The celebrations will be held on two days. On Friday, 10 July the function will take place at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati will commence at 5pm. Supper Prasad will be served after Satsang at about 7.30pm. On Sunday, 12 July, the celebrations will move to the Sivananda International Cultural Centre Stadium in La Mercy.
Due to the lack of rain currently being experienced in KZN, there will be a special Havan and mass chanting of Agnihotra Mantras while the Rishikumars perform the Agnihotra. This session will be from 6.30 to 7.15am in the Main Prayer Hall at Sivananda International Cultural Centre, La Mercy. This session will be followed by breakfast.
Ganga Arati will commence at 8am. At 8.30am, branches of Divine Life Society will participate in a March Past on the Stadium. This “Lap of Honour” is an expression of deep gratitude to the Divine Master and Pujya Swami Sahajananda for the bountiful gifts bestowed upon this country. Satsang will commence at the Sivananda Stadium at 9.45am. The Programme at the Stadium will include inspiring messages, Gymnastic Drill Displays and Cultural Items. The Consul General of India in Durban will be the Guest Speaker for the function. After lunch, there will be a special Cultural programme in the Sivananda Prayer Hall from 1.30 – 3.30pm. Divine Life Society branches from all over the country will participate in this programme, expressing their Guru Bhakti to Sri Gurudev and Pujya Swamiji. At the end of the programme, afternoon tea will be served.
Devotees of the Society fondly reflect on the life of Swami Sahajananda. Like the Divine Master, Pujya Swamiji also led an austere life. In the early days of Divine Life Society, he had one pair of socks and one handkerchief and slept on the bare floor with papers as a mattress.
Pujya Swamiji’s words were few but his actions were many. His magnetic personality attracted many devotees who were inspired and committed to participate in the various service activities of the Society. He manifested great humility, love and compassion as he served human beings of all racial, cultural and religious groups.
Pujya Swamiji was equally concerned with the decline in social and other evils that have invaded our society. He lost no opportunity in disseminating the Master’s sublime teachings on correct conduct and ethical values through books, programmes, framed pictures, colourful duratrans, etc. in order to enlighten individuals and to eradicate these social ills.
Pujya Swamiji was a father and mother, a friend and Guru. He took care of the health problems of devotees and protected them against dangers. He guided them in times of difficulties and chastised them like a loving parent when they erred. Devotees remembered how he lifted them from the quagmire of worldly life to aspire for a higher life. One will remember him as the leading light who has shown seekers the path along which they have to tread. We express eternal gratitude for this great blessing from God.
During these celebrations, we should also contemplate on the spiritual spark that blazed forth as the great Swami Sivananda, founder of Divine Life Society and Godman whose life and teachings touched the lives of millions of seekers around the world. The Master guided Pujya Swamiji at every step and has written, “I am ever at thy back.”
In his handwritten letters to Pujya Swamiji, the Master gave his assurance about the work of Divine Life Society of South Africa: God will look after the divine work. Lord will look after everything.
We urge the public to join us on this momentous day, the 90th Birth Anniversary of Swami Sahajananda, to pay homage to one of the great sons of this country who gave every drop of his blood and every fibre of his being to mould and shape the lives of all with whom he came into contact with.
We offer our deepest gratitude to all our patrons, donors, devotees and well-wishers who have been supporting our Society so magnanimously all these years in spite of the turmoils and uncertain conditions that prevailed, and continue to prevail in our country. We pray to our Divine Master and Pujya Swamiji to shower bountiful blessings upon them. May they continue with their noble support for many decades! We invoke the blessings of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda on each one of you for your peace, protection, prosperity and spiritual progress!
