Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s 18th Mahasamadhi Anniversary according to the Sanskrit calendar, was observed on Friday, 21 November 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills, with Ganga Arati commencing at 5.30pm, followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised Kirtans, Bhajans, an audio message by Pujya Swamiji and a reading, Sri Gurudev’s tribute to Pujya Swamiji on the eve of Pujya Swamiji’s departure and after Pujya Swamiji’s Sannyas initiation on 10 April 1956. The following are excerpts of the report of the function that was held after the Sannyas initiation ceremony, taken from Sivananda Day-to-Day, published by the Yoga-Vedanta Forest University.

“The function tonight was opened by Gurudev with Kirtan. This was followed by the reading and presentation of a Farewell Address to Swami Sahajanandaji. Gurudev then gave a twenty-minute speech bringing out the divine qualities of Swami Sahajananda. Then several inmates of the Ashram spoke, paying tribute to Swami Sahajananda for the various virtues he possessed. Swami Jyotirmayanada, Rev. A Thitadhdmma of Thailand, Swami Krishnananda, Swami Swaroopananda of Germany, Swami Venkatesananda, and Swami Prajnananda spoke in English, and Swami Gurusarananda spoke in Sanskrit. Swami Santananda sang a song composed by himself in honour of Swami Sahajananda. Replying to the farewell addresses, Swami Sahajananda also gave a short speech attributing his spiritual progress to Gurudev's Grace. The function closed with Arati and distribution of sweetmeats”.

Referring to Pujya Swamiji’s noble qualities, the Master, in his address, said, "So we rejoice today heartily, because we have amidst us a noble personality, a spiritual personality, a Bala Yogi, a Bala Swami, Sri Swami Sahajananda. Whenever a noble function takes place, the Devas are pleased. So, we had a very good shower today, and now we have a cool atmosphere. So, we are able to celebrate the function joyously. You may ask, 'Why there is no rain of flowers?' That also there is. The Devas rain flowers.

The Master continued, "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 organiser. He has organised some 20 branches of the Divine Life Society in South Africa. His friend Bhika Chiba is also as good as Swami Sahajananda.

"He is a strong pillar of the Divine Life Society…. I am a rupee-eater: I am Swami Sahajanandaji's rupee-eater. I want money for printing paper, art paper, for hospital, etc. Sahajanandaji supplies the money…Swami Sahajananda is spiritual king of Durban, a great organiser, a great supporter, a pillar of the Divine Life Society”.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message focused on the concept of fear. He narrated some of his childhood experiences when he displayed fearlessness. He also said that one cannot escape the effects of one’s Karma.  Pujya Swamiji advised that we should have no fear, and that the Guru can prolong one’s life and ward off one’s Karma. He said, “I don’t like Divine Life people having fear”. We should be brave and courageous. He further explained that if we do the wrong things, then fear will ensue. We must do the right things and then there will be no room for fear. He narrated an incident when he went to India and a teacher friend had given Pujya Swamiji a piece of gold to be taken to India. When questioned at customs in India, he admitted that he had a piece of gold. He therefore had no difficulty because of his honesty. He further advised that we should go to the root of fear, and we should “do everything scrupulously well”.  Adverse forces are active and affect us, attempting to take us away from the spiritual path. We should therefore be fearless and do the right things always.

Divine Life Society of South Africa, nurtured under Pujya Swamiji’s gentle but firm guidance, has become a beacon of spiritual light, moral upliftment, and compassionate service across South Africa and beyond. Its humanitarian projects, educational initiatives, Ashrams, Branches, Satsangs, spiritual literature and numerous initiatives continue to uplift communities, heal hearts, and inspire righteousness in all who encounter its sacred work.

Sri Swami Sahajananda’s presence lives on in every prayer sung, every child educated, every home blessed with peace, and every devotee uplifted by Sri Swami Sivananda’s divine teachings. Sri Swami Sivananda’s and Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s lives and legacies remind us that true greatness lies not in recognition, but in selfless labour done silently for the welfare of humanity. Pujya Swamiji Sahajananda’s 18th Mahasamadhi is therefore a time for deep personal reflection and sincere introspection.

We bow with profound respect to Sri Gurudev and Pujya Swamiji. May their radiant examples continue to guide us on the path of purity, devotion, and service.

76 Years in the life of any institution is indeed a milestone event. The 76th Anniversary of Divine Life Society of South Africa was celebrated on Tuesday, 11 November 2025 at Sivanandashram, Reservoir Hills. Ganga Arati commenced at 5.30pm followed by Satsang. The Satsang programme comprised melodious Kirtans and Bhajans, readings of two letters written by Sri Swami Sivananda to Pujya Swami Sahajananda with profound spiritual advice, encouragement and guidance.

The Master’s cryptic words resonate with potency and are highly relevant to all seekers. In his letter dated 11 November 1949, the Master wrote,

“Lust and pride are the root of all human ills. They are the enemies of peace and are the parents of all the host of evils. Get up in the morning and meditate on the havoc that these two bring about in man's life. These two alone cause man’s subjection to the wheel of Samsara.

“If you bring yourself up to feeling that they drain out your vitality - physical and mental - and that for your own good, you should eradicate them, then conquest of these two foes will be an easy affair. Resort to His Lotus Feet. He will help you”. In his handwritten note, the Master said, “Kindly open the branch of the Divine Life Society at once”, and implored Pujya Swamiji to do some silent work, which Pujya Swamiji did with distinction.

In the second letter that was read, the Master wrote on 21 September 1955 as follows, “I feel the vibrations created there during the Birthday celebrations through various Branches”.  Referring to the Durban Branch, the Master said, “Kindly take great care of all the workers of the Durban Centre. They are all Dynamic Yogis, who have lost their body-consciousness. I wish all glory, Divine Wisdom, Good health and long life to all of them. One day I will be able to meet them all.

“Your visit to Ananda Kutir in January 1st week is the happiest news to me and all the inmates of the Ashram. Cordial greetings. You have selected the finest period - winter - very pleasant for silent Sadhana. This will be a wonderful period in your life - all Bliss and Inspiration.

“Though it is a laborious job, the Birthday Message and the Divine Message for Children, have been printed in a very attractive manner. They look charming”.

Pujya Swami Sahajananda’s audio message focused on his deep relationship with Sri Swami Sivananda. The Master moulded Pujya Swamiji’s spiritual life in every respect. Pujya Swamiji said, “Whatever Gurudev wanted to do, he did”, and “Gurudev can do whatever he likes”. His reverence for the Master is evident in, “Intuitively I knew that Gurudev was a God-realised saint”, and the Master “willed that we take birth in this country”. Pujya Swamiji also alluded to Sri Gurudev’s total control of Pujya Swamiji’s life, when he didn’t perform as well as he had expected to in the matriculation examination, resulting in him becoming a teacher and then renouncing the material world in search of God. Pujya Swamiji’s bubbling enthusiasm when he first visited the Master “burst” as life in Rishikesh was strange in many respects. Pujya Swamiji also missed home and his friends, thus questioning his own dispassion at the time. The Master gave Pujya Swamiji a simple instruction, “Learn to make tea and learn to type” which Pujya Swamiji said had a deeper meaning -  “maybe it implied serve, serve people”. When Pujya Swamiji said to Sri Gurudev that he wanted to return home as he didn’t have the necessary qualifications for spiritual life, the Master said, “They will come” - a prophetic prediction of Pujya Swamiji’s sterling work in this country as a direct disciple of Sri Swami Sivananda.

May Divine Life Society of South Africa continue to serve as a beacon of purity, compassion and divine inspiration for generations to come. The Society stands as a compass of spirituality and service. Its tireless efforts in uplifting communities reflect true compassion and divine love. The Society nurtures purity, discipline and spiritual growth in all ardent seekers, and its unwavering dedication continues to inspire countless devotees across the globe.

We offer deepest admiration and gratitude to Sri Swami Sivananda and Pujya Swami Sahajananda for their tireless, selfless and divine work in uplifting humanity and for spreading spiritual light among us all.