Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda
Divine Life Society of South Africa held a Special Thanksgiving Satsang at Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC) on Sunday 11 December 2022 at 10am. A morning Yoga Camp Sadhana programme comprising Invocation, Chanting, Meditation on the Peace Series and a Havan was held from 6am until 8am. A motivational talk, outlining Pujya Swami Sahajananda's guidance on our Yoga Camps which Pujya Swamiji launched almost 30 years ago, was also presented during the Yoga Camp Programme.
Over 530 devotees, well-wishers, donors and special guests attended the Thanksgiving Satsang. Amongst the guests were, Dr Anasuya Boligarla, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre based at the Consul General of India, Durban, our Ashram builders and representatives of a few schools, some of whom have accommodated our Branches for Satsangs for approximately 4 decades.
On 10th December 2022, the fifteenth anniversary of Sri Swami Sahajananda's Mahasamadhi was observed by devotees, donors and well-wishers of Divine Life Society of S.A. All Ashrams of the Society organised Satsangs to mark this solemn occasion. At Sivanandashram in Reservoir Hills, devotees gathered for a short morning Sadhana session from 6am to 6.25am, and thereafter went to Sahaja Kutir. Sahaja Kutir was circum-ambulated whilst chanting the sacred Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram Om Mantra. Devotees then proceeded to Pujya Swamiji's sacred Kutir whilst chanting, followed by a visit to the Sivananda Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Hall to silently convey their devotion to the Master and Pujya Swamiji. Akhanda Chanting continued from 5 am to 4 pm.
The evening Satsang commenced with Ganga Aarti at 4pm. A fairly large congregation gathered to participate in the proceedings of this Mahasamadhi programme. Devotees chanted invocation prayers, Mantras, specially chosen Bhajans, heard readings and an inspiring audio message by Pujya Swamiji. Two little Spiritual Darlings (little children) joined the singers and musicians to chant the Song of Salutations. Supper Prasad was served at the end of the Satsang programme. Devotees had the opportunity to visit Pujya Swamiji's Kutir and the Sivananda Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Hall after the evening Satsang.
The most auspicious Hindu festival of Deepavali or Diwali was celebrated on Monday 24 October 2022 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati was performed around the sparkling Ganga Rani pool at 4.00pm and was followed by Satsang. Sri Gurudev and the Deities on the main shrine were surrounded with dozens of clay lamps, a scintillating display of light.
On the occasion of the 73rd Anniversary of Divine Life Society of South Africa, on Tuesday, 18 October 2022, devotees paid tribute to the Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, who founded the Society in 1949. Special tribute was paid to Pujya Swami Sahajananda for implementing the Master's instructions to the letter and for his love, and spiritual, moral and ethical training of devotees. The Society's phenomenal success in all its endeavours, must be attributed to the boundless Grace of our Master, and Pujya Swamiji's steadfast loyalty and obedience to our Master.