NAMO BHAGAVATE PANDURANGAYA BALAJI VANI Volume 9, Issue 11 November, 2015

HARI OM In Month of October, many activities were performed in temple and many devotees attended various programs. Temple celebrated Navratri. Several cultural activities like tabala, , , dance, violin, abhisheka, , chandi patha and satsang are performed at Temple and Ananda hall. Swami Narayanandaji talked about Navratri.

Navratri festival

The Navratri festival is the nine-day celebration to honor the very soul of the universe – the divine holy mother. It is celebrated twice a year, once in Chaitra masa and the other in Ashwija masa. The nine night’s festival of Navratri begins on the first day of Ashwija masa (Month) of the bright fortnight. The festival comes to an end on the tenth day of Vjay Dashmi or Dussehra. Dussehra, meaning ‘ten days’, becomes dasara in popular parlance. The

Navratri festival or ‘nine day festival’ becomes ‘ten day festival’

Namastheasthu Mahamaaye Sripeete Surapoojithe | with the addition of the last day, which is its Shankha Chakra Gadhahasthe Maha Namosthuthe|| culmination. On all these ten days, the various forms of Mother Mahisasura-mardini () are worshipped with fervor and Salutations to the Great (the power of Supreme devoid of devotion. qualities). Her abode is none other than Sri Peetha or Sri Chakra. She holds the Conch (symbolizing the gross manifestation) and the Disc The nine nights are dedicated to the three main goddesses of (symbolizing the great wisdom). I worship Sri Maha Lakshmi with all – , Lakshmi and . Navratri is separated devotion. into sets of three days. First three days of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga, the Goddess of power and energy. Next three days Padhmaasana Sthithe Parabrahmma Swaroopini | of Navratri are dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Paramesi Jaganmaatha Maha Lakshmi Namosthuthe || wealth and prosperity. The final three days belong to Goddess Saraswati who is worshipped to acquire the spiritual knowledge. She is adored in the yogic posture of padmaasana. She is the symbol of Supreme Brahman, devoid of all attributes. She is the Supreme wealth of Navratri is not just a time to celebrate, but a time to live in the cosmos and the Mother of all creation. I worship Sri Maha Lakshmi AWARENESS of the Supreme Consciousness and experience Her with all devotion. Grace and Love. It is a time for self-development with a strong sense

of righteousness, self-purification and self-transformation, so we can

receive Mother Goddess’s Grace, her Love and experience her Divine Energy. For nine days, we embark on a spiritual journey to cleanse our body and mind and connect with the Divine Energy through self-discipline in daily activities and praying to the Goddess Mother Durga to replace our short thinking senses with vices and if we conquer our lower thinking with mother blessings comes through divine qualities of non-violence, love, forgiveness, contentment, humbleness, and equanimity.

Sarva Mangala Maangalye Shive Sarvaartha Saadhike | Sharannye Triambake Gauri Naaraayanni Namostute ||

Welcome to you O Narayani; Who is the positiveness in all the auspicious, one who is so auspicious herself and has all auspicious Peethadhipathi Sri Swami Narayanandaji and devotees at qualities, The provider of protection, the one with three eyes and a Chardham Yatra beautiful face; We salute you, O Narayani.

MONTHLY EVENTS REGULAR ACTIVITIES November 1st, Sunday Free medical checkup: Dr sadhan sonti 10:00 AM TEMPLE OPEN Subramanya Sasharanama Pooja 6:00 PM WEEKDAYS 7:30 AM TO 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM to 8.30 PM WEEKENDS SAT-SUN 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM November 7th, Saturday Balaji Abhishekam 5:00 PM Daily & Aarti Morning 8:00 AM November 8th Sunday Afternoon 12:30 PM Pradosham Shiv Pooja 5:30 PM Evening 8:00 PM

November 9th Monday Every Monday Dhavantri, Kubera Pooja 7:00 PM Rudrabhishekam ( Puja) 6:00 PM

November 10th Tuesday Every Tuesday Kedareswara Vratam 9:00 AM Hanumanji Puja 6:00 PM Deepavali MahaLakshimi & Kubera Abhisheka Pooja 6:00 PM Every Wednesday November 11th Wednesday Stotram 6:00 PM /Prathama Deepavali Every Thursday November 15th Sunday Sri Sai 7:30 PM Naga Chaturthi Naga & Subramanya Pooja 6:00 PM Every Friday November 17th Tuesday Santoshi Mata Puja 7:00 PM Skanda Shasthi Subramanya Abhishekam 6:00 PM , Lalitha Stotram & Mahaprasadam

November 20th Friday Every Saturday Balaji Vandana Mahalakshmi Abhishekam 6:30 PM Sri Venkateshwara Suprabhatam 8:00 AM & Vishnu Stotram November 21st Saturday Balaji Guru Vandana Ekadasi Balaji 108 Abhishekam Every Sunday & Panduranga Abhishekam 5:00 PM & Children’s class by Pushpa Dhar 9:30 AM Bhajans, Puja & Aarti 7:00 PM November 22nd Sunday Balaji Guru Vandana 108 Sri Satyanarayana Pooja 10:30 AM Every Sankasthahara Chaturthi Sri Puja 7:00 PM November 24th Tuesday Poornima Sathyanarayana Pooja 6:30 PM Every Sri Satyanarayana Puja 6:30 PM November 25th Wednesday , Krittika Subramanya Abhishekam 6:30 PM Every Amavasya Siva Pooja check website for time November 28th Saturday Sankata Chaturthi Ganesh Abhishekam 7:00 PM Third Thursday of every month Vedic Anna Dana for November 29th Sunday Vasavi Abhishekam 11:00 AM

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

BALAJI 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 Swamiji and devotees at Haridwar baba doodhadhari hospital. Non-Profit Organization.