The twenty-sixth Centenary Celebrations’ function of Divine Life Society of South Africa was hosted by Verulam Branch on Sunday, 25 May 2025, at Kraydeb Conference Centre, Everest Heights, Verulam. Approximately 450 devotees, well-wishers, donors, members of the public and sister-organisations paid homage to Sri Swami Sivananda and to Pujya Swami Sahajananda, whose 100th birth anniversary is being celebrated this year. The life and legacies of this august disciple, this gentle giant of South Africa, Sri Swami Sahajananda and the Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda are glorified through the Centenary Celebrations.
The sacred Havan commenced at 8am with the beautiful and soulful chants of Mantras. The Ashram’s three Pundits chanted Mantras in unison, creating deeply soulful and harmonious melodies. Approximately 200 persons attended the Havan. Ganga Arati commenced at 8.30am. Perhaps a first-time experience for many, queues of devotees took Darshan of Mother Ganga at the sacred Ganga Rani. Satsang was from 10am to 12 noon. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message, a message from the Society, a children’s item, an Agnihotra demonstration and a colourful dance.
Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio-recorded message focused on the power of prayer, the relationship between the devotee and the Guru, the mental state of mind in prayer and the importance of faith. Pujya Swamiji said that faith is the basis of all spiritual progress. We should have unconditional faith in God and the Guru. We should complain less, be receptive to the Guru’s instructions and teachings and be patient. The mind should not be agitated. We should pray and wait and the answers to our prayers will come, as God knows our past, present and future, and knows what is best for our evolution based on the cosmic point of view. The potent message, rich in meaning and assurances, is an apt panacea for ardent seekers and aspirants in this difficult age.
The message from the Society traced the life, legacies and contributions of Sri Swami Sahajananda, as is evinced in, “The fact that all of us are here today, and that millions of households around South Africa and many countries around the world have a copy of one or more of Sri Swami Sivananda’s books, is because of this one life that we are celebrating today. After taking the Master as his Guru, Pujya Swamiji never questioned or doubted anything that Sri Gurudev said or did. He lived only to propagate the Divine Master’s work and to do the Divine Master’s will. With supreme self-surrender, he offered his all to Sri Gurudev, so much so that they became one. Pujya Swamiji decrypted the phrase “learn to type and make tea” (which was the original instruction our beloved Sri Gurudev gave to Pujya Swamiji) and found the treasure that it held. Beloved Gurudev stated that he works through Swami Sahajananda. Pujya Swamiji made himself a perfect instrument for the Lord to work through. Millions of books were published and distributed, and silently scores of service activities and nation-building projects went on unnoticed for decades.
“Today we are all beneficiaries of this great spiritual wealth if we so desire. All that is required of us is faith, obedience, loyalty, devotion, and keen aspiration for spiritual progress. How do we honour a great being like Swami Sahajananda? We must be obedient. Pujya Swamiji stated that perfect obedience is the same as perfect self-surrender, and that obedience is greater than reverence.
“Pujya Swamiji lived a life of faith and self-surrender, and coincidently this is the title of the first book that Pujya Swamiji had written in 1996. We invite all to obtain a copy of this booklet from our bookstall. It is filled with great power. Pujya Swamiji said that the knowledge came directly from Sri Gurudev within, as he typed the booklet on the computer without any draft. It is sure to inspire and uplift all readers in this age of so many challenges in daily life. The other booklet entitled Glory of Hinduism is available free of charge – please take one copy per family”.
Agnihotra, or “The Fires of Heaven”, performed at the exact time of sunrise and sunset, has untold spiritual benefits, benefits for the environment and the world at large. Pujya Swami Sahajananda encouraged the performance of daily Agnihotra. The demonstration provided a background to Agnihotra, its methodology, Mantras with pronunciation and benefits.
The Spiritual Darling’s (children’s) item, “Pujya Swamiji Says”, a delightful, informative and enlightening item, which focused on some of Pujya Swamiji’s short, cryptic and inspiring sayings, was meant to teach valuable life lessons. Beautifully dressed as Deities, the children made their entrance into the hall to the rendition of a Ram Bhajan that captured the ambience with beauty and sacredness. Enunciated with innocence, clarity and meaning, the messages came across clearly. No doubt, the warm applause after the item was an indication of its impact.
Telicia Naidoo, Kajal Raghubir and Yaditha Singh made a wonderful offering through a colourful Kathak dance dedicated to Lord Rama, the harbinger of Dharma, compassion and peace. Through the sacred verse, Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari from the Ramcharitmanas by Goswami Tulsidas, the dancers sought to invoke the Divine Blessing of Sri Ram, and remove inauspiciousness from our lives.
We express sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Verulam Branch for the divine experience of the most recent Centenary Celebrations of the Society. The peaceful ambience, the uplifting Kirtans and Bhajans, and the inspiring and enlightening messages reminded us of the profound wisdom embedded in the Divine Master’s teachings and our Sanatana Dharma. The programme was excellently crafted to inspire, teach and rejuvenate one’s spirit. Each chant, each word of prayer, each moment of resonating divinity and blissful silence took us deeper within, closer to our true selves and to the Divine. To the officials, devotees, Spiritual Darlings and all participants who made this sacred gathering possible, thank you for your tireless efforts, devotion, and love. Your commitment to nurturing spiritual growth and the teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda are truly inspiring.
Satsangs and spiritual gatherings are not just a retreat for the soul; they are a reminder of our higher purpose, our unity, and our eternal connection with the Divine. May the blessings of Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda continue to guide us all on the path of righteousness, love, inner peace and spiritual illumination.
