Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Sivananda DLS
Divine Life Society of South Africa
Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda
News & Reports (285)
Divine Life Society of South Africa launched the 41 Day Recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa, 11 times daily, on Tuesday, 25 July 2023 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm, followed by Satsang, which included the reading of the Rules for the 41 Day Recitation, and the recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa 11 times. The final recital will be on Sunday 3 September 2023, at Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC), as part of a special function leading to the 136th Birth Anniversary of His Holiness, Sri Swami Sivananda. The final recital will be followed by a Havan. Devotees will do the daily recital in their homes at their convenience.
The Sri Hanuman Chalisa is very powerful and very effective for the removal of mental problems. It brings good health, success and prosperity. It cures diseases, counteracts evil forces and the effects of "black magic". It was recommended to Pujya Swami Sahajananda by Pujya Mata Krishnabai of Anandashram, one of the greatest of living saints.
Youth Day in South Africa is a day on which South Africans honour the youth. Today, 16 June is a South African public holiday. There are Youth Day celebrations held country-wide to empower youth and all South Africans.
Divine Life Society of South Africa has been observing Youth Day for several years. The teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda, as well as his advice to youth, form an integral part of the Youth Day programmes.
In the book Enlightened Education, the Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, says the following about youth: "The youth are the most precious treasure of the nation. Students are an important asset to the country, for leaders all over the land recognise that they are to guide the nation of tomorrow. The present generation of students are the potential leaders in all the different fields of national life of the future.
Divine Life Society of South Africa observed Sri Swami Sivananda's 60th Mahasamadhi Anniversary (according to the Sanskrit calendar) on 11 July 2023 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, Pujya Swami Sahajananda's audio message, and a reading entitled, Miracles of Sivananda by Sri Swami Venkatesananda. There was Akhanda Chanting from 5am until 4pm.
The Master received hundreds of tributes and accolades. It is difficult to describe the contributions of Sri Swami Sivananda to the world, for his contributions are diverse, extensive, intensive, multi-faceted and spread across the world. Hundreds of tributes have been paid to the spiritual giant, Sri Swami Sivananda. Encyclopaedia.com describes the Master as follows: "One of the most influential modern Hindu spiritual teachers, whose most important contribution was the wedding of the traditional concept of Sannyas, the renounced life, with social service directed toward people in need".
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".
Sri Swami Sivananda's 99th Sannyas Anniversary was observed on 1 June 2023 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. There was a morning Sadhana programme from 6am until 6.25am, when devotees gathered for a short Sadhana programme, followed by circumambulation of Sahaja Kutir and a visit to Sivananda Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Centre. There was Akhanda Chanting of the Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram Om Mantra throughout the day from 5.00am to 5.00pm. Satsang commenced with Ganga Arati at 5.30pm.
The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a reading based on N. Ananthanarayanan's book, From Man to Godman, Pujya Swami Sahajananda's audio message and a multi-media presentation by our youth boys.
In the inspiring reading, we learnt of the Master's longing to tread the spiritual path, his burning dispassion for the world and his yearning for God. The real aim of human existence was made apparent to the Divine Master in Malaya (now Malaysia) after reading the book, Jiva-Brahma Aikya Vedenta Rahasyam, given to him by Swami Satchidananda. The Master now developed an ardent desire to tread the spiritual path and unlock the realms of immortality.
Sri Swami Sivananda
(1887 - 1963)
Forthcoming Functions
Publications
"Sure Ways for Success in…
April 30, 2015
Size: 14.8cm x 20cm Soft Cover: Pages: 320 Pages Donation (SA): R50 Foreign: $15 Sure Ways for Success In ...
"Path of Divine Grace, Vo…
April 30, 2015
Size: 14.5cm x 20.5cm Soft Cover: Pages: 244 Pages Donation (SA): R25 Foreign: $10 The eagerly awaited s...
"Path of Divine Grace, Vo…
April 30, 2015
Size: 14.5cm x 20.5cm Soft Cover: Pages: 244 Pages Donation (SA): R25 Foreign: $10 The first of 4 Volume...
"Practice of Karma Yoga…
April 30, 2015
Size: 14.8cm x 21.2cm Soft Cover: 233 pages Donation (SA): R30 Foreign: $12 The nectar-like teachings of...