OM NAMO BHAGAVATE PANDURANGAYA

BALAJI VANI Volume 2, Issue 3 March, 2008

long time. The poor man did as he said. One day he found Srinivasas wife Sri Bai at home and told her his story. She was a kindhearted woman and thus able to see the right thing to do. She felt sorry that the poor man had come back so many times and had been given no help. She gave him her nose ring, which he then sold at a jewelry store, which happened to be owned by her husband. Recognizing that nose ring, Srinivasa locked it in his safe at work and went home to question his wife. Upon returning home he asked her where her nose ring was. She was terrified to answer and went to the room, prepared a cup of poison and prayed: O Vittala, you are God, I know you can do anything. I ask for your help. As she was about to drink the poison, she heard a sound in the cup and looked inside and was astonished to see her nose ring there. She ran out to show her husband who, upon seeing that nose ring and checking that the one he had locked in the safe was still there, knew the Lord had worked this miracle. He transformed instantly, sold his belongings the next day and spent the rest of his life praising the Lord in the thousands of songs he com- posed to God. We know him today as Purandara Das. Sri Alankaram N. Swamiji told this story to illustrate how God acts and will save his devotees according to their faith in Him. The Lord comes to the aid of those who truly love and trust Him. Sri Lakshmi Saraswati Bai was able to rec- HARI OM ognize the right action to take because she loved the Lord and had purified her heart. We must all increase Balaji Temple held a three-day program February 8-10 to commemorate our faith and devotion to God and help others to do so, the 4th anniversary of the arrival from India of the Sri Lakshmi and Balaji too, by setting a good example. moorthies. Celebrations began on the evening of Friday, February 8 with kalesha puja, punyavachana, diksha, invocation of Sri Lakshmi and Balaji, The three-day anniversary clelebrations were concluded followed by bhajans, arati and mahaprasadam. Many devotees chose to Sunday evening, February 10 with a puja attended by take diksha for the three days which meant a vow to chant the Lords man- many devotees. The 1008 Names of Sri Balaji were tra while maintaining spiritual behaviour. Vice President, Ashok chanted, arati was sung joyfully by the devotees and Chawathe spoke about upcoming events and temple service opportunites. everyone enjoyed the mahaprasadam that had been sponsored for the entire three days by Ram Gopalji of On Saturday, February 9 abhishekam for both Sri Lakshmi and Balaji was Cupertino Bakery. Devotees enjoyed the evening to- performed. The morning began with priests and devotees ardently chant- gether with the good feelings of the heart that come ing the Suprabhatam to awaken the Lord. Abhishekam of milk, yogurt, from praying together. ghee, honey, mango, kesari, haldi and kum kum followed. Sri Narayana Swamiji performed the abhishekam and was assisted by Sri Manoj Kumar Shivaratri will be celebrated at Balaji Temple for 24 and Sri Vittala Das. Vedic chanting of the prayers filled the temple for hours beginning March 5th at 7am and completing hours and provided an atmosphere of peace and beauty for all who at- March 6th at 7am. Rudrabhishekam and bhajans will be tended. While the moorthies were being dressed and decorated, Sri performed every three hours around the clock. Vidya, disciple of Shankuntala Moorty, Aruna Sridharan and other devo- Mahaprasadam will be served at 8 pm. tees lovingly sang bhajans to the Lord accompanied by fellow devotees on the tabla. All who listened were uplifted by the music while waiting to Saturday April 5th there will be a Ganapathy homa, have the darshan of Sri Lakshmi and Balaji. The sanctuary curtains 108 Chalisa and rathra yatra at the new opened to the image of the Divine Pair in all their radiance and glory. temple site, 5004 N. First St., San Jose, 1-3:45pm. Astavadana puja for the well-being of world leaders and for world peace World Peace Prayer and Indian Vocal Concert will was followed by pushpanjali, arati and mahaprasadam. follow next door at George Mayne Elementary School, 4-6pm with mahaprasadam served after- At the end of the puja N. Swamiji recounted the story of Srinivasa wards. Nayaka and how he became Purandara Das to illustrate that God alone can do everything. Srinivasa was a very rich man but very stingy. For more details please go to www.balajitemple.net Everyday the Lord disguised as a poor brahmin used to come to him ask- ing for money for his sons thread ceremony. Everyday Srinivasa would --Balaji Temple board tell him to come back tomorrow or the next month. This went on for a MONTHLY EVENTS REGULAR ACTIVITIES March 2nd, Sunday Temple open daily from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm Divya Sri Ramanama Sankirtana, Puja 7:00 PM Daily Puja & Aarti Morning 8:00 AM March 4th, Tuesday Afternoon 12:30 PM Pradosam Shiva & Hanuman Puja 7:00 PM Evening 8:30 PM March 5th, Wednesday 7:00 am to next day 7:00 am Every Monday every 3 hours Rudrabhishekam, Shiva Japam, Tryambakam Rudrabhishekam (Shiva Puja) 7:00 PM Japam, Trisatinamavali, Samba Shiva Bhajans, Bilva Stotram, Shivpanchakshar Japam, Poornahuti. Every Tuesday March 7th, Friday Hanumanji Puja 7:00 PM Puja 6:30 PM Every Wednesday March 9th, Sunday Meditation 7:30 PM Subramanya Sahsranamvalli Puja 7:00 PM

March 14th, Friday Every Thursday Santoshi Mata and Saraswati Puja 7:00 PM Shri Sai Bhajans 7:30 PM

March 15th, Saturday Sri Venkatesha Suprabatham & Balaji Abhishekam 8:00 AM Every Friday Santoshimata Puja 6:00 PM March 17th, Monday , 6:30 PM Ekadasi, Rudrabhishekam 7:00 PM Lalitha Stotram & Mahaprasadam

March 18th, Tuesday Pradosham, Hanuman & Shiva Puja 7:00 PM Every Saturday Sri Venkateshwara 8:00 AM March 20th, Thursday Suprabhatam & Stotram () Satyanarayana Swami Puja 6:30 PM

March 23rd, Sunday Every Sunday Vishnu Sashranama Puja 6:30 PM Yoga & Childrens class by Pushpa Dhar 9:30 AM

March 25th, Tuesday Bhajans, Puja & Aarti 7:00 PM Angarki Sankatahara 6:30 PM Every Purnima March 28th, Friday Sri Satyanarayana Puja 6:30 PM Devi and Santoshi Mata Puja 6:30 PM

March 30th, Sunday Every Sankasthahara Chaturthi Bhajans & Satsanga 7:00 PM Sri Puja 7:00 PM Third Thursday of every month Homeless feeding service

OUR PURPOSE The purpose of Balaji Temple is to form a Hindu Temple and Vedic Cultural Center on the Peninsula in the heart of Silicon Valley where people can come together to study and worship, regardless of our different backgrounds. Our aim is to promote the feeling of universal love and unity among all people.

We will share the ancient wisdom of the and the (sacred texts of India) with individuals of all ages and backgrounds. We will celebrate the One Truth behind all religions: that God is One and in all of us. Our worship service are free and open to all who wish to celebrate with us. All are welcome. We have acquired land at 5004 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95002 to construct our new temple. Sales price was $860K, we paid $550K down, and took a mortgage of $310K. Construction is estimated to cost approximatley $1.9 million. Your generosity will make this good cause happen.

BALAJI MATHA BOARD MEMBERS

President Sri N. Swamiji (408) 203-1036 V. President Ashok C. (408) 499-6687 Secretary Laksmi V. (650) 219-4968 Treasurer Rajendra N. (408) 921-0263 Exe. Member Sashi N. (510) 856-6435 Newsletter Vinay Singh (510) 226-6801

BALAJI TEMPLE, 678 Cypress Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94085 Ph. #: (408) 203-1036 or (408) 733-9266 Email: [email protected] http://www.balajitemple.net Non-Profit Organization