The 18th Mahasamadhi Anniversary of Sri Swami Sahajananda was observed on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Devotees gathered for the morning Sadhana programme at 6am, after which all proceeded to Sahaja Kutir, Pujya Swamiji’s sacred Kutir and the Sivananda-Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Hall for Darshan. 

Ganga Arati commenced at 5pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised melodious Kirtans and Bhajans, a reading of excerpts of Sri Swami Sivananda’s farewell message delivered on 10 April 1956, after Pujya Swamiji’s Sannyas initiation, and on the eve of Pujya Swamiji’s departure from Rishikesh.

The Divine Master, in his message heaped abundant praise on Pujya Swamiji for his deep spiritual nature, his exemplary Guru Bhakti, his profound accomplishments in South Africa in respect of the establishment of Divine Life Society of South Africa and its work. Referring to Pujya Swamiji, the Master said, "He talks little. You have never seen him talking. He thinks much and does much. Such a great spiritual Yogi is he. He came some years before also and had remained here.

"He has brought out the Divine Life for Children pamphlets. He is a man of invention. In letterheads and behind the envelopes, he has printed new sayings… He is a thinker. He has in Durban a small press for the dissemination of knowledge, and the Path to God-Realization is his magazine running for three or four years. What more can you expect from a small boy Swami? He has done everything. He will now go with redoubled energy, charged with Himalayan vibrations and Mother Ganges’ Grace, and will work like a lion, Vedanta Kesari, Yoga Kesari. All these titles a man deserves when he becomes a Yogi. When a man becomes God, any number of titles are not enough. His devotion to teacher is unique. He has a pure heart. Such a Yogi is now going from here and he will thrill the whole of Africa, and again he will come. He has the spirit of renunciation. He has given his whole property to me. Just see his noble qualities, devotion, discipline, Santi, Humility.

"He is a young Yogi; a Yoga Brashta. He was a Swami in his previous birth, so at such a young age his heart is full of renunciation, Vairagya and meditation, which are the key to open the chambers of the heart, the Atmic store. It is not so easy to get renunciation and Vairagya. That man lives in vain who has got no Vairagya, no renunciation, no spirit of selfless service. God has given you in this birth a little wisdom. Yoga and Vedanta are complimentary. There is no wisdom without Yoga. There is no wisdom without Bhakti. All are complementary. Vedanta without Bhakti is dry, and Bhakti without wisdom is not complete or perfect. So let us pray for the health and long life of this small Yogi full of strength. One who can transform the materialistic intellect of the whole of South Africa. What tremendous influence, what tremendous purity, what tremendous Yogic power, what tremendous meditation, his spiritual aura, selfless aura!”

The Master continued, "A selfish man cannot do anything in this world. In South Africa they call him as 'brother'. The other people have lived in vain who have not done Atmic search, who have not done Sravan, Manan and Nididhyasan or this Navavidha Bhakti to attain God…

"Utilise every second in service, meditation, in chanting the Name of God. Waste not a single minute. Realise Him. Live in God. Live in Brahman and behold the whole world as your own Self. Behold! Listen! Come! There is a way to the fourth dimension. There is a way for attaining immortality. That way is, Be good. Do good. Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize. Seek, Find, Enter and Rest.

"Become a great Yogi, not attached to this body, always thinking of this body. He who ever thinks of this body is a cobbler. A cobbler is not he who makes shoes, but he who always thinks of this body. You are the Atma. Do not become a blind man, a deaf man. Open your eyes and see everywhere the Self. Behind the Nama-Rupa there is Satchidananda, Asti-Bhati-Priya. This is wisdom”.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message focused on faith in God to mitigate or counteract fear. He advised that one should accept all that comes across one’s path. The period in which we are living is marvellous, and advised that we should live in the present. One must have the spirit of surrender and accept both success and failure. If the mind is fixed on God, there is no reason to fear or be despondent. Pujya Swamiji quoted an incident when there was a fire in the Ashram printing paper warehouse. When Pujya Swamiji was alerted to the fire, he said that whatever is to happen,” let it happen”. He also said, “I don’t like Divine Life people to have fear”. We should accept what God wants us to go through. We are all doing God’s work, and the merit will be very great. It is a great honour to sacrifice one’s life for God. If we have fear, we should think of Sri Gurudev. Our chosen Mantra will protect us also. Pujya Swamiji also advised that we should not be obsessed with wealth. However, we should use money and wealth for useful purposes. He quoted Sri Aurobindo who said that if spiritual people reject money, then it will get into the “hands of bad people”. Money is a power of God, and we should use that power wisely. 

As we observe Sri Swami Sahajananda’s 18th Mahasamadhi, it is a time for us to reflect, introspect and live up to the esteemed legacy of Pujya Swamiji and Sri Gurudev. Sri Swami Sahajananda was not merely a saint  ― he was a radiant force of spiritual dynamism whose entire life was an offering at the feet of Sri Swami Sivananda. With boundless humility, tireless discipline and unwavering compassion, he built Divine Life Society of South Africa into a lighthouse of service, devotion and transformation. His legacy lives in thousands of uplifted lives, countless children educated, and communities strengthened through his silent, selfless Karma Yoga. His work continues to vibrate through every prayer, every project and every devotee he inspires. His life remains a blazing reminder: Serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realise. It is therefore incumbent upon us all to continue this profound legacy, not only for the next 18 years, but for births to come. 

Report: Pujya Swami Sahajananda's 18th Mahasamadhi Anniversary (according to the Sanskrit calendar)

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s 18th Mahasamadhi Anniversary according to the Sanskrit calendar, was observed on Friday, 21 November 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, with Ganga Arati commencing at 5.30pm, followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, an audio message by Pujya Swamiji and a reading, Sri Gurudev’s tribute to Pujya Swamiji on the eve of Pujya Swamiji’s departure and after Pujya Swamiji’s Sannyas initiation on 10 April 1956. The following are excerpts of the report of the function that was held after the Sannyas initiation ceremony, taken from Sivananda Day-to-Day, published by the Yoga-Vedanta Forest University.

“The function tonight was opened by Gurudev with Kirtan. This was followed by the reading and presentation of a Farewell Address to Swami Sahajanandaji. Gurudev then gave a twenty-minute speech bringing out the divine qualities of Swami Sahajananda. Then several inmates of the Ashram spoke, paying tribute to Swami Sahajananda for the various virtues he possessed. Swami Jyotirmayanada, Rev. A Thitadhdmma of Thailand, Swami Krishnananda, Swami Swaroopananda of Germany, Swami Venkatesananda, and Swami Prajnananda spoke in English, and Swami Gurusarananda spoke in Sanskrit. Swami Santananda sang a song composed by himself in honour of Swami Sahajananda. Replying to the farewell addresses, Swami Sahajananda also gave a short speech attributing his spiritual progress to Gurudev's Grace. The function closed with Arati and distribution of sweetmeats”.

Referring to Pujya Swamiji’s noble qualities, the Master, in his address, said, "So we rejoice today heartily, because we have amidst us a noble personality, a spiritual personality, a Bala Yogi, a Bala Swami, Sri Swami Sahajananda. Whenever a noble function takes place, the Devas are pleased. So, we had a very good shower today, and now we have a cool atmosphere. So, we are able to celebrate the function joyously. You may ask, 'Why there is no rain of flowers?' That also there is. The Devas rain flowers.

The Master continued, "Swami Sahajananda is styled as the spiritual king of South Africa, Durban. He is also called the African Chota Guru. He does not want anything. He is a silent worker. He is a man of renunciation, Vairagya and meditation. He is a very good organiser. He has organised some 20 branches of the Divine Life Society in South Africa. His friend Bhika Chiba is also as good as Swami Sahajananda.

"He is a strong pillar of the Divine Life Society…. I am a rupee-eater: I am Swami Sahajanandaji's rupee-eater. I want money for printing paper, art paper, for hospital, etc. Sahajanandaji supplies the money…Swami Sahajananda is spiritual king of Durban, a great organiser, a great supporter, a pillar of the Divine Life Society”.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message focused on the concept of fear. He narrated some of his childhood experiences when he displayed fearlessness. He also said that one cannot escape the effects of one’s Karma.  Pujya Swamiji advised that we should have no fear, and that the Guru can prolong one’s life and ward off one’s Karma. He said, “I don’t like Divine Life people having fear”. We should be brave and courageous. He further explained that if we do the wrong things, then fear will ensue. We must do the right things and then there will be no room for fear. He narrated an incident when he went to India and a teacher friend had given Pujya Swamiji a piece of gold to be taken to India. When questioned at customs in India, he admitted that he had a piece of gold. He therefore had no difficulty because of his honesty. He further advised that we should go to the root of fear, and we should “do everything scrupulously well”.  Adverse forces are active and affect us, attempting to take us away from the spiritual path. We should therefore be fearless and do the right things always.

Divine Life Society of South Africa, nurtured under Pujya Swamiji’s gentle but firm guidance, has become a beacon of spiritual light, moral upliftment, and compassionate service across South Africa and beyond. Its humanitarian projects, educational initiatives, Ashrams, Branches, Satsangs, spiritual literature and numerous initiatives continue to uplift communities, heal hearts, and inspire righteousness in all who encounter its sacred work.

Sri Swami Sahajananda’s presence lives on in every prayer sung, every child educated, every home blessed with peace, and every devotee uplifted by Sri Swami Sivananda’s divine teachings. Sri Swami Sivananda’s and Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s lives and legacies remind us that true greatness lies not in recognition, but in selfless labour done silently for the welfare of humanity. Pujya Swamiji Sahajananda’s 18th Mahasamadhi is therefore a time for deep personal reflection and sincere introspection.

We bow with profound respect to Sri Gurudev and Pujya Swamiji. May their radiant examples continue to guide us on the path of purity, devotion, and service.

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.