Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda
Divine life Society of South Africa launched the 41-day recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa on Friday 24 February 2023. The recital concluded on the most auspicious Sri Hanuman Jayanti on 5 April 2023. Many devotees undertook the 41- day recital, reciting the Sri Hanuman Chalisa 11 times daily at their homes over the 41-day period. This auspicious Vrat concluded with a Havan which was live-streamed from Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills at 4.30pm on Wednesday 5 April 2023, being the sacred Sri Hanuman Jayanti.
Our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda extolled the qualities of Sri Hanuman, and encouraged devotees to recite the Sri Hanuman Chalisa, which is 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 Swami Sahajananda by Pujya Mata Krishnabai of Anandashram, one of the greatest saints. Our Divine Master also wrote, "See how humble Hanuman was! How deep was his devotion to Sri Rama! He never said, "I am the brave Hanuman. I can do anything and everything".
Divine Life Society of South Africa celebrated the auspicious Sri Ram Navami at its Ashrams and some branches on Thursday 30 March 2023. Preceding Sri Ram Navami was the week-long Ramayan Week, from Wednesday 22 March until Wednesday 29 March 2023, during which daily Satsangs were held at the Society's Ashrams, glorifying Lord Rama. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang on Sri Ram Navami. The programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a Ramayan Recital and a message from our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda.
Both our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda had great love and reverence for Lord Rama, and glorified Him at every opportunity. The Om Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram Mantra holds a special place for devotees of the Society. The Master's reverence for Lord Rama is evident in the following excerpt from his book, Essence of the Ramayana. The Master wrote, "Sri Rama's life was a life of holy obedience, of stainless purity, of matchless simplicity, laudable contentment, commendable self-sacrifice and remarkable renunciation. He paid equal respect to his mother and his stepmothers and revered his Guru".
Divine Life Society of South Africa observed the Day of Descent of Divine Grace on Wednesday 1 March 2023. The evening Satsang at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, included Kirtans, Bhajans, an overview of the significance of the Day of Descent of Divine Grace, an audio recording by Pujya Swami Sahajananda, and a reading on the same theme.
The significance of this important day is captured in the following utterance by Pujya Swamiji in November 2007, "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".
As an offering to our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, Lord Rama and Sri Hanuman, the 41 Day Sri Hanuman Chalisa recital will commence on Friday, 23 February 2023. The launch of the 41 day recital will take place on 23 February 2023 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commences at 5:30pm followed by 11 recitals of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa. The 41 day recital will culminate on the sacred Sri Hanuman Jayanti on Wednesday, 05 April 2023.
If you would like to participate in the 41 day recital, kindly complete the online pledge form below. All signed pledges will be offered at the Shrine on the day of the launch.
Divine Life Society of S.A. celebrated Mahasivaratri at all its Ashrams on Saturday 18 February 2023. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm and the Satsang concluded the next morning at 5am. Befitting this sacred night, the programme was a veritable spiritual feast with a variety of presentations and devotional offerings to Lord Siva. Melodious Kirtans and Bhajans, performances and presentations by guest artistes, readings, poems, Sanskrit verses in praise of Lord Siva, audio recordings, videos, and the chanting of the sacred Om Namah Sivaya Mantra while circumambulating the Ganga Rani pool, all featured on the programme. Special guest artistes included Sri Solly Pillay, Dr Veena Lutchman, Smt. Siddharthiya Pillay and Smt. Archana Sridhar & troupe.
Sri Swami Sivananda's message in the First Prahara, taken from Glory of Sivaratri captured the Master's profound reverence for Lord Siva. The Master writes, "When creation had been completed, Siva and Parvati had been living on the top of Kailas. Parvati asked; "O venerable Lord, which of the many rituals observed in Thy honour doth please Thee most?" Lord Siva replied: "The thirteenth night of the new moon, Krishna Paksha, in the month of Phalguna (February-March) known as Sivaratri, is My most favourable Tithi. My devotee gives Me greater happiness by mere fasting than by ceremonial baths, and offerings of flowers, sweets, incense, etc".
Divine Life Society of South Africa held a Special Thanksgiving Satsang at Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC) on Sunday 11 December 2022 at 10am. A morning Yoga Camp Sadhana programme comprising Invocation, Chanting, Meditation on the Peace Series and a Havan was held from 6am until 8am. A motivational talk, outlining Pujya Swami Sahajananda's guidance on our Yoga Camps which Pujya Swamiji launched almost 30 years ago, was also presented during the Yoga Camp Programme.
Over 530 devotees, well-wishers, donors and special guests attended the Thanksgiving Satsang. Amongst the guests were, Dr Anasuya Boligarla, Director of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre based at the Consul General of India, Durban, our Ashram builders and representatives of a few schools, some of whom have accommodated our Branches for Satsangs for approximately 4 decades.
On 10th December 2022, the fifteenth anniversary of Sri Swami Sahajananda's Mahasamadhi was observed by devotees, donors and well-wishers of Divine Life Society of S.A. All Ashrams of the Society organised Satsangs to mark this solemn occasion. At Sivanandashram in Reservoir Hills, devotees gathered for a short morning Sadhana session from 6am to 6.25am, and thereafter went to Sahaja Kutir. Sahaja Kutir was circum-ambulated whilst chanting the sacred Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram Om Mantra. Devotees then proceeded to Pujya Swamiji's sacred Kutir whilst chanting, followed by a visit to the Sivananda Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Hall to silently convey their devotion to the Master and Pujya Swamiji. Akhanda Chanting continued from 5 am to 4 pm.
The evening Satsang commenced with Ganga Aarti at 4pm. A fairly large congregation gathered to participate in the proceedings of this Mahasamadhi programme. Devotees chanted invocation prayers, Mantras, specially chosen Bhajans, heard readings and an inspiring audio message by Pujya Swamiji. Two little Spiritual Darlings (little children) joined the singers and musicians to chant the Song of Salutations. Supper Prasad was served at the end of the Satsang programme. Devotees had the opportunity to visit Pujya Swamiji's Kutir and the Sivananda Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Hall after the evening Satsang.
The most auspicious Hindu festival of Deepavali or Diwali was celebrated on Monday 24 October 2022 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati was performed around the sparkling Ganga Rani pool at 4.00pm and was followed by Satsang. Sri Gurudev and the Deities on the main shrine were surrounded with dozens of clay lamps, a scintillating display of light.