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.