Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Sivananda DLS
Divine Life Society of South Africa
Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda
News & Reports (356)
The Richards Bay Branch of Divine Life Society of South Africa hosted the Society's Centenary Celebrations' Satsang at Sivanandashram in Brackenham, Richards Bay. The programme comprised a Havan at 8am, Ganga Arati at 9.40am and Satsang from 10am until 12.20pm.
The spiritual ambience of the sacred Havan set the tone of divinity for the day's events. Many devotees, well-wishers, donors and members of the public participated in Ganga Arati, some for the very first time. The Satsang programme consisted of Kirtans, Bhajans, a children's item, "Gurudev Says", and a youth item, "Take a Packet of Grace Home Today", which captured some of Swami Sivananda's salient teachings, namely, Satsang, prayer, meditation, Sadhana, Brahmacharya, the Spiritual Diary and the Law of Karma. A delightful and humorous play, "An Obedient Wife", by Swami Sivananda brought out the importance of harmony in the home, mutual respect and understanding, especially between spouses. The Bharatanatyam Dance to the Bhajan, "Ayodhya Vasi" Ram was well choreographed and professionally executed.
The years, 2024 and 2025 are milestone years in the history of Divine Life Society of South Africa, as the Society's Centenary Celebrations are given prominence amongst its multifarious programmes and activities. One of the Centenary Celebrations' highlights, was the Sivananda Book Festival and Health Workshop held on Sunday 28 April 2024 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Durban. The concept of a "Book Festival" and "Health Workshop" has universal appeal, and the spiritual dimension to these two unique events, added colour, aesthetic appeal, decorum and grandeur to the Centenary Celebrations. Sri Swami Sivananda, being a medical doctor, and Pujya Swami Sahajananda, both advocated good health for spiritual growth, and the importance of spiritual literature for moral, emotional and spiritual growth and development.
Despite the cold weather, hundreds of devotees, well-wishers, donors, members of the public and sister organisations attended the function which commenced with registration at 7.30am and Ganga Arati thereafter.
Sri Hanuman Jayanti was celebrated at all Sivanandashrams of Divine Life Society of South Africa on Tuesday 23 April 2024. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, the Sri Hanuman Jayanti Satsang was preceded by chanting of the Om Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram Mantra from 4 to 4.30pm and Havan at 4.30pm, being the culmination of the 41-Day Recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa. Ganga Arati was at 5.30pm, followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, the Sri Hanuman Arati and a reading, "Sri Hanuman Meets His Divine Master" from the Shree Ramacharitmanasa, as well as a poem entitled "Sri Hanuman" from "Great Men and Women" by Sri Swami Sivananda.
The Sri Hanuman Arati extolled the virtues of Sri Hanuman. The English translation of the initial Sloka of the Sri Hanuman Arati captures the essence of the Arati, namely, "Sing the Arati of Lord Hanuman, the destroyer of all that is wicked, an exalted hero in Sri Rama's sportive play on earth. His massive power makes even mountains shake. Neither sickness nor impurities can come close to His devotees".
The Day of Descent of Divine Grace was celebrated on Friday 1 March 2024 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang, which comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, The Song of Salutations and a reading from "Conversations with Gurudev" from Guidance in Daily Life which was written by Pujya Swamiji and published in 1998.
The following utterance by Pujya Swamiji in November 2007 aptly captures the significance of this occasion, "Since the 1st of March I am enjoying 24 hours unbroken peace of mind. Previously there used to be a sharp pain inside, but now there is nothing".
The most sacred Ram Navami was celebrated at all our Sivanandashrams in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday 17 April 2024. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang, which comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, the reading of a Ram Navami message of the Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, a Ramayana recital and Pujya Swami Sahajananda's audio message.
Lest the magnitude of Sri Swami Sivananda's Ram Navami message be diluted, the message is reproduced below, almost in its entirety.
Divine Life Society of South Africa launched the 41-Day Recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa,11 times daily, on Thursday 14 March 2024. The recital will end on the most auspicious Sri Hanuman Jayanti on Tuesday 23 April 2024.
Beloved Pujya Swami Sahajananda encouraged all to recite the Sri Hanuman Chalisa for protection, safety, welfare and peace in the world. In this critical period, collective recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa will assist in counteracting the scourges of our times. A verse in the Sri Hanuman Chalisa tells us of the power of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa in assisting the world, Naashai Roga Harai Saba Peera Japata Nirantara Hanumata Beera, which translated means, "All diseases are destroyed and pain and sorrow vanish when your great and powerful Name is repeated incessantly". The Sri Hanuman Chalisa is also very powerful and effective for the removal of all mental problems. It brings good health, success and prosperity. It cures diseases, counteracts evil forces and the effects of "black magic", which are so prevalent today. It was recommended to Pujya Swamiji by Pujya Mother Krishnabai of Anandashram, one of the greatest of living saints.
The years, 2024 and 2025, are milestone years in the history of Divine Life Society of South Africa. Three major events coincide in these two eventful years.
- Firstly, 2024 is the Centenary of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda's Sannyas. The Master was initiated into the Holy Order of Sannyas on 1 June 1924 by the most revered Swami Vishwananda Saraswati. His sainthood gave birth to a spiritual renaissance, the emergence of Divine Life Society in India, in South Africa and other parts of the world.
- Secondly it is the 100th Birth Anniversary (Centenary Anniversary) of Sri Swami Sahajananda in 2025 (10 July 1925 - 10 July 2025).
- Thirdly, it is the 75th Anniversary of Divine Life Society of S.A in 2024 (1949 – 2024).
It is primarily for the above reasons that Divine Life Society of South Africa is holding its Centenary Celebrations in 2024 and 2025. The launch of the Centenary Celebrations on 07 January 2024 coincided with our Sivananda Day Satsang, and was marked by the symbolic lighting of lamps by our senior Rishikumars, the unveiling of the Centenary picture of Sri Gurudev for 2024, and a keynote address.
Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Sri Swami Sivananda
(1887 - 1963)
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