Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda
Divine Life Society of South Africa opened its most recent Ashram, this being in Gauteng. Sivanandashram, Sandton, located at 73 Parkville Place, Buccleuch, was opened on Sunday 9 June 2024. This is the eight Ashram of Divine Life Society of South Africa. The opening coincided with the Society's Centenary Celebrations, commemorating the 100th Sannyas Anniversary of Sri Swami Sivananda on 1 June 2024, the 75th Anniversary of Divine Life Society of South Africa in 2024, and Pujya Swami Sahajananda's 100th Birth Anniversary in 2025. The day's programme comprised a Havan at 8am, consecration of Ganga Rani, a march past by the Spiritual Darlings around the Ashram campus, Ganga Arati at 9.30am and Satsang at 10am. The Satsang Programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a message from the Society, a play, a children's item paying tribute to Sri Swami Sivananda, the official opening of the Ashram, Pujya Swami Sahajananda's audio message, an address by the Deputy Consul General of India in Johannesburg, and group dances.
The chants of sacred Mantras during the Havan by the Ashram's priests reverberated and created a soulful ambience befitting the occasion. The newly erected Ganga Rani was thereafter consecrated with Mantra Chants to the pouring of Ganga Jal. Ganga Arati will hereafter be conducted daily at the Ashram, indeed a unique practice in this part of the world!
Sivanandashram, Sandton, the culmination of more than a decade's planning, is indeed a majestic building in the busy metropolis of Gauteng. It will fulfil an important role in the lives of Hindus in Gauteng, for we hope that many will attend the Satsangs, Yoga Camps, programmes and Hindu Festivals here, and continue to lead a Divine Life. This is indeed a physical manifestation of our Master's and Pujya Swami Sahajananda's Grace. No doubt, the words of the Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society of South Africa, Sri Swami Sahajananda, find resonance in this regard. He said, "We are not tired of reiterating that the formation, growth and present status of Divine Life Society of South Africa is due entirely to the Grace of our Master, Sri Swami Sivananda".
Divine Life Society of South Africa celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Society and the 19th Anniversary of Sivananda Ghat on Wednesday 5 June 2024 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, an audio message by Pujya Swami Sahajananda and readings.
Sri Swami Sivananda, founder of the Divine Life Society in Rishikesh, India, sent four letters to Sri V. Sri Srinivasan Naidoo to open a Divine Life Society Branch in South Africa. The first letter (undocumented) was in 1949 The second letter was sent on 18 October 1949, the third on 11 November 1949, and the fourth on 5 June 1951. The latter three letters, which are documented, contained direct instructions from the Divine Master to Sri Srinivasan, later to be known as Pujya Swami Sahajananda. Divine Life Society of South Africa thus celebrates its anniversary on 3 days, namely 18 October, 11 November and 5 June. These and other letters were methodically kept by Pujya Swamiji. Below are excerpts from the letter dated 5 June 1951, read at the Satsang.
Divine Life Society of South Africa has been a regular participant in the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre's Annual Careers' Fair held at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre in Chatsworth. This year was no exception as the Society set up an information table at the fair on Saturday 11 May 2024, strategically positioned near the entrance, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement with attendees.
The careers' fair primarily attracted matric level learners, and thus, Divine Life Society of South Africa tailored its exhibited literature to cater to their interests and needs. Past copies of the Sunlit Path Magazines, a booklet entitled "The Challenges Facing Youth", and cards featuring the sayings of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, were prominently displayed. Additionally, books suitable for children were exhibited, ensuring a diverse array of reading materials for all ages.
Ganga Dussehra, Youth Day and the International Day of Yoga celebrations coincided with the June Yoga Camp on Sunday 16 June 2024. Youth Day in South Africa is a day on which South Africans honour the youth. Every year, 16 June is a South African public holiday. There are Youth Day celebrations country-wide to empower youth and all South Africans. Divine Life Society of South Africa has been celebrating Youth Day for several years. The teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda, as well as his advice to youth, form an integral part of the Youth Day programmes. Our youth coordinated and participated in the major part of the day's programmes, which commenced at 6am and concluded at 2.30pm.
Divine Life Society of South Africa’s Cape Town Prayer Group hosted the Society’s Centenary Celebrations’ Satsang, commemorating Sri Swami Sivananda’s Sannyas Centenary, at the Radha Krishna Mandir in Rylands, Cape Town, on Saturday 11 May 2024 at 3pm. The Satsang was preceded by Ganga Arati, which was a unique and new experience to many. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a message from the Society, a dance item, a forum discussion by the youth girls on Swami Sivananda’s cardinal teachings, and a video on the performance of Agnihotra. More than 200 devotees, well-wishers, members of sister-organisations and members of the public attended the celebrations.
The message from the Society traced the illustrious life and teachings of Swami Sivananda and the contributions of Swami Sahajananda, Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society of South Africa. It also impressed upon all the importance of individual and collective Sadhana for spiritual growth. An excerpt from the message captures the gestalt hereof: “In the midst of the very hectic lives that we lead, we encourage all to choose any one Mantra that you may have an affinity for, and to chant it day and night. A short Mantra like Om Sri Ram or Om Nama Sivaya may be repeated, and children can be taught this Mantra as well. It should be chanted before going to bed, on awakening, and especially when leaving home. We also encourage you to learn and recite the Sri Hanuman Chalisa which has tremendous power and benefits”. Alluding to the importance of Satsangs and Sunday Schools, the message stated, “We encourage all to take advantage of weekly Satsangs available at this Temple, and encourage all parents and grandparents to send their children to Sunday Schools and Satsangs at Temples and Ashrams, so that they may be equipped to face the challenges of life, and to face criticism and attacks on our Sanathan Dharma. It is up to each of us to ensure that Hinduism is kept alive, and that we pass on our glorious Hindu Dharma to future generations. We note that there is a positive regeneration of Hinduism around the globe, and we encourage all to become practising Hindus even if you just repeat the Divine Name daily for a few minutes every morning and evening. It can’t get any simpler!”