Divine Life Society of South Africa celebrated Deepavali at all its Ashrams and many of its branches on Monday, 20 October 2025. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 4pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans and a reading on the significance of Deepavali. 

The following excerpts of the reading taken from Hindu Fasts and Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda, succinctly captured the essence of Deepavali. 

“Deepavali or Diwali means ‘a row of lights’. It falls on the last two days of the dark half of Kartik (October-November). For some it is a three-day festival. It commences with the Dhan-Teras, on the 13th day of the dark half of Kartik, followed the next day by the Narak Chaudas, the 14th day, and by Deepavali proper on the 15th day.

“There are various alleged origins attributed to this festival. Some hold that they celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi to Lord Vishnu. In Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. It also commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. On this day also Sri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura.

“In South India, people take an oil bath in the morning and wear new clothes. They partake of sweetmeats. They light fireworks which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day. They greet one another, asking, ‘Have you had your Ganges bath?’ which actually refers to the oil bath that morning as it is regarded as purifying as a bath in the holy Ganges.

“Waking up during the Brahmamuhurta at 4am is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work and spiritual advancement. It is on Deepavali that everyone wakes up early in the morning. The sages who instituted this custom must have cherished the hope that their descendants would realise its benefits and make it a regular habit.

“In a happy mood of great rejoicing village folk move about freely, mixing with one another without any reserve, all enmity being forgotten. People embrace one another with love. Deepavali is a great unifying force. Those with keen inner spiritual ears will clearly hear the voice of the sages, ‘O Children of God! Unite, and love all’. The vibrations produced by the greetings of love which fill the atmosphere are powerful enough to bring about a change of heart in every man and woman in the world. Alas! That heart has considerably hardened, and only a continuous celebration of Deepavali in our homes can rekindle in us the urgent need of turning away from the ruinous path of lust, hatred and greed.

“On this day Hindu merchants in North India open their new account books and pray for success and prosperity during the coming year. The homes are cleaned and decorated by day and illuminated at night with earthen oil-lamps. The finest and most beautiful illuminations are to be seen in Bombay and Amritsar. The famous Golden Temple at Amritsar is lit in the evening with thousands of lamps placed all over the steps of the big tank. Vaishnavites celebrate the Govardhan Puja and feed the poor on a large scale.

“O Ram! The light of lights, the self-luminous inner Light of the Self is ever shining steadily in the chamber of your heart. All the lights of the world cannot be compared even to a ray of the inner Light of the Self. Sit quietly. Close your eyes. Withdraw the senses. Fix the mind on this Supreme Light and enjoy the real Deepavali, by attaining inner illumination”.

The Master’s poignant message for all earnest seekers is again encapsulated in, “Many Deepavali festivals have come and gone. Yet the hearts of the vast majority are as dark as the night of the new moon. The house is lit with lamps, but the heart is full of the darkness of ignorance”.

The significance of light is also exemplified by the Master. He explains that the external, physical light is intended to remind us that our essential nature is Light - that the Atman, one’s own real Self, is the Light of all lights, and that Light lends luminosity to countless suns, moons and stars in the infinite universe. He further explains that it is ignorance that produces a semblance of darkness.

May we encapsulate, imbibe and internalise the Master’s profound meaning of Deepavali, look at its transformative meaning and power and realise the Atman within, thus moving from darkness unto light.

The 76th Anniversary of the Society was celebrated on Saturday, 18 October 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Sri Swami Sivananda wrote three letters to Pujya Swami Sahajananda (then Srinivasan Naidoo) to open a branch of Divine Life Society of South Africa. The anniversary is therefore celebrated on three occasions annually.

Ganga Arati on Saturday, 18 October 2025 commenced at 4pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s message and the reading of two letters written by the Master. Sri Swami Sivananda wrote,

“18 October 1949

Sri Srinivasan

Durban

 

Beloved Immortal Self,

 

Salutations and adorations. Thy kind letter of the 30th September.

Thank you for the kind donation by the postal order.

I am glad that you are regular in Sadhan. Your pamphlet for free distribution (Twenty Important Spiritual Instructions) is very attractively printed. Print such pamphlets as often as circumstances permit and distribute them among aspirants hungering for God. It is the greatest service and will hasten your progress. I have sent you the Divine Life magazine for September and October. Hope you will be benefited by them. 

May God bless you. 

Thy Own Self 

Sivananda

 

Handwritten:

Kindly start a branch of Divine Life Society there. 

I recognise you as the Secretary.

Sivananda”.

 

On 6 March 1961, the Master again wrote to Pujya Swamiji, saying, “The South African branch is making wonderful progress in all spheres, publications, buildings, etc.

 

“Very shortly there will be another duplicate of the headquarters in every respect. The Will of the Lord is working through you to work out a great plan in the near future”. 

 

In praise of Pujya Swamiji, the Master continued, “I get glorious accounts of your activities from different quarters very frequently, also visitors from the Ashram in Africa endorse the views conveyed through letters”. In respect of the financial situation at the Ashram, Sri Gurudev said, “I am glad that your financial condition is getting sound. It is very essential for steady progress and dynamic work”. 

 

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message was an intimate account of his relationship with Sri Gurudev. Addressing the Master in the first person, he described the Master’s intense Sadhana. The Master often stood in the Ganges in mid-winter doing his austerities. He also wrote in English which the orthodox Sannyasins did not understand and appreciate. The Master was original in many respects - his service of the ailing sadhus, his writing in English and emphasis on Sadhana. Pujya Swamiji said that the Master didn’t copy anyone and was original, that he didn’t follow the traditional path, and that he plunged into meditation and meditation alone. The books that the Master wrote were an “expansion of the notes you have kept in yourself”. When Pujya Swamiji wanted to visit the Master, the Master gave permission after repeated requests by Pujya Swamiji. Initially the Master said that Pujya Swamiji should not come, and “stay where you are and practise”. When Pujya Swamiji did visit the Master for the first time, he said that the welcome was cordial, and that everything in Rishikesh was strange and that he was missing home. He attributed these to his disobedience of the Master, as is evident in, “When you disobey the Guru you are looking for trouble, because you are disobeying God”. The instruction that the Master gave Pujya Swamiji was to “learn to make tea and learn to type”, which Pujya Swamiji interpreted as serving unconditionally and printing and distributing the Master’s writings. When Pujya Swamiji told the Master that he wanted to return home because he was unfit for spiritual life and that he had no qualifications, the Master cryptically responded, “They would come”. He also asked Pujya Swamiji to establish a Divine Life Society branch in South Africa. 

For 76 years Divine Life Society of South Africa has stood as a radiant beacon of spirituality, selfless service, and moral regeneration in our nation. Guided by the sublime teachings of the illustrious Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, and nurtured by the matchless dedication of one of his foremost disciple, Sri Swami Sahajananda, the Society has become a sanctuary of divine inspiration and practical spirituality. Under Sri Swami Sahajananda’s tireless efforts, the Society translates lofty spiritual ideals into living action - uplifting the poor, educating the youth, promoting moral values and fostering inter-faith harmony. Through its numerous spiritual, educational, cultural and humanitarian projects, Divine Life Society of South Africa has touched countless hearts and transformed countless lives across South Africa and beyond.

May the sacred work of Divine Life Society of South Africa flourish ever more! May the blessings of Sri Swami Sivananda and Sri Swami Sahajananda ever guide devotees and seekers towards spiritual growth, light, peace, and perfection.

The final event in the Society’s Centenary Celebrations’ programme was hosted by the Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre on Sunday, 12 October 2025 at the Centre’s campus in Rose Heights, Arena Park, Chatsworth. Approximately 550 devotees, donors, well-wishers and members of the public attended the day’s programme that commenced at 8am with Homa, followed by stall visits and a tour of the Centre from 9am. Ganga Arati and Satsang were from 10.50am until 12.10pm. 

The sacred Homa, performed to the chants of the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra created a deeply spiritual ambience on this beautiful morning. 

The tours of the Centre and stalls were excellently arranged and managed. The stalls and gardens were meticulously set up, and had an attractive and aesthetic appeal. The spectacular, educational tour of the pristine gardens offered a rare opportunity for devotees to appreciate and learn from nature. The focus on nature itself was fresh and inspirational. Closely linked to the nature theme were the demonstrations on manufacture of soya products. The natural healing exhibits, namely Homeopathy, Acupressure, Reflexology and Ayurveda were informative, educational and inspiring. The tour of the Computer Training Centre was indicative of the Centre’s community-centredness. These stalls and tours drew much interest and appreciation from the public.

The Sunlit Path Centre Schools’ programme video was watched by a large gathering in the Sports’ Hall. The programme conceived and implemented by Pujya Swami Sahajananda in 2006 focuses on assistance to youth to cope with social ills, namely drug addiction, smoking, suicidal tendencies, alcoholism, bullying and other related social ills. The Sewing Centre exhibition was equally impressive, showing the skill and dedication of those who have been part of this uplifting project. The counselling desk provided an insight into the myriads of activities of the Centre, giving advice on social ills, learning and study problems and skills, domestic issues and coping with social ills. For the first time, there was a Likhit Japa stall at a major Divine Life Society of South Africa function. Launched in January 2017 as a Centenary Celebrations’ initiative, the Likhit Japa and Japa Yoga campaigns have gained tremendous pace with hundreds of devotees doing Likhit Japa and Mantra chanting daily as part of their Sadhana. The Centre’s Sivananda Wisdom Group stall provided information on the activities of the Sivananda Wisdom Group, which meets every Wednesday, to provide a platform for discussions and activities designed to help the senior members of our community to cope with life’s challenges and for their spiritual evolution. These activities include Yoga, drill training, brain gym, health talks and spiritual discourses. 

Explanations on on-site rainwater harvesting (used to irrigate various seasonal organic crops), the various forms of gardening techniques, the development of a green house, natural composting and other eco-friendly initiatives, were novel and informative.

Hundreds of devotees and members of the public had the Darshan of Ganga Mata during Ganga Arati, for many a novel experience. The Satsang programme comprised a message on the Sunlit Path Centre and its activities and a message from the Society, as well as Kirtans and Bhajans.  The message on the Centre traced its inception and growth. Relevant excerpts attest to this. “This is the last project that was initiated by Pujya Swami Sahajananda in 2006, whilst in his physical form. It was a response to the challenges faced by the youth. Two heart rending letters addressed to Swamiji from desperate mothers of children who had fallen prey to the scourge of addiction, were the catalyst that gave rise to the Sunlit Path Programme and subsequently the establishment of the Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre. 

“Pujya Swamiji wrote, ‘The highlight of the complex will be the Sivananda Sunlit Club for children to educate them on how to keep away from drugs, gambling, sex etc. The most important instructions for Spiritual Darlings – Swamiji’s affectionate reference to children - will be how they should turn to God for protection against bad habits and that God is their true Friend, Mother and Father’.

“The Sivananda Sunlit Path Programme has kept to these principles and developed into a well-structured workshop which has been conducted in many parts of the province. To date, over 3 000 children have taken the pledge to refrain from, and cope with the problems of drug and alcohol addiction, suicidal tendencies and depression. They have thus become members of the prestigious Sunlit Club and receive a free supply of the quarterly magazine, Sunlit Path, which contains articles and stories to help them keep their resolves, with the motto of this Club being “God is My Guide”.

With the Grace of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda, Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre has shown steady growth and expansion since its opening on 10 April 2011. There is no doubt that this Centenary Celebration hosted at this Centre will act as a catalyst for further growth and expansion of this unique facility in a society riddled with socio-economic and societal ills. 

The community is urged to use the services at the Centre. One may contact the Centre on weekdays during office hours for details in respect of its activities and services, namely: free counselling for problems related to substance abuse, depression, family conflicts, chronic health conditions, poor school performance, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Reflexology, soya products, sewing and computer classes, gardening and garden products, and advice on a variety of health tonics and nature cure, amongst others.

The Sunlit Path Centre Organising Committee and devotees have taken the Sunlit Path Centre to new heights. Deepest appreciation and warmest congratulations go to all for their exceptional service, commitment and devotion. Their unity, dedication, and spirit of selfless offering have truly reflected the divine teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda in action. Through their tireless effort and unwavering faith, they have not only achieved excellence but also inspired others to walk the spiritual path with renewed enthusiasm and sincerity. Every task performed radiated love, discipline, and devotion - true marks of spiritual maturity. Their noble efforts and contributions in serving the Divine Mission are overwhelming. This was indeed a pristine and prestigious function – a fitting conclusion to the two-year Centenary Celebrations.

May the blessings of our beloved Gurudev, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda continue to guide, uplift, and strengthen all on the path of selfless service and spiritual growth through the Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre.