Sri Hanuman Jayanti was celebrated at all Sivanandashrams, at certain Branches and Prayer Groups. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, the final recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa was done from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. A sacred Havan was conducted at 4.30pm. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised melodious Kirtans, Bhajans, Sri Hanuman Arati and a reading based on Sri Swami Sivananda’s writings on Sri Hanuman. 

Sri Swami Sivananda’s message encapsulated Sri Hanuman’s devotion, loyalty and unconditional Bhakti to Lord Rama. His indomitable will, tenacity and prowess are unmatched. The Master said in Hindu Fasts and Festivals, “Sri Hanuman is worshipped all over India, either alone or together with Sri Rama. Every temple of Sri Rama has the murti or idol of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman was the Avatara of Lord Shiva. He was born of the Wind-God and Anjani Devi. He is also called by the names Pavanasuta, Marutsuta, Mahivara, Bajrangabali and Pavankumar.

“Hanuman was the living embodiment of the power of Ram-Nam. He was an ideal selfless worker, a true Karma Yogi who worked desirelessly. He was a great devotee and an exceptional Brahmachari or celibate. He served Sri Rama with pure love and devotion, without expecting any fruit in return. He lived only to serve Sri Rama. He was humble, brave and wise. He possessed all the divine virtues. He did what others could not do - crossing the ocean simply by uttering Ram-Nam, burning the demon-king’s city of Lanka, and bringing the Sanjeevini herb to restore the life of Lakshmana. He brought Sri Rama and Lakshmana from the nether world after killing Ahiravana.

“Hanuman possessed devotion, knowledge, spirit of selfless service, power of celibacy, and desirelessness. He never boasted of his bravery and intelligence.

“Sri Rama Himself said to Sri Hanuman, ‘I am greatly indebted to You, O mighty hero. You did marvellous, superhuman deeds. You do not want anything in return. Sugriva has his kingdom restored to him. Angada has been made the crown prince. Vibhishana has become king of Lanka. But you have not asked for anything at any time. You threw away the precious garland of pearls given to you by Sita. How can I repay My debt of gratitude to you? I will always remain deeply indebted to you. I give you the boon of everlasting life. All will honour and worship you like Myself. Your idol will be placed at the door of My temple and you will be worshipped and honoured first. Whenever My stories are recited or glories sung, your glory will be sung before Mine. You will be able to do anything, even that which I will not be able to!’

“Thus did Sri Rama praise Hanuman when the latter returned to Him after finding Sita in Lanka. Hanuman was not a bit elated. He fell in prostration at the holy Feet of Lord Rama.

“Sri Rama asked him, ‘O mighty hero, how did you cross the ocean?’”

“Hanuman humbly replied, ‘By the power and glory of Thy Name, my Lord’.”

“Again, Sri Rama asked, ‘How did you burn Lanka? How did you save yourself?’”

“And Hanuman replied, ‘By Thy Grace, my Lord’.”

“What profound humility Hanuman embodied in himself!”

The Sri Hanuman Arati played during the Satsang, is a devotional Bhajan sung in praise of Sri Hanuman, which glorifies Sri Hanuman as the embodiment of strength, unwavering devotion, courage, and selfless service to Lord Rama. It reflects heartfelt reverence as devotees pray for protection, inner strength, removal of obstacles, and Grace to cultivate humility and devotion. Its significance lies in uplifting the mind, deepening faith, and reminding aspirants to surrender the ego and serve the Divine with purity, just as Sri Hanuman did.

The Master’s profound words have relevance to us all, “There are many who want wealth in return for their services. Some do not want wealth, but they cannot resist name and fame. Others do not want any of these, but they want approbation. Still others want nothing, but they boast of their deeds. Hanuman was above all these. That is why he is recognised as an ideal Karma Yogi and an unsurpassed adept in Bhakti. His life is full of object lessons. Everyone should try his best to follow the noble example of Hanuman”.

May the blessings of Sri Hanuman, our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda be upon us all.

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The most auspicious Ram Navami was celebrated at all Sivanandashrams, several Branches and Prayer Groups of the Society. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm, followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised melodious Kirtans and Bhajans, reading of a message by Sri Swami Sivananda, a Ramayana recital and a beautiful item by our Spiritual Darlings (children).

In his message, Sri Swami Sivananda, referring to the impeccable character of Lord Rama, said, “Deep and unfathomable like the ocean, firm and steadfast like the Himalayas, valiant like Vishnu, He was the joy of Kaushalya. Though fierce like fire on the battlefield, He was calm like the cool breeze of the Mandara Hills, patient^- like Mother Earth, bounteous like Kubera, the God of Wealth, and righteous like Dharma, the Lord of Justice Himself. In pain or grief of His people, His heart swiftly sympathised with the sufferer. In the festive scenes which held them in joy, He, like a father shared their joy. By His honour and heroism, as well as by His gentleness and love for His subjects, He endeared Himself to the heart of His people. 

“Think of Lord Rama, and your entire being is pervaded by a thrill of joy and peace - the joy and peace that belongs to Rama Rajya. Forget not that Lord Rama who took the human form out of mere play and in order to place before man an ideal of human perfection, was in reality the Supreme Brahman Himself”.

Referring to the intimate relationship between a Bhakta and the Lord, the Master said, “Whatever be your attitude towards the Lord, if you think of Him and Him alone intensely, Moksha is certain. Narada states this fact very clearly in his Bhakti Sutras. Even Vaira-Bhakti, where intense hatred for the Lord is produced, leads one to His Lotus-Feet. In this kind of Bhakti, the mind is pervaded by the thought of the Lord so fully that the one who hates the Lord sees Him alone everywhere. What then to say of those who have intense loving devotion to His Feet! No doubt about it; it leads one to eternal bliss and supreme peace”.

The Master’s potent advice to ardent aspirants resonates with wisdom, when he said, “Establish the Rama Rajya in yourself; when each individual thus converts himself into a walking, talking and moving Ram Rajya, then the entire world will be converted into one huge Rama Rajya.

“The essentials of Rama Rajya have been wonder­fully laid before you in the Ramayana. Truth, purity, an indomitable will to conquer evil, an unshakable faith in and adherence to Dharma, obedience, forbearance, sympathy and love - these constitute Lord Rama. With the birth of these in you, be sure that Lord Rama has enthroned Himself in your heart. Ramayana is replete with lessons which every aspir­ant should learn and assimilate”.

The Master’s description of the relationship between Lord Rama, Sri Hanuman and Lakshmana, attests to unconditional devotion, loyalty and service. He advised, “Hanuman and Lakshmana should be your ideals of service. Utter selflessness and total dedica­tion to the Lord, and thenceforward carrying out His Will as an instrument in His hands - that is the secret of success through work. Body, mind and soul, are all laid at His Feet; friends, family, nay, the entire world dwindles into an airy nothing before Him. It is then that you enjoy supreme felicity. You become an Apta­kama; you have obtained whatever there is to be obtained. No more are you assailed by wants and desires. Fear, cowardice and other evils which have their root in greed disappear. You can work wonders”.

In his advice to women, the Master said that every woman should get before herself the ideal of Sita, and that Pativrata Dharma is the only Dharma for a woman. He explained, “If a woman sticks to this one Pativrata Dharma, she gets Mukti easily. Her might then becomes unchallengeable. Even Gods will bow to her, and the elements will obey her commands. O fashionable woman, O immodest lady, turn away from the path which leads to ruin; follow Sita's example. You will be ever remembered, even as Sita is”.

Sri Swami Sivananda said that Lord Rama’s Rama Rajya was based on truth. Dharma was its foundation. Shastras were the guiding principles. Rishis, Yogis, Munis and Brahma Jnanis were the guiding lights. The Vedas were always respected and followed. Therefore, Rama Rajya endured and pros­pered. And, it is even now spoken of as the most perfect form of government. He affirmed, “Here is a lesson for all the rulers of the world. If you base your government on true religion, on Dharma and on eternal verities, the government will be an ideal one, and all your subjects will enjoy peace and prosperity; if you build it on shifting sands of materialism, then the structure will collapse, destroying the inhabitants. Learn a good lesson from the Ramayana. Abandon the path that your perverted intellect impels you to tread”. 

The soulful Ramayana recital, the sincere and the beautiful children’s offering, melodious Kirtans and Bhajans created a deeply spiritual atmosphere on this sacred occasion.

Sri Swami Sivananda taught that Ram Navami is not merely the celebration of the birth of Lord Rama, but the awakening of the divine consciousness within one’s own heart. He emphasised that true observance lies in living the ideals of Lord Rama, namely truth, purity, compassion, self-discipline, and unwavering adherence to Dharma. For ardent spiritual aspirants, this sacred day is not merely a celebration, but a call to awaken the “Rama” within -the inner light of purity, discipline, compassion, and unwavering devotion to duty. It inspires seekers to conquer negative tendencies, cultivate virtue, and walk the path of selflessness and surrender to the Divine. By reflecting on Lord Rama’s life, aspirants are guided toward inner harmony, moral strength, and ultimately, union with the Supreme. 

May the blessings of Lord Rama, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda be upon us all.