76 Years in the life of any institution is indeed a milestone event. The 76th Anniversary of Divine Life Society of South Africa was celebrated on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised melodious Kirtans and Bhajans, readings of two letters written by Sri Swami Sivananda to Pujya Swami Sahajananda with profound spiritual advice, encouragement and guidance.

The Master’s cryptic words resonate with potency and are highly relevant to all seekers. In his letter dated 11 November 1949, the Master wrote,

“Lust and pride are the root of all human ills. They are the enemies of peace and are the parents of all the host of evils. Get up in the morning and meditate on the havoc that these two bring about in man's life. These two alone cause man’s subjection to the wheel of Samsara.

“If you bring yourself up to feeling that they drain out your vitality - physical and mental - and that for your own good, you should eradicate them, then conquest of these two foes will be an easy affair. Resort to His Lotus Feet. He will help you”. In his handwritten note, the Master said, “Kindly open the branch of the Divine Life Society at once”, and implored Pujya Swamiji to do some silent work, which Pujya Swamiji did with distinction.

In the second letter that was read, the Master wrote on 21 September 1955 as follows, “I feel the vibrations created there during the Birthday celebrations through various Branches”.  Referring to the Durban Branch, the Master said, “Kindly take great care of all the workers of the Durban Centre. They are all Dynamic Yogis, who have lost their body-consciousness. I wish all glory, Divine Wisdom, Good health and long life to all of them. One day I will be able to meet them all.

“Your visit to Ananda Kutir in January 1st week is the happiest news to me and all the inmates of the Ashram. Cordial greetings. You have selected the finest period - winter - very pleasant for silent Sadhana. This will be a wonderful period in your life - all Bliss and Inspiration.

“Though it is a laborious job, the Birthday Message and the Divine Message for Children, have been printed in a very attractive manner. They look charming”.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message focused on his deep relationship with Sri Swami Sivananda. The Master moulded Pujya Swamiji’s spiritual life in every respect. Pujya Swamiji said, “Whatever Gurudev wanted to do, he did”, and “Gurudev can do whatever he likes”. His reverence for the Master is evident in, “Intuitively I knew that Gurudev was a God-realised saint”, and the Master “willed that we take birth in this country”. Pujya Swamiji also alluded to Sri Gurudev’s total control of Pujya Swamiji’s life, when he didn’t perform as well as he had expected to in the matriculation examination, resulting in him becoming a teacher and then renouncing the material world in search of God. Pujya Swamiji’s bubbling enthusiasm when he first visited the Master “burst” as life in Rishikesh was strange in many respects. Pujya Swamiji also missed home and his friends, thus questioning his own dispassion at the time. The Master gave Pujya Swamiji a simple instruction, “Learn to make tea and learn to type” which Pujya Swamiji said had a deeper meaning -  “maybe it implied serve, serve people”. When Pujya Swamiji said to Sri Gurudev that he wanted to return home as he didn’t have the necessary qualifications for spiritual life, the Master said, “They will come” - a prophetic prediction of Pujya Swamiji’s sterling work in this country as a direct disciple of Sri Swami Sivananda.

May Divine Life Society of South Africa continue to serve as a beacon of purity, compassion and divine inspiration for generations to come. The Society stands as a compass of spirituality and service. Its tireless efforts in uplifting communities reflect true compassion and divine love. The Society nurtures purity, discipline and spiritual growth in all ardent seekers, and its unwavering dedication continues to inspire countless devotees across the globe.

We offer deepest admiration and gratitude to Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda for their tireless, selfless and divine work in uplifting humanity and for spreading spiritual light among us all.

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.