Ninety-eight years ago, on 10 July 1925, a boy, V. Srinivasan was born in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal. Within a few decades, his indomitable will, tenacity and iron courage to spread his Divine Master's, Sri Swami Sivananda's teachings, saw a virtual Hindu renaissance in KwaZulu-Natal; perhaps a rare feat in Hindu spiritual history in this province, for the message of Sri Swami Sivananda, the message of Divine Life, has permeated almost every Hindu home in the province and beyond.

Sri Swami Sahajananda's silent dynamism, magnetic personality and contributions are again evident in Sri Swami Sivananda's words at Pujya Swamiji's farewell after his initiation into the holy order of Sannyas on 10 April 1956. The Master said, "Swami Sahajananda is styled as the spiritual king of South Africa, Durban. He is also called African Chota Guru. He does not want anything. He is a silent worker. He is a man of renunciation, Vairagya (dispassion) and meditation. He is a very good organiser. He talks little. You have never seen him talking. He thinks much and does much. Such a spiritual Yogi is he. His devotion to his teacher is unique. He has a pure heart. So let us pray for the health of this small Yogi, full of strength. One who can transform the materialistic intellect of the whole of South Africa; what tremendous purity, what tremendous Yogic power, what tremendous meditation, spiritual aura and selfless aura".

Divine Life Society of South Africa observed the most auspicious Sri Guru Purnima on Monday, 3 July 2023. There was a morning Sadhana Programme at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills from 6am until 6.25am, after which devotees paid obeisance by circumambulation of Sahaja Kutir and then visited the Sivananda Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Centre. There was Akhanda Chanting at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills from 5am until 12 noon, and at Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC), La Mercy, from 12 noon until 4pm. Ganga Arati at Sivananda International Cultural Centre, commenced at 4pm followed by Satsang at 5pm. Hundreds of devotees from many parts of the country gathered at SICC and paid homage to our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda on this sacred day, when the Guru is honoured.

Divine Life Society of South Africa celebrated the 18th Anniversary of Sivananda Ghat (a safe and dignified facility for the disposal of cremated ashes of all race groups, and facilities for the performance of Shraddha and Tarpana rituals), and the 74th Anniversary of the Society.

Divine Life Society of South Africa observed the auspicious Ganga Dussehra on Tuesday, 30 May 2023 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a video and a reading from the book, Mother Ganga by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Swami Sivananda says the following about Ganga Dussehra, "Taking Her course into the interior of the Himalayas, Ganga was about to wash away Rishi Janhnu's Ashram. Sage Jahnu was naturally more powerful than Her and simply sipped the water. Bhagiratha was much disappointed. He did severe penance again to please Rishi Jahnu. At last, the sage let Ganga through his ears. Flowing from this outlet, Ganga flowed with entire modesty, and all-embracing filial love and motherly affection. By Her Divine Grace, She uplifted all the sixty thousand princes to the highest abode of immortal bliss. This day is celebrated as the most sanctifying Ganga Dussehra".

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