NAMO BHAGAVATE PANDURANGAYA

BALAJI VANI Volume 2, Issue 9 September, 2008

HARI OM August was another active month for the temple with increase in both programs and devotees along with the regular monthly pro- grams. 15th Aug was Rig Upakarma & Vara Maha Lakshmi Puja & Satyanarayan Puja. Swamiji explained that Vara means boon & also husband & on this day married women pray to Vara Lakshmi for the good health, long life & prosperity of their families.

Janamashtami was celebrated on Saturday from 6:30pm by Swamiji with Ganesh Bhajan & naam sankirtana & devotees also followed. Swami Keshava Sharanji also sang with harmonium & dholak by Govindaji who performed The Bhagwat Saptah. The Gayatri Satyanaranyanan performed Caranatic vocal bhajans along with all the other devotees like Vijay Lakshmi & Ekta. Then Swamiji performed the puja & he recited thousand names of Vishnusahastranaama & devotees repeated salutation to Om Nammo Bhagwate Vasudeva. After this the devotees were swinging Baby Krishna. The enthusiasm for the birth of Lord Krishna was a great celebration. Swamiji from India & Nepal conducted Bhagwat sap- tah. He explained the glory of Lord & his ten incarnations. This is the most popular of the eighteen puranas which glorifies the Lord & is easily understood by devotees & easy to explain to the listeners as well. Swamiji also sang bhajans in between & people also participated. He also encouraged people to do the dandiya & devotees enjoyed the same. Swamiji is very simple & looks for Krishna Janamashtami Alankaram for Balaji dedication in devotees. Narayana Swamiji explained that we are very fortunate to have Swamiji with us to explain easily the ISAVASYAM IDAM SARVAM YAT KINCA JAGATYAM JAGAT | Bhagwat Katha to our devotees. He also explained the summary TENA TYAKTENA BHUNJITHA MA GRDHAH KASYA SVID DHANAM || everyday after the daily program. He said Krishna is an Avatar of God. There are two types of Avatars. Ascending Avatar and Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and Descending Avatar. All living beings are progressively climbing the owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other spiritual ladder by learning through experiences in every birth. things, knowing well to whom they belong. When they are in the top level of the ladder, they are called (Ascending) Avatars. Buddha and Adi Sankaracharya,Shri TASMAD EKENA MANASA BHAGAVAN SATVATAM PATIH | Ramakrishna Paramhansha, Raman Maharishi & Shirdi Sai Baba are SROTAVYAH KIRTITAVYAS CA DHYEYAH PUJYAS CA NITYADA || examples of Ascending Avatars since they have realized the absolute Therefore devotees should constantly hear about, glorify, remember, and wor- knowledge (YOU ARE THAT) over their past births. Whenever ship the personality of Godhead (Bhagavan), who is their protector." From there is a need, God takes the form of a living being. Lord Krishna Isopanisad and Jesus are examples of Descending Avatars. God (Vishnu) will take the next Avatar only when the Ascending Avatars are not able to guide the remaining human beings to climb the spiritual ladder. If many are slipping down the ladder, God will take an Avatar to bring righteousness again amoung people.

Ekadashi Rudra Abhisheka was performed on Sunday & many peo- ple attended & recited Rudra & Chamakam in praise of Lord Shiva. Watching the Ekadashi Rudra Abhishekam in the Divine Presence of Rudra Himself was undoubtedly the most auspicious blessing that greater heaven bestowed on us. It had the absolute, magical calming effect. The chanting that went on filled the atmosphere with Divine vibrations. Truly this was real heaven. Even the most vacillating mind was numbed into a silence and even thoughts of thoughtless- ness did not arise. It is said that only in the depths of silence the voice of God is heard. In the presence of Lord Shiva, though there was chanting going on, the devotees felt the depths of silence. Shiva was glancing at this site and a thousand pairs of eyes lite up- a million hopes came alive. The soothing feeling that was felt in His presence had to be experienced- no amount of description will do it justice. Lord Shiva bestows his grace on the devotees & removes sickness, sadness & blesses them for the welfare of their families & all nations. Yajur Veda Upakarma performed by devotees --Balaji Temple board MONTHLY EVENTS REGULAR ACTIVITIES September 2nd, Tuesday Temple open daily from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm Swarna Gowri Puja 6:00 PM Daily Puja & Aarti

September 3rd, Wednesday Morning 8:00 AM Sri VINAYAKA CHATURTHI 8:00 AM Afternoon 12:30 PM Sri Ganesh Abhisekham 7:00 PM Evening 8:30 PM

September 6th, Saturday (Mark your Calendars) Every Monday Bhumi & Gana Homa Puja 10:30 AM Rudrabhishekam (Shiva Puja) 7:00 PM Indian Music Program 1:00 PM

September 7th, Sunday Every Tuesday Ga Kara Shasranama (Ganesha) 8:00 AM Hanumanji Puja 7:00 PM

September 13th, Saturday Sri Balaji Abhishekam & Pullangi Alankaram 7:00 PM Every Wednesday Meditation 7:30 PM September 14th, Sunday Purnima Satyanarayana Swami Puja 6:30 PM Every Thursday

September 15th, Monday Mahalaya paksha SRADDHA begins Shri Sai Bhajans 7:30 PM

September 18th, Thursday Every Friday Sankata Hara Chaturthi 7:00 PM Santoshimata Puja 7:00 PM September 21st, Sunday Lakshmi Puja, Lalitha Stotram & Mahaprasadam Subramanya Sahsranamvalli Puja 7:00 PM Every Saturday September 24th, Wednesday Sri Venkateshwara 8:00 AM Ekadasi Divya Sri Ram Nama Sankirtan 7:00 PM Suprabhatam Seva & Vishnu Stotram

September 26th, Friday Pradosham & Devi Puja 6:30 PM Every Sunday & Childrens class by Pushpa Dhar 9:30 AM September 27th, Saturday Bhajans, Puja & Aarti 7:00 PM Rasa Garbha Program (details www.balajitemple.net) 6:00 PM Every Sankasthahara Chaturthi September 28th, Sunday Sarva Pitrua Sraddha & AMAVASYA Sri Ganesha Puja 7:00 PM

September 29th, Monday Navratri begins Every Purnima Everyday Durga Devi, Lalitha & Kumari ka Puja 6:00 PM Sri Satyanarayana Puja 6:30 PM

October 9th, Thursday Navratri Ends Third Thursday of every month Durga Homa 5:00 PM & Puja and Aarti 8:00 PM 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 cani 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 Upanishads (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 P.O. Box 1146, 5004 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95002 to construct our new temple. Construction to begin soon. Your generosity will expedite this good cause.

BALAJI MATHA BOARD MEMBERS

President Sri N. Swamiji (408) 203-1036 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 Sri Swami Keshava Sharanji, Sri N. Swamiji & Sri Govindaji