Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya

Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda

Guru Purnima, the most auspicious day in the calendar of spiritual seekers, is celebrated the world over to worship and offer gratitude and appreciation to the Spiritual Masters for their guidance, spiritual wisdom and enlightenment. It is the day when seekers make fresh spiritual resolves. This day also marks the Birth Anniversary of the great sage, Sri Vyasa. We pay obeisance to the great sage for his tremendous service to humanity: he performed the awesome task of editing the four Vedas and writing the eighteen Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam. His legacy is priceless. On Guru Purnima Day, we pay obeisance also to all the Divine Incarnations, Brahma Vidya Gurus and Vedic Rishis, saints and sages for their inestimable contribution to the peace, harmony and spiritual evolution of the planet.

On this most auspicious day of 10 July 2022, we celebrated the 97th Birth Anniversary of one of the foremost Bhaktas and direct disciples of Sri Swami Sivananda, Pujya Swami Sahajananda. Satsangs were held at DLS Ashrams and branches. This report focuses on the online Satsang which began at 5.30pm.

As a young teacher, Sri Srinivasan's soul memory began to stir. He began awakening to his soul mission for this human birth and was drawn to seeking spiritual knowledge. He also began intensifying his spiritual practices. His spiritual journey was catapulted when destiny drew him to a Vedic bookshop in Durban and he was drawn to a book written by Swami Sivananda, whom he had never heard of. This book, Practice of Karma Yoga, teaches the importance of selfless service. Young Srinivasan had the inner realisation that Swami Sivananda was his Guru. When Pujya Swamiji learnt that there was a state of God-realisation, all his academic studies were renounced immediately for a higher life. Swami Sivananda's first injunction was to 'serve'. Thus began the young aspirant's journey to Sannyas and selfless service. It was also a life of spiritual success, rooted in Karma Yoga, and Guru-Bhakti Yoga.

The launch of this most auspicious 41-day Sri Hanuman Chalisa recital took place on Saturday, 30 July 2022 via online audio stream as well an in-person Satsang at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. The programme commenced at 5.30pm with Ganga Arati, followed by invocation, reading and the recital.

To celebrate International Yoga Day this year, Divine Life Society of S.A. Yoga Camp team had a special programme on Sunday, 19 Jun2 2022 to promote and increase awareness of this invaluable gift to mankind. The programme consisted of demonstrations and explanations on specific Hatha Yoga poses. These simple yet effective exercises are for each one to follow and to take up this ancient gift to mankind provided to us by Lord Siva and our ancient sages and seers. This year the theme is "Yoga for Humanity" because this priceless discipline is there for all of mankind to benefit. Yoga is a practice that combines physical, mental and spiritual pursuits to achieve harmony of the body and mind. The net result of Yoga is complete rejuvenation of the entire system of man. Who wouldn't want this?

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.

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Publications

"Sure Ways for Success in Life and God Realisation"

"Sure Ways for Success in…

April 30, 2015

Size: 14.8cm x 20cm Soft Cover: Pages: 320 Pages Donation (SA): R50 Foreign: $15 Sure Ways for Success In ...

"Path of Divine Grace, Volume 2"

"Path of Divine Grace, Vo…

April 30, 2015

Size: 14.5cm x 20.5cm Soft Cover: Pages: 244 Pages Donation (SA): R25 Foreign: $10 The eagerly awaited s...

"Path of Divine Grace, Volume 1"

"Path of Divine Grace, Vo…

April 30, 2015

Size: 14.5cm x 20.5cm Soft Cover: Pages: 244 Pages Donation (SA): R25 Foreign: $10 The first of 4 Volume...

"Practice of Karma Yoga"

"Practice of Karma Yoga…

April 30, 2015

Size: 14.8cm x 21.2cm Soft Cover: 233 pages Donation (SA): R30 Foreign: $12 The nectar-like teachings of...