76 Years in the life of any institution is indeed a milestone event. The 76th Anniversary of Divine Life Society of South Africa was celebrated on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised melodious Kirtans and Bhajans, readings of two letters written by Sri Swami Sivananda to Pujya Swami Sahajananda with profound spiritual advice, encouragement and guidance.

The Master’s cryptic words resonate with potency and are highly relevant to all seekers. In his letter dated 11 November 1949, the Master wrote,

“Lust and pride are the root of all human ills. They are the enemies of peace and are the parents of all the host of evils. Get up in the morning and meditate on the havoc that these two bring about in man's life. These two alone cause man’s subjection to the wheel of Samsara.

“If you bring yourself up to feeling that they drain out your vitality - physical and mental - and that for your own good, you should eradicate them, then conquest of these two foes will be an easy affair. Resort to His Lotus Feet. He will help you”. In his handwritten note, the Master said, “Kindly open the branch of the Divine Life Society at once”, and implored Pujya Swamiji to do some silent work, which Pujya Swamiji did with distinction.

In the second letter that was read, the Master wrote on 21 September 1955 as follows, “I feel the vibrations created there during the Birthday celebrations through various Branches”.  Referring to the Durban Branch, the Master said, “Kindly take great care of all the workers of the Durban Centre. They are all Dynamic Yogis, who have lost their body-consciousness. I wish all glory, Divine Wisdom, Good health and long life to all of them. One day I will be able to meet them all.

“Your visit to Ananda Kutir in January 1st week is the happiest news to me and all the inmates of the Ashram. Cordial greetings. You have selected the finest period - winter - very pleasant for silent Sadhana. This will be a wonderful period in your life - all Bliss and Inspiration.

“Though it is a laborious job, the Birthday Message and the Divine Message for Children, have been printed in a very attractive manner. They look charming”.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message focused on his deep relationship with Sri Swami Sivananda. The Master moulded Pujya Swamiji’s spiritual life in every respect. Pujya Swamiji said, “Whatever Gurudev wanted to do, he did”, and “Gurudev can do whatever he likes”. His reverence for the Master is evident in, “Intuitively I knew that Gurudev was a God-realised saint”, and the Master “willed that we take birth in this country”. Pujya Swamiji also alluded to Sri Gurudev’s total control of Pujya Swamiji’s life, when he didn’t perform as well as he had expected to in the matriculation examination, resulting in him becoming a teacher and then renouncing the material world in search of God. Pujya Swamiji’s bubbling enthusiasm when he first visited the Master “burst” as life in Rishikesh was strange in many respects. Pujya Swamiji also missed home and his friends, thus questioning his own dispassion at the time. The Master gave Pujya Swamiji a simple instruction, “Learn to make tea and learn to type” which Pujya Swamiji said had a deeper meaning -  “maybe it implied serve, serve people”. When Pujya Swamiji said to Sri Gurudev that he wanted to return home as he didn’t have the necessary qualifications for spiritual life, the Master said, “They will come” - a prophetic prediction of Pujya Swamiji’s sterling work in this country as a direct disciple of Sri Swami Sivananda.

May Divine Life Society of South Africa continue to serve as a beacon of purity, compassion and divine inspiration for generations to come. The Society stands as a compass of spirituality and service. Its tireless efforts in uplifting communities reflect true compassion and divine love. The Society nurtures purity, discipline and spiritual growth in all ardent seekers, and its unwavering dedication continues to inspire countless devotees across the globe.

We offer deepest admiration and gratitude to Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda for their tireless, selfless and divine work in uplifting humanity and for spreading spiritual light among us all.