Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda
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 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".
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.
Sivananda Ghat is a post-cremation public facility situated in Durban alongside the Umgeni River, and is fulfilling its primary function of providing a safe and dignified facility for the disposal of the cremated ash of all race groups since 2005. The monthly All Souls' Day Satsang and Havan is held at Sivananda Ghat on the 1st day of each month. Since inception of Sivananda Ghat in June 2005, a Special All Souls' Day Satsang and Mahayajna is held on 1 May of each year. However, during the lockdown, the Special All Souls' Day Satsang and Mahayajna was suspended for three years – the last such function being held in 2019. Against this background, the All Souls' Day Special Satsang and Mahayajna held on Monday 1 May 2023 at Sivananda Ghat was a welcome opportunity for those who lost loved and dear ones during the lockdown through the Covid-19 pandemic, to find some degree of closure. Approximately 500 persons attended this function.
The programme on 1 May 2023 commenced with Ganga Arati at 2pm, followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised of Kirtans, Bhajans, messages by our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda, chanting of the Om Namah Sivaya Mantra, and an address by the guest-of-honour, Mr Thegraj Kassie, an official of the Clare Estate Umgeni Hindu Crematorium.
In the article, Ganga, Sri Swami Sivananda says, "The Ganga is the most sacred river of India. The origin of the Ganga is ascribed to celestial glory. Lord Krishna says in the Gita: 'I am the Ganga among rivers'".
The Master continues in the aforementioned article, "For a Hindu, the word Ganga has its own sacred association. Every Hindu thirsts for a dip in the Ganga, and for a drop of its water at the time of his death. Aspirants and mendicants build their huts on the banks of the Ganga for practising penance and meditation. Bhishma spoke very highly of the glory of the Ganga in his parting instructions to the Pandavas from his bed of arrows.
"In the Satya Yuga, all places were sacred. In the Treta Yuga, Pushkara was considered the most holy place. In the Dvapara Yuga, Kurukshetra was regarded as the most sacred place. In Kali Yuga, the Ganga has that glory. Devi Bhagavata says: 'He who utters the name of Ganga even from hundreds of miles afar is freed from sins and attains the abode of Lord Hari'".
On 10th April 2023, the 67th Anniversary of Sri Swami Sahajananda's Sannyas was observed by devotees, donors and well-wishers of Divine Life Society of South Africa. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, devotees gathered for a short morning Sadhana programme from 6am until 6.25am, and thereafter imbibed the sacred vibrations of Pujya Swamiji's sacred Kutir, followed by a visit to Sahaja Kutir and the Sivananda Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Hall. Akhanda Chanting continued from 5.00am to 4.00pm in the sacred and serene surroundings of Ganga Rani, with circumambulation of the Ganga Rani pool, and the soothing sound of flowing water in the background.
The evening Satsang commenced with Ganga Aarti at 4.00pm. The programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a reading from Bliss Divine written by our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, and an inspiring audio message by Pujya Swami Sahajananda. Devotees had the opportunity to visit Pujya Swamiji's Kutir and the Diamond Jubilee Hall after the evening Satsang as well.
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".