Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Sivananda DLS
Divine Life Society of South Africa
Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda
Our Annual All Souls' Day Maha Satsang was held on Sunday, 1 May at the Sivananda Ghat. Our programme consisted of various messages from our Divine Master, Pujya Swami Sahajananda and our Guest Speaker, Sri Rayan Gangaram, an official at the Clare Estate Hindu Crematorium. About 400 devotees participated in the Havan.
Ganga Saptami will be observed on Friday, 13 May 2016 at Sivanandashram Reservoir Hills, 513 Mountbatten Drive. Ganga Arati commences at 5:30pm, followed by Satsang. Supper Prasad will be served.
One hundred and twenty two learners from a total of 152 attendees (80.26%) signed the pledge form to try keep away from drugs and other social ills at a workshop held at the Greytown Community Hall on Friday, 22 April 2016. The four participating secondary schools were Buhlebuyeza, Cool air, Greytown High and Greytown Secondary.
Our first Yoga Retreat for this year will be held on Sunday, 24 April from 6am to 3pm. The programme includes Mantras for rain and a Homa,lessons and discussion on our scriptures, Hindu Festivals and our Master's writings, a demonstration on snake safety, an exciting challenge entitled "Who wants to be spiritual millionaire", guest artistes, cultural items, Pujya Swamiji's humour and a grand guided beach hike or walk. We encourage all devotees to attend the Yoga Retreat and enjoy a fun-filled, blissful and spiritually illuminating day with Sri Gurudev and Pujya Swamiji.
All Souls' Day is a special prayer service conducted at Sivananda Ghat on the first of every month for the peace of all departed souls. On Sunday, 1 May, commencing at 2:30pm, Divine Life Society of SA will have a special All Souls' Day function.
Pujya Swami Sahajananda's 60th Sannyas Anniversary was observed on Sunday, 10 April at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. The day began at 6am with Ganga Arati, followed by a short invocation. Devotees proceeded to Sahaja Kutir and Pujya Swamiji's sacred room for Darshan. A visit to Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Hall completed the morning pilgrimage.
RAM NAUMI
The most auspicious Ram Naumi Celebration, being the sacred Birthday of Lord Rama was held at all Divine Life Society Ashram and Branches. A large congregation was present at the headquarters of the Society in Reservoir Hills. Apart from the melodious Bhajans & Kirtans in praise of Lord Rama, as well as the chanting of the Ramayana Slokas, which inspired the congregation, a powerful message from our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda was read. It urged listeners to follow the path of righteousness.
REPORT ON SUNLIT PATH FOLLOW-UP PROGRAMME IN PIETERMARITZBURG
The Sunlit Path follow-up programme held in the Aryan Hall in Pietermaritzburg on 04 March 2016, was attended by 172 learners from the following ten secondary schools: Arthur Blaxall, Carter High, Eastwood, EPS, Haythorne, Kharina, Northbury, Raisethorpe, Silver Heights and Woodlands.
This special Satsang was observed on 1 March 2016 to honour and remember Pujya Swami Sahajananda who served as Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society with great distinction. It was on this day on 1 March 2007 that "an unusual power of our Divine Master descended in Pujya Swamiji." In Glory of Guru's Grace Pujya Swamiji wrote the following, "When the power descended there was a little disturbance in the beginning but within a few days it settled down. Now there is no change in the descent of the power. I could not believe that the Master would grant me such Divine Grace, a Grace that I do not deserve. If devotees saw my attitude some five years ago and my attitude now, they would be quite surprised that such a tremendous change could take place."