Sivanandashram, Stanger was the venue for the Society’s Centenary Celebrations on Sunday, 27 October 2024, hosted by the Stanger Branch. The Branch also celebrated its 67th Anniversary. Havan commenced at 8am, followed by Ganga Arati at 9.30am. The Satsang programme that commenced at 10am, comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a Ramayan Recital, a message from the Society, a children’s item, a presentation by the youth girls on Sri Swami Sivananda’s cardinal teachings, and a play on Sri Swami Sivananda’s health tonics. 

Devotees, well-wishers, donors and members of the public gathered in their numbers for the Havan. The chants of Mantras charged the prayer hall and the Ashram precincts on this beautiful Sunday morning. A larger gathering was present at the Satsang, with overflow areas being the adjacent halls and marquees.

The message from the Society focused on the lives and legacies of Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda. Excerpts from the message are recounted below. “One hundred years ago on 1st June 1924, Dr Kuppuswamy was ordained as a monk and a Sannyasin on the banks of the sacred Ganges. Thus, Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati was born. His teachings spread across India and the world, and in 1949, the South African chapter of Divine Life Society was formed by Swami Sivananda with Swami Sahajananda as the Secretary. 

“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 is 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.  His teachings are universal, simple and practical. He wrote for neophytes and scholars, for young and old. His writings are all directed to the same goal, to provide practical instructions to elevate man to the highest state, that of God-realisation, the state that he himself was in, wherein he saw only God in all beings. His disciples have taken the message of Divine Life to all parts of the world”. 

The Society recognised the contributions of the pioneers of the Stanger Branch, past and present officials, and devotees for their unstinting devotion and Guru Bhakti during the past 67 years. 

Referring to Sri Swami Sahajananda’s contributions to the Society, the message read, “The story of 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 in the 58 years during which he was Spiritual Head. He grew the organisation to 7 Ashrams and 18 Branches/Prayer Groups countrywide. Today we have an 8th Ashram in Sandton, Gauteng. Pujya Swamiji said, ‘We are not tired of reiterating that the formation, growth and present status of Divine Life Society of South Africa is 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 children’s item, “Sri Gurudev Says” captured some of Sri Swami Sivananda’s teachings through his sayings. The Spiritual Darlings (children), ranging in age from 6 to 14 years, enunciated the Master’s teachings in a lively and entertaining manner. The play, “Secrets to Good Health” focused on the benefits of health tonics as recommended by Sri Swami Sivananda. The profound message that emanated is that in addition to taking health tonics, one should also readily surrender to the Lord and pray with sincerity, regularity and faith. The youth presented the play in an entertaining and light-hearted manner, thus capturing the attention of the audience and succeeded in communicating its profound message. 

The youth girls eloquently communicated Sri Swami Sivananda’s cardinal teachings, namely: meditation, Satsang, Sadhana, prayer, chanting the Divine Name, Karma Yoga and the glory of Hinduism and its practices. Referring to the topic, “Satsang”, Sri Gurudev advised that listening to spiritual discourses or being in holy company is Satsang. Satsang is about being in an environment or the company of those who support and inspire one’s spiritual journey, thus helping one to connect with one’s inner self. Some of the benefits of Satsang are: 

• It is the easiest and quickest means to take us towards God.
• Satsang elevates the mind and fills it with Sattva or purity. It forces one to lead a divine life. 
• The company of a saint or holy people helps eradicate undesirable, negative qualities and defects. Satsang is the greatest of all purifiers of man. 

The congregation related easily to the topic, “Chanting the Divine Name”. The Master said, “Chant the Divine Name in the temple, at home, at your workplace, while driving and at all times. Choose any Mantra”. He continued, “O man, take refuge in the Divine Name. God and His Name are inseparable. Sing the Lord’s Name incessantly. Remember the Name of the Lord with every incoming and outgoing breath. In this age, repetition of the Divine Name is the easiest, quickest, safest and surest way to reach God and attain immortality and perennial joy”.  

Divine Life Society of South Africa thanks and extends congratulations to Stanger Branch on a well-organised and an excellent Centenary Celebrations' Havan and Satsang. We acknowledge with profound gratitude their hard work, diligence, dedication and commitment in ensuring that the message of our Sanatana Dharma and Divine Life go out to the community of Stanger and surrounding areas. The extent that the Branch went to in organising the function with distinction, and that the Branch has been in existence for 67 years, is highly commendable.