"Sri Swami Sivananda is an enlightened Sage and Jagat Guru, revered amongst the great modern Saints in Hinduism, the most salient feature of his life being that he authored in excess of 250 books on all aspects of Hinduism, bringing the teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads to the world in the English medium, so that even a child could read and imbibe these. Swami Sivananda's spiritual force was so immense that those he tutored became great Gurus themselves. He sent them around the world, with some founding highly successful organisations of their own. You can read about His life, teachings and miracles in his biography, From Man to God Man. His teachings are universal, practical in their application, simple and timeless. Today when people feel that Hinduism has difficult religious practices, Swami Sivananda showed us that this was not the case. He made religion simple and practical.

"The story of the Divine Life Society of South Africa is inextricably bound to the life of Sri Swami Sahajananda of South Africa, affectionately known as Pujya Swamiji, who breathed life into every facet of the Society's work. He grew the organisation to 7 Ashrams and 18 Branches/Prayer Groups countrywide. Pujya Swamiji said, 'We are not tired of reiterating that the formation, growth and present status of Divine Life Society of South Africa are due entirely to the Grace of our Master, Sri Swami Sivananda'. In 1956, on Swami Sahajananda's arrival at Swami Sivananda's Ashram in Rishikesh, he met the Divine Master on his way to the office that morning. Joyously welcoming him, the Master said 'Oh! You are doing the work of Avataras'."

The inspiring, audience-friendly and inspiring play reading, "Take a Packet of Grace Home Today" presented by our fathers ranging in age from 74 to 86, captured Swami Sivananda's cardinal teachings. The humour, gentle pace and sincerity of the participants were overwhelming. All of the participants who have been with Pujya Swami Sahajananda for decades, gave a sterling performance, worthy of emulation by the younger generations. The youth girls' play, "Learn to Type and Make Tea", the caption of the cryptic message given to Swami Sahajananda by Sri Gurudev, recounted the formation of Divine Life Society of South Africa, its history, functioning and the inherent role that Pujya Swami Sahajananda played in the Society as Spiritual Head. Pujya Swamiji "put every drop of his sacred blood" into spreading Swami Sivananda's teachings throughout South Africa and to other parts of the world. Pujya Swamiji's Guru Bhakti, his meticulous organisational skills and his deep and abiding spiritual aura were aptly captured in the play. Kashmira Bhajan, a student of the Kala Darshan Institute of Indian Classical Music and Dance added colour, grace and decorum to the Satsang programme through her divine dance offering. "Sri Gurudev Says", a repertoire of Swami Sivananda's quotes narrated by our Spiritual Darlings, gave food-for-thought, as the Master was a deep thinker, philosopher, teacher and spiritual giant of great proportions. 

Chatsworth Branch is commended on their excellent standard of organisation, meticulous planning, quiet decorum with which all processes were implemented and executed, and their warm hospitality. Their Guru Bhakti, devotion and perseverance came across lucidly in all aspects of the Centenary Celebrations. Indeed, a fitting tribute to Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda!