TEMPLE TIMES. Sri Durga Devi

Transcription

1 TEMPLE TIMES th Quarter 2016 October, November, December Sri Durga Devi A Quarterly Publication of Sri Meenakshi Temple Society Pearland, Texas 1

2 MTS CORNER TEMPLE RENOVATION PROJECT FUND RAISING DINNER The Corner Temple Renovation Project reached a major milestone on Sunday August 28, 2016 at Sri Meenakshi Temple s Youth Center, the home of the annual Gala event. The third quarter typically is one of the busiest quarters in the temple for both the religious and associated activities. All of these events usually draw huge crowds and this year the crowd was even more. The Ganesh Temple Renovation Project was competed in 2014 and the main Temple renovation Project completed in The Corner Temple Renovation project (CTRP) as the third phase of the religious area upgrade, had been approved in April this year by the MTS Board, Council, General body and the Senior members. Devotees have been highly supportive of this project. MTS annual dinner Samarpanam was a huge success. Mother Nature showered her blessing in the form of a rain just before starting the Fund raising program. The function started with the invocation prayer by priests Sri Manicka Sundaram Bhattar and Sri Sridhar Raghavan. Then the floor was in the hands of two beautiful energetic emcees, Haripriya and Srindhi. They both were awesome in their roles. With the packed audience we had excellent cultural programs, the beautiful decoration added a magic touch; with the delicious food served completing the trio to make a very special evening for all attendees. The procession of Nayanmargal and Alwargal poster was the highlight and a thing to remember. Chairman Narayanan explained the details of the CTRP at his welcome speech. Tom Reed (Mayor of Pearland), Deputy Councilor (Indian Consulate General) and Mike Clemet s (VP Frost bank) were the chief guests of the event. The program recognized Mr. Lakshmi Narayan Shetty for providing his service through Photographic records to the Temple over many years; this was followed with recognizing the ten year anniversary service of our priests Sri Kalyana Sundaram Gurukkal and Sri Parmeswaran that added the emotional touch to the program. Chairman Narayanan and his wife Malar were the grand sponsors of the event, and the first chairman of MTS history who donated hundred thousand dollars for such event. 2

3 The Board, Council, Fund Raising team and Construction committee were felicitated for their hard work; the details of the construction will be shared in the coming weeks or month. Kamala Raghavan Joint treasurer announced MTS annual scholarship recipient s, MTS awarded $10,000 scholarship. The Chief Guests, helped recognize the graduation High School Seniors that were recipients of the annual MTS scholarship award. The next presentation was the approved conceptual plans for the CTRP with more to come as the approved project proceeds. It was highlighted that the last addition to the temple was made in 2007 and after that, all projects were part of maintenance of the existing structures. The presentation was followed by individual acknowledgement by the FR team members who recognized all the donors at every level. The silent auction was very successful, well-coordinated and helped raise close to $7000. As the event concluded MTS Secretary thanked the participants and each and every one who was part of this event. The audience were happy to have been part of the well-organized and well-disciplined fund raising event. Samarpanam was indeed a great success and moment to remember. Sasidharan Pillai Treasurer 3

4 Significance of OM Arun K. Mukhopadhyay In Katha Upanishad it is stated that: The goal which the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence, I will tell you briefly: it is OM. This syllable OM is indeed Brahman. This syllable is the highest. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support, the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahma. (Katha Upanishad: ). OM has two aspects. First, the greatness of the sound of OM- it is the Universal Sound of the Divine. It purifies the person who chants and the person who hears the chant. Second, the meaning of this Sacred Sound which is produced by a combination of the three letters A, U and M. The three letters A, U and M represent different states of consciousness, namely the states of wakefulness, dreamless sleep, and dream respectively. In another interpretation, the letters represent creation, preservation and dissolution. God created this sound OM first, before everything else. OM is worshipped as representing God in a personal as well as impersonal way by nearly all followers of Sanatana Dharma tradition. OM is a perfect vehicle for making rapid progress in the spiritual path. One should chant Om regularly several times a day. Secondly, one can meditate on OM guided by a preceptor. The benefits of OM chanting and OM meditation are immense. While chanting OM, the person must focus on the sound with no distractions. The chanting is relatively easy and can be done alone or with the whole family as well as in a gathering such as in a Satsang. According to Swami Sivananda, chanting OM affects every atom in the body and benefits even those who hear the chanting. Let us not delay a spiritual practice that is close at hand and can be done by anybody every day. Editor s note: It is also worth pointing out that our puranas say that the OM kara mantra was offered as upadesam (teaching or guidance) by Lord Muruga to none other than His Father, the supreme Lord Parameswara, at the very famous Swamimalai temple in Tamil Nadu. Hence, one can see Karthikeya depicted as Guru (teacher) and Lord Shiva listening as shishya (disciple) in the gopuram of the temple complex. This episode has special significance to MTS since Lord Muruga, is adored and worshipped with great love and devotion by many of its devotees. 4

5 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Cordially invites you to participate in the Navarathri Celebrations Oct. 2nd to Oct. 10th 2016 For more information please contact: Padmini at or Sheila at or call Temple Ext. 100 or 110 5

6 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Cordially invites you to participate in the Navarathri Celebrations Suvasini Puja Friday, Oct. 7 th 2016 at 6:00 PM 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 prn2635@gmail.com or Sheila at sriramsheila@gmail.com or Call Temple Ext. 100 or 110 6

7 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Invites you and your family to participate in the Deepavali Katchi and Lakshmi Pooja Saturday, October 29 th 2016 Deepavali Katchi and Lakshmi Pooja 11:00 am Lakshmi Pooja 7:00 pm Utsavamurthy Alankaram and new vastram offering to the deities by the trustee and devotees For further details, please contact: Padmini at or Sheila at or Call Temple office at Ext. 100 or 110 7

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9 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Cordially invites you to participate in the Skanda Shasti Utsavam Oct. 31st to Nov. 5th, 2016 Abhishekam, Alankaram, Deeparadhana Procession of Utsava Murthis around the temple in Mayil Vahanam Prasadam distribution after Puja Sponsorship: $21 For more information please contact: Padmini at or Sheila at or Call Temple office at Ext. 100 or 110 9

10 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX at the Kalyana Mandapam 10:30 am 10

11 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Invites you to participate in the Maha Sathyanarayana Puja For more information please contact: Padmini at or Sheila at or Call Temple office at Ext. 100 or

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13 SRI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE STOTRA MALA Commonly recited slokas, compiled by MK Sriram Sri Ganesha Gajananam Bhutha Ganadhi Sevitham Kapitha Jambuphalasara Bhakshitham Umasutham Shokavinashakaranam Namami Vigneshwara Padhapankajam. Om Sri Prasanna Vinayakaya Nama: Guru (Sri Dakshinamurthy) Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu: Gurur Devo Maheshwara: Guru Sakshath ParaBrahma Thasmai Sri Gurave Nama: Gurave Sarva Lokanam, Rishaje Bhava Rohinam Nidhaye Sarva Vidhyanam, Sri Dakshinamoorthaye Nama: Om Gurubhyo Nama: Sri Meenakshi Ya Devi Sarva Bhutheshu Matru Roopena Samsthitha Namasthasye Namasthasye Namasthasye Namo Nama: Madurapuri Nayike Namasthe Madhuralapishukabhiramahasthe Malaya Dwaja Pandya Raja Kanye Mayi Meenakshi krupaam Videhi Dhanye. Sri Sundareswara (Shiva) Thrayambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam Urvarukamiva Bhandanaath Mrityor Mukshiya mamrithaath, Hara Hara Parvathy Pathe, Hara Hara Mahadeva Sri Venkateswara (Maha Vishnu) Sriya: Kanthaya Kalyana Nidhaye Nidhayerthinam Sri Venkatanivasaya Srinivasaya Mangalam. Om Sri Venkatramana, Govinda Govinda Sri Padmavathy (Lakshmi) Namastestu Mahamaye Sripeete Surapujithe Shankachakragathahasthe Mahalakshmi Namosthuthe. Om Sri Mahalakshmiye Namo Nama: Sri Subramanyan Gyanashaktidhara Skanda Vallikalyana Sundara Devasenaa Manah KaantaKaartikeya Namostute. Muruganukku Haro Hara, Velanukku Haro Hara 13

14 Sri Ayyappan Harivarasanam Vishwamohanam Haridhadheeshwaram Aaradyapadhukam Arivimardhanam Nithyanarthanam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa, Sabarigiri Vasa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa Sri Rama Ramaya Ramabhadraya Ramachanadraya Vedhase Raghunathaya Nathaya Seethaya: Pathaye Nama: Sri Rama Rama Ramethy, Rame Raame Manorame Sahasranama Thathulyam, Sri Rama Nama Varanane. Rama Rama Jaya Raja Ram, Ram Ram Jaya Seetha Ram Sri Anjaneya Manojavam Maruthathulyavegam, Jithendriyam Budhimatham Varishtam Vaathathmajam Vanarayudamukyam, Sri Rama Dhootham Shirasa Namami. Jai Hanuman Sri Krishna Vasudevasutham Devam Kamsa chanoora mardhanamu Devaki Paramanandam Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum. Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya Navagrahas Adithyaya cha Somaya Mangalaya Budhaya cha Guru: ShukraShanibyascha Rahave Kethave Nama: Om Navagraha Devathaye Nama: Sri Durga Sarvamangala mangalye Shive Sarvarthasadhike Sharanye Thrayambake Devi Narayani Namostuthe. Om Sri Durge Devi Namostuthe General Mantra Pushpam Yopam Pushpam Veda, Pushpavan Prajavan Pashuman Bhavathy Chandramava Apam Pushpam, Pushpavan Prajavan Pashuman Bhavathy Ya Yevam Veda, Yopam Aayadhanam Veda, Aayadhanvan Bhavathy Om Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi: 14

15 DATE DAY TIME EVENTS FOR 4 TH QUARTER Oct Sat 10:30 AM Purattasi Maasam Venkateswara Abhishekam 2-Oct Sun 7:00 PM Navarathri Begins 2-Oct Sun 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam 4-Oct Tue 7:00 PM Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam 7-Oct Fri 7:00 PM Suvasini's Puja 7-Oct Fri 7:00 PM Sukla Sashti Sri Subramanya Abhishekam 8-Oct Sat 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam 8-Oct Sat 10:30 AM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam 9-Oct Sun 10:30 AM Durgashtami/Durga Homam 9-Oct Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam 10-Oct Mon 7:00 PM Saraswathi Puja 11-Oct Tue 7:00 PM Vijayadasami 11-Oct Tue 7:00 PM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 12-Oct Wed 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 13-Oct Thu 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession 15-Oct Sat AM Venkateswara Abhishekam 15-Oct Sat 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja 16-Oct Sun 11:00 AM Santhabhishekam for Sri Meenakshi 18-Oct Tue 7:00 PM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam 19-Oct Wed 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chaturththi Ganapathi Homam & Abhisheham 22-Oct Sat 10:30 AM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam 23-Oct Sun 10:30 AM Ashtami Bairavar Abhishekam 26-Oct Wed 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 28-Oct Fri 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession 29-Oct Sat 8:00 AM Deepavali Bazaar - All Day Celebrations 29-Oct Sat 11:00 AM Deepavali Kaatchi / Lakshmi Puja 29-Oct Sat 7:00 PM Deepavali Lakshmi Puja 30-Oct Sun AM Sri Kannika Parameshwari Abhishekam 31-Oct Mon 7:00 PM Skanda Shashti Begins 3-Nov Thu 7:00 PM Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam 4-Nov Fri 7:00 PM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam 5-Nov Sat 10:30 AM Skanda Shashti Homam, Sri Subramanya Abhishekam 6-Nov Sun 10:30 AM Venkateswara Abhishekam 7-Nov Mon 7:00 PM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 10-Nov Thu 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 12-Nov Sat 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession 13-Nov Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam 14-Nov Mon 7:00 PM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam 14-Nov Mon 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja 15-Nov Tue 7:00 PM Ayyappa Sapdasudhi Abhishekam 15

16 16-Nov Wed 7:00 PM Ayyappa Mandala Puja Begins 17-Nov Thu 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chaturththi Ganapathi Homam & Abhisheham 19-Nov Sat 10:30 AM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam 21-Nov Mon 7:00 PM Ashtami Bairavar Abhishekam 21-Nov Mon 7:00 PM 1st Karthikai Somavaram Anna Abhishekam for Lord Siva 25-Nov Fri 7:00 PM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 26-Nov Sat 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession 26-Nov Sat 10:30 AM Kaisika Dwadasi 27-Nov Sun 10:30 AM Sri Kannika Parameshwari Abhishekam 28-Nov Mon 7:00 PM 2nd Karthikai Somavaram Siva Abhishekam 1-Dec Thu 7:00 PM Mulam Sri Anjaneyar Abhishekam 3-Dec Sat 10:30 AM Maha Ganapathy Abhishekam 3-Dec Sat 10:30 AM Maha Satyanarayana Puja 4-Dec Sun 10:30 AM Sravanam Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 5-Dec Mon 7:00 PM 3rd Karthikai Somavaram Siva Abhishekam 5-Dec Mon 7:00 PM Sukla Sashti Sri Subramanya Abhishekam 10-Dec Sat 10:30 AM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 11-Dec Sun 11:00 AM Meenakshi Abhishekam 11-Dec Sun 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession 12-Dec Mon 7:00 PM 4th Karthikai Somavaram Deepa Utsavam 12-Dec Mon 7:00 PM Krithikai Sri Subramanya Abhishekam 13-Dec Tue 7:00 PM Sathyanarayana Puja 16-Dec Fri 7:00 PM Dhanur Masa Pooja Begins 16-Dec Fri 7:00 PM Punarvasu Sri Rama Abhishekam 17-Dec Sat 7:00 PM Sankatahara Chaturththi Ganapathi Homam & Abhisheham 21-Dec Wed 7:00 PM Ashtami Bairavar Abhishekam 24-Dec Sat 10:30 AM Ekadasi Sri Venkateswara Abhishekam 24-Dec Sat 10:30 AM Ayyappa Mandala Puja Ghee Abhishekam 25-Dec Sun 10:30 AM Sri Kannika Parameshwari Abhishekam 25-Dec Sun 10:30 AM Ayyappa Kalabhishekam 26-Dec Mon 7:00 PM Pradosham Nandi & Siva Abhishekam & Procession 16

17 CONGRATULATIONS TO 2016 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS JUHI CHOUDHURY NIKHIL CHELLAM CHANDANA GOLLA AKSHAT KUMAR SAI SHREYAS MEDAPALLI MUKHTA NAIR NIKHIL RAGAV POOJA SHANKAR LEKHA YESHANTHARAO THIRUPUGAZH 367: kumara gurubara gunadhara (thiruvarunai) (Interpretation by Sri N. Gopala Sundaram) க மர க ர பர க ணதர ந ச சர த ம ர த னகர சரவண பவக ர க மர ச தபக ரத ச த ச ரபத... க லம ன ங க றவர ச ற ம ய மர வ ய த ரள ப ய ம ர க சரணணன வ ர க தல ச ற த ம ல ணக ட ய வ னனயனன யவலனன யசடனன... யத மம கக கமர ல வ ழவ ட மழக னட யர னவயர களவ ணன ட ணப ர ளளவள வர ள ய கலவ யளற னட த வள ற ம ணவள றனன... ய ன த ளக கர னண யட யணர டர னணய ணல ர வ னச ச ர த ப னடதர வர ம ர பர ப ர கமல மலரட கனவ ல நனவ ல... மறமவமன தமர ம க த னர ணயற வனள கடல க டல மற க யனலபட வ டநத ய ம ழ வன சம க ம ககண பணபண பத ணநட... வடம கச சகல வ லகம ந னலணபற ந ற வ ய கனக க ர த ர தரணவக கரமலர தளர வ ன யணத ரம த னன ணய ர தன... கனடய ந ன றமரர பச ணகட வ தவ ய க ர னபம க ல அக ல ப வனம மளவ ட க ற யவன அளவ ணநட யவ னளவ ட அர யவன... மர மக மன அரவ ப னனதர ப ந தர ம வழ பட மழனல ணம ழ ணக ட ணதள தர ணவ ள த கழ அற னவ யற வத ணப ர ணளன அர ள ய... ணபர ம மள. 17

18 Song kumara gurubara gunadhara (Thiruvannamalai) kumara gurupara gunathara nisisara! thimira thinakara saravana pavakiri kumari suthapaki rathisutha surapathi... kulamanum kuravar sirumiyu maruviya thiralpuya! muruka saranena vurukuthal sirithumil kodiya vinaiyanai yavalanai yasadanai... yathimokak kamaril vizhavidu mazhakudai yarivaiyar! kalavi noduporu LaLavaLa varuliya kalavi yalaridai thuvalurum veliranai... yinithalak karunai yadiyaro darunaiyi loruvisai! suruthi pudaithara varumiru paripura kamala malaradi kanavilu nanavilu... maravene thamara mikuthirai yerivalai kadalkudal! maruki yalaipada vidanathi yumizhvana samuka mukakana panapani pathinedu... vadamaka sakala vulakamu nilaipera niruviya! kanaka kirithiri tharaveku karamalar thalara viniyatho ramuthinai yoruthani... kadaiyanin Ramarar pasikeda vuthaviya krupaimukil! akila puvanamu malavidu kuriyavan alavu nediyava nalavida ariyavan... marukone aravu punaitharu punitharum vazhipada! mazhalai mozhikodu thelithara volithikazh arivai yarivathu porulena aruliya... perumale. Meaning kumara gurupara gunathara nisisara thimira thinakara saravanapava: Oh KumarA, oh Supreme Master, You are full of virtues; You are the sun that dispels the darkness called the demons; Oh SaravaNabavA! kiri kumari sutha pakirathi sutha sura pathi kula manum kuravar sirumiyum maruviya thiral puya muruka saran: You are the child of Mount HimavAn s daughter! You are also the son of Bhagirathi (Gangai)! Oh MurugA, with Your strong shoulders You hug DEvayAnai, the deer-like daughter of IndrA, the leader of the celestials, and also VaLLi, the damsel of the hunters! I surrender to You! ena urukuthal sirithum il kodiya vinaiyanai avalanai asadanai: - I never say so with my heart melting even slightly; I am such a product of evil deeds, an utter waste and a fool; athi mokak kamaril vizhavidu azhaku udai arivaiyar: the beautiful whores are capable of throwing their suitors into an extreme passion which is like a crevice on the earth; 18

19 kalavinodu porul alavalavu aruliya kalavi alaridai thuvalurum veliranai: treacherously, they manage to dispense pleasure in a measure proportionate to the money they obtain; I am such a stupid person falling into the slushy mud of that so-called carnal pleasure, feeling miserable thereafter; inithu ALa karunai adiyarodu arunaiyil oru visai: (ignoring my shortcomings,) once, in ThiruvaNNAmalai, along with a group of devotees who earned Your compassion, You came kindly to take charge of me, suruthi pudai thara varum iru paripura kamala malar adi kanavilum nanavilum maravene: accompanied by the chanting of VEdAs on both sides; Your hallowed lotus feet, adorned with anklets, which feet came walking for my sake, can never be forgotten by me even in my dream or while I am awake! thamara miku thirai eri valai kadal kudal maruki alaipada: The curved sea tossing noisy waves became so agitated that its bowels began to shake; vida nathi umizhvana samuka muka kana pana pani pathi nedu vadamaka: the distinct bunch of hoods of the serpent-king VAsuki spewed out poison which flowed like a river; that VAsuki served as the long rope (for churning the sea); sakala ulakamu(m) nilaipera niruviya kanaka kiri thirithara: the golden mount MEru was installed as the churning rod so that the entire universe could remain in a state of stability; veku kara malar thalara iniyathor amuthinai oru thani kadaiya ninru amarar pasi keda uthaviya krupai mukil: when many lotus-like hands (of the churners) became exhausted, He stood alone and churned the sea all by Himself to bring out the sweet nectar and assisted in satiation of the celestials hunger; He is the compassionate one with the complexion of the dark cloud; akila puvanamum alavidu kuriyavan alavu nediyavan alavida ariyavan marukone: coming in the form of a dwarf (VAmanan), He was able to measure the entire worlds with His foot; while measuring so, He assumed the gigantic form (of Thirivikrama); He is beyond comprehension through any measure; and You are the nephew of that Lord VishNu! aravu punaitharu punitharum vazhipada mazhalai mozhikodu theli thara: When Lord SivA of great purity, who wears the serpent as an ornament, worshipped, You cleared His mind with Your prattling words oli thikazh arivai arivathu porul ena aruliya perumale.: preaching that knowing the effulgent form of True Knowledge is the most significant thing, Oh Great One! 19

20 Lord Jnana Dakshinamurti at Sri Meenakshi Temple By Sri Venkat Prasad The first Chandana alangaram for Lord Dakshinamoorthy at Sri Meenakshi Temple was performed by Priest Sri Manicka Sundaram Bhattar on Thursday April 21, on Chithra Pournami day. Usually every Thursday s and Pournami day s pooja for Lord Dakshinamoorthy pooja is considered to be powerful blessing. And Pournami falling on Thursday even more auspicious and that happened on Thursday 21 April Lord Dakshinamurthy is an aspect of the Hindu god Shiva as a guru (teacher) of all types of knowledge (jnana). 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. As per scriptures,if a person doesn t have a Guru, then they can consider and worship Lord Dakshinamurthy as their Guru. Eventually they will be blessed with a human Self-Realised Guru, if they are worthy. Dakshinamurti literally means one who is facing south (dakṣiṇa) in Sanskrit. South is the direction of Death, hence change. 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. The great seer Ramana Maharshi, has said in letter 89: one meaning of Dakshina is efficient; another meaning is in the heart on the right side of the body ; Amurthy means Formlessness. Dakshinamurthy Stotra in Sanskrit, means the Shapelessness situated on the right side. This iconographic form for depicting Shiva in Indian art is mostly south Indian in character.in his aspect as Jnana Dakshinamurti, Shiva is generally shown with four arms. He is depicted seated under a banyan tree, facing the south. Shiva is seated upon a deer-throne and surrounded by sages who are receiving his instruction. He is shown as seated with his right foot on mythical apasmara (a demon which, according to Hindu mythology, is the personification of ignorance) and his left foot lies 20

21 folded on his lap. Sometimes even the wild animals, are depicted to surround Shiva. In his upper arms, he holds a snake or rosary or both in one hand and a flame in the other; while in his lower right hand is shown in vyakhyanamudra, his lower left hand holds a bundle of kusha grass or the scriptures. The index finger of His right hand is bent and touching the tip of his thumb. The other three fingers are stretched apart. This symbolic hand gesture or Mudra is the Gnana Mudra (or Jnana Mudra or Jana Mudra), a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. Sometimes, this hand is in the Abhaya Mudra, a posture of assurance and blessing. In Melakadambur the Dakshinamurthy looks seated on a bull under a banyan tree, a hole in this statue s ear that extends to the next ear was wonderful sculpturing. Dakshinamurthy is portrayed as being in the yogic state of abstract meditation - and as a powerful form brimming with ever flowing bliss and supreme joy. Variations of this iconic representation include Veenadhara Dakshinamurthy (holding a Veena), Rishabharooda Dakshinamurthy (mounted on a Rishabha - the bull) etc. Maharshi Kardamshankara Jnanadeva, a mystic seer says that Dakshinamurthy means the abstract or hidden power of the absolute which expressed in all enlightened masters. 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 embodiment of knowledge and the destroyer of ignorance (as represented by the demon being crushed under the feet of the deity). The Jnana Mudra is interpreted in this way:- The thumb denotes the God and the index finger denotes the man. The other three fingers stand for the three congenital impurities of man viz. arrogance, illusion and bad deeds of the past births. When man detaches himself from these impurities, he reaches God. Another interpretation is that the other three fingers denote the three states of life: Jagruti (Fully awake through senses and mind), Swapna (Sleep state - When the mind is awake) and Sushukti (Tru-self - When the senses and mind go into soul - Atma). The Abhaya Mudra, a gesture with the hand lifted above thigh with palm facing out, fingers pointing, is interpreted as His grace upon His students. The rosary or the snake signifies tantric knowledge. The fire represents illumination, removing the darkness of ignorance. 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 endeavours. It is on Thursdays that special worship services are offered to Dakshinamurthy in many Saivite temples. Some temple traditions hold full moon nights, particularly the night of the Guru Purnima as the appropriate time for worship services to Dakshinamurthy. Reference Source: 21

22 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Events Calendar for 4th Quarter 2016 By Month October OCT Sun 7:00 PM NAVARATHRI BEGINS 7-OCT FRI 7:00 Pm SUVASINI PUJA 9-OCT SUN 10:30 AM DURGASHTAMI, DURGA HOMAM 10-OCT MON 7:00 PM SARASWATI PUJA 11-OCT TUES 7:00 PM VIJAYADASAMI 29-OCT SAT 11:00 Am DEEPAVALI KAATCHI/ LAKSHMI puja 29-OCT SAT 7:00 PM DEEPAVALI Lakshmi PUJA November NOV SAT 10:30 AM SKANDA SASHTI HOMAM, SUBRAMANYA ABHISHEKAM 15-NOV TUE 7:00 PM AYYAPPA SAPDASUDHI ABHISHEKAM 16-NOV WED 7:00 PM AYYAPPA MANDALA PUJA BEGINS 26-NOV SAT 10:30 AM KAISIKA DWADASI December DEC SUN 10:30 AM MAHA SATYANARAYANA PUJA 26-DEC MON 7:00 PM AYYAPPA MANDALA PUJA COMPLETION 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 22

23 MTS Advisory council Committees The following are the committee coordinators for the Advisory Council term. Membership committee Coordinator: Raj Mikkilineni Maintenance Trust Fund (MTF) Committee Coordinator: Vairavan Subramanian. By-laws Committee Coordinator: P. Vaduganathan Audit Committee Coordinator: Padma Golla Legal Affairs Committee Coordinator: Nat Annamalai Ethics committee Coordinator: Tupil Narasiman Board and Advisory Committee appointments by the Council. Mr. Vairavan Subramanian was appointed as one of the trustees for the Advisory Council for the term due to the vacancy created by the death of Mrs. Meena Subramanian. Mr. Kanakam Babu Inumpudi was appointed as an Executive Director of the MTS Board for the remainder of the term due to the vacancy created in the board. MTS Board Committees Cultural Committee Mala Gopal, Coordinator Education/ VHS committee Mahesh Iyer, Cordinator Food Committee Vijaya Rani Chilukuri, Coordinator Chitra Kumar Susheela Denduluri Taraka Bodagalla Malar Narayanan Suryakumari Mikkilineni Natch Vadugunathan 23

24 Facilities Planning/ Construction committee AVN Reddy, Coordinator Facilities Maintenance and Rentals Committee Ramachandra Reddy, Coordinator Tupil Narasiman Vinod R. Kaila Nalini Kannan Finance Committee Sasi Pillai, Coordinator Giyarpuram Prasad Kamala Raghavan Kumar Bashyam (Accounts and Budget subcommittee) A. Sivaraman Sridhar Srinivasan Infrastructure Committee Sundar Arun, Coordinator Library Committee Somarajan Nair, Coordinator Property Maintenance Committee Ramsunder Ramamurthy, Coordinator Public Relations Committee Kamala Raghavan, Coordinator M.K. Sriram Nachal Sethuraman (Electronics and Web Subcommittee) Dhani Kannan Haripriya Sundar Religious Activities Committee Dr. Padmini Nathan, Coordinator Sheila Sriram, Festivals & Puja Coordinator Youth committee Chandrakala Gupta, Coordinator Thangam Muthuswamy Veena Sundar 24

25 Sri Meenakshi Temple Society McLean Road, Pearland, TX Phone: Ext. 100 (or) 110 Annual Puja Sponsorship Form For more information please contact the Temple Office at ext. 100, 110 If you have any questions, comments or need more information please do not hesitate to contact Padmini Nathan at or Sheila Sriram at 25

26 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 Visitors 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 or venkatk2005@yahoo.com Alternatively: Send to temple@meenakshi.org or ramreddy55@gmail.com (Ramachandra M. Reddy) and we will get back to you within 24 hours Kalayana Mandapam Youth Center Banquet Hall 26

27 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 Temple Hours Monday through Thursday: 8:30 AM to 12 Noon and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM Friday: 8:30 AM to 12 Noon and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Weekends and National Holidays: 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM Listen to MTS Radio MTS RADIO PROGRAM Every Sunday 2016 New year, New timing, New station TUNE INTO RADIO DIAL 1110 AM STATION FROM -12 Noon to 2 pm Tune on link from Sri Meenakshi Temple website Listen live - Listen to Bhajans: 24/7 online Radio Sri Meenakshi Temple Telephone Numbers Main Temple (Best time to call: 9 am-12 noon and 5 pm-8 pm) Main Temple , 110 Ganesh Temple Facility Center Library (During Library hours) Kalyana Mantapam Temple Kitchen MTS FAX Staff Sri Vatsa Kumar (Executive Officer) Sri K. Venkatachalam (Administrator) Sri Manickasundaram Bhattar (Priest) Sri Kalyana Sundaram (Priest) Sri R.K.E. Parameswaran (Priest) Sri Sreedharan Raghavan (Priest) Sri Pawankumar Sri Bhashyam (Priest) Sri Sriman Narayana Charyalu Rompicherla (Priest) Sri Balaji Sethuraman (Priest) Temple Times Published by MTS Public Relations and Publicity Committee 27

28 NON PROFIT ORG. U. S POSTAGE PAID Pearland, TX PERMIT NO. 79 Temple Times is a publication of Sri Meenakshi Temple McLean Road Pearland, TX