Sahajananda Saraswati

Sahajananda Saraswati (10 July 1925 – 10 December 2007) was the spiritual head of the Divine Life Society of South Africa, and its founder in that country.

Early life Sahajananda was born as V. Srinivasan in the small midlands town of Estcourt, South Africa. He was educated at Sastri College.

For the underprivileged and disadvantaged of South Africa, Sahajananda undertook over 300 projects including schools, hospitals, clinics, crèches, old age homes, children's homes, technical colleges, hydroponic gardening tunnels, sewing centres, feeding schemes, peace and skills training centres, and low-cost housing. Many of the projects were in rural areas. For this humanitarian work, Sahajananda received local and international awards, including the Martin Luther King Jnr. Peace Award from the Centre for Non-violent Social Change in Atlanta, USA, and from statesmen including the South African President, Dr Jacob Zuma, past Premiers of the Province of KwaZulu Natal, Mayors of district and local municipalities, and the King and Prince of the Zulu Nation. In 2008, in recognising Sahajananda for his efforts of uplifting the people of South Africa, the University of KwaZulu-Natal posthumously conferred upon him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Theology, honoris causa.

Sahajananda's life was an example of kindness, love, obedience, dedication and devotion to God and the Guru.

Sahajananda attracted a large congregation of devotees. He never allowed himself to be worshipped and encouraged all to direct their devotion to Sivananda.

Death

Sahajananda died on 10 December 2007, after a short illness. News of his death spread to all corners of the world from Swamis, statesmen, devotees, etc. His body lay in state the day of the 10th and throughout the night, allowing people to pay their final respects. His final request was for his body to be cremated and his sacred ashes to be immersed in the holy waters of the River Ganges.