Sri Swami Advaitanandaji Maharaj's spiritual journey across South Africa
The visiting monk, Sri Swami Advaitanandaji Maharaj, General Secretary of the Divine Life Society Headquarters in India, will visit spiritual, religious, and cultural centres throughout South Africa from today until next month.
Sri Swami Advaitanandaji Maharaj is a senior resident of the sacred Sivanandashram in Rishikesh, and will be accompanied by his assistant, Sri Swami Aksharanandaji Maharaj, with the good wishes of the Swami Sivananda Fellowship of South Africa (SSFSA).
Swami Advaitananda is an erudite scholar of Advaita Vedanta and the Hindu Sastras, as well as a practical and dynamic. He was born in the province of Odisha, the land of Lord Jagannath in India. He studied at Jagannath Puri College, where his father was posted in the police department.
During his younger days in the Teacher Training College, he came in contact with Gurudev’s literature and books, and decided to come to the Ashram.
Swamiji came to Sivananda Ashram, The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, in April 1982, during the Diamond Jubilee celebration of Sri Swami Krishnananda ji, the then General Secretary of The Divine Life Society.
After completing 12 years of dedicated and devoted service to Gurudev’s Ashram, with the permission of Pujya Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj and Pujya Sri Swami Krishnanandaji Maharaj, in 1994, Swami Advaitanandaji went to Varanasi to study Prasthanatrayi (Upanishads, Bhagavadgita, Brahmasutra) and other scriptures in a traditional method.
Upon his return to headquarters Ashram in 2001, as per the instruction of Worshipful Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj, he resumed his seva at the general secretary’s office.
In 2002, he was inducted into the Board of Trustees of The Divine Life Trust Society, and in 2004, he was elected as the Treasurer of The Divine Life Society. He continued to hold the office until he was elected the General Secretary of The Divine Life Society in December 2023.
At present, he is holding the office of the General Secretary of The Divine Life Society, taking care of the general administration, Ashram maintenance, resident sadhak’s welfare, annakshetra (common kitchen and dining), hospital, and guiding sadhaks, seekers, visitors and guests in their spiritual path.
During his visit, he will conduct Satsangs, Paduka Poojas, illuminating discourses, and offer Darshan to devotees and well-wishers across the country.
His programmes will take place at the following spiritual centres:
- Ananda Kutir Ashrama, Cape Province
- Sri Adi Shankara Ashrama
- Sivananda School of Yoga, DLS Marlboro & Zakariyya Park, Gauteng
- Integral Yoga Centre, Pietermaritzburg
- Sarva Dharma Ashrama
- Sivananda Vedanta Society
- Sivananda World Peace Foundation
- Umhlanga Hindu Temple
- Various Divine Life Society branches across KwaZulu-Natal
The work of Sri Swami Sivananda is deeply revered in South Africa.
The arrival of the new General Secretary of Sivanandashram Headquarters comes amid the country facing many challenges, and with many believers seeking answers.
Swami Advaitananda, a towering spiritual giant of the Himalayas, brings with him a message of peace, service, and inner strength.
All are invited to attend these spiritual programmes across the country.
theolin.tembo@inl.co.za