfare. His crossing the sea of thirty miles in one leap and lifting the crest of a mountain in the palm of the hand, his carrying of the brothers on his shoulders from the nether world to Lanka are all astounding, superhuman feats which baffle human description.

“He conquered innumerable difficulties which cropped up in his way through his courage, patience and undaunted spirit. He made untiring search to find Sita. At the time of danger, he exhibited marvellous courage and presence of mind. He was steady and firm in his actions. He was always successful in his attempts. Failure was not known to him. He gave up his life in the service of the Lord. He had not a tinge of selfishness in his actions. All his actions were offerings unto Lord Rama. No one reached the peak in Dasya Bhava like Sri Hanuman. He was a rare jewel among devotees, the supreme head among Pundits, the king among celibates and the commander among heroes and warriors”.

The Satsang on 30 July 2024 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, commenced with Ganga Arati at 5.30pm. Devotees who pledged to participate in the recital, attended the Satsang. Signed pledges were offered at the shrine on this day. The Satsang Programme comprised Invocation, a reading of the rules for the 41-Day recital, and the recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa 11 times. The rules which appear in the Divine Life Society of South Africa Prayer Book, are enumerated below and are useful to anyone who wishes to do this Vrat.

1. The Sri Hanuman Chalisa should be repeated regularly for 41 days, either in the morning or in the evening.
2. Have a bath and wear clean clothes.
3. Sit in any comfortable posture in front of a picture of Sri Hanuman.
4. Keep some fruit as Prasad in a little tray.
5. Keep 11 flowers in another small tray.
6. First commence repeating some Guru Mantras.
7. After the repetition of the Guru Mantras, commence the Sri Hanuman Chalisa from “Sri Guru Charana Sarojaraja…”
8. Complete the repetition till the end, until “Hridaya Basahu Sura Bhoop Sita Ram”. This is one repetition.
9. On completion of the repetition once, offer one flower to Sri Hanuman.
10. Do the repetition 11 times at each sitting. Each time a repetition is completed, offer one flower. In this way offer all the 11 flowers.
11. After the completion 11 times at one sitting, repeat some Shanti Mantras, prostrate and get up.
12. The fruit can be distributed to all as Prasad.
13. While sitting in the posture, do not change it or look around. Keep the eyes closed and concentrate on the picture of Sri Hanuman, or concentrate on his picture with eyes open.
14. On completion of the Mantra 11 times for 41 days, perform Havan with the help of a qualified pundit, and do some Puja in a Hanuman temple with the guidance of a priest.
15. You can also do poor feeding or some charity on completion of the Yajna.
16. Women undergoing the monthly cleansing process should not repeat the Mantra during this period.

The glory of Sri Hanuman, His prowess and indomitable presence will last for millennia. The words of Sri Swami Sivananda resonate with Sri Hanuman’s majestical prowess. Sri Gurudev said, “The world has not yet seen and will not see in future also a mighty hero like Sri Hanuman. During His life He worked wonders and exhibited superhuman feats of strength and valour. He has left behind Him a Name which, as long as the world lasts, will continue wielding a great influence over the minds of millions of people.

“Where Hanuman is, there are Sri Rama and Sri Sita and wherever Sri Rama and Sri Sita are praised and their deeds recited, there Hanuman is”.

Let us all be inspired through the Bhav of Sri Hanuman, and may His devotion to Sri Rama be a strong catalyst for us to increase our devotion, Bhakti and love for God.

Guru Purnima, the most auspicious day in the calendar of spiritual seekers, is celebrated the world over to worship and offer gratitude and appreciation to our Gurus for their guidance and spiritual wisdom. It is the day when seekers make fresh resolves on the spiritual path. We acknowledge the sacrifices made by our Gurus and the loving care with which they nurture us. It is also a day on which we pay respectful obeisance and deep gratitude to our beloved Master, Gurudev Sri Swami Sivananda, our Jagad Guru, Sri Swami Vishwananda, our Spiritual Head, Pujya Swami Sahajananda, and to all the Divine Incarnations, Brahma Vidya Gurus, Vedic Rishis, saints and sages. This day also marks the birth anniversary of the great sage, Sri Veda Vyasa, to whom we pay obeisance for editing the four Vedas and writing the eighteen Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Guru Purnima was celebrated at Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC) on Sunday, 21 July 2024, commencing with a Yoga Camp Sadhana programme at 6am, followed by Ganga Arati at 8.30am and Satsang at 10am.

As our monthly Yoga Camp coincided with Guru Purnima, there was a morning Yoga Camp Sadhana programme from 6am until 7.30am, comprising Invocation, Mantra chanting, guided meditation, silent meditation, Agnihotra, Homa to the recital of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times and a reading. Approximately 30 devotees participated in the Agnihotra and Homa, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere. The reading focused on true discipleship and offered advice to aspirants and ordinary devotees on how to relate to, serve and conduct oneself in the presence of the Guru. 

After breakfast, Ganga Arati commenced at 8.30am, followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, Pujya Swamiji Sahajananda’s audio message, a message from the Society, a reading on the significance of Guru Purnima, and a delightful Bharatanatyam dance.

The message from the Society showed appreciation and gratitude to our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda, and encapsulated an overview of the Centenary Celebrations, humanitarian work of the Society, dedication of devotees and the importance of Sadhana and spiritual practices.

 The following excerpt from the message highlights the importance of collective Sadhana and Sri Gurudev’s assurance. “When you sing the Lord's Names collectively, when you conduct mass prayer and group meditation, a mighty power is generated which is much more than the aggregate of the power that could be generated by the various individuals if they had meditated and prayed independently. This power is divine and the only force that could influence atheists and materialists and bring them round to the path of Divine Life. An individual will not be able to influence and reform another individual, unless the former is a great saint; but an institution composed of even Sadhakas has this mighty power”.

The concluding paragraph of the message is a poignant and potent assurance given to Pujya Swamiji by Sri Gurudev. God will look after the work. Lord will look after everything. Be not afraid. Be not anxious. I am ever at thy back. I am ever ready to serve thee. This is indicative of Pujya Swamiji’s deep and abiding loyalty and Guru Bhakti to Sri Gurudev.

Sri Gurudev’s message on the significance of Guru Purnima brought to the fore the role of the Guru in an aspirant’s life. This is evident in, “It is through the medium and Grace of the spiritual preceptor that the individual can raise himself to Cosmic Consciousness. The Guru is verily a link between the individual and the Immortal. He is a being who has raised himself from this to That, and thus has a free and unhampered access to both realms. He stands, as it were, upon the threshold of immortality and, bending down, raises the struggling aspirants with his one hand, and with the other, lifts them up into the kingdom of everlasting happiness and infinite Truth-Consciousness. 

“Do you realise now the sacred significance and the supreme importance of the Guru's role in the evolution of man?  It is therefore not without reason that India, year after year, age after age, commemorates anew this ancient concept of the holy Guru, adores it and pays homage to it again and again, and thereby reaffirms its belief and allegiance to it. For the true Indian knows that the Guru is the only real guarantee for the individual to transcend the bondage of sorrow and death, of pain and misery, and experience the bliss and peace of the Reality. The Guru is the standing witness to the all-pervading Self. He is the representation of the Lord on earth, and through worship of him one attains the Supreme Self”. 

Referring to the role and responsibility of the aspirant, the Master said, “A true disciple is one who serves his Guru till the end of his life. If the disciple survives after the Guru gives up his mortal coil, he should lead the remaining portion of his life strictly in accordance with his Guru's instructions and live to preach them to others by practising them himself... The best form of worship of the Guru is to follow his teachings, to shine as the very embodiment of his teachings, and to propagate his glory and message”.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message focused on the Guru-disciple relationship. He said, “It is only in India that you find this peculiar Guru-Parampara relationship”. The story of the Desert Fathers reveals that they had the same realisation of our Gurus, however they did not hand down their knowledge to their disciples. Pujya Swamiji said that our scriptures are never tired of singing the glory of our Gurus”, and that a Guru can give a disciple illumination in an instant if he so desired. He said, “The great relationship between the Guru and disciple is something marvellous, something wonderful, something that cannot be described in words. It is our tradition...our Gurus are very great…you can never understand the internal state of a God-realised saint”. He quoted the life of Lord Buddha who did intense Tapas, which resulted in millions following Lord Buddha’s teachings. Sri Gurudev who was initiated by the revered Swami Vishwananda, regularly paid homage to Swami Vishwananda before his daily meditation. He also paid regular obeisance to Swami Vishnudevananda who did the Vraja Homa ceremony for Sri Gurudev. He described the relationship of Sri Ramakrishna and his foremost disciple, Swami Vivekananda. Sri Ramakrishna could play with Swami Vivekananda’s mind. Such was Swami Vivekananda’s devotion to his Master, that he even gulped Sri Ramakrishna’s sputum even though Sri Ramakrishna had throat cancer. Sri Aurobindo had the vision of Lord Krishna in prison. Even though he was educated in England, he sat quietly for three days at the feet of a Guru, who himself was “not an enlightened person”, after which Sri Aurobindo had illumination. Mother Mirra’s devotion to Sri Aurobindo was such that she had the greatest devotion to Sri Aurobindo and “she completely surrendered to him”.

Srimati Pregashni Naicker, principal of Kalasthaana Place of Arts, performed a beautiful Bharatanatyam dance entitled “Story of Lord Siva.” Her offering on this Guru Purnima Day was a dedication to Lord Siva, depicting the devotee’s Bhakti and surrender.

We have celebrated many Guru Purnimas, and will again do so in the future. Let us reflect on Sri Swami Sivananda’s metaphor so as to chart the way forward. “The moon shines by reflecting the dazzling light of the sun. It is the full moon on the Purnima day that reflects in full splendour the glorious light of the sun. It glorifies the sun. Purify yourself through the fire of selfless service and Sadhana and, like the full moon, reflect the glorious light of the Self. Become the full reflector of the Brahmic splendour, the light of lights. Make this your goal: ‘I will be a living witness to the Divine, the brilliant sun of suns’”!