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July 2009

What are and why do we BB Announcements: Balabhavan Coordinators Worship them? Namskaram Balabhavan There are nine navagrahas; , Families, Bharathy Thridandam , , , Brihaspathi, Time flies when one is having a Nithya Sudhakar , Sani, Rahu, and , Navagrahas are good time. It is unbelievable Sriram Srinivasan celestial bodies that are worshipped in most that we are halfway through Hindu temples. You may have noticed that the year. During the first six Contact: none of the navagrahas face each other. months, we covered various [email protected] Navagrahas are often confused for the nine topics for the Toddler section . Not all navagrahas are planets with Panchatantra stories and Class Coordinators because Surya:Sun, and Chandra: Moon are stories on , for not planets. Rahu and Ketu are not planets the Junior section, Navagrahas Super-Senior Class: either and are only mathematical positions in and the power they wield for Sudhakar Devulapalli the lunar path. The western planets the Senior section and on [email protected] represetned by the Hindu navagrahas are Hindu Samskaras for the Supersenior class. We Ashok Malavalli Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, , Saturn. observed Rathri in [email protected] The stothram is: February, RamaNavami in Ram Krishnamurthy Aadityaya cha somaya mangalaya budhayacha [email protected] April, Mother’s Day in May and Guru shukra byascha raahave ketave Father’s Day in June. The namah Senior Class: family picnic was a blast. We pray to the navagrahas because we More details on page 4. We Renuka Krishnan believe that their energy and force will have [email protected] will take a break from the a very strong influence on us and the things regular classes during summer Anitha Chidambaram we do. Some of the forces that the and resume them in [email protected] navagrahas emit are good while others are September. We have some

not so great. For example, when Shukra is in exciting summer camps Junior Class: our sector, many good things will happen to starting on July 11, 2009. Our Seetha Janakiraman us. When Sani is in our sector, he may cause dedicated parent volunteers, [email protected] great difficulties or exceptional luck. To get Lalitha Krishnamoorthy, Rama Sangeetha Prahalad the best influences when a navagraha is in its Srinivas, and Ramnarayanan [email protected] sector in your horoscope, there are certain will conduct the Dance Camp,

rituals and ceremonies you should perform. Art camp and Pooja Vidhanam Toddler Class: A person’s horoscope is a chart with nine camps respectively. Vidya Chari squares that tells which navagraha is in its If you are interested, please [email protected] check the temple website and sector or house at any given time for that Murali Chari sign up online as it is on a first person. So, if an astrologer tells a person [email protected] –come, first-serve basis. We that Shukra will be in its sector in a person’s Priya Ram still have some availability in horoscope the following year, the person will [email protected] Art and dance camps. Further plan ahead for auspicious ceremonies to take details in flyers. Please join us place that year such as marriages, moves, and Registration Coordinators: in this delightful summertime starting new businesses. Therefore, Panneer Selvam fun. horoscopes tell us when to worship a [email protected] BBC Team particular navagraha. July Birthdays: Matangi Munukutla Even gods and Devas pray to navagrahas Seniors:Vinod Krishmamurthy [email protected] because even they are afraid about the Super Seniors:Aparna,Satish Priya Ram influence some navagrahas may have on Ahkilesh,Siddhi,Shankaran [email protected] them. There are many stories about gods who Juniors:Mahatry Miryala Toddlers:Ahalya Ratnavel try to avoid being on the wrong side of Sanigraha. By Shreya S Si

7930 Arjons Drive, San Diego, CA 92126 Phone: (858) 549-3940 July 2009 ISSUE 7 - 1 - July 2009

What are N a vagrahas and RAMANUJACHARYA why we pray to them SAGE CHAITANYA "Nava" means "nine". "Graha" means "hold". Navagrahas are nine Gods we worship in Hindu temples just like we worship our other Gods. They are usually placed as a group in the temple. The Navagrahas are Sri Ramanujacharya was the foremost Soorya- the Sun God, Chandra- Vishvambhar or among Srivishnavaite gurus. He was born on the moon, Mangala-Mars, Budha- Gauranga (the fair- April 13, 1017 A.D. to Kesava Perumal Mercury, Guru-Jupiter, Shukra- complexioned), later known as Somayaji Dikhsitar and Kanthimathi Ammal Venus, Shani-Saturn, Raahu and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, was in Sriperumpudur (TamilNadu). Ketu. The word "Graha" also born to Jagannath Mishra and Sri Ramanuja propagated the means . So the common Sachi on a full moon day philosophy of Visishta-dvaita (qualified belief is that the nine Gods during the time of a lunar non-duality of Reality)'. He intrepreted that represent the nine planets. It is eclipse. Legend has it that he important to note that not all our jivathma or soul is real, the world is was devoted to as a the Gods represent planets. real, but we are not any different from young child and was always Soorya and Chandra are not Sriman Narayana (he in whom all beings singing songs in praise of Hari. planets. rest), the Parabhraman, who dwells in our Chaitnaya was a genius; at a Navagrahas are believed body. He is the antharyami of all creations, young age, he mastered to put out waves of energy. both sentient and insentient. The , philosophy and They are believed to take "hold" connection of Parabhraman and the theology and opened his own of what we focus on when we universe is apprithaksidhi, in other words, place of learning. come under their influence. inseperable and irrevocable. Our At the age of 24, Chaitanya Each "graha" except Rahu and mamsapindam, or body of flesh suffers became a sanyasi.His two gurus Ketu is associated with a day of many diseases from karma, but the God the . Soorya is associated were Sri Keshava Bharati and inside the body is unaffected. Nothing can with Sunday, Chandra with Ishvara Puri, who were among take away the purity and infinitude of the Monday, Mangala with , the Dhasanamis. He expounded Parabhraman. Budha with Wednesday, Guru and defended his philosophy in Sri Ramanuja reinforced the reading with Thursday, Shukra with many debates with Buddhists and practicing of Vedadhyayanam. He wrote and Shani with Saturday. and other Hindu scholars. many masterpieces, most of them discussing Also each graha is associated One time in Puri, during the philosophical concepts. Some of his with other characters like chariot festival, Jagannath’s literature pieces were Sri Gita Bashyam, a colour, metal, season, direction chariot would not start. Many and so on. substansive commentary on The Bhagavad people and even elephants Since the Navagrahas play Gita; Deepa, a commentary on the tried pushing the chariot but it such an important role in our purpose of each Sutra; Vedanta Saara, would not budge. Then, lives we pray to each one of another commentary of the Gita meant for Chaitanya performed a miracle them to be blessed by their beginners; Saranagati Gadhyam, the most by pushing the chariot with his special power. Collectively we important SaraNAgathi (Prapatthi) doctrine, head and moving it. Other can pray to them by chanting which is cardinal to Sri VisishtAdvaitham; miracles in Chaitanya’s life this simple shloka: Sriranga Gadhyam, prayers on Sri include curing a leper and "Namah Sooryaaya Chandraaya Ranganatha; and Sri Vaikunta Gadhyam, converting two of the worst Mangalaaya Budhaayacha. description of the location of Vaikunta criminals, Jagai and Madhai, to Guruhu Shukra ShaniBhyashcha Loka. Raahuve Ketuve namah". staunch devotees of Krishna. Sri Ramanuja attained the feet of the Supriya Lord in the year 1137 A.D. Continued on pg. 3… By Sankaran R

7930 Arjons Drive, San Diego, CA 92126 Phone: (858) 549-3940 July 2009 ISSUE 7 - 2 -

July 2009

CHAITANYA.. The Significance of The Bhagavad Gita (meaning Celestial BALABHAVAN PICNIC Continued from pg. 2… Song) is one of the most sacred religious

scriptures of . It is a long dialogue Wow, Balabhavan families can During Chaitanya’s period, between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the play hard and play hard is Muslim rule was expanding in Kurukshetra battlefield. The Gita tells us to what we did on June 14th at India. Chaitanya helped to conduct ourselves in our daily lives by keeping the family picnic at Lake God at the center of our awareness and reduce the conversions to Poway. Everything about the activities, performing our duties with a sense of Islam and to revive day turned out beautifully, detachment and accepting God as the doer and Hinduism. Chaitnaya also with great weather, awesome ourselves as his instruments engaged in the act organized peaceful mass food, families interacting, of liberation and self realization. As our lives protests against the Muslim relaxing, and the games were have become more complicated due to the leaders in Nawadwip. a runaway success. Adults pressures and challenges of modern life, Chaitanya’s simple method planning strategic plays for the understanding the teachings of the Gita is of to reach god was through three legged race(that’s what paramount importance. Gopibhaava, which means happens when a bunch of Being a source of power and wisdom, it Engineers, IT Folk and multi- complete surrender to God strengthens and inspires us when we’re weak. It faceted professionals get without expecting anything teaches us to embrace dharma and resist together on a Sunday in return. Chaitanya was in adharma. It teaches the rigid performance of afternoon), a combination of the visishtadwaita one's duty in society, the life of active struggle, yogic balance, concentration framework. He is believed to keeping one's inner being untouched by the ever and agility revealed in the be an incarnation of the changing surroundings and renouncing all fruits lemon and spoon race, Moms Supreme Lord Krishna of actions as offerings unto the Lord. The Gita Vs Dads in Tug-of-War showing himself. The only writing shows a way to rise above the world of duality absolute strength and that he has left behind is the namely, happiness and sorrow and to attain technique (keep guessing who Sikshashtaka in Sanskrit. immortality. Lord Krishna talks about the Karma won..), Piñata and Ring toss , action with a certain attitude. This for the adorable tiny tots, means we have to do our duty to our best By Shreya S baseball and the ever popular abilities with devotion (Ishvararpitha Buddhi). cricket with the tweens plus, We must develop the attitude to accept the ------waterballoon toss (and fight) fruits of our actions as a reward (Prasada Newsletter Editors and Bingo for everyone when Buddhi). This results in purification of the mind the heat and activity wore Kamakshi Ramanarayanan and helps us receive the highest knowledge, everyone out. Hula hoops, ball Keerti Tadimeti which frees us from earthly bondage. games, bubbles, Frisbees and We humans are driven by our own more kept everyone on their Topics of the Month combination of natural attributes (Gunas) feet. Once the yummy mysore Sankaran Ramanarayanan namely, Satva (purity and calm), Rajas pak, and gulab jamuns wore Shreya Sriram (passion), and Tamas (dullness) which makes us off, fruit desserts kept engage in certain actions hoping for a result. everyone energized. Families ------The mind gets agitated by the successes or kept asking why we don’t do Please send your suggestions failures of actions. The Supreme knowledge this more often, at least twice or comments on this news- attained through learning and understanding the a year. It was a true treat to letter to Gita frees us from this agitation. see the inner child come out in [email protected] The Bhagavad Gita is relevant today as it the adults and the children was thousands of years ago. It helps one lead a cheering them on as was the stress free life and deal with our problems case with adults cheering the peacefully and confidently. The Gita has a little ones. Thanks to all the transforming and purifying power. It teaches us parent volunteers who made how to maintain inner stability while performing this such a memorable event. complex tasks in a righteous manner, accept life’s Keep up the great work! challenges with detachment and overcome our fears and anxieties with faith in God. - Vikram T BBC TEAM 7930 Arjons Drive, San Diego, CA 92126 Phone: (858) 549-3940 July 2009 ISSUE 7 - 3 -

July 2009

BALABHAVAN PICNIC

June 14, 2009

7930 Arjons Drive, San Diego, CA 92126 Phone: (858) 549-3940 July 2009 ISSUE 7 - 4 -