The nine-day celebration of the auspicious Navaratri, culminated in Vijaya Dasami, which was held on Saturday, 12 October 2024. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 4pm, followed by Satsang. The programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a reading on the significance of Vijaya Dasami, and the Tulsi Arati.

The following excerpts from the reading, extracted and summarised from Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda, give a succinct overview of the festival. “Durga Puja or Navaratri commences on the first and ends on the tenth day of the bright half of Aswayuja (September-October). The tenth day is called Vijaya Dasami or Dussera. In Bengal the image of Devi is worshipped for nine days and then cast into water. Processions with Her image are taken out along the streets of villages and cities. In Sivanandashram, Rishikesh, on Vijaya Dasami all apirants en masse are given initiation of various Mantras, according to the tutelary Deities. Deserving aspirants are initiated into the holy order of Sannyas. Initiation in the study of the alphabet is imparted to the young children, and to the older chidren also! The learning of any science is begun on this highly auspicious Vijaya Dasami day. New students commence their lesssons in music, etc. During the morning Satsang, books which were worshipped on the ninth day are again worshipped, and a chapter from each of the principal scriptures, like the Gita, Brahma Sutras, Upanishads, Ramayana and Srimad Bhagavatam is recited. On Vijaya Dasami,  Kanya Puja is also performed. Nine girls below the age of 10 are worshipped as the embodiments of the Divine Mother. They are fed sumptuously and, amongst other things, presented with new clothes.

“The mother of Durga (that is the wife of the King of the Himalayas) longed to see her daughter. Durga was permitted by Lord Siva to visit her beloved mother for only nine days in the year. The festival of Durga Puja marks this brief visit and ends with the Vijaya Dasami day, when Goddess Durga leaves for her return to Mount Kailas. This is the veiw of some devotees. 

“All who live away from home return during the Puja days. Mothers reunite with their sons and daughters, and wives with their husbands. The potter shows his skill in making images, the painter in drawing pictures, the songster in playing on his instrument, and the priest in reciting the sacred books. The Bengalis save money throughout the year only to spend everything during the Puja days. Cloth is freely distributed to the Brahmins. The women of Bengal welcome the Goddess with a mother’s love, and send away the image on the last day with every ceremony associated with a daughter’s departure to her husband’s home, and with motherly tears in her eyes. This signifies the parting of  Durga from her beloved mother.

“Devi fought with Bhandasura and his forces for nine days and nine nights. This Bhandasura had a wonderful birth and life. When Lord Siva burnt Cupid with the fire of His ‘third eye’, Sri Ganesha playfully moulded a figure out of the ashes, and the Lord breathed life into it. This was the terrible demon, Bhandasura. He engaged himself in great penance and on account of it, obtained a boon from Lord Siva. With the help of that boon, he began harassing the worlds. The Divine Mother fought against him for nine nights - the demons have extraordinary strength during the night - and killed him on the evening of the tenth day, known as the Vijaya Dasami.

“The tenth day - Vijaya Dasami-marks the trium­phant victory of the soul in having attained freedom and liberation while living in this world, through the descent of divine knowledge by the Grace of Goddess Saraswathi. The soul rests in its own Supreme Self or Satchidananda Brahman. This day celebrates victory and the achievement of the goal. The banner of victory flies aloft. Lo! I am He! I am He!

“It was on this day that Arjuna worshipped Devi before starting the battle against the Kauravas on the field of Kurukshetra.

“Sri Rama worshipped Durga at the time of the fight with Ravana, to invoke Her aid in the war. This was on the days preceding Vijaya Dasami. He fought and won through Her Grace”.

The reading aptly pointed out that, at times, religious observances and traditional worship have several meanings. Apart from being the adoration of the Divine, they commemorate stirring events in history and are deeply significant pointers and revealing guides to devotees. On an esoteric level, Dussera can also be interpreted as "Dasa-Hara", which means the cutting of the ten heads of Ravana. Let us therefore resolve to cut the ten internal heads, namely, passion, pride, anger, greed, infatuation, lust, hatred, jealousy, selfishness and crookedness, thus giving credance to the celebration of Dussera.

The Society held its 14th event as part of the Centenary Celebrations on Saturday, 14 September 2024. The Sivananda Tour, comprising a Havan and Satsang, was held in Kimberley, in association with the Kimberley Hindu Seva Samaj, at their Mandir. Havan commenced at 4pm followed by Satsang at 4.45pm. Devotees, well-wishers, donors and members of the public from Johannesburg, Durban, Estcourt, Stanger, Kimberley, Bloemfontein and Vryburg attended the function. This, no doubt, speaks volumes of the importance placed on Satsang and prayer by the community of Kimberley and neighbouring towns, and their reverence, love and affiliation to Sri Swami Sivananda, Pujya Swami Sahajananda, and Divine Life Society of South Africa.

The Mandir’s Pundit performed the Havan with Bhav and decorum, to the chants of sacred and soulful Mantras. Participants in the Havan were from both the Kimberley Hindu Seva Samaj and Divine Life Society of South Africa. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans and Bhajans by both organisations, a welcome address by the Samaj, a message from the Society, a talk on Sri Swami Sivananda’s cardinal teachings on Hinduism, guided meditation and a talk on the benefits of Mantra chanting.

Sri Chandrakant Vala, the Chairperson of the Kimberley Hindu Seva Samaj, in his welcome address paid glowing tribute to Sri Swami Sivananda. He said, “As we reflect on the profound legacy of Swami Sivananda, we are reminded of his boundless compassion, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the upliftment of humanity. His teachings continue to inspire and guide us on the path of righteousness, selfless service and spiritual enlightenment”.   

The Society’s contributions as well as the purpose of the Sivananda Centenary Tour and its expected outcomes, are again captured in Sri Chandrakant Vala’s message, when he said, “The Divine Life Society, founded by Swami Sivananda, has been a beacon of hope and a source of spiritual nourishment for countless souls around the world. Over the past 100 years, it has grown from a humble beginning to a global movement, spreading the message of love, peace, and unity. Today, as we continue to celebrate this centenary milestone, we also honour the tireless efforts of all the devotees, volunteers, and leaders who have contributed to the growth and success of Divine Life Society. Your dedication and commitment have kept the flame of Swami Sivananda’s vision burning brightly. 

“Let us take this opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to the principles and values that Swami Sivananda espoused. Let us strive to live a life of purity, humility, and selflessness, and continue to serve humanity with love and compassion. As we together embark on the next century of the Divine Life Society, let us carry forward the torch of wisdom and spirituality, illuminating the lives of those around us and spreading the light of divine knowledge. 

“Thank you for being here today and for your unwavering support and devotion. Together, let us make this celebration a memorable and inspiring event”.