OM NAMO BHAGAVATE PANDURANGAYA BALAJI VANI Volume 9, Issue 12 December, 2015

HARI OM In Month of November, many activities were performed in temple and many devotees attended various programs. Sri Balaji Vandana was celebrated grandly with 108 kalasha Ganapathi abhishekam, 108 kalasha Balaji abhishekam, Mahalakshmi abhishekam and Sathya Narayana Pooja. On Friday 20th November, 108 kalasha sthapana (presenting to God) for Balaji abhishekam was done. Families sat individually and invoked almighty lord doing sankalpa (resolution) and performed Ganapthi, Navagraha Poojas and Mahalakshmi abhishekam. Pitathipathi Sri Narayananada Swamiji initiated and led all the devotees in reciting mantras. Later, everyone was enchanted with the Mahalakshi abhishekam. Vittal Nithyananda Swami spoke about the meaning of Guru (Teacher). He talked about how the temple has grown today since the 2006 Charasthapatha of Balaji into a spacious place where devotees can come to feel one with God anytime and also how the Balaji Guru Vandana has become such a grand event every year. He Sri Balaji Guru Vandana, Swamiji talked of how Swamiji had a vision of Lord Balaji and how that vision has Praying to lord Sri Satyanarayana for devotes turned into a reality by which devotees are all able to come here to see and and world peace. pray to all the gods and goddesses. By performing Guru Vandana, devotees

can feel closer to God and through performing the poojas, all their doshas (problems) are removed. Later, Mahaprasadam sponsored by Peacock sreyo hi jnanam abhyasaj jnanad dhyanam visisyate | Cupertino (Sri Ram Gopal) was served to everyone. dhyanat karma-phala-tyagas tyagac chantir anantaram || On Saturday 21st November, 108 kalasha abhisheka was performed to invoke Lord Balaji and Swamiji performed this abhisheka with help from other priest’s and devotees. All the kalashas used as part of the abhishekam If you cannot take to this practice, then engage yourself in the cultivation were brought by families of devotees along with ingredients to make of knowledge. Better than knowledge, however, is meditation, and better Panchamirtha abhiskeka to Lord Balaji. Panduranga Rukmini abhisheka was than meditation is renunciation of the fruits of action, for by such performed by devotees with aarthi on Maha Ekadeshi day. Sri Elango helped renunciation one can attain peace of mind. organize the cultural events. Maha Prasadam was sponsored by Ganesha Restuartant, Santa Clara. Later, the treasurer of the temple, Sri Babu yasman nodvijate loko lokan nodvijate ca yah | Dinakaran spoke about how Swamiji inspired the board in thinking harsamarsa-bhayodvegair mukto yah sa ca me priyah || innovatively on ways to manage the temple successfully as it grows to ever greater heights. Sri R K Swami thanked Swamiji and the temple for giving He for whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not dirturbed by opportunity to serve God. Sri Prabhu Goel expressed thanks on behalf of his anxiety, who is steady in happiness and distress, is very dear to Me. family and other devotees for being able to be associated with supporting the temple and Swamiji’s goal of serving God through humanity. Swamiji

talked about Sri Paramhansa and how his devotion enabled him to reach Goddess Kali. He later talked about the significance of Guru. Swamiji mentioned how Guru is the best guide to reaching God and how a Guru selflessly spends time and effort to guide his disciples to the right path. He also spoke how Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma are not different and how a devotee can chant mantra in praise of any of the three and reach God and get . On Sunday, celebrations started with beautifully sung devotional bhajans by students of Srimathi Jayasri Dasarathi. This was followed by a 108 kalasha Sathya Narayana Pooja performed by Pitathipathi Swami Narayananda chanting “Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya” along with devotees. All participants had individual moorthis and peformed the pooja under Swamiji’s guidance. The katha (story) in the Pooja was read by devotees. Sri Prabhuram helped perform the pooja. Prasadam made by Srimathi Hema, Sri Manoj Bhombra and family was served. Everyone enjoyed the delicious prasadam and a wonderful conclusion to a grand, peaceful and successful Guru Vandana programme. Sri Krishnasheelam thanked all the devotees for attending and announced plans for the construction of a dining hall at the temple. He requested devotees to donate generously to help realize the hall. Peethadhipathi Sri Swami Narayanandaji and devotees at For donation and more information, please contact Balaji Temple at 408 203 Balaji Guru Vandana 1036 or visit the temple webpage at www.balajitemple.net .

MONTHLY EVENTS REGULAR ACTIVITIES December 5th, Saturday Balaji Abhishekam 5:00 PM TEMPLE OPEN WEEKDAYS 7:30 AM TO 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM to 8.30 PM December 6th, Sunday WEEKENDS SAT-SUN 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM Ekadasi Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram 6:30 PM Daily Puja & Aarti December 8th Tuesday Morning 8:00 AM Trayodasi Pradosham Shiva Puja 5:30 PM Afternoon 12:30 PM Evening 8:00 PM December 12th Saturday Chalisa and Abhishekam 5:00 PM Every Monday Rudrabhishekam (Shiva Puja) 6:00 PM December 13th Sunday Ramanama Sankeertana 6:00 PM Every Tuesday Hanumanji Puja 6:00 PM December 17th Thursday Maha Lakshmi Abhishekam 6:30 PM Every Wednesday Vishnu Stotram 6:00 PM December 20th Sunday Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram 6:00 PM Every Thursday Sri Sai Bhajans 7:30 PM December 21st Monday Vaikunta Ekadasi & Vaikunta Dwara Puja 7:00 AM Every Friday Panduranga Abhishekam 5:00 PM Santoshi Mata Puja 7:00 PM Lakshmi Puja, Lalitha Stotram & Mahaprasadam December 22nd Tuesday Krittika Pradosham Shiva Puja 5.30 PM Every Saturday Subramanya Puja 7:00 PM Sri Venkateshwara Suprabhatam Seva 8:00 AM & Vishnu Stotram December 24th Thursday Poornima Satyanarayana Puja 6:30 PM Every Sunday & Children’s class by Pushpa Dhar 9:30 AM December 27th Sunday Bhajans, Puja & Aarti 7:00 PM Vasavi Abhishekam 11:00 AM Every Sankasthahara Chaturthi December 28th Monday Sri Ganesha Puja 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chathurthi Ganesha Puja 7:00 PM Every Purnima December 31st Thursday Sri Satyanarayana Puja 6:30 PM New Year’s Eve Ganapathi Puja 12:00 AM Every Amavasya Siva Pooja check website for time

Third Thursday of every month Vedic Anna Dana for India

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 Vedas 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 services are free and open to all who wish to celebrate with us. All are welcome. Construction at 5004 N. First Street, P.O. Box 1146, San Jose, CA 95002 for landscaping and sun room will begin soon. Please donate generously to expedite this good cause.

BALAJI MATHA BOARD MEMBERS President Sri N. Swamiji (408) 203-1036 Secretary S (408) 718-3655 Treasurer Babu. D (408) 242-8278 BALAJI TEMPLE, 5004 N. 1st Street , San Jose, CA 95002 (408) 203-1036 / (408) 956-9050 Email: [email protected] http://www.balajitemple.net http://www.balajimatha.org Non-Profit Organization.

Devotees performing Sri 108 Sathyanarayana pooja.