Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya
Sivananda DLS
Divine Life Society of South Africa
Established in 1949 by Sri Swami Sivananda
News & Reports (196)
Sri Hanuman Jayanti was observed on Monday, 26 April 2021 via the online Satsang programme facilitated by Divine Life Society of S.A. It was on this day also, that the final recital of the 41-day Sri Hanuman Chalisa was done at 5am. There were 510 tune-ins for the morning chanting session. In the Divine Life Society Prayer Book, Pujya Swami Sahajananda, advised the following, "On the 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. You can also do poor feeding or some charity on the completion of the Yajna". In keeping with this advice, a Havan Ceremony, conducted by pundits from the Society was live-streamed at 4.30pm. Ganga Arati commenced thereafter at 5.30pm, followed by Satsang. It was encouraging see that there were 1130 tune-ins for this session.
On Sunday, 25 April 2021, 108 recitals of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa were done online. Adopting hourly slots, DLS branches participated in the recitals, within the safety of their homes. There were 1010 tune-ins for the chanting. About the efficacy of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa, Pujya Swami Sahajananda wrote the following, "The Sri Hanuman Chalisa is very powerful and very effective for the removal of all mental problems. It brings good health, success and prosperity. It cures diseases, counteracts evil forces and the effect of 'black magic', which are so prevalent today".
The auspicious Ramayan Week commenced on Monday, 12 April, and concluded on Tuesday, 20 April 2021, culminating on 21 April 2021 in the Sri Ram Navami celebrations, one of the most auspicious Hindu festivals, celebrated on the last day of Chaitra Navaratri. It marks the birth of Lord Rama. According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Rama was born in Ayodhya on this day. Divine Life Society of S.A. arranged online Satsangs throughout this week, highlighting the life and teachings of Lord Rama as espoused by our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda. An inspiring message from our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, melodious Bhajans, Kirtans and Ramayana Slokas were sung in praise of the Lord. A DVD, "Aarti Shri Ramayanji Ki", depicted salient stages of Lord Rama's glorious life on earth. Devotees from various parts of the globe followed these online programmes diligently. There were 4 294 tune-ins for the 9 days of Ramayana Week and 638 devotees tuned in on Sri Ram Navami Day.
On Saturday, 10 April 2021, devotees celebrated the holy life of Pujya Swami Sahajananda who was initiated into the holy order of Sannyas on 10 April 1956 by our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda. After the Sannyas Ceremony in 1956, the Master said, "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 organizer".
In his autobiography, Glory of Guru's Grace, Pujya Swami Sahajananda narrates in the 3rd person, the circumstances leading to this momentous event at the Master's Ashram in Rishikesh on 10 April 1956, "One day, Swamiji went to get some treatment from Swami Venkatesananda for his suppurating sores. At his cottage, he was surprised to see the Master also arriving there after some time to give instructions to Swami Venkatesananda. During the conversation, Swami Venkatesananda suggested that the Master give Swamiji Jnana Sannyas. The Master at once agreed and also decided to have a farewell function for Swamiji. When Swamiji told the Master that it was not necessary, he said, 'No! No! We will have it.' Swamiji was reluctant to take Sannyas, as he felt it would be a hindrance to his work. He used to walk about in the streets of Durban and sell the Master's books. He did so much walking that the soles of his shoes had to be replaced every few months.
The Day of Descent of Divine Grace was celebrated on Monday, 1st March 2021 via our online Satsang programme. It was on 1st March 2007 that an "unusual power of our Divine Master" entered into Pujya Swami Sahajananda. About this auspicious day, Pujya Swamiji wrote: "I myself had the Grace of our Divine Master when an unusual power of His descended in me. It happened on 1st March this year. When the power descended there was a little disturbance in the beginning but within a few days it settled down. Now there is no change in the descent of the power. I could not believe that the Master would grant me such Divine Grace, a Grace that I do not deserve. If devotees saw my attitude some five years ago and my attitude now, they would be quite surprised that such a tremendous change could take place.
Divine Life Society of S.A. celebrated Mahasivaratri online with a Satsang programme on Thursday, 11 March, commencing with Ganga Arati at 5.30pm and concluding the next morning at 5am. Befitting this sacred night, the programme was a veritable spiritual feast with a variety of presentations and devotional offerings to Lord Siva. Kirtans and Bhajans, performances by guest artistes, readings, poems, sayings from our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, presented by Spiritual Darlings, audio recordings, videos, and chanting featured on the programme.
In his book, Hindu Fasts & Festivals the Master extolled the glory of Mahasivaratri, "This falls on the thirteenth or fourteenth day of the dark half of Phalgun (February-March). Sivaratri means 'the night of Siva'. In the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata, Bhishma refers to the observance of Mahasivaratri, by King Chitrabhanu, when he was giving the discourse on Dharma, while resting on his bed of arrows". (Due to space constraints we are unable to include the entire story.) The king concludes as follows: "I learnt there for the first time, during my former life as the hunter Suswara, of the great merit I had earned by the observance of the fast on the day of Mahasivaratri, though I did it unconsciously by an accident. I lived in the abode of Siva and enjoyed divine bliss for long ages."
Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya!
The launch of the 41-day Sri Hanuman Chalisa will take place on Wednesday, 17 March 2021 via online audio stream. Beloved Pujya Swami Sahajananda encouraged all to recite the Sri Hanuman Chalisa for protection, safety, peace and the welfare of the world. In this critical period, collective recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa will assist in counteracting the scourges of our times. A verse in the Sri Hanuman Chalisa tells us of the power of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa in assisting the world, Naashai Roga Harai Saba Peera Japata Nirantara Hanumata Beera, which translated means, "All diseases are destroyed and pain and sorrow vanish when your great and powerful Name is repeated incessantly".
This 41-day Sadhana is an offering to Sri Hanuman and our Divine Master and will culminate on Monday, 26 April 2021, which is the sacred Sri Hanuman Jayanti.
Divine Life Society of South Africa will be broadcasting their New Years Day Satsang online. The Society makes a sincere and earnest appeal to all devotees to participate in the Satsang whilst in the comfort of their homes, so as to imbibe the rich and sacred benefits of Satsang.
There are 2 options to receive the online Satsang link. One is to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and the other is to join our WhatsApp group, where a programme and a link to the pre-recorded audio stream Satsang will be sent out just before Satsang time.
Option 1:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMy6E2021O6W6cJSAb2fWQQ
Option 2:
Kindly join one of the WhatsApp groups below to receive our Satsang programmes and links. If you have already joined one of our WhatsApp groups, you do not need to join one of the groups listed below.
Group 5
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KsDMV3Ex2vm9DpJ5faMVXS
Divine Life Society of South Africa will be broadcasting their New Years Day Satsang online. The Society makes a sincere and earnest appeal to all devotees to participate in the Satsang whilst in the comfort of their homes, so as to imbibe the rich and sacred benefits of Satsang.
There are 2 options to receive the online Satsang link. One is to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and the other is to join our WhatsApp group, where a programme and a link to the pre-recorded audio stream Satsang will be sent out just before Satsang time.
Option 1:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMy6E2021O6W6cJSAb2fWQQ
Option 2:
Kindly join one of the WhatsApp groups below to receive our Satsang programmes and links. If you have already joined one of our WhatsApp groups, you do not need to join one of the groups listed below.
Group 5
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KsDMV3Ex2vm9DpJ5faMVXS
To pledge your support towards the Maha Mrityunjaya chanting initiative, kindly click on the link below:
Sri Swami Sivananda
(1887 - 1963)
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