Divine Life Society of South Africa’s latest Centenary Celebrations’ function was hosted by the Newlands West Branch on Sunday, 23 March 2025, at the Hillgrove Vishnu Shakti Mandir (AMF Hall), in Hillgrove, Newlands West. The programme commenced with Ganga Arati at 9.30am, followed by Satsang at 10am. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, a message from the Society, a video on the Society’s service activities, a presentation on the history of the Newlands West Branch and motivational talk, as well as a dance item. In marking the Centenary Celebrations over 2024 and 2025, emphasis is given in 2025, to Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s 100th birth anniversary. Pujya Swamiji was born on 10 July 1925 and led Divine Life Society of South Africa from humble beginnings, to the multi-faceted, iconic and multi-dimensional organisation it is today – one of the foremost of Hindu organisations in South Africa. 

Newlands has a special significance in Pujya Swamiji’s life, as is evident in the following message by the Society, “Today, we have gathered to celebrate the life of Pujya Swami Sahajananda, Spiritual Head of Divine Life Society of South Africa. It is indeed a joyful event to celebrate a birthday, but a centenary is even more special. We are also very fortunate that we are having this celebration in Newlands, as not far from here was the FOSA settlement where Pujya Swamiji worked in his youth, and started training a few devotees to repeat Mantras and to conduct Satsang. In 1949, after reflecting on the instructions from Sri Swami Sivananda, our Swamiji took the decision at the FOSA gates to establish the Divine Life Society here in South Africa. Newlands has been blessed by Pujya Swamiji’s presence. At the FOSA gate Swamiji said to himself that it is Sri Gurudev who is starting the Divine Life Society, and if it succeeds, it is his will, and if it fails, it is also his will. Today we are seeing Sri Gurudev’s Grace unfolding”.

The message from the Society recounted Sri Gurudev’s and Pujya Swamiji’s enormous contributions to all across the world, and Pujya Swamiji’s unconditional obedience and loyalty to the Divine Master. This is evident in, “The fact that all of us are here, and that millions of households around South Africa and many countries around the world have a copy of one or more of Swami Sivananda’s books, is only because of this one life that we are celebrating today. After taking the Master as His Guru, Swamiji never questioned or doubted anything that Gurudev did. He lived only to propagate the Divine Master’s work and to do the Divine Master’s will. With supreme self-surrender, Swamiji offered his all to our Gurudev, so much so that they became one. Swamiji decrypted the phrase ‘learn to type and make tea’ (which was the original instruction our beloved Gurudev gave to Swamiji), and found the treasure that it held. Beloved Gurudev stated that he works through Swami Sahajananda. Swamiji made himself a perfect instrument for the Lord to work through. Millions of books were published and distributed, and silently scores of service activities and nation building projects went on unnoticed for decades”.

The Society’s Service Activities’ video captured the Master’s and Pujya Swamiji’s lives and legacies with distinction, such that a person coming into contact with the Society for the first time, will be deeply inspired. It also presented a comprehensive account of the Society’s multifarious activities in the fields of promotion of spirituality, Hinduism, poverty alleviation, eradication of social ills, the Sivananda Ghat, its magnificent Sivananda International Cultural Centre (SICC), the Sunlit Path Centre in Chatsworth, our Yoga Camps and Yoga Retreats, self-help projects and its building of a mini-hospital, schools, classrooms, Peace Centres and Early Childhood Development centres. The gripping visuals, dynamic commentaries, images and videos of Pujya Swamiji, brought life and divinity to the fore. A highly inspirational, spiritually stimulating and awe-inspiring video indeed!

A youth of the Branch aptly captured the history of the Newlands West Branch in his presentation. He said, “From humble beginnings, commencing with Satsangs in devotees’ homes, the Newlands West Branch of Divine Life Society of South Africa is pleased to announce that it celebrated its 26th Anniversary in February this year. Today we wish to pay tribute to the pioneer members who spent countless hours spreading our Master’s teachings and writings amongst the residents of Newlands West.  Since 1999, we have been holding weekly Satsangs, on Tuesdays from 6:30pm at the Shree Kamatcheeaman Temple.  Coincidentally, the year 1999, was also auspicious for the Temple Society which celebrated its 110th year of existence then”.

He also alluded to the magnitude of Sri Gurudev’s and Pujya Swamiji’s contributions and their impact on the lives of all, both young and old. His strong and inspiring motivation to all to attend Satsangs, Yoga Camps and Yoga Retreats was sincere, convincing and deeply inspirational. He said, “As a youth member of the Society, I would like to encourage all children, youth and adults to attend our monthly Yoga Camps, at our beautiful Sivananda International Cultural Centre in La Mercy.  The Yoga Camp is a spiritual feast for all age groups, and includes a morning Sadhana session, Yoga Asanas, scriptural lessons, sport and practical sessions on life skills and health topics.  It is a day of renunciation, mindfulness and connection with like-minded individuals.  The spiritual gain for all participants who make the sacrifice by arriving at 6am for a peaceful start to their morning, is remarkable.   Sumptuous breakfast and lunch are provided.  Our Pujya Swamiji has advised us that the value of attending one Yoga Camp, is equivalent to attending 12 Sivananda Day Satsangs.

“Once you commit to weekly Satsangs at branch level, then a monthly Sivananda Day Satsang and Yoga Camp at SICC, your days and months will be filled with spiritual activity, peace and prosperity.  Participation in these elevating activities is sure to strengthen and guide you to face the year ahead. Having been exposed to these life-changing activities since birth, I can attest to the insight and strength they have given me to better cope with the challenges that face youth today; challenges such as peer pressure, lack of confidence, coping skills, etc.”.

Sri Logasen Moodley performed a Bharatanatyam Dance. He is a national and international performing artist, specialising in various forms of dance, namely modern, South Indian village and contemporary dance. Logasen, is the artistic director of LMDC Logasen Moodley Dance Company.  His offering to the Divine Mother, was awe-inspiring, professional and deeply spiritual, indicative of his Bhav and love for the fine arts. 

We express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to our Newlands West Branch devotees for their outstanding work in organising the Centenary Celebrations in Newlands and helping to sustain Sri Gurudev’s and Pujya Swamiji’s legacies. Their dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence have truly stood out, and it is abundantly clear that they put their hearts into every aspect of this celebration. Their consistency, Guru Bhakti, personal sacrifices and hard work are worthy of emulation.

The Society’s Centenary Celebrations, celebrating Sri Swami Sivananda’s 100th Sannyas Anniversary in 2024, the Society’s 75th Anniversary in 2024 and Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s 100th Birth Anniversary in 2025, are indeed a beautiful expression of appreciation for the opportunity to connect with higher energies, the community, and our own inner selves. It is an acknowledgment of the sacrifices and contributions of our Divine Master and Pujya Swamiji. The sacred nature of the event and the transformative experiences that arise from participating in such gatherings, lends credence to the aspiration to lead a Divine Life.

May our Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda bless us all.

CLICK HERE TO READ DIVINE LIFE MAGAZINE NO.142

The Day of Descent of Divine Grace was observed on Saturday, 1 March 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 4pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, Pujya Swamiji’s audio message and a reading on the significance of the occasion.

 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 (2007). 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”.

The following is the transcript of the reading from “Conversations with Gurudev” from Guidance in Daily Life, compiled by Pujya Swamiji and published in 1998. It depicts the profound conversation between Sri Gurudev and his ideal Disciple, Pujya Swami Sahajananda: 

“Swamiji: Gurudev, when we ask for material things you fulfil our wishes quickly, even without thinking, like Lord Siva. But when we ask for spiritual transformation, you are very hard on us, Gurudev. Again, like Lord Siva sitting with His closed eyes on the Himalayas, you seem to ignore us.

Gurudev: This is because spiritual treasures are valuable and more lasting. They are not like things that perish.

Swamiji: Gurudev, you remarked to one of our devotees who came to you from South Africa, ‘I know when to give and what to give’. Your Divine Grace works in mysterious ways, Gurudev. It is unpredictable, especially when it comes to spiritual transformation.

Gurudev: Yes, the mystery of Divine Grace can only be understood through Divine Grace.

Swamiji: Gurudev, parts of my nature resisted transformation for many years. I was in despair and always had a lurking fear that it will never be possible, because I had heard that even some great spiritual personalities did not achieve a complete transformation of their external nature. They did not achieve the integral transformation as described in your books and teachings, that is, a transformation amidst all the distracting and frustrating situations of daily life.

Gurudev: Such a radical transformation is possible only through the Guru’s Grace.

Swamiji: I can well believe it, Gurudev. No amount of vows and resolutions helped me to overcome some of my cardinal defects. When I gave up every effort and felt helpless, your Divine Grace manifested. Gurudev, I woke up one morning with the distinct feeling that I was a changed being, that some great power of yours had descended upon me and was effecting the transformation. Gurudev, when I realised what was happening, tears of gratitude began pouring for several weeks, as I felt I was not worthy to receive such Grace. I marveled to note with what precision and perfection your power was working. The higher knowledge seemed to be descending in me.

      From time to time, you were giving me a formula to repeat, together with my Mantra, so that what you were giving could be stabilised. Gurudev, the distracting external conditions did not change a bit. The attitude of those around me was the same. But the miracle I noticed was that it was I who was changing.

     Gurudev, kindly permit me to add something more. Over the years I knew all along that those around me were all your own forms, and that their frustrating actions were meant to help me in my spiritual progress. However, this intellectual acceptance did not help me much, Gurudev. But when your divine power descended upon me, the positive results were at once noticeable.

Gurudev: Yes, that is how Divine Grace works. Its ways are mysterious. It will work according to its own way and not the way you want. Perfect faith and self-surrender will allow it to work unhindered.

Swamiji: Gurudev, I regret to state that as the months went by, I found that sometimes I was losing the marvelous gifts that you were so graciously bestowing upon me, even though I was so unworthy of it. At such times I would feel extremely downcast and think that death would be preferable than to lose what you were giving. Gurudev, I also found that Divine Grace or Guru's Grace is not only difficult to get, but once got, it is even more difficult to maintain.

Gurudev: Yes, such precious spiritual gifts need special care and vigilance to protect them.

Swamiji: Gurudev, thanks to your boundless love and compassion, the transformation became more stabilised after about three years. This you made possible through the formulae that you gave me to repeat from time to time. Still, Gurudev, I need your Grace and protection at every step to keep vigilant at all times.

     Gurudev: Yes, my Grace shall be ever with you”.

 Pujya Swamiji’s audio message focused on the importance of regular attendance at Satsangs and the importance of practice rather that theoretical knowledge. Pujya Swamiji said that Sri Gurudev didn’t give Pujya Swamiji any lecturing skills, or he would have been touring the world, lecturing, He said that discrimination is lacking today amongst devotees, and that people work mechanically without thinking. He used the following analogies to exemplify this point: a person placing ripe fruit on the kitchen rack and green tomatoes in the fridge, instead of vice versa, and the example of the devotee who made twelve trips to the shop to buy twelve eggs. When the Guru asked the disciple to do many things simultaneously, he brought several people when the Guru needed a doctor. Amongst these people were a doctor and also grave-diggers in case the Guru died. We often blame others except ourselves. We must have dispassion in all that we do, and we must make the effort to change ourselves, and not others. 

 The Day of Descent of Divine Grace is an apt example of Pujya Swamiji’s unconditional loyalty to Sri Gurudev, his yearning for spiritual growth, deep Sadhana and finally, illumination. It is important that earnest seekers cherish these traits, and learn from Pujya Swamiji’s Guru Bhakti, discipline and dedicated service, for our own spiritual growth and self-transformation. 

On this most auspicious day we thank Pujya Swamiji for his supreme sacrifice and dedication. Every cell of Pujya Swamiji’s sacred body, every drop of his pure blood was consecrated towards moulding us and preparing us for God-realisation, either in this birth or in the births to come. We express our eternal gratitude to Pujya Swamiji.

The auspicious Mahasivaratri was celebrated at all Sivanandashrams on Wednesday, 26 February 2025. At Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm, followed by the Mahasivaratri Satsang which concluded the next morning at 5am. The multi-faceted programme, which catered for all, comprised readings, Kirtans, Bhajans, musical items, guest artistes, videos, offerings at the shrine and chanting of the sacred Om Namah Sivaya Mantra while circumambulating the Ganga Rani pool. The four Praharas were intensely spiritual and nurtured the spiritual aspirations of devotees, many of whom stayed until the closure.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message on the Power of Namasivaya (Parts 1 and 2) featured in both the First and Fourth Praharas. These recordings by Pujya Swamiji, in which he related the account of an American devotee, Sharon Brown, whose amazing experience exemplified the power of the most sacred Om Namah Sivaya Mantra. Sharon had aplastic anaemia (a disease that attacks the bone marrow). In desperation, she sought Divine help and was advised by a devotee of Swami Muktananda of New York to chant the Om Namah Sivaya Mantra. The mere mention of the Mantra instilled miraculous, curative waves in her. On simply hearing the Mantra even once, Sharon experienced extraordinary exhilaration. The Mantra and the world appeared as one, and the fear of death faded by the power of its repetition. At one point, she felt that cancer came to her as a blessing so as to bring her into contact with the Mantra. She said that through the chanting of the Om Namah Sivaya Mantra, poison can be turned into nectar. Sharon experienced innate peace, bliss and courage during the illness as well as during the operation that was performed on her. To her, the Mantra was a “living form of God” and the “supreme truth”. The audio recording was an excellent example of the power and potency of the sacred Om Namah Sivaya Mantra.

The First Prahara also comprised a track of the video, Wisdom of Sivananda on the power of prayer which portrayed Sri Swami Sivananda’s deep love and reverence for Lord Siva. Guest artiste Kashmira Bhajan, is a student of the Kala Darshan, Institute of Classical Indian Dance and Music, under tutelage of Guru Sri Manesh Maharaj. Her offering, a Kathak Dance to the cosmic dancer, Lord Nataraj, was both inspirational and deeply spiritual. Dhivya Chetty, a young emerging artist, passionately explores various musical forms, including vocals, tabla, keyboards, and violin. She was accompanied by her father who has performed alongside many local and international musicians.

The reading from Glory of Sivaratri from Lord Siva and His Worship by Sri Swami Sivananda, captured the essence of Mahasivaratri. Sri Gurudev said, ‘Sivaratri’ means ‘night of Lord Siva’. The important features of this religious function are rigid fasting for twenty-four hours and vigil throughout the night. Every true devotee of Lord Siva spends the night of Sivaratri in deep meditation, keeps vigil and observes fast. The worship of Lord Siva consists in offering flowers, Bilva leaves and other gifts on the Linga which is a symbol of Lord Siva, and bathing it with milk, honey, butter, ghee, rose- water, etc.

 “When creation had been completed, Siva and Parvati had been living on the top of Kailas. Parvati asked; “O venerable Lord, which of the many rituals observed in ‘Thy honour doth please Thee most?’ Lord Siva replied: ‘The thirteenth night of the new moon, Krishna Paksha, in the month of Phalguna (February-March) is known as Sivaratri, and is My most favourable Tithi. My devotee gives Me greater happiness by mere fasting than by ceremonial baths, and offerings of flowers, sweets, incense, etc’.”

The First Prahara concluded with the recital of the Ganesha Arati – Jay Ganesha Deva, chanting of the Om Namah Sivaya Mantra and offerings. 

The Second Prahara was resplendent with an array of soul-elevating items. Extracts from Sivananda’s Gospel of Divine Life, highlighted the Master’s deep love for Lord Siva, as is indicative in the following excerpt, entitled The Master’s Worship, “It was the Viswanath Mandir Pratishtha Anniversary Day. A programme of worship was being conducted in the temple. Several aspirants and Sadhus were sitting inside the temple, worshipping the Lord with flowers and bael leaves. The Shiva Lingam was fully covered with a thick shawl of flowers. The Master was circumambulating the temple. As he appeared at the threshold of the shrine, one of the aspirants offered him some flowers and bael leaves with which to worship the Lord. As the Sannyasin outside was going on with his recitation of the Mantras, the Master also joined the devotees in offering flowers to the Lord. This went on for some minutes. In a mood of complete self-forgetfulness, the Master now turned to the Sadhus and aspirants sitting around the Lingam and began worshipping them with the flowers intended for the Lord. There seemed to be not a trace in his eyes or face indicating his recognition of who exactly the individuals were. The eyes seemed to gaze on, but only he could say what he saw”.

The story of Kancha Prabhu, portrays the mundaneness and mysteriousness of attachment and human nature. Instances of this description can be found even today. Those who are ever watchful can see clearly the folly of clinging to mundane things. The story reveals that one cannot take even a single material possession from this world when life departs. 

Srimathi Siddharthiya Pillay, a classically-trained Bharathanatyam dancer, presented a dance based on a Malayalam song praising Lord Siva, wherein she depicted the worship of Lord Siva by a gathering of women in the wilderness of the forest and the Lord's manifestation to his devotees.  Sri Thiru Solly Pillay, founder of Agni-swaram, a group of highly talented musicians, accompanied by the well-known Tansen Nepaul, performed with passion, devotion and intense Bhakti. The songs by Sri Gurudev, a video entitled, Lord Shiva visits Baby Krishna, and singing of melodious Thevarams also featured in this Prahara The readings of Nayanar Saints and the Story of Kannappa Nayanar, An Ode to Arunachala and singing of Arunachala Verses, complemented the Second Prahara as well. The An Ode to Arunachala, the Akshara Mana Malai is an inspired poetical composition by Sri Ramana Maharishi. It is an exceptional outpouring of devotion for the Lord of Arunachala in which the Maharishi assumes the role of a lover (seeker) seeking her beloved (the Supreme Being). It is said that anyone who recites the work with devotion will merge with Lord Arunachaleshwara and attain salvation, the goal of human existence. Melodious Kirtans and Bhajans added to the divine and spiritual ambience of the Second Prahara, which concluded with the Siva Arati, chanting and offerings. 

In the Third Prahara, the Lilas of Lord Shiva were aptly portrayed in the inspiring story, Old Drum, New Palace, an audio recording by devotees of the Society. Jay Udith and troupe of Jai Ho Satsang made their love offerings through melodious Kirtans and Bhajans. A video, Lord Rama sings on Sivaratri, Pujya Swamiji’s audio Kirtans and Bhajans, a video on the Om Namah Shiva Series, and a reading of the story, Chipak Mahadev complemented the Third Prahara. The story Chipak Mahadev, brought to the fore, Lord Siva’s miraculous and mysterious powers bestowed upon ardent devotees. The Prahara concluded with the Sivananda Arati, chanting and offerings.

The Fourth and final Prahara comprised Pujya Swamiji’s audio message (Part 2), recounting the American devotee, Sharon Brown’s experiences and the power of the Om Namah Sivaya Mantra, a video on the Vishnu Puran, recital of the Sri Hanuman Chalisa, Ram Bhajan, and an open-time when devotees were given the opportunity to sing Kirtans and Bhajans. The Fourth Prahara brought the Mahasivaratri celebrations to a great spiritual end with the final chanting, offerings and Arati at 5am.

The Divine Master, Sri Swami Sivananda, extols the virtues and powers of Lord Siva, in the following advice to aspirants:

“Blessed Aspirants,

Lord Siva is the God of Love. His Grace is boundless. He is the Saviour and Guru. He is the Beloved of Uma. He is Satyam, Sivam, Subham, Sundaram, Kantam. He is the Supreme Light that shines in your heart.

Meditate on His Form. Hear His Lilas. Repeat His Mantra ‘Om Namah Sivaya’. Study Siva Purana. Do His worship daily. Behold Him in all names and forms. He will bless you with His Vision”.

As we celebrate another Mahasivaratri, let us reflect, introspect and dive deep into the spiritual realms of our own beings. The importance of the worship of Lord Siva and the popularity and auspiciousness of Mahasivaratri throughout the world cannot be over emphasised. Its glory is ineffable. 

 May the blessings of Lord Siva, Gurudev, Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda be upon us all