Divine Life Society of South Africa launched the 41-Day recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa, 11 times daily, on Tuesday, 30 July 2024. The recital will end on the most auspicious 137th Birth Anniversary of Sri Swami Sivananda on Sunday 8 September 2024 at Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC), La Mercy. The final recital will be at 6am on 8 September 2024, followed by a Havan. Ganga Arati will be at 8am, followed by a march-past on the stadium at 9.10am and Satsang at 9.45am.

The recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa was strongly recommended by beloved Pujya Swami Sahajananda, who encouraged all to recite the Sri Hanuman Chalisa for protection, safety, welfare and peace in the world. Sri Swami Sivananda, in his book, Essence of Ramayana paid glowing tributes to Sri Hanuman, as is evident in, “Hanuman ranks first amongst the heroes of the world. His heroic deeds, wonderful exploits and marvellous feats of strength and bravery cannot be adequately described. His sense of duty was extremely laudable. He had great skill in all military tactics and methods of warfare. His crossing the sea of thirty miles in one leap and lifting the crest of a mountain in the palm of the hand, his carrying of the brothers on his shoulders from the nether world to Lanka are all astounding, superhuman feats which baffle human description.

“He conquered innumerable difficulties which cropped up in his way through his courage, patience and undaunted spirit. He made untiring search to find Sita. At the time of danger, he exhibited marvellous courage and presence of mind. He was steady and firm in his actions. He was always successful in his attempts. Failure was not known to him. He gave up his life in the service of the Lord. He had not a tinge of selfishness in his actions. All his actions were offerings unto Lord Rama. No one reached the peak in Dasya Bhava like Sri Hanuman. He was a rare jewel among devotees, the supreme head among Pundits, the king among celibates and the commander among heroes and warriors”.

The Satsang on 30 July 2024 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, commenced with Ganga Arati at 5.30pm. Devotees who pledged to participate in the recital, attended the Satsang. Signed pledges were offered at the shrine on this day. The Satsang Programme comprised Invocation, a reading of the rules for the 41-Day recital, and the recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa 11 times. The rules which appear in the Divine Life Society of South Africa Prayer Book, are enumerated below and are useful to anyone who wishes to do this Vrat.

1. The Sri Hanuman Chalisa should be repeated regularly for 41 days, either in the morning or in the evening.
2. Have a bath and wear clean clothes.
3. Sit in any comfortable posture in front of a picture of Sri Hanuman.
4. Keep some fruit as Prasad in a little tray.
5. Keep 11 flowers in another small tray.
6. First commence repeating some Guru Mantras.
7. After the repetition of the Guru Mantras, commence the Sri Hanuman Chalisa from “Sri Guru Charana Sarojaraja…”
8. Complete the repetition till the end, until “Hridaya Basahu Sura Bhoop Sita Ram”. This is one repetition.
9. On completion of the repetition once, offer one flower to Sri Hanuman.
10. Do the repetition 11 times at each sitting. Each time a repetition is completed, offer one flower. In this way offer all the 11 flowers.
11. After the completion 11 times at one sitting, repeat some Shanti Mantras, prostrate and get up.
12. The fruit can be distributed to all as Prasad.
13. While sitting in the posture, do not change it or look around. Keep the eyes closed and concentrate on the picture of Sri Hanuman, or concentrate on his picture with eyes open.
14. On completion of the Mantra 11 times for 41 days, perform Havan with the help of a qualified pundit, and do some Puja in a Hanuman temple with the guidance of a priest.
15. You can also do poor feeding or some charity on completion of the Yajna.
16. Women undergoing the monthly cleansing process should not repeat the Mantra during this period.

The glory of Sri Hanuman, His prowess and indomitable presence will last for millennia. The words of Sri Swami Sivananda resonate with Sri Hanuman’s majestical prowess. Sri Gurudev said, “The world has not yet seen and will not see in future also a mighty hero like Sri Hanuman. During His life He worked wonders and exhibited superhuman feats of strength and valour. He has left behind Him a Name which, as long as the world lasts, will continue wielding a great influence over the minds of millions of people.

“Where Hanuman is, there are Sri Rama and Sri Sita and wherever Sri Rama and Sri Sita are praised and their deeds recited, there Hanuman is”.

Let us all be inspired through the Bhav of Sri Hanuman, and may His devotion to Sri Rama be a strong catalyst for us to increase our devotion, Bhakti and love for God.