Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda
The theme for the International Youth Day which was celebrated on 12 January 2022, was "It's all in the mind", a key teaching of Swami Vivekananda. On 16 June 2022, Youth Day was celebrated in South Africa. The theme: "Promoting sustainable livelihoods and resilience of young people for a better tomorrow".
The youth of Divine Life Society of South Africa arranged a special online programme on 16 June to celebrate this day. The programme included messages, short stories, meditation on the Peace Series, Bhajans & Kirtans, recital from the Ramayana, an audio message from Pujya Swami Sahajananda and musical & dance items by guest artistes.
In the book Enlightened Education, the Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, had the following to say about youth: "The youth are the most precious treasure of the nation. Students are an important asset to the country, for leaders all over the land recognise that they are to guide the nation of tomorrow. The present generation of students are the potential leaders in all the different fields of national life of the future.
Ganga Dussehra was celebrated online as well as at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills on Thursday, 9 June 2022. In the book, Mother Ganga, our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda gives us a detailed account of the origin of this festival, "Ganga came out of the Supreme Being. She entered the Feet of Lord Hari and reached Vaikuntha. She issued from Go-Loka and passed through the regions of Vishnu, Brahma, Siva, Dhruva, Chandra, Surya, Tapa, Jana and Maha and reached Indra-Loka and flowed as Mandakini. From the celestial regions, Ganga was brought to the earth by rigorous penance of Bhagiratha. It came about like this.
The 73rd Anniversary of Divine Life Society of South Africa, as well as the 17th Anniversary of Sivananda Ghat was celebrated on Sunday, 5 June 2022.
Pujya Swami Sahajananda stated many times, "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 Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda". Regarding the activities of the Society, the Divine Master gave his assurance in his own handwriting: God will look after the divine work. Lord will look after everything.
Some of the main aims of Divine Life Society of South Africa are the dissemination of our Master's literature, humanitarian relief aid projects and the promotion of our glorious Hindu Dharma. Pujya Swamiji worked seven days a week to get the books distributed far and wide. This momentum is being maintained by our press as it continues to churn out the Master's books by the thousands. We are most grateful to all our donors, patrons, well-wishers and devotees who continue to sustain and nurture our Master's Mission in South Africa.
On Wednesday, 1 June 2022, the 98th Sannyas Anniversary of our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda was celebrated online, as well as at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. The morning online programme was held from 6-6.25am with Ganga Arati and a short invocation. The evening online programme commenced with Ganga Arati at 5.30pm.
On 1st June 1924, Sri Swami Vishwananda, observing the burning dispassion in the then Dr Kuppuswamy, initiated him into the Holy Order of Sannyas, as Sri Swami Sivananda Saraswati. Every year on the first of June, we celebrate and observe this most sacred anniversary, this momentous event when our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, entered into Sannyas. No greater homage to the Master can be conceived than a sincere determination to lead the life that he himself led, a grand life of deep devotion to God.