The 101st Birth Anniversary of Pujya Swami Sahajananda was celebrated on Friday, 10 July 2026 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. There was a morning Sadhana programme from 6am until 6.25am, after which devotees had Darshan at Sahaja Kutir, Pujya Swamiji’s sacred Kutir and the Sivananda-Sahajananda Diamond Jubilee Centre. Akhanda Chanting took place from 5am until 4pm.
In the evening, Ganga Arati commenced at 5pm, followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised melodious Kirtans and Bhajans, readings of three letters from Sri Swami Sivananda to Pujya Swamiji, Pujya Swamiji’s audio message and a delightful children’s presentation.
The three letters from Sri Swami Sivananda had potent and powerful messages, pregnant with blessings, encouragement and praise for Sri Swami Sahajananda. The letter dated 21st November, 1954 praised the spiritual work being done in Durban, calling it ‘transformative’. He said, “You have made Durban the Lord’s Turban, the Crown of Divine Life, Vaikuntha or Kailasa on earth”. He extended blessings to all devotees and supporters. The core of the letter was advice on spiritual living. Sri Gurudev commended Srinivasan’s example, saying, “Your noble self’s life is inspiring”, and urged detachment from ego and identity, evident in, “Be a witness. Do not identify yourself with the name ‘V. Srinivasan’ or this photograph. Let others do whatever they like”. He emphasized that lived example is more powerful than theory, when he said, “A great Sadhak’s or saint’s life is greater inspiration to people than volumes of dry theory on Yoga and Vedanta. In the life-story of a saint are the secrets of Yoga and Self-realisation”.
In the letter dated 6th March 1961, the Master expressed appreciation for the progress of the Divine Life Society’s South African Branch in Durban. He acknowledged the building plans, publications and overall work, and encouraged Sri Swami Sahajananda to continue despite hardships. He said, “Very shortly there will be another duplicate of the headquarters in every respect. The will of the Lord is working through you to work out a grand plan in the near future…It is Divine Grace and Kripa. Never shall anyone engaged in good work ever have a fall. The Lord protects His devotees like the mother who protects her new born babe”. He continued, “Draw strength, power and inspiration from meditation. Wear the armour of Viveka-Vairagya. Rest peacefully in the Self”.
The letter of 10th March 1962 is the Master’s response to Pujya Swamiji’s self-analysis letter. He commended Pujya Swamiji’s spiritual progress, calmness and self-surrender. He also gave a practical instruction that Sri Swami Sahajananda remain in Durban rather than touring. On Pujya Swamiji’s spiritual attainment he said, “It delights me beyond measure to go through your critical and analytical study of your mind, Sadhana and personality. It is the fruit of your ungrudging self-surrender, hard selfless work, sincere and steady application in Sadhana that has enabled you to reach this stage of Sadhana and evolution. The Master continued, “Very few Sadhaks have attained the state of calmness, steadiness and fixity as you have done”. On the result of surrender, the Master said, “With the surrender of the lower Self to the higher Self and that to the Divine there is an end of all pain and suffering. It is all one flood of joy and inner light to the Sadhaka”.
Sri Swami Sivananda’s blessings, praise for Pujya Swamiji’s selfless service in Durban, his emphasis on Sadhana, self-surrender, meditation and the belief that Divine Grace protects those doing spiritual work, are encouraging, and reminiscent of Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s complete and unflinching loyalty, perseverance and dedication to the Master’s Mission in South Africa.
Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message focused on self-surrender to the Divine, acceptance of one’s conditions and self-transformation. He said that we are responsible for our present conditions, determined by our Samskaras. We should therefore not complain, and that “We should work out our past Samskaras and not try to create new ones”. If we are placed at a certain place or under certain conditions, then it is good for one. Even if we have the ideal conditions, we may be dissatisfied. We must surrender to the Divine Power and accept that this power determines our lives. We should surrender to God’s Will wherever we are. If both faith and reason are absent, we will encounter difficulties on the spiritual path. We have to make the effort to transform ourselves. If we have “a strong desire for God, then everything works itself out…. but to get that desire for God requires Grace… It is God who can give us inspiration to realise Him”.
A delightful children’s presentation comprising a Kirtan, a Ramayan reading, messages and a birthday song, were presented with innocence and child-like love.
The celebration of Pujya Swami Sahajananda's 101st Birth Anniversary was a reaffirmation of the timeless ideals that he lived with unwavering self-surrender to Sri Swami Sivananda and to God. Pujya Swamiji's greatest legacy is not merely the magnificent institutions he established, but the countless lives he transformed through his example of humility, discipline, compassion and selfless service. The letters from Sri Swami Sivananda, stand today as enduring testimony to the extraordinary disciple that Pujya Swamiji became. He was a saint whose life was marked by complete Guru-bhakti, steadfast Sadhana, fearless perseverance and total surrender to the Divine Will. The Master's words of praise and encouragement were prophetic, for the "grand plan" that he foresaw has unfolded magnificently through Divine Life Society of South Africa. What began as the dedicated efforts of one humble disciple, has blossomed into a vibrant spiritual, educational and humanitarian movement that continues to serve thousands across South Africa and beyond.
As devotees reflected on his sacred life on this auspicious occasion, we are reminded that Pujya Swamiji's mission is far from complete. His greatest tribute will not be found merely in annual celebrations, but in devotees who continue to live his ideals with sincerity and dedication. May his radiant example continue to inspire present and future generations to cultivate purity of heart, steadfast faith, selfless service and unwavering devotion to God and Guru. In doing so, they will ensure that the spiritual light kindled by Sri Swami Sivananda, and so magnificently nurtured by Pujya Swami Sahajananda, will continue to illumine humanity for generations.
