Youth Day was celebrated on Sunday, 15 June 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. This coincided with the Sunday morning Satsang. Registration and breakfast commenced at 8.30am. Ganga Arati began at 8.50am followed by Satsang at 9am. The second part of the programme was from 10.30am until 12.30pm. 

The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, readings and a presentation on the Four Yugas by the youth boys. On the latter topic, the presentation focused on the concept of time in Hindu cosmology, where time is cyclical and divided into four Yugas, known collectively as the Chatur Yuga or Maha Yuga. These Yugas represent ages or epochs, each with a progressive decline in virtue, Dharma (righteousness), and spiritual knowledge. In Satya Yuga (also known as Krita Yuga), truth and Dharma reigned supreme and was characterised by the "Golden Age" of truth and perfection. People were spiritually advanced, lived long and were free of suffering. Truth was innate. The Treta Yuga saw a slight decline in virtue, emergence of rituals and sacrifices (Yajnas). The Dvapara Yuga was characterised by further decline in morality and lifespan. There was a rise in disease, suffering and conflict. The Mahabharata and Lord Krishna belong to this Yuga. Kali Yuga, which we are presently in, is the "Dark Age" of ignorance, strife, and materialism. Spirituality is diminished and virtue is at its lowest. 

The presentation highlighted the ills of Kali Yuga, namely humanity’s chaos and loss of moral and spiritual values. By the time Kali Yuga ends, the Vedas will be forgotten completely, and man will be mostly atheistic. The following predictions in the presentation attest to these scenarios, “The leaders will be thieves; the occupation of men will be stealing, lying and needless violence, and all the social classes will be reduced to the lowest level. Cows will be killed, and spiritual institutions will be no different from mundane houses. Family ties will extend no further than the immediate bonds of marriage. Seasons will go awry; homes will be devoid of piety and there will be no morality.

“At that time, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear on earth and rescue the eternal Dharma. It is in this age that Lord Vishnu will incarnate on this earthly plane as the Avatar Kalki. This will be the only descent of supreme consciousness during the Kali Yuga. Riding a white horse named Devadutta with a drawn sword, Kalki will mow down the evil and corrupt and ensure the reign of Dharma. The Kalki Avatar will establish the principles of eternal Dharma once again and the people of earth will turn to the path of righteousness. This will mark the beginning of Satya Yuga, an era of virtue, enlightenment and spirituality”.

The address on Sleep Health, in the second session focused on why we feel sleepy at night, and what happens to the body, mind, emotions and spirit when we are asleep. The following questions were also addressed: What happens if we do not sleep? What prevents us from getting a good night’s sleep? What are the benefits of sleep?  How can we improve the quality and quantity of our sleep without sleeping tablets? Swami Sivananda’s advice on sleep and Yoga techniques for sleep, were also addressed. 

On the topic of sleep, Sri Swami Sivananda said, “Next to breathing, sleep is the greatest biological necessity. If breathing enables life to continue, sleep provides the most essential interval for the life-force to carry out the general repairs to the system. If breathing preserves life, sleep recoups the life's energy spent during the day's activity. If breathing points to the power that pulsates in all creation, sleep gives us a clue to the unmoving tranquil Reality. If breathing manifests the infinite diversity of phenomena, sleep describes to us the essential unity of existence. If breathing draws to us energy, vitality and power from the cosmic Power House (Hiranyagarbha) that surrounds us, sleep derives them from the Atman within. 

“Glory to the Lord! Glory to the Prana Sakti who maintains the universe! Glory to Nidra Devi who lulls you into unconsciousness so that you may be revitalised for the morrow's service! 

“The happiness of sleep is really the bliss of the Soul”.

The second session also had an interesting talk, entitled, Social Media. The presenter alluded to Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s warning of the harmful effects of cell phones and excessive television viewing. Applying Pujya Swamiji’s logic we can conclude that social media has the danger in social interactions, of feeding the ego and weakening our will-power. It robs us of time that could be used for productive activities such as prayer, study or Sadhana. The presenter advised that social media can be used positively, for example, in promoting Dharma., in that before posting, we need to ask ourselves: Is this true? It this kind? Is this necessary? Will this post bring the viewer closer to God or will it bring me closer to my ego? Rather than using our platforms to promote ourselves, we can promote truth, peace, love and wisdom. The presenter advised that one can use platforms to share the messages of Gurudev, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda. She further advised us to share a message of hope, and advised us to “Make your social media grid a spiritual garden. We can also turn our scroll time into soul time”. The notion of social media fasting (abstinence from indulgence in social media) for a day or more, was also suggested. 

The final item of the day was a game, The Amazing Race, wherein two teams (males and females) competed against each other in a series of challenges and obstacles. Teams were given cues leading to a specific location. Once at the correct location, teams faced a range of challenges. Team building, group dynamics, leadership, speed and efficiency were also tested.  Teams worked together to make strategic decisions to succeed. The Amazing Race was an exciting and spiritually inspiring exercise that gently pushed teams to their limits, testing their physical and mental abilities, teamwork, and strategic thinking.

The youth are complimented on an eventful and stimulating Youth Day Celebration comprising a diverse range of topics, catering to different age groups. The attention to detail in all aspects of organisation and execution of the day’s activities, is highly commendable.

The 41-Day Recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa commenced on Tuesday, 29 July 2025 and will culminate on the 138th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Sri Swami Sivananda, on Sunday, 7 September 2025 at Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC), La Mercy. 

Pujya Swami Sahajananda advised that the Sri Hanuman Chalisa is very powerful and effective for the removal of all mental problems. It brings good health, success and prosperity. It cures diseases, counteracts evil forces and the effects of "black magic", which are so prevalent today. It was recommended to Pujya Swami Sahajananda by Pujya Mother Krishnabai of Anandashram, one of the greatest saints of recent times. 

In the book, Essence of the Ramayana, Sri Swami Sivananda says, “Hanuman ranks first amongst the heroes of the world. His heroic deeds, wonderful exploits and marvellous feats of strength and bravery cannot be adequately described. His sense of duty was extremely laudable. He had great skill in all military tactics and methods of warfare. His crossing the sea of thirty miles in one leap and lifting the crest of a mountain in the palm of the hand, his carrying of the brothers on his shoulders from the nether world to Lanka are all astounding, superhuman feats which baffle human description”.

The 41-Day Recital launch on Tuesday, 29 July 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, commenced with Ganga Arati at 5.30pm. Signed pledges were offered at the shrine. The Satsang Programme comprised Invocation, a reading of the rules for the 41-Day Recital, and the recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa 11 times. 

The rules which appear in the Divine Life Society of South Africa Prayer Book, are enumerated below and are useful to anyone who wishes to do this Vrat. 

• 1. The Sri Hanuman Chalisa should be repeated regularly for 41 days, either in the morning or in the evening. 
• 2. Have a bath and wear clean clothes. 
• 3. Sit in any comfortable posture in front of a picture of Sri Hanuman. 
• 4. Keep some fruit as Prasad in a little tray. 
• 5. Keep 11 flowers in another small tray. 
• 6. First commence repeating some Guru Mantras.
• 7. After the repetition of the Guru Mantras, commence the Sri Hanuman Chalisa from “Sri Guru Charana Sarojaraja…”
• 8. Complete the repetition till the end, until “Hridaya Basahu Sura Bhoop Sita Ram”. This is one repetition. 
• 9. On completion of the repetition once, offer one flower to Sri Hanuman. 
• 10. Do the repetition 11 times at each sitting. Each time a repetition is completed, offer one flower. In this way offer all the 11 flowers. 
• 11. After the completion 11 times at one sitting, repeat some Shanti Mantras, prostrate and get up. 
• 12. The fruit can be distributed to all as Prasad. 
• 13. While sitting in the posture, do not change it or look around. Keep the eyes closed and concentrate on the picture of Sri Hanuman, or concentrate on his picture with eyes open. 
• 14. On completion of the Mantra 11 times for 41 days, perform Havan with the help of a qualified Pundit, and do some Puja in a Hanuman temple with the guidance of a priest. 
• 15. You can also do poor feeding or some charity on completion of the Yajna. 
• 16. Women undergoing the monthly cleansing process should not repeat the Mantra during this period. 

May Sri Swami Sivananda’s profound description of Sri Hanuman’s prowess, Bhakti and loyalty to Sri Rama inspire us all. Sri Gurudev said, “He conquered innumerable difficulties which cropped up in his way through his courage, patience and undaunted spirit. He made untiring search to find Sita. At the time of danger, he exhibited marvellous courage and presence of mind. He was steady and firm in his actions. He was always successful in his attempts. Failure was not known to him. He gave up his life in the service of the Lord. He had not a tinge of selfishness in his actions. All his actions were offerings unto Lord Rama. No one reached the peak in Dasya Bhava like Sri Hanuman. He was a rare jewel among devotees, the supreme head among Pundits, the king among celibates and the commander among heroes and warriors.

“Where Hanuman is, there are Sri Rama and Sri Sita, and wherever Sri Rama and Sri Sita are praised and their deeds recited, there Hanuman is”.

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

On Saturday, 24 May 2025, Divine Life Society of South Africa participated in the Annual Career Fair hosted by the Nelson Mandela Community and Youth Centre in Chatsworth, from 9am to 1pm. This well-supported event brought together a wide range of educational and vocational organisations, and was attended primarily by learners accompanied by their parents, many of whom were exploring opportunities for skills’ development and personal growth.

Devotees of Divine Life Society of South Africa, including those from its Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre in Chatsworth represented the Society and shared information about its community-based programmes. Among the offerings that drew interest were the Sewing Classes and Computer Skills’ Courses, which provide valuable vocational skills aligned with the Fair’s theme of empowerment and development.

Visitors engaged with devotees, expressing appreciation for the Society’s ongoing contribution to community upliftment. In addition to skills’ training, the Society also offers counselling services to individuals facing emotional, health, or personal challenges further demonstrating its commitment to holistic support and care.

 A range of publications was made available, particularly those focused on youth development, self-discipline, and moral living - messages that resonated with both learners and parents.

Amongst those who visited our stall, were representatives of the South African military services. The participation of the Sivananda Sunlit Path Centre in this Annual Career Fair once again provided a sacred opportunity to foster spiritual and vocational upliftment, promote values-based education, and share the life-transforming teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda with members of the wider community.

The auspicious Guru Purnima and Sri Swami Sahajananda’s 100th Birth Anniversary were celebrated at both Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills and Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC) on Thursday, 10 July 2025. 

The morning Sadhana programme at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills was from 6am to 8am, comprising Invocation, Akhanda Chanting, Darshan at Sahaja Kutir, Pujya Swamiji’s sacred Kutir and the Sivananda-Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Centre. Havan and Paduka Puja ensued from 7am to 8am. Scores of devotees, well-wishers, donors and visitors braved the cold winter weather to attend this most sacred, divine and historic occasion. 

At SICC, Ganga Arati commenced at 2.30pm followed by Satsang from 4pm to 6.20pm. The programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a dance, Sri Gurudev’s Guru Purnima messages, Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message, a poetry recital with musical accompaniment  and the release of a Centenary Celebrations’ CD and booklet.

Sri Swami Sivananda’s Guru Purnima Message gave deep insight into this important occasion. The Master said, “The day of worship of one’s preceptor, is a day of pure joy to the sincere spiritual aspirant. Thrilled by the expectation of offering his reverent homage to the beloved Guru, aspirants await this occasion with eagerness and devotion. It is the Guru alone that breaks the binding cords of attachment and releases the aspirant from the trammels of earthly existence”.

Referring to the importance of a Guru, the Master explained, “The Grace of a Guru is very necessary. That does not mean that the disciple should sit idle. He must do rigid spiritual practices. All the work must be done by the student. The Guru and the scriptures can show you the path and remove your doubts. Direct experience or direct intuitive knowledge is left for your own experience. A hungry man will have to eat for himself. No doubt, the Guru's blessings can do everything. But how can one have his blessings? By pleasing the Guru. A Guru can be pleased with his disciple only if the latter carries out his spiritual instructions implicitly. Therefore, follow the instructions of the Guru carefully. Act up to his instructions. Only then will you deserve his blessings which can do everything. 

“The best form of worship of the Guru is to follow his teachings, to shine as the very embodiment of his teachings, and to propagate his glory and his message. A true disciple is one who serves his Guru till the end of his life. If the disciple survives after the Guru gives up his mortal coil, he should lead the remaining portion of his life strictly in accordance with his Guru's instructions and live to preach them to others by practising them himself”. 

The Master’s message concluded with his poem, My Disciple, “If anyone is rude and discourteous, if he cannot do prostrations to elders and saints, if he does not do Nishkamya Karma Yoga, if he does not know Asanas and Pranayama, if he has no knowledge of the Yoga of Synthesis, if he does not serve the poor and the sick, if he is not generous and charitable, if he cannot feel the unity of the Self in all beings, he cannot be my disciple”.

In a reference to this rare alignment of these two sacred events, the message from the Society reflected on Pujya Swamiji’s faith, loyalty and obedience to Sri Gurudev, as is evident in, “… it comes as no surprise that the 100th Birth Anniversary of beloved Pujya Swami Sahajananda coincides with Sri Guru Purnima this year. Devotees of Divine Life Society of South Africa were highly inspired by the Dasya Bhav and total self-surrender of Pujya Swamiji to our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, akin to the service of Sri Hanuman to Lord Rama”.

The message also focused on the importance of a Guru as emphasised in the Guru Gita, “By the devotion practised towards the Guru, one attains the state of Mukti even without knowledge. For those who tread the path of unflinching devotion to the Guru, no other Sadhana is needed than the Grace of the Guru”.  The message also paid tribute to Sri Gurudev and Pujya Swami Sahajananda for their bounteous gifts to us, and to devotees for their unflinching devotion and commitment to the continuation of Sri Gurudev’s and Pujya Swamiji’s legacies. “Today we pay homage to our Divine Master for making Swamiji take birth here in South Africa 100 years ago. Because of this grace, our country has benefited from more than 700 completed infrastructure projects, with this number continuing to grow into the future. Swamiji’s golden touch is reflected in our Ashram activities and programmes that are all progressing well”.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message, pregnant with deep meaning, again focused on his relationship with, and unconditional loyalty to Sri Gurudev. He said that if he had to write a book, it would be entitled, The Mysteries and Marvels of the Guru’s Grace, for the Master chose him, so that he can be an ideal “specimen” to demonstrate the Master’s marvels. The Master was in complete control of his life, even to the extent of spelling his name differently. He said that, “Whatever came, came from Gurudev”. Regarding Pujya Swamiji’s initial request for Sannyas, the Master cautioned, saying, “Sannyas is made of sterner stuff”. Pujya Swamiji said that nobody could oppose Gurudev’s will, and that his (Pujya Swamiji’s) performance in the matriculation examination was a blessing in disguise. He said, “What appeared as a great tragedy then was a great blessing”, indicative of his complete surrender to the Master. He recounted how he first found the Master’s book, Practice of Karma Yoga in a Vedic Bookshop, and was instantly attracted to the Master, whom he adopted as his Guru. His faith in the Master has been ever steadfast, unconditional and unwavering.

Two Centenary Celebrations’ releases were made on this day. Prayers and Affirmations, a publication compiled from several of the Divine Master’s writings, including Science of Yoga, Sadhana, Daily Meditations, Hindu Fasts & Festivals and Light, Power & Wisdom, amongst others. Some prayers by Pujya Swami Sahajananda extracted from Path of Divine Grace, Guidance in Daily Life and Faith & Self-surrender are also included. A CD containing messages by Sri Swami Sivananda and Sri Swami Sahajananda, as well as two plays, Home Sadhana and Back to Basics, which are the gestalt of the Master’s and Pujya Swamiji’s cardinal teachings, was also released.

A beautiful dance, Mangal Bhavan Amangal Hari, dedicated to Lord Rama, Pujya Swamiji’s Ishta Devata, added colour to the programme and appropriately brought the programme to a beautiful climax. The dancers sought to invoke the Lord’s Divine Blessings to remove all inauspiciousness from our lives. Telicia Mahabeer, Kajal Raghubir, and Yaditha Singh from the Nateshwar Dance Academy made a splendid offering.

The Pietermaritzburg Branch’s excellent musical rendition comprising a poem dedicated to Sri Gurudev, entitled Siva Divine composed by Pujya Swamiji, and a birthday song dedicated to Pujya Swamiji, were both inspirational and insightful.  Some of the words of the poem are captured herewith: 

Siva Divine
To serve with love his Lotus feet,
In pleasure and pain, in cold and heat,
To serve the sick, to serve the poor,
To spread God's Knowledge from door to door.

This is the teaching of Siva Divine,
O, let it enter this heart of mine.

To sing with joy, his glorious Name,
Without any fear, without any shame,
To love the Lord with all our soul,
To take him as our only goal.

This is the teaching of Siva Divine,
This is the teaching of Siva Divine,
This is the teaching of Siva Divine.
O, Let it enter this heart of mine.

To sit serene and calm and still,
And try the vicious mind to kill,
To merge in him within the heart,
Never to think him ever apart.

This is the teaching of Siva Divine…

This two-fold celebration of Guru Purnima and Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s 100th birth anniversary, is indeed a unique occasion in the annals of the history of Divine Life Society of South Africa. No doubt this is an awe-inspiring, rare and spiritually potent occasion, when the calendar aligns itself to bring together two major spiritual observances on the same day. For devotees, this convergence can be considered highly sacred and transformative, offering an unparalleled opportunity for Sadhana, spiritual growth, merit, and inner purification. The rare confluence of these two major spiritual events in our calendar on one day is not merely a calendrical coincidence, but a celestial invitation to us all to immerse ourselves in the divine. For the devotee, it represents a window of Divine Grace-a moment to pause, purify, and forge ahead on the path of spiritual evolution

This celebration created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for devotees to honour the Guru-principle while commemorating the life of a living embodiment of that high ideal-Sri Swami Sahajananda. Both occasions individually radiate spiritual potency. Their confluence creates a spiritually charged atmosphere that magnify the blessings, merit, and inner transformation for all who observe and celebrate it, and is an ideal time for introspection, prayer, and re-commitment to the Guru’s teachings. While Guru Purnima celebrates the eternal Guru-Shishya (teacher-disciple) tradition, Sri Swami Sahajananda’s Birth Centenary embodies its living continuity. The event serves as a bridge between tradition and contemporary relevance, inspiring future generations to walk the spiritual path boldly and with conviction. The confluence serves as a powerful reminder of what is possible when a life is surrendered to a higher cause. Sri Swami Sahajananda’s life exemplifies humility, Seva (service), and devotion to the Guru, making this observance not only a celebration, but a call to action. This sacred confluence is not merely a coincidence, nay, it is a divine orchestration, offering devotees an unmatched spiritual moment. It encourages deeper devotion to the Guru, renewed spiritual resolve, gratitude for divine guidance, and the celebration of a century of spiritual legacy. It is a milestone in time, etched not just in calendars, but in the hearts of those who recognise the rare blessing of walking the path under the light of a true Guru-an occasion that we will have to wait another hundred years, if at all possible, to experience.

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