Divine Life Society of S. A. observed this auspicious event online, via audio stream. Our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda explains beautifully, the significance of this Vrata, which is taken from the book, Hindu Fasts & Festivals.

"Lord Siva describes the glory of this Vrata in the Skanda Purana. It is performed by a woman whose husband is still living. Maha Lakshmi is the abode of auspiciousness, prosperity and wealth.This worship of Her is done to obtain good progeny, and for the health and long life of the husband.

"The Vrata is observed on the Friday immediately preceding the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August-September). After a purificatory bath, the lady should put on clean, fresh clothes and make a mandala with the drawing of a lotus upon it. A kalasha filled with rice and topped with fresh mango leaves, and a coconut and cloth are placed in the mandala. Mother Lakshmi is now invoked therein. Fresh grains are used in the worship as they convey the idea of growth and prosperity.

Our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, shed his mortal coil on 14 July, 1963 and merged with the Supreme. Today, 57 years after this solemn event, we observed this important day via online audio Satsang on 14 July 2020. There was a morning online Sadhana Programme from 6-6.20am. Ganga Arati in the evening commenced at 5.30pm.

On this auspicious occasion, we acknowledge with deep gratitude, our Divine Master's immeasurable contributions to the world, through his profound writings, Ashrams throughout the world, service activities, spiritual, moral and aesthetic guidance on Hinduism, Yoga and allied topics.

Sri N. Ananthanarayanan states in his book, From Man to God-man, "Sri Gurudev blasted old superstitions about God and religion. In equal measure he exploded modern fairy tales about Yoga and Yogis. By teaching and by personal example, he made it plain that there was no easy way to Moksha or liberation, no short-cut to God. The laborious, orthodox way was the only way. It was the way of service and love, of abstraction and meditation, of dispassion and discrimination".

Om Namo Bhagavade Sivanandaya!

The launch of the 41-day Sri Hanuman Chalisa took place on Thursday, 30 July 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".

We are most grateful to the more than 460 devotees who have pledged to participate in the 41-day recital, and encourage others to join in. Several participants are from across the globe. This 41-day Sadhana is an offering to Sri Hanuman and our Divine Master and will culminate on Tuesday, 8 September, which is the 133rd Birth Anniversary of beloved Gurudev, Sri Swami Sivananda.