TML TIMS - Sri Meenakshi Temple Society · PDF fileproject transported everyone to Sabari mala...

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TEMPLE TIMES-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd Quarter 2017 July, August, September--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sri Gayathri Devi

A Quarterly Publication of

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society Pearland, Texas

TEMPLE TIMES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3rd Quarter 2017 July, August, September

Sri Gayathri Devi

A Quarterly Publication of

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society Pearland, Texas

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A Message from the MTS Chairman Namaskaram! As we head towards the 3rd quarter of 2017 with many of our religious events coming up including the grand Navarathri celebrations when all of the devotees become ecstatic at the glorious sights of our goddesses Lakshmi, Saraswthi and Durga, we have much to be thankful. Our Meenakshi Temple had record number of devotees attending and enjoying the multitude of Puja celebrations during the second quarter, including Sita Rama Kalyanam, Panguni Uthiram, New Year’s Day, Chittirai Mahotsavam culminating in the grand Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukalyanam, Narasimha Jayanthi, Vasavi Jayanthi, Hanuman Jayanthi, Maha Rudram and Aani Thirumanjanam. Each event vied for special mention with beautiful “alankarams”, with the celestial wedding of Meenakshi and the procession in her decorated Ratham being an unbelievable sight to behold. The event celebrating the start of Ayyappa temple’s 18 steps (Pathinettapadi) project transported everyone to Sabari mala itself, and was a thrilling experience to all. Special cultural programs were organized for many of the events, in line with our culture where temples were the abodes of religion, arts and culture.

Corner Temple Renovation Project fund raising (CTRP) is progressing very well with the total pledge amount exceeding One Million Dollars. The construction has started and progressing well. We plan to complete the construction and have the Kumbhabhisekam in November of this year. Granite pillars and vigrahams of Nayanmargal, Alwargal, and Acharyars are being made in India. Ayyappa Holy 18 steps construction plans are progressing well with special expert advice. When the CTRP project is completed, our Temple will have the unique distinction of having the 63 Nanyanmars and 12 Alwars under one roof, and the only US Temple to have the Holy 18 steps (Pathinettapadi) for Ayyappa.We are adding new Audio & Video equipment in all the four corner Temples and a comprehensive security system for the Main Temple complex.

We thank all the Priests and Staff as they continue to work hard to ensure our Temple and the grounds is well presented, a key objective of all of us in the board. Indeed we have much to give thanks as we approach the midpoint of 2017. We request your support and participation in the multiple events planned in the 3rd quarter, and look forward to your feedback. On behalf of the Board and Advisory council we wish for the blessings of Sri Meenkashi, Sri Sundareswara, Sri Padmavathy and Sri Venkateswara be showered on you and your family.

Sockalingam Narayanan Chairman, MTS

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Sacred words from the 3 AcharyasDo not be proud of wealth, people, relations and friends.

All these are snatched by time in the blink of an eye. Giving up this illusory world, know and attain the Supreme.

- Sri Adi Shankara

Do not boast about your virtues or scorn a devotee or ignore serving devotees. Praise the auspicious qualities of the Lord daily.

Have undying faith in Lord Vishnu.- Sri Ramanujacharya

Vishnu is to be perceived in His nature through the holy scriptures and only through them.

All living beings are dependent upon Vishnu for their existence. - Sri Madhavacharya

Sacred Gayathri Mantra Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ

Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt ~ The Rig Veda (10:16:3)

Compiled by Kamala Raghavan

The Gayatri mantra is one of the oldest and most powerful of Sanskrit mantras. It is believed that chant-ing the mantra and establishing it in the mind helps one to carry on a happy and fulfilled life. The word “Gayatri” has its origin in the Sanskrit phrase Gayantam Triyate iti and refers to that mantra which rescues the chanter from all adverse situations that may lead to mortality. Goddess Gayatri is also called “Veda-Mata” or the Mother of the Vedas - Rig, Yajur, Saam and Atharva - because it is the very basis of the Vedas, the reality behind the experienced and the cognized universe. The mantra is composed of a metre consisting of 24 syllables, arranged in a triplet of eight syllables each.

Meanings: “We meditate on that most adored Supreme Lord, the creator, whose effulgence (divine light) illumines all realms (physical, mental and spiritual). May this divine light illumine our intellect” (Sri Sathya Sai Baba)

“O thou existence Absolute, Creator of the three dimensions, we contemplate upon thy divine light. May He stimulate our intellect and bestow upon us true knowledge.” (Gyan Rajhans)

“O Divine mother, our hearts are filled with darkness. Please make this darkness distant from us and promote illumination within us.” (Gyan Rajhans)

Om (Aum): also called Pranav because its sound emanates from the Prana (vital vibration), which feels the Universe. The scripture says “Aum Iti Ek Akshara Brahman” (Aum that one syllable that is Brahman).

Bhur, Bhuvah, and Svah: The three words of the Gayatri literally mean “past,” “present,” and “future,” and are called Vyahrities, which give knowledge of entire cosmos or “ahriti”. The scripture says: “Visheshenh Aahritih sarva viraat, praahlaanam prakashokaranh vyahritih”. By uttering these three words the chanter contemplates the God’s Glory that illumines the three worlds or the regions of experience.

Tat means “that” because it defies description and is the “Ultimate Reality. Savitur means “Divine Sun” (the ultimate light of wisdom). Varenium means “adore”. Bhargo means “illumination”. Devasya means “Divine Grace”. Dheemahi means “we contemplate”. Dhi means intellect. Yo means “who”. Nah means “ours”. Prachodayat means “requesting / urging / praying”. The last five words constitute the prayer for final liberation through the awakening of our true intelligence.

SRI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE SOCIETY 17130 McLean Road. Pearland, Texas 77584 – 4630 Tel: 281- 489-0358 ext.100 or 110, Fax: 281- 489-3540 Website: www.meenakshi.org E-mail: [email protected] Corner Temples Renovation Project 2016

SPONSORSHIP FORM

Donor Name: Last ________________________ First ____________________ Spouse: _______________________ Business/Corporate Donor Name (If applicable): __________________________________________ Phone: Home: __________________ Work: ___________________ Mobile: __________________ Mailing Address: ______________________________________________E-mail: _____________________

Donors upgrading from $1,000 BRICK sponsorship will need to pay only the difference to the new level of sponsorship. For example, a $1,000 BRICK donor will need to pay additional $1,500 and be upgraded to BRICK +

Pillars of Nayanmargal & Alwargal Mandapams.

- Item has already been sponsored. ALL CTRP DONATIONS ($1,000 & ABOVE) WILL BE RECOGNIZED ON WALL PLAQUES

AT THE MTS VISITOR CENTER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH MTS POLICY GUIDELINES I wish to be a sponsor of CTRP project as shown above (Kindly check one of the boxes above): Method Of Payment (Check Box): We appreciate your early payment to help cover construction costs. Donors may pay half by December 31, 2016 and remaining by June 30, 2017. Credit Card Cash Check #:______ TOTAL AMOUNT: $___________ MC VISA AMEX DISCOVER Card # ________________________ Exp. Date: ______ Security code ______________ Signature____________________________ This is a pledge – Will pay later Please make check payable to Sri MTS, write “Corner Temples Renovation Project” in the Memo

Online Payment is accepted at www.emeenakshi.org You may also email your sponsorship to [email protected]

MTS is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Contributions are generally tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor.

$1,000 – CTRP Brick Sponsor family

$2,000 – Granite Figures Of Saints Sponsor 1- Nayanmargal Sponsor 2- Alwargal Sponsor

$2,500 – Pillars of Nayanmargal & Alwargal Mandapams

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$50,000 CTRP Grand Sponsor for Mandapams Rajagopuram Mandapam Nayanmargal Mandapam Alwargal Mandapam $100,000 CTRP Maha Grand Sponsor

$5,000 – Gold Mini Kalasam Sponsor 1-Anjaneya - 2. Radha Krishna 3 - Bhairavar 4 - Nataraja 5 - Jyothi 6 - Kannika Parameswari

$10,000 – Pillars of Rajagopuram Mandapam Pillar 1 Pillar 2 Pillar 3 Pillar 4 Pillar 5 Pillar 6 Pilar 7 Pillar 8

$25,000 Gold Kalasam Sponsor

Maha Ganapathi Ayyappa Muruga Rama Parivar Durga

$5,000 – Pillars of Corner Mandapams (24 Pillars available for sponsorship) #1 #2 #3 #4 # 5 # 6 P# 7 # 8# 9 # 10 # 11 #12 #13 # 14 #15 # 16 # 17 #18 #19 # 20

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Dakshinamurthy by Vatsa Kumar

Indian tradition accords a special reverence to the Guru or the teacher. Dakshinamurthy, in the Hindu system of beliefs is regarded as the ultimate Guru. The fifth day of the week, Thursday is associated with the planet Jupiter and is referred to as Guru (Guruvar or Guruvaaram). Thursdays are considered auspicious to start any educational endeavors. It is on Thursdays that special worship services are offered to Dakshinamurthy in many temples. In our temple, many devotees come to chant and sing the glory of Dakshinamurthy on Thursday. This aspect of Shiva is his personification as the supreme or the ultimate awareness, understanding and knowledge. This form represents Shiva as a teacher of yoga, music, and wisdom, and giving exposition on the shastras. He is worshipped as the god of wisdom, complete and rewarding meditation.

Dakshinamurti literally means ‘one who is facing south. In every Siva temple the stone image of Dakshinamurthy is installed facing south, on the southern circumambulatory path around the sanctum sanctorum. Perhaps, of all Hindu Gods, he is the only one sitting facing south under a banyan tree.

Even though the idol of Dakshinamurthy is installed in every Shiva temple, there are only a few temples where Dakshinamurthy is the chief deity. Some of the temples with an idol of Dakshinamurthy are listed below.

The oldest Dakshnimurthy temple situated in Poonthottam village in Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. It is estimated that this temple is nearly

"O Divine mother, our hearts are filled with darkness. Please make this darkness distant from us and promote illumination within us." (Gyan Rajhans)

Om (Aum): also called Pranav because its sound emanates from the Prana (vital vibration), which feels the Universe. The scripture says "Aum Iti Ek Akshara Brahman" (Aum that one syllable that is Brahman).

Bhur, Bhuvah, and Svah: The three words of the Gayatri literally mean "past," "present," and "future," and are called Vyahrities, which give knowledge of entire cosmos or "ahriti". The scripture says: "Visheshenh Aahritih sarva viraat, praahlaanam prakashokaranh vyahritih". By uttering these three words the chanter contemplates the God’s Glory that illumines the three worlds or the regions of experience.

Tat means “that” because it defies description and is the "Ultimate Reality. Savitur means "Divine Sun" (the ultimate light of wisdom). Varenium means "adore". Bhargo means "illumination". Devasya means "Divine Grace". Dheemahi means "we contemplate". Dhi means intellect. Yo means "who". Nah means "ours". Prachodayat means "requesting / urging / praying". The last five words constitute the prayer for final liberation through the awakening of our true intelligence.

Jhansi, Please use the sponsorship form from Q1.

Dakshinamurthy By Vatsa Kumar

Indian tradition accords a special reverence to the Guru or the teacher. Dakshinamurthy, in the Hindu system of beliefs is regarded as the ultimate Guru. The fifth day of the week, Thursday is associated with the planet Jupiter and is referred to as Guru (Guruvar or Guruvaaram). Thursdays are considered auspicious to start any educational endeavors. It is on Thursdays that special worship services are offered to Dakshinamurthy in many temples. In our temple, many devotees come to chant and sing the glory of Dakshinamurthy on Thursday. This aspect of Shiva is his personification as the supreme or the ultimate awareness, understanding and knowledge. This form represents Shiva as a teacher of yoga, music, and wisdom, and giving exposition on the shastras. He is worshipped as the god of wisdom, complete and rewarding meditation.

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1000 years old.

• An 112 feet, South-facing Adiyogi Shiva statue (Adiyogi – The Source of Yoga) along with a linga called “Yogeshwar Linga” was consecrated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, and inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24th, 2017.[9] It is located at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, India.

• One of the temples in the United States dedicated to Lord Dakshinamurthy is located at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania.

• The gopuram of Sri Kapaleeshwara temple in Chennai depicts two scuptures of Dakshinamurthy: one playing the veena, the other in a meditative state. (see below)

Dakshinamurti literally means 'one who is facing south. In every Siva temple the stone image of Dakshinamurthy is installed facing south, on the southern circumambulatory path around the sanctum sanctorum. Perhaps, of all Hindu Gods, he is the only one sitting facing south under a banyan tree.

Even though the idol of Dakshinamurthy is installed in every Shiva temple, there are only a few temples where Dakshinamurthy is the chief deity. Some of the temples with an idol of Dakshinamurthy are listed below.

The oldest Dakshnimurthy temple situated in Poonthottam village in Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu. It is estimated that this temple is nearly 1000 years old.

An 112 feet, South-facing Adiyogi Shiva statue (Adiyogi – The Source of Yoga) along with a linga called "Yogeshwar Linga" was consecrated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, and inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 24th, 2017.[9] It is located at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore, India.

One of the temples in the United States dedicated to Lord Dakshinamurthy is located at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania.

The gopuram of Sri Kapaleeshwara temple in Chennai depicts two scuptures of Dakshinamurthy: one playing the veena, the other in a meditative state. (see below)

Dakshinamurthy Gayatri Mantra

Om vRishabha-dhvajaaya Vidmahe Ghruni-Hasthaaya Dheemahi Thanno

Dakshinamoorthy prachodayaath . ओ ंवृषभद्वजाय ववद्महे घृविहस्ताय धीमवह | तन्नो दवििामूवति प्रचोद यात ्||

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Sri Meenakshi Temple Society17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584

Cordially invites you to celebrate

Aadi PooramWednesday, July 26th, 2017 at 6:30 PM

For more information please contact

Padmini at [email protected] Sheila at [email protected]

or call the Temple Office at (281) 489-0358, Ext 100 or 110

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society 17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX-77584

Invites you to celebrate

AADI POORAM On Wednesday, July 26th 2017 at 6.30 PM

Special Abhishekam for

Sri Meenakshi and Sri Andal 6.30 PM Abhishekam

Procession of Utsavamurthis

Oonjal Seva

Deeparadhana and Prasadam

Sponsorship Abhishekam - $21

Oonjal Seva - $31

For more information please contact Padmini at [email protected] or

Sheila at [email protected] or call the Temple Office at (281) 489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110.

mailto:[email protected]

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Cordially invites you to participate in

Bhagavathi SevaFriday, July 28th, 2017 at 7:00 PM




Sri Meenakshi Temple Society

17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX-77584


Bhagavathi Seva on

Friday, July 28th 2017 at 7:00 PM

At Ayyappa Sannidhi

Program Deepa Pooja

Sri Lalitha Sahasranama Archana Sri Lalitha Trisathi Archana

SoundaryaLahari Deeparadhana

Sponsorship $21

For further details please contact: Padmini at prn2635gmail.com or Sheila at [email protected] or

Call Temple 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110


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Varalakshmi VrathamFriday, Aug. 4th, 2017 at 7:00 PM

For more information please contact:





VARALAKSHMI VRATHAM On Friday, Aug. 4th 2017 at 7 PM

At Main Temple:

Sankalpam, Punyahavachanam, Kalasa Puja, Mahalakshmi Sahasra Nama Archana,

Mantrapusham, Harathi, Theerthaprasadam Distribution of sacred thread after the puja

Sponsorship - $21

For more information please contact Padmini at [email protected] or Sheila at [email protected]

or call the Temple Office at (281) 489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110.



VARALAKSHMI VRATHAM On Friday, Aug. 4th 2017 at 7 PM

At Main Temple:

Sankalpam, Punyahavachanam, Kalasa Puja, Mahalakshmi Sahasra Nama Archana,

Mantrapusham, Harathi, Theerthaprasadam Distribution of sacred thread after the puja

Sponsorship - $21




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You are invited to perform the annual ritual of Yajurveda & Rigveda Upakarmam

(Aavani Avittam) 2017

For further information please contact:



At Ganesh Temple

Monday, 7th August, 2017 6:30 AM - 10:00 AM (in batches)

10:00 AM - Homam Saivite and Vaishnavite priests are available to guide

you

You are requested to bring your pancha pathram., udharini, rice, black sesame seed (ellu) and thambalam. Other materials and

yajnopaveetham will be provided by the Temple.

10:00 AM - Thalai Aavani Avittam

Special arrangements are being made for separate special session for brahmacharis performing Thalai avani avittam (First upakarmam after

upanayanam). Advance registration required.

Sponsorship Upakarma- $10

Thalai Aavani A vittam- $51


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invites you to participate in the

Aadi Sukravara Ashtalakshmi Deepa Pooja

Friday, August 11th, 2017 at 7:00 pm

At the Main Temple Sankalpam, Punyahavachanam, Kalasa Puja, Ashtalakshmi

Archana, Mantrapusham, Harathi, Theerthaprasadam

Please bring your lamp [optional], flowers and prasadam. Other pooja materials will be provided by the Temple

Sponsorship $21






Invites you to participate in the

Aadi Sukravara Ashtalakshmi Deepa Pooja

On Friday 11th August at 7pm.

At the Main Temple Sankalpam, Punyahavachanam, Kalasa Puja, Ashtalakshmi Archana,

Mantrapusham, Harathi, Theerthaprasadam

Please bring your lamp [optional], flowers and prasadam. Other pooja materials will be provided by the Temple

Sponsorship $21

For more information please contact Padmini at [email protected] Sheila at [email protected]



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Gokulashtami

GOKULASHTAMI Monday, August 14th 2017 at 7 PM

Utsava Murthy Abhishekam at Main Temple

GOKULASHTAMI CELEBRATIONS

Saturday, August 19th, 2017 at 10.30 AM

Uriyadi for Children at 10:30 AM at Raja Gopuram Children’s Fancy Dress Display 11 AM at Ganesh Temple

Sponsorship for each event $21


For Children’s Fancy Dress contact Mala Gopal at [email protected] or call the Temple Office at (281) 489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110



GokulashtamiMonday, August 14th, 2017 at 7 PM

Utsava Murthy Abhishekam at Main Temple

GOKULASHTAMI CELEBRATIONS Saturday, August 19th, 2017 at 10:30 AM

Uriyadi for Children at 10:30 AM at Raja Gopuram Children’s Fancy Dress Display 11:00 am at Ganesh Temple

Sponsorship for each event $21



For Children’s Fancy Dress contact Mala Gopal at [email protected] call the Temple Office at (281) 489-0358, Ext 100 or 110


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Invites you to participate in the Vinayaka Chathurthi Celebrations

With 108 Kalasa Abhishekam Visarjan of Clay Ganesha in the Temple Pond &

Sri Ganesh Temple 38th Anniversary Celebration On Friday, August 25th & On Saturday 26th, August 2017

Friday, August 25th, 2017 Program starts at 6:00 PM at GT. Sankalpam, Vighneswara Pooja, Punyahavachanam

NavaKalasa Pooja, Homam, Purnahuthi, Abhishekam, Special Butter Alankaram, Upacharam, Deepardhana, Utsava Murthi procession in Mooshika Vahanam

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Utsava Murthi Procession in Mooshika Vahana around the Main Temple

Utsava Murthi Procession in Mooshika Vahana around the Main Templ

Saturday, August 26th, 2017, Program 8-30 AM to 12:30 PM 8:30 AM Abhishekam for Mahaganapathi

108 Kalasa Pooja,Homam, Purnahuthi, Abhishekam, Alankaram, Upacharam, Arathi Rathotsavam - Utsava Murthi around the Main Temple

Prasadam following the final Deeparadhana

VISARJAN 3.30 PM – 6:00 PM Sankalpam, Ganapathi Pooja & Punyahavachanam

Ganapathi Avahanam, Puspha Pooja, Pathra Pooja Ashtothara pooja and Story, Aarthi and Mantrapushpam

6.00 PM Immersion of Ganesha in the Temple Pond & Theertha Prasadam

Grand Sponsorship for all events on Friday & Saturday plus Annadhanam $101 Friday Event Navakalasa Pooja - $31

Saturday all Events including Visarjan - $51; 108 Kalasa Pooja - $31 Visarjan Sponsorship- $31 - Clay Ganesha- $10 for $31 Visarjan sponsors


Or you may call Temple office at 281-489-0358 extn 100 or 110

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Invites you to participate in the Vinayaka Chathurthi Celebrations

With 108 Kalasa Abhishekam Visarjan of Clay Ganesha in the Temple Pond &

Sri Ganesh Temple 38th Anniversary Celebration On Friday, August 25th & On Saturday 26th, August 2017

Friday, August 25th, 2017 Program starts at 6:00 PM at GT. Sankalpam, Vighneswara Pooja, Punyahavachanam

NavaKalasa Pooja, Homam, Purnahuthi, Abhishekam, Special Butter Alankaram, Upacharam, Deepardhana, Utsava Murthi procession in Mooshika Vahanam

U

Utsava Murthi Procession in Mooshika Vahana around the Main Temple

Utsava Murthi Procession in Mooshika Vahana around the Main Templ

Saturday, August 26th, 2017, Program 8-30 AM to 12:30 PM 8:30 AM Abhishekam for Mahaganapathi

108 Kalasa Pooja,Homam, Purnahuthi, Abhishekam, Alankaram, Upacharam, Arathi Rathotsavam - Utsava Murthi around the Main Temple

Prasadam following the final Deeparadhana

VISARJAN 3.30 PM – 6:00 PM Sankalpam, Ganapathi Pooja & Punyahavachanam

Ganapathi Avahanam, Puspha Pooja, Pathra Pooja Ashtothara pooja and Story, Aarthi and Mantrapushpam

6.00 PM Immersion of Ganesha in the Temple Pond & Theertha Prasadam

Grand Sponsorship for all events on Friday & Saturday plus Annadhanam $101 Friday Event Navakalasa Pooja - $31

Saturday all Events including Visarjan - $51; 108 Kalasa Pooja - $31 Visarjan Sponsorship- $31 - Clay Ganesha- $10 for $31 Visarjan sponsors


Or you may call Temple office at 281-489-0358 extn 100 or 110

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YATHIRAJA VAIBHAVAM by Dr. K. P. Sarathy

II Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha II

Srivathsa chinha mishrebhyo nama uktheem adheemahe I

Yadhukthayaha thrayee kante yaanthi mangala soothrathaam IIWe started the last article with a prayer verse on Sri Ramanuja’s teacher Sri Yamunacharya. We now start with a prayer on Sri Ramanuja’s dear sishyan (intimate student) Sri Koorathu Azhwan whose original name was SriVatsa Chinha Misra. This verse was given to us by his own son, Sri Ranganatha Misra, popularly known as Parasara Bhattar or Periya Bhattar of Srirangam and salutes the great mahan, Swamy KoorathAzhwan whose Sri Sookthis (works) became the thirumangalyam (sacred neck thread) of mother Veda (our scriptures). We shall briefly discuss this student’s mastery over our scriptures later.

Early EducationWhen Ramanuja reached the appropriate age his father conducted the upanayanana samskaaram (sacred thread ceremony), and initiated him in Vedas. Then he was sent to ThiruPutKuzhi, a suburb of Kancheepuram which was a few miles away from his birth place, SriPerumbuthur. There was a reputed advaitic sanyasi (an ascetic, a follower of Adi Sankara’s teachings)called Yaadava Prakaasaa who had many brilliant sishyaas (students). Ramanuja’s father wanted him to learn all Vedantha saastras from this sought after teacher. At the age of 16 Ramanuja got married to an orthodox young girl by name Thanjammaal (a name given to Goddess Sri Lakshmi for protecting those who surrender to Her). Ramanuja had a younger cousin (his mother’s sister’s son), Govindan, growing up in Madhura Mangalam, a village near Kanchipuram. Impressed by Ramanuja’s scholarship Govindan also joined the school of Yadava Prakaasaa.

Ramanuja lost his father when he was about 18 years of age. He moved to Kancheepuram with his wife and mother. The fellow students and the teacher were amazed by the scholarship of Ramanuja. In those days the students while learning would attend to the personal needs of the teacher ( Gurukulam style of learning). One day when Ramanuja was giving oil message to his teacher some students gathered to clarify the meaning of some Vedic teachings. Upanishads are the philosophical concluding parts of Vedas, our scriptures. The students were discussing with the teacher, Yaadava Prakaasaa, the significance of the following passage from the first adhyaaya of Chandogya Upanishad:

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Atha ya esho antharaadithye hiranmayaha purusho drisyathe hiranya smasruhuHiranya kesaha aapranavaath sarva eva suvarnaha II thasya yathaa kapyaasam pundarikam evam akshini thasya udithi naama sa esha sarvebhyaha paapmabhya udithaha udethi ha vai sarvebhyaha paapmabhyo …… ya evam vada II (Chandogya Upan. 1.6.6 and 1.6.7)

This section of our scriptures deals with the “upaasana” of Brahman with a form (meditation of God – not formless). Our creator, Brahman (this term is used to refer to God) is referred to as Hiranmayan - shining like gold in the middle of Surya mandalam (solar system). His lotus eyes are described in the above passage. The teacher was interpreting the phrase KAPYAASAM as monkey’s behind (Kapi in Sanskrit refers to monkey, aasam means its bottom). So the teacher explained that the Brahman’s eyes resembled the red colored behind of a monkey. At the sametime the teacher noticed hot droplets of water dripping on his lap. He stopped the discussion and realized that those were coming from Ramanuja’s eyes. When asked about the reason for his tears.

Ramanuja replied that the scriptures would never compare Hiranmaya Purusha’s (God’s) eyes to a monkey’s bottom and he came up with a different interpretation of the phrase KAPYAASAM. He further explained that KAPYAASAM should be understood as Kam+bibathi+ithi+asam which meant that the lotus, floating in water, blossomed when the sun rays fell on them and hence God’s red eyes were compared to freshly blossomed lotus flowers. There are a lot of other places in our scriptures where God Narayana’s eyes are compared to fresh lotus flower and hence supports Ramanuja’s interpretation. The teacher was not ready to reconcile with his student and in fact considered his student to be a challenger to his leadership. We come to know from later scholars like Nadaadur Ammal (grandson of a direct disciple of Ramanuja) that preSankara period Vakyakaras (interpreters) had given six meanings to KAPYAASAM. We are not sure if Sankara and Ramanuja were aware of these as students of scriptural learning since in those days it was difficult to get hold of palm-leave writings if any existed.

Conflict with the teacher and separation from him Except for his cousin, Govindan, all other students and the teacher were jealous of Ramanuja and plotted to get rid of him. At the same time the teacher was planning on Kaasi yaatra (pilgrimage to the holy city) with his students. The students in the absence of Ramanuja and Govindan suggested to the teacher to drown Ramanuja in Ganga water which would result in Ramanuja obtaining Moksham (salvation) and they would not be sinners since everyone would be dipping in Ganga water which would purify any sinner. During the course of their journey Govindan happened to overhear this plot from other students and when everyone was sleeping in the middle of a jungle in Vindya mountain range he woke up Ramanuja and encouraged him to escape from the group. The next day morning, Ramanuja missing, the teacher felt in a way happy since there would be no escape for Ramanuja from the attack of wild animals in the jungle and he did not have to go through the sinful act of drowning his student.

Ramanuja was wandering around the forest thirsty and hungry without any clue to where he was going. During the day time to his surprise he came across a hunter and his wife who comforted him that they were on their way to south and would

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help Ramanuja to reach his destination. When the sun went down the hunter’s wife was unbearably thirsty and was asking for water. Since it was dark the hunter told her to wait until the morning and Ramanuja felt bad that he was unable to bring water to the thirsty lady. When the sun came up the next day, Ramanuja was shocked to see the couple missing. and there was a water well close by. He saw many people walking at a distance. They told him that he was close to Satya Vratha Kshetram (Kancheepuram). Ramanuja recognized the temple tower soaring at a distance and ran towards it wondering that the hunter couple who saved him were indeed the Divine couple (Kancheepuram temple God and Goddess) but he never told anyone about this episode. Later, however, a pious Sri Vaishnavar, Thiru Kachi Nambhi, was able to guess how Ramanuja was brought back home by the local temple God, Sri Varada Rajan and His consort Perundevi Thaayaar (MahaLakshmi).

The teacher with the other students reached the holy city where Govindan found a Spatika Lingam in Ganga water to the utter amazement of the teacher. He came back to Kaalahasthi ( a Siva sthalam between Chennai and Thirupathi) where he installed the lingam and arranged daily worship. Govindan by the grace of his maternal uncle later joined the vaishnava fold. The teacher was shocked to see Ramanuja alive back in Kancheepuram but pretended to be happy and asked him to continue the education under him. Ramanuja was very much attracted by the devotion of ThiruKachiNambhi who belonged to a lower caste, a vaisya by birth, doing Thiru AalaVatta Kainkaryam ( waving a hand fan to the Lord) in the temple. We have a temple for him in his native place, Poo_irunda_valli, between Chennai and Kancheepuram.

Ramanuja’s mother passed away. ThiruKachiNambhi was a sishya (student) of Saint Alavandar who was heading the Vaishnavaa school in Srirangam which was the capital of SriVaishnavaas. Through ThiruKachiNambhi he heard about Ramanuja’s correct scholarly interpretations of our scriptures and wanted Ramanuja to join him to lead the group after his time. Alavandaar visited Kanchipuram, seeing Ramanuja with the other teacher appealed directly to Lord Varada Rajan

yasya prasaadha kalayaa bhadira srunothipanghupradhaavathi javenacha vakthi mookaha I andhaprapasyathi sutham labhathe cha vandhyaa tham devameva Varadham saranam gadosmi IILakshmeesa, Pundareekaaksha, krupaam Ramanuje thava....................

Because of your Grace, a deaf was able to hear, an infertile woman was able to bear a child, a blind man got his eyesight back. I surrender to you, give me Ramanuja to take over the leadership after me. He then blessed Ramanuja with his kataaksham declaring “ aam mudalvan ivan ( A Tamil phrase taken from NamAzhwar Tamil poem meaning he will be the leader of our tradition) which itself is enough to consider this saint to be Ramanuja’s maanaseeka guru. We can recall Ekalaivan-Dronachaar relationship here. The two directly did not meet because Ramanuja was in the opposite camp. The three miracles the saint described actually happened. He then went back to Srirangam.

................to be continued

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SubhAshitAni (Good Words) By N. Gopala Sundaram

(edited by Kamala Raghavan) SubhAshitAni ((Good Words)

By N. Gopala Sundaram (edited by Kamala Raghavan)

I. When King JanakA asks his Guru, Sage AshtAvakra, about bondage and liberation, the latter preached him this Gita. In the eighth chapter, the first two verses give the definition of bondage and liberation causing us to think about the meaning very deeply: तदा बन्धो यदा चित्तं चिचन्िद ्वांछचत शोिचत चिंचिन ्म ंिचत गणृ्हाचत चिंचिद ्हृष्यचत ि प्यचत -अ�ावक्र गीता 8-1 तदा म चिययदा चित्तं न वांछचत न शोिचत न म ंिचत न गणृ्हाचत न हृष्यचत न ि प्यचत -अ�ावक्र गीता 8-2 tadA bandO yadA cittam kincid vAnchati shocati kincin muncati gruNhati kincid hrushyati kupyati AshtAvakra Gita 8-1 There is bondage, as long as mind desires something, grieves about something, sacrifices something, accepts something, is pleased about something or is angry about something. tadA muktiryadA cittam na vAnchati na shocati na muncati na gruNhati na hrushyati na kupyati - AshtAvakra Gita 8-2 Liberation is when mind does not desire, does not grieve, does not sacrifice, does not accept, is not pleased or does not get angry. ததா பந்ததா யதா சித்த கிஞ்சித் வாஞ்சதி த ாசதி கிஞ்சின் முஞ்சதி க்ருண்ஹாதி கிஞ்சித் ஹ்ருஷ்யதி குப்யதி -அஷ்டாவக்ர கீதத 8-1 ததா முக்திர்யதா சித்தம் ந வாஞ்சதி ந த ாசதி ந முஞ்சதி ந க்ருண்ஹாதி ந ஹ்ருஷ்யாதி ந குப்யதி -அஷ்டாவக்ர கீதத 8-2 II. Another piece of AshtAvakra Gita (conversation between Sage AshtAvakra and King Janaka) is reproduced hereunder: न दावचत जनािीर्य नारण्यम पशान्ततीीः यतातता यत्रतत्र सम एवावचतश्तते -अ�ावक्र गीता 18-100 na dAvati janAkIrna nAraNyamupashAntatIH yatAtatA yatratatra sama EvAvatishtatE -AshtAvakra GitA 18-100 One of tranquil mind seeks neither crowds nor wilderness. He remains the same steady person wherever he goes. ந தாவதி ஜனாகீர்ண நாரண்யமுபசாந்ததீ: யதாததா யத்ரதத்ர ஸம ஏவாவதிஷ்டதத -அஷ்டாவக்ர கீதத-18-100 பு த்தி அதமதியுற்றவன் கூட்டத்தின் மத்தியித ா, காட்டிற்தகா ஓடமாட்டான். அவன் எங்ககங்கும் சமனாய் உள்ளபடி நித நிற்பான். (கவண்பா) III. This verse from SamayOchita Padyaratna mAlikA defines God in very simple terms: न दवेो चवद्यते िाषे्ट न पाषार्े न मणृ्मये भावे ही चवद्यते दवेस्तस्माद भावो ही िारर्ाम् -समयोचितपद्यरत्नमाचििा Na Devo Viddyate Kaashthe Na Paashaane Na Mrinnyamaye. Bhave Hee Viddyate Devastsmaad Bhaavo Hee Kaaranam. -samayochitapadyaratnamAlikA. God doesn’t dwell in the wooden, stony or earthen idols. His abode is in our feelings, our thoughts. [It is only through the feeling that we deem God existing in these idols.] ந தததவா வித்யதத காஷ்தட ந பாஷாதணா நம்ருண்மதய பாதவ ஹீ வித்யதத ததவஸ்தஸ்மாத் பாதவா ஹீ காரணம் -ஸமதயாசிதபத்யரத்னமாலிகா இதறவன் மரக்கட்தடயித ா, கல் ாலும் மண்ணாலும் ஆன விக்ரகங்களிலுதமா இல்த . அவனது இருப்பிடம் நம் உணர்ச்சிகளிலும் நம்பிக்தகயிலும் தான். (இந்த நம்பிக்தகதான் இதறவதன இந்த விக்ரகங்களில் பார்க்கச்கசய்கிறது.) (கவண்பா) IV. KathOpanishad introduces two paths to everyone; which one would you choose? शे्रयश्च प्रेयश्च मन ष्यमेतीः तौ सम्परीत्य चवचवनचि धीरीः शे्रयो चह धीरोचभ प्रेयसो वरृ्ीते प्रेयो मन्दो योगक्षेमाद ्वरृ्ीते - िठोपचनशद ्

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II. Another piece of AshtAvakra Gita (conversation between Sage AshtAvakra and King Janaka) is reproduced hereunder: न दावचत जनािीर्य नारण्यम पशान्ततीीः यतातता यत्रतत्र सम एवावचतश्तते -अ�ावक्र गीता 18-100 na dAvati janAkIrna nAraNyamupashAntatIH yatAtatA yatratatra sama EvAvatishtatE -AshtAvakra GitA 18-100 One of tranquil mind seeks neither crowds nor wilderness. He remains the same steady person wherever he goes. ந தாவதி ஜனாகீர்ண நாரண்யமுபசாந்ததீ: யதாததா யத்ரதத்ர ஸம ஏவாவதிஷ்டதத -அஷ்டாவக்ர கீதத-18-100 பு த்தி அதமதியுற்றவன் கூட்டத்தின் மத்தியித ா, காட்டிற்தகா ஓடமாட்டான். அவன் எங்ககங்கும் சமனாய் உள்ளபடி நித நிற்பான். (கவண்பா) III. This verse from SamayOchita Padyaratna mAlikA defines God in very simple terms: न दवेो चवद्यते िाषे्ट न पाषार्े न मणृ्मये भावे ही चवद्यते दवेस्तस्माद भावो ही िारर्ाम् -समयोचितपद्यरत्नमाचििा Na Devo Viddyate Kaashthe Na Paashaane Na Mrinnyamaye. Bhave Hee Viddyate Devastsmaad Bhaavo Hee Kaaranam. -samayochitapadyaratnamAlikA. God doesn’t dwell in the wooden, stony or earthen idols. His abode is in our feelings, our thoughts. [It is only through the feeling that we deem God existing in these idols.] ந தததவா வித்யதத காஷ்தட ந பாஷாதணா நம்ருண்மதய பாதவ ஹீ வித்யதத ததவஸ்தஸ்மாத் பாதவா ஹீ காரணம் -ஸமதயாசிதபத்யரத்னமாலிகா இதறவன் மரக்கட்தடயித ா, கல் ாலும் மண்ணாலும் ஆன விக்ரகங்களிலுதமா இல்த . அவனது இருப்பிடம் நம் உணர்ச்சிகளிலும் நம்பிக்தகயிலும் தான். (இந்த நம்பிக்தகதான் இதறவதன இந்த விக்ரகங்களில் பார்க்கச்கசய்கிறது.) (கவண்பா) IV. KathOpanishad introduces two paths to everyone; which one would you choose? शे्रयश्च प्रेयश्च मन ष्यमेतीः तौ सम्परीत्य चवचवनचि धीरीः शे्रयो चह धीरोचभ प्रेयसो वरृ्ीते प्रेयो मन्दो योगक्षेमाद ्वरृ्ीते - िठोपचनशद ्

shrEyasca prEyasca manushyamEtaH tau samparIdya vivinakti dhIraH shrEyO hi dhIrOpi prEyasO vruNItE prEyO mandO yOgakshEmA vruNitE - kathOpanishad The good (shreyas) and the pleasant (preyas) are two paths that together approach the human being. After pondering over them, the wise makes his/her choice opting for the good in preference to the pleasant. The fool, in contrast, opts for the pleasant. ஶ்தரயஶ்ச ப்தரயஶ்ச மனுஷ்யதமத: கதௌ ஸம்பரீத்ய விவிநக்தி தீர: ஶ்தரதயா ஹி தீதராபி ப்தரயதஸா வ்ருணீதத ப்தரதயா மந்ததா தயாகதேமா வ்ருணீதத -கதடாபநிஷதம் புனிதமானது, விருப்பமானது என இரு பாததகள் பூமியில் விரிந்து கசல் , ஞானியானவன் பிரியமானதத விட்டுப் புனிதமானதத பற்றிச் கசல்வான். மூடன் விருப்ப வழிதயத் ததர்வான். (கவண்பா)



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SSrrii MMeeeennaakksshhii TTeemmppllee SSoocciieettyy 17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX-77584


OOnnaamm

Monday, September 4th 2017 at 7:00 PM Special Ayyappa Abishekam

6.00 pm Deeparadana 7.00 pm Abishekam

7:45 PM- Sahasranama Archana followed by Deeparadana

8:30 PM-Harivarasanam.

Sponsorship $31.00

For more information please contact Padmini at [email protected], Sheila at [email protected], or

Temple office at 281-489-0358, extn 100 or 110

.



OnamMonday, September 4th, 2017 at 7:00 PM

Special Ayyappa Abishekam

6:00 pm Deeparadana 7:00 pm Abishekam

7:45 PM- Sahasranama Archana followed by Deeparadana

8:30 PM-Harivarasanam

Sponsorship $31





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Cordially invites you to participate in the

Navarathri Celebrations Sep 21st to Sep 30th

Daily at 8:30 AM Abhishekam for Sri Meenakshi

Followed by Navavarna Puja

Daily at 7:00 PM Abhishekam for Sri Meenakshi

Sahasranamavali,Deeparadhana & Prasadam distribution Special Alankarams for Utsavamurthis everyday

Friday, Sep 22nd at 6:00 PM

Suvasini Puja Abhishekam and Sahasranama Archana for Sri Meenakshi &

Special Alankarams for Utsavamurthis Followed by Manjal kumkum distribution to ladies

Thursday, Sep 28th 10:30 AM

Durgashtami Homam & Abhishekam for Sri Durga

Friday, Sep 29th 7:00 PM

Saraswathi Puja

Saturday, Sep 30th 10:30 AM Vijaya Dasami

Sponsorship

Navavarna puja $51 Grand Sponsorship for ten days $251

Suvasini Puja $31 For more information please contact Padmini at [email protected] or Sheila Sriram at

[email protected] or call the Temple Office at 281-489-0358 Ext.100 or 110



Navarathri CelebrationsSep 21st to Sep 30th





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Navarathri CelebrationsSuvasini Puja 2017

Friday, September 22nd at 6:00PM

Abhishekam and Sahasranama Archana for Sri Meenakshi &

Special Alankarams for Utsavamurthis

Followed by Manjal kumkum distribution to ladies

Sponsorship Suvasini Puja $31






Navarathri Celebrations

Suvasini Puja 2017 Friday 22nd September at 6PM

Abhishekam and Sahasranama Archana for Sri Meenakshi &

Special Alankarams for Utsavamurthis Followed by Manjal kumkum distribution to ladies

Sponsorship

Suvasini Puja $31

For more information please contact Padmini at [email protected] or Sheila Sriram at

[email protected] or call the Temple Office at 281-489-0358 Ext.100 or 110


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What the Nayanmars Teach UsBy M.K.Sriram

Om Na ma Shi va ya!

What the Nayanmars Teach Us

By M.K.Sriram

Om Na ma Shi va ya!

Tirunavakkarasu Nayanar

The 63 Nayanamars (or Nayanars) were a group of great Tamil poet saints, most of whom lived back in the 6th to 8th century AD. These Nayanars came from various walks of lives – Amaraneedi was a merchant, Kannappa was a hunter, Maiporul and Cheran Perumal were kings, Tirukurippu Thonda was a washerman. But they all had one common thread, which is a deep and unshakeable bhakti and devotion to Lord Shiva. There are abundant number of books written on the life of Nayanmars, and likewise a lot of material is available in the internet, so one can dive deep into each of their lives and stories. What we want to bring here is the learnings we can take from them and apply those to our own lives, as well as share with or teach it to our progeny.

It is very important to note that the Nayanmars were not born as saints or nor were they all from priestly or noble families. Most of them were just plain ordinary people, going through the trials and tribulations, highs and lows of lives, like anybody else. They were not endowed with any special powers. They also had human failings and weaknesses. Through this all, with single minded devotion and by uttering the simplest, yet most powerful of mantras, the Panchakshara, they could face joy and hardships alike, and reached the lotus feet of the Lord. Under the shadow of the feet of the Lord even tortures will have no sting. Saint Tirunavakkarasu Nayanar, known also as Vageesa, sang the praise of the Lord's Feet when he was thrown into the hot lime-kiln. The significant lesson here is that we all have reason to believe we can turn around our own lives, by completely submitting to God, in whatever form we worship, be it Shiva, MahaVishnu, Ambal or Lakshmi.

All the Nayanmars attained God-realization through the worship of the Lingam, the image of the formless Lord Shiva. Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar etc., had the highest Advaitic realization. They saw Lord Siva everywhere and yet they visited all temples of Shiva, prostrated before the idol and sang hymns which are on record now. Not only this, they also showed their respect and love to all those who served in temples as well as all other devotees. They saw the divine light of God in all of God’s servants. They swept the floors of the temple, collected flowers, made garlands for the Lord, and put on lights in the temple. Many of them were illiterate, but yet attained the highest realization. They were practical Yogis and their hearts were saturated with pure devotion. They were embodiments of Karma Yoga. All of them practiced the Yoga of Synthesis. The idol in the temple was a mass of Consciousness for them, because they saw God in all creations. Again, there are several lessons to be drawn from here. Maybe next time when we visit the temple, we will look at those who serve there day in and day out, and those who come to worship there, in a different light. We have so much to learn from others.

Lord Shiva revealed Himself in various ways to the Nayanmars through His Thiruvilayadals (Divine plays). It is His own inimitable way of testing and challenging his devotees to see how they react to different situations and how they learn from their mistakes and how dedicated they are to truth and dharma. The ever-compassionate Shiva ultimately gives them His Divya Darshanam. We are all so deeply engrossed in our daily lives, many times

The 63 Nayanamars (or Nayanars) were a group of great Tamil poet saints, most of whom lived back in the 6th to 8th century AD. These Nayanars came from various walks of lives - Amaraneedi was a merchant, Kannappa was a hunter, Maiporul and Cheran Perumal were kings, Tirukurippu Thonda was a washerman. But they all had one common thread, which is a deep and unshakeable bhakti and devotion to Lord Shiva. There are abundant number of books written on the life of Nayanmars, and likewise a lot of material is available in the internet, so one can dive deep into each of their lives and stories. What we want to bring here is the learnings we can take from them and apply those to our own lives, as well as share with or teach it to our progeny.

It is very important to note that the Nayanmars were not born as saints or nor were they all from priestly or noble families. Most of them were just plain ordinary people, going through the trials and tribulations, highs and lows of lives, like anybody else. They were not endowed with any special powers. They also had human failings and weaknesses. Through this all, with single minded devotion and by uttering the simplest, yet most powerful of mantras, the Panchakshara, they could face joy and hardships alike, and reached the lotus feet of the Lord. Under the shadow of the feet of the Lord even tortures will have no sting. Saint Tirunavakkarasu Nayanar, known also as Vageesa, sang the praise of the Lord’s Feet when he was thrown into the hot lime-kiln. The significant lesson here is that we all have reason to believe we can turn around our own lives, by completely submitting to God, in whatever form we worship, be it Shiva, MahaVishnu, Ambal or Lakshmi.

All the Nayanmars attained God-realization through the worship of the Lingam, the image of the formless Lord Shiva. Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar etc., had the highest Advaitic realization. They saw Lord Siva everywhere

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and yet they visited all temples of Shiva, prostrated before the idol and sang hymns which are on record now. Not only this, they also showed their respect and love to all those who served in temples as well as all other devotees. They saw the divine light of God in all of God’s servants. They swept the floors of the temple, collected flowers, made garlands for the Lord, and put on lights in the temple. Many of them were illiterate, but yet attained the highest realization. They were practical Yogis and their hearts were saturated with pure devotion. They were embodiments of Karma Yoga. All of them practiced the Yoga of Synthesis. The idol in the temple was a mass of Consciousness for them, because they saw God in all creations. Again, there are several lessons to be drawn from here. Maybe next time when we visit the temple, we will look at those who serve there day in and day out, and those who come to worship there, in a different light. We have so much to learn from others.

Lord Shiva revealed Himself in various ways to the Nayanmars through His Thiruvilayadals (Divine plays). It is His own inimitable way of testing and challenging his devotees to see how they react to different situations and how they learn from their mistakes and how dedicated they are to truth and dharma. The ever-compassionate Shiva ultimately gives them His Divya Darshanam. We are all so deeply engrossed in our daily lives, many times struggling with problems or sometimes enjoying pleasure, that we are blinded to even recognize the various ways Lord Shiva appears before us. What the Nayanars teach us, is that we need to learn to keep our eyes and all other senses wide open in order to recognize and feel the presence of God not only in the idols but also in people. These 60 men and 3 women were not born as saints or poets, but they were blessed to be and reached the exalted status of Shiva’s most prominent bhaktas and servants. At some point in their lives, they were touched by and experienced the radiance of Iswara. Glorious hymns flowed from their hearts, like Sundarar singing Thiruthonda Thogai. A collection of their hymns in 11 volumes is called the Tirumurai in which Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar’s compositions are called the Tevaram, while Manikkavacakar’s compositions are known as Tirukovayar and Tiruvacakam] In the 12th century, Sekkizhar added a twelfth volume to the Tirumurai called Periya Puranam in which he expands further on the stories of each of 63 Nayanmars. All these great women and men were extremely humble. They truly believed that whatever they are singing springs from Lord Shiva, and they are but the instruments of God. We should realize this sublime truth and constantly strive to remain humble, unselfish, kind and generous. The basis for all these qualities is nothing but Iswara Bhakti.

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EVENTS FOR 3rd QUARTER 2017EVENTS FOR 3RD QUARTER 2017

DATE DAY TIME

2-Jul Sun 10:30 AM Main Temple Anniversary Nava kalasa Abhishekam

4-Jul Tue 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam

6-Jul Thu 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession

8-Jul Sat 11:00 AM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam

8-Jul Sat 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja

9-Jul Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam

11-Jul Tue 7:00 PM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam

12-Jul Wed 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chathurthi Ganapathi Homam & Abhisheham

16-Jul Sun 10:30 AM Ashtami Bairavar Abhishekam

19-Jul Wed 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam

19-Jul Wed 7:00 PM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam

21-Jul Fri 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession

23-Jul Sun 10:30 AM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam

26-Jul Wed 6:30 PM Thiru Aadi Pooram Meenakshi and Andal Abhishekam

26-Jul Wed 7:00 PM Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam

28-Jul Fri 7:00 PM Sri Bhagavathi Seva

29-Jul Sat 10:30 AM Sukla Sashti Sri Subramanya Abhishekam

2-Aug Wed 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam

3-Aug Thu 7:00 PM Aadi Perukku

4-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam

4-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Varalakshmi Vratham

5-Aug Sat 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession

6-Aug Sun 10:30 AM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam

7-Aug Mon 6:30 AM Rig Yajur Veda Avani Avittam

7-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja

11-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Ashtalakshmi Deepa Puja

11-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chathurthi Ganapathi Homam & Abhisheham

13-Aug Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam

14-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Gokulashtami

14-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Ashtami Bairavar Abhishekam

15-Aug Tue 7:00 PM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam

17-Aug Thu 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam

19-Aug Sat 10:30 AM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam

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19-Aug Sat 10:30 AM Gokulashtami Celebrations, Uriyadi

19-Aug Sat 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession

25-Aug Fri 7:00 AM Sama Veda Upakarma

25-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Ganesh Chaturthi, Mooshika Vahanam Procession

26-Aug Sat 8:00 AM Ganesh Temple Anniversary 108 kalasa Abhishekam and Rathothsavam

27-Aug Sun 10:30 AM Sukla Sashti Sri Subramanya Abhishekam

31-Aug Thu 7:00 PM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam

1-Sep Fri 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam

3-Sep Sun 10:30 AM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam

3-Sep Sun 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession

4-Sep Mon 7:00 PM Onam Pandigai, Ayyappa Abhishekam

5-Sep Tue 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja

9-Sep Sat 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chathurthi Ganapathi Homam & Abhisheham

10-Sep Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam

11-Sep Mon 7:00 PM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam

13-Sep Wed 7:00 PM Sri Jayanthy

13-Sep Wed 7:00 PM Ashtami Bairavar Abhishekam

15-Sep Fri 7:00 PM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam

16-Sep Sat 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam

17-Sep Sun 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession

21-Sep Thu 7:00 PM Navarathiri Begins First Day

22-Sep Fri 6:00 PM Navarathiri Suvasini Puja

23-Sep Sat 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam

24-Sep Sun 10:30 AM Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam

25-Sep Mon 7:00 PM Sukla Sashti Sri Subramanya Abhishekam

27-Sep Wed 7:00 PM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam

28-Sep Thu 10:30 AM Navarathiri day 8 Durgashtami-Durga

29-Sep Fri 7:00 PM Navarathiri day 9 Saraswathi Puja

30-Sep Sat 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam

30-Sep Sat !0:30: AM Vijayadasami

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Main Events Calendarfor 3rd Quarter 2017 By Month

July 2017

August 2017

REGULARLY SCHEDULED WEEKLY ABHISHEKAMSri Ganesha Homam & Abhishekam ..................................................................... All days 7:00 AMSri Siva (Sundareswara) & Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam ........................................ All days 9:00 AMSri Siva (Sundareswara) Abhishekam .................................................................. Mondays 7:00 PMSri Durga Abhishekam ........................................................................................ Tuesdays 7:00 PMSri Padmavathy Abhishekam ................................................................................. Fridays 6:30 PMSri Meenakshi Abhishekam & Lalitha Sahasranamavali ........................................ Fridays 7:00 PM

Last Friday of the month – Lalitha Sahasranamavali & Shodasa UpacharamSri Navagraha Abhishekam ..............................................................................Saturdays 11:00 AMSri Ayyappa Abhishekam .................................................................................Saturdays 10:00 AMSri Kanyaka Parameswari Abhishekam .................................. Last Sunday of the Month 10:00 AMSri Meenakshi Abhishekam ..............................................Second Sunday of the Month 11:00 AMSri Venkateswara Abhishekam...............................................First Sunday of the Month 10:30 AM

September 2017


MAIN EVENTS FOR JULY 2017


26-Jul Wed 6:30 PM Thiru Aadi Pooram Meenakshi and Andal Abhishekam 28-Jul Fri 7:00 PM Sri Bhagavathi Seva

REGULARLY SCHEDULED WEEKLY ABHISHEKAM

Sri Ganesha Homam & Abhishekam....................................................................All days 7:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) & Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam.................................... .All days 9:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) Abhishekam..................................................................Mondays 7:00 PM Sri Durga Abhishekam.........................................................................................Tuesdays 7:00 PM Sri Padmavathy Abhishekam..................................................................................Fridays 6:30 PM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam & Lalitha Sahasranamavali........................................Fridays 7:00 PM Last Friday of the month – Lalitha Sahasranamavali & Shodasa Upacharam Sri Navagraha Abhishekam..............................................................................Saturdays 11:00 AM Sri Ayyappa Abhishekam.................................................................................Saturdays 10:00 AM Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Abhishekam.................................Last Sunday of the Month 10:00 AM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam...............................................Second Sunday of the Month 11:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam..............................................First Sunday of the Month 10:30 AM

MAIN EVENTS FOR AUGUST 2017

3-Aug Thu 7:00 PM Aadi Perukku 4-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Varalakshmi Vratham 7-Aug Mon 6:30 AM Rig Yajur Veda Avani Avittam

11-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Ashtalakshmi Deepa Puja 14-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Gokulashtami 19-Aug Sat 10:30 AM Gokulashtami Celebrations, Uriyadi 25-Aug Fri 7:00 AM Sama Veda Upakarma

25-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Ganesh Chaturthi, Mooshika Vahanam Procession 26-Aug Sat 8:00 AM Ganesh Temple Anniversary 108 kalasa Abhishekam and

Rathothsavam


Sri Ganesha Homam & Abhishekam....................................................................All days 7:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) & Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam.................................... .All days 9:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) Abhishekam..................................................................Mondays 7:00 PM Sri Durga Abhishekam.........................................................................................Tuesdays 7:00 PM Sri Padmavathy Abhishekam..................................................................................Fridays 6:30 PM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam & Lalitha Sahasranamavali........................................Fridays 7:00 PM Last Friday of the month – Lalitha Sahasranamavali & Shodasa Upacharam

MAIN EVENTS FOR JULY 2017


26-Jul Wed 6:30 PM Thiru Aadi Pooram Meenakshi and Andal Abhishekam 28-Jul Fri 7:00 PM Sri Bhagavathi Seva



MAIN EVENTS FOR AUGUST 2017

3-Aug Thu 7:00 PM Aadi Perukku 4-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Varalakshmi Vratham 7-Aug Mon 6:30 AM Rig Yajur Veda Avani Avittam

11-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Ashtalakshmi Deepa Puja 14-Aug Mon 7:00 PM Gokulashtami 19-Aug Sat 10:30 AM Gokulashtami Celebrations, Uriyadi 25-Aug Fri 7:00 AM Sama Veda Upakarma

25-Aug Fri 7:00 PM Ganesh Chaturthi, Mooshika Vahanam Procession 26-Aug Sat 8:00 AM Ganesh Temple Anniversary 108 kalasa Abhishekam and

Rathothsavam


Sri Ganesha Homam & Abhishekam....................................................................All days 7:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) & Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam.................................... .All days 9:00 AM Sri Siva (Sundareswara) Abhishekam..................................................................Mondays 7:00 PM Sri Durga Abhishekam.........................................................................................Tuesdays 7:00 PM Sri Padmavathy Abhishekam..................................................................................Fridays 6:30 PM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam & Lalitha Sahasranamavali........................................Fridays 7:00 PM Last Friday of the month – Lalitha Sahasranamavali & Shodasa Upacharam

Sri Navagraha Abhishekam..............................................................................Saturdays 11:00 AM Sri Ayyappa Abhishekam.................................................................................Saturdays 10:00 AM Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Abhishekam.................................Last Sunday of the Month 10:00 AM Sri Meenakshi Abhishekam...............................................Second Sunday of the Month 11:00 AM Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam..............................................First Sunday of the Month 10:30 AM

MAIN EVENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2017

4-Sep Mon 7:00 PM Onam Pandigai, Ayyappa Abhishekam 13-Sep Wed 7:00 PM Sri Jayanthy 21-Sep Thu 7:00 PM Navarathiri Begins First Day 22-Sep Fri 6:00 PM Navarathiri Suvasini Puja

28-Sep Thu 10:30 AM Navarathiri day 8 Durgashtami 29-Sep Fri 7:00 PM Navarathiri day 9 Saraswathi Puja 30-Sep Sat 10:30 AM Vijayadasami



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Some criteria, MTS membership Rules and Guidelines: 1. Membership of MTS shall be open to anyone who follows the Hindu religious faith and Culture and believe in the objectives of MTS and meets the MTS By-laws requirements.(Article II: Section 1)

2. Applicant of 20 years of age or older shall become a Primary member after the Membership committee’s review and approval by the Board of Directors. Such Primary members will be in “Provisional” status for one year until they have satisfactorily demonstrated their support for MTS goals and objectives as in the By-laws. At that time, the member’s status will be converted to “Active” subject to review by the Membership committee and approval by the Board. (Article II: Section 3 & 4)

o Provisional members, shall not have privileges to vote or to hold elected offices on the Board. They may attend General Body meetings as nonvoting members.

3. Both husband and wife must apply individually for their respective membership (Article II: Section 8)

4. Primary members who file their membership forms annually and pay the annual dues, if any, shall be “Active” in status. Such members shall constitute the General Body of MTS. (Article II: Section 9)

5. Youth members are children of Active Primary and Senior members between ages 13 and 19. Membership and renewal forms for Youth members shall be signed by their parents or guardians. (Article II: Section 11)

6. Persons employed as Staff members or gainfully employed on contract by MTS, shall not be accepted as Primary members. (Article II: Section 14)

7. An active member shall become a “life” member upon payment of the necessary dues during the calendar year and applying for the same within 90 days following the end of the calendar year. (Article VII: Section 8)

8. All members must renew their membership every year, by January 1, by completing and filing the annual membership renewal form and paying the annual dues. (Article V: Section 1)

9. Extended renewal time or grace period is 1st January to 31st March. (Article V: Section 1)

10. Any member who has not filed the renewal form and/or paid the annual dues past 31st March, shall automatically become “Inactive” in status and shall lose his/her Membership rights and privileges. (Article IV: Section 4)

o An Inactive member shall be made Active again when the renewal forms are filed and necessary dues, if any, for the current year are paid.

11. The following do not pay annual fees for MTS membership: i) Life Members, ii) Inactive members and iii) Honorary or youth members or Temple devotees.

12. Email, Telephone and address corrections of members must be made through this form and by sending it to the membership committee coordinator. Such changes made to at the MTS devotee database (www.meenakshi.org) are not automatically used to update the membership information.

13. In December of every year, the membership committee will send out a membership renewal notice and all changes to membership can also be made through the letter.

14. To vote in the elections and to sponsor candidates, a member must be in Active status as of July 1, of an election year. (Article XXI: Section 1).

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Sri Meenakshi Temple Society17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584Phone: 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 (or) 110

ANNUAL PUJA SPONSORSHIP FORM

For more information please contact the Temple Office at 281-489-0358 ext. 100, 110If you have any questions, comments or need more information please do not hesitate to contact

Padmini Nathan at [email protected] orSheila Sriram at [email protected]


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Kalyana Mandapam (KM), Youth Center (YC) and Visitors Center (VC) at MTS

Both KM and YC are spacious facilities for events like Engagements, Weddings, Receptions, etc.

Each facility can accommodate more than 400 people VC can accommodate up to 125 people for small events Have over 1200 chairs, 50 round tables, and more than 30

rectangular (6’ x 2’) tables Use the MTS facilities (KM, YC and the newly opened Visitor

Center) for all of your needs throughout the year Recommend to your friends and colleagues about the facilities

and support our Temple

For Reservations Contact: Mr. Venkatachalam at 832-725-1805 or [email protected]

Alternatively: Send e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected] (Karunakar Chowdavarapu) and we will get back to you within 24 hours

Kalayana Mandapam Youth Center Banquet Hall

Kalyana Mandapam (KM), Youth Center (YC) and Visitors Center (VC) at MTS

• Both KM and YC are spacious facilities for events like En-gagements, Weddings, Receptions, etc.

• Each facility can accommodate more than 400 people• VC can accommodate up to 125 people for small events• Have over 1200 chairs, 50 round tables, and more than 30

rectangular (6’ x 2’) tables• Use the MTS facilities (KM, YC and the Visitors Center) for

all of your needs throughout the year• Recommend to your friends and colleagues about the

facilities and support our TempleFor Reservations Contact:

Mr. Venkatachalam at 832-725-1805 or [email protected]: Send e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected] (Ramachandra M. Reddy) and we will get back to you within 24 hours



31

Temple HoursMonday through Thursday:

8:30 AM to 12 Noon and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PMFriday:

8:30 AM to 12 Noon and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PMWeekends and National Holidays:

8:30 AM to 8:30 PM

Sri Meenakshi Temple Telephone NumbersMAIN TEMPLE .................................. 281-489-0358

(Best time to call: 9 am-12 noon and 5 pm-8 pm)Main Temple ................................................................ 100, 110Ganesh Temple Facility Center ............................................. 115Library (During Library hours) .............................................. 125Kalyana Mantapam .............................................................. 112Temple Kitchen .................................................................... 227MTS FAX ............................................................... 281-489-3540

STAFFSri Vatsa Kumar (Executive Officer) ...................... 832-689-6448Sri K. Venkatachalam (Administrator) .................. 832-725-1805Sri Manickasundaram Bhattar (Priest) .................. 281-489-8633Sri Kalyana Sundaram (Priest) .............................. 281-692-9815Sri R.K.E. Parameswaran (Priest) .......................... 281-489-0575Sri Sreedharan Raghavan (Priest) ......................... 713-518-1810Sri Pawankumar Sri Bhashyam (Priest) ................. 281-819-7842Sri Sriman Narayana Charyalu Rompicherla (Priest)281-965-9780Sri Balaji Sethuraman (Priest)............................... 832-486-7083

www.emeenakshi.orgTemple Times Published by MTS Public Relations and Publicity Committee

RAHUKALAM DAY YAMAGANDAM 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM Sun 12 NOON – 1:30 PM 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Mon 10:30 AM – 12 NOON 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Tue 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 12 NOON – 1:30 PM Wed 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM Thu 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM 10:30 AM – 12 NOON Fri 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Sat 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Cover Photo: courtesy Srinivasan Sundararajan

Listen to MTS RadioListen to MTS RADIO Every Sunday

TUNE INTO RADIO DIAL 1110 AM STATION

Broadcast Every Sunday at 1:00 pmTune on link from Sri Meenakshi Temple website:

www.emeenakshi.org

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