Temple Times 4th Q 2016

1

TEMPLE TIMES-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4th Quarter 2016 October, November, December

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sri Durga Devi

A Quarterly Publication of

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society Pearland, Texas

2

MTS CORNER TEMPLE RENOVATION PROJECT

FUND RAISING DINNERThe 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 2015. 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.

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 PillaiTreasurer

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: 1.2.15-17).

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.

5

Sri Meenakshi Temple Society17130 McLean Road, Pearland, TX 77584

Cordially invites you to participate in the

Navarathri CelebrationsOct. 2nd to Oct. 10th 2016

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

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

mailto:[email protected]

6



Navarathri CelebrationsSuvasini Puja

Friday, Oct. 7th 2016 at 6:00 PM

Abhishekam and Sahasranama Archana for Sri Meenakshi

&Special Alankarams for Utsavamurthis

Followed by Manjal kumkum distribution to ladies

SponsorshipSuvasini Puja $31

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

Sheila at [email protected] orCall Temple 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110


77


Invites you and your family to participate in the

Deepavali Katchi and Lakshmi Pooja

Saturday, October 29th 2016

Deepavali Katchi and Lakshmi Pooja 11:00 amLakshmi 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 [email protected] or

Sheila at [email protected] orCall Temple office at 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110


8

9



Skanda Shasti UtsavamOct. 31st to Nov. 5th, 2016

Abhishekam, Alankaram, DeeparadhanaProcession of Utsava Murthis around the temple in

Mayil VahanamPrasadam distribution after Puja

Sponsorship: $21For more information please contact:

Padmini at [email protected] orSheila at [email protected] or

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


10


atthe Kalyana Mandapam 10:30 am

11


Invites you to participate in the

Maha Sathyanarayana Puja

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

Sheila at [email protected] orCall Temple office at 281-489-0358 Ext. 100 or 110


12

13

SRI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE STOTRA MALA Commonly recited slokas, compiled by MK Sriram

Sri GaneshaGajananam Bhutha Ganadhi SevithamKapitha Jambuphalasara BhakshithamUmasutham ShokavinashakaranamNamami 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 RohinamNidhaye Sarva Vidhyanam, Sri Dakshinamoorthaye Nama: Om Gurubhyo Nama:

Sri MeenakshiYa Devi Sarva Bhutheshu Matru Roopena SamsthithaNamasthasye’ 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 VardhanamUrvarukamiva Bhandanaath Mrityor Mukshiya mamrithaath, Hara Hara Parvathy Pathe’, Hara Hara Mahadeva

Sri Venkateswara (Maha Vishnu)Sriya: Kanthaya Kalyana Nidhaye’ NidhayerthinamSri Venkatanivasaya Srinivasaya Mangalam.Om Sri Venkatramana, Govinda Govinda

Sri Padmavathy (Lakshmi)Namastestu Mahamaye Sripeete’ Surapujithe’Shankachakragathahasthe’ Mahalakshmi Namosthuthe’.Om Sri Mahalakshmiye’ Namo Nama:

Sri SubramanyanGyanashaktidhara Skanda Vallikalyana SundaraDevasenaa Manah KaantaKaartikeya Namostute’.Muruganukku Haro Hara, Velanukku Haro Hara

14

Sri AyyappanHarivarasanam Vishwamohanam Haridhadheeshwaram AaradyapadhukamArivimardhanam Nithyanarthanam Hariharathmajam Devamashraye’Sharanam Ayyappa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa, Sabarigiri Vasa Swamy Sharanam Ayyappa

Sri RamaRamaya Ramabhadraya Ramachanadraya VedhaseRaghunathaya Nathaya Seethaya: Pathaye Nama:Sri Rama Rama Ramethy, Rame Raame ManorameSahasranama Thathulyam, Sri Rama Nama Varanane’. Rama Rama Jaya Raja Ram, Ram Ram Jaya Seetha Ram

Sri AnjaneyaManojavam Maruthathulyavegam, Jithendriyam Budhimatham VarishtamVaathathmajam Vanarayudamukyam, Sri Rama Dhootham Shirasa Namami. Jai Hanuman

Sri KrishnaVasudevasutham Devam Kamsa chanoora mardhanamuDevaki Paramanandam Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum. Om Namo Bhagavathe’ Vasudevaya

NavagrahasAdithyaya cha Somaya Mangalaya Budhaya chaGuru: ShukraShanibyascha Rahave’ Kethave’ Nama:Om Navagraha Devathaye’ Nama:

Sri DurgaSarvamangala mangalye’ Shive’ Sarvarthasadhike’Sharanye’ Thrayambake’ Devi Narayani Namostuthe’.Om Sri Durge’ Devi Namostuthe’

General – Mantra PushpamYopam Pushpam Veda, Pushpavan Prajavan Pashuman BhavathyChandramava Apam Pushpam, Pushpavan Prajavan Pashuman BhavathyYa Yevam Veda, Yopam Aayadhanam Veda, Aayadhanvan BhavathyOm Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi:

15

DATE DAY TIME EVENTS FOR 4TH QUARTER 2016 1-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 10.30 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 10.30 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

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

17

CONGRATULATIONS TO2016 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

JUHI CHOUDHURYNIKHIL CHELLAM

CHANDANA GOLLAAKSHAT KUMAR

SAI SHREYAS MEDAPALLIMUKHTA NAIRNIKHIL RAGAV

POOJA SHANKARLEKHA YESHANTHARAO

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)

குமர குருபர குணதர நிசிசர திமிர தினகர சரவண பவகிரி குமரி சுதபகி ரதிசுத சுரபதி ...... குலமானுங்

குறவர் சிறுமியு மருவிய திரள்புய முருக சரணணன வுருகுதல் சிறிதுமில் ணகாடிய வினனயனன யவலனன யசடனன ...... யதிமமாகக்

கமரில் விழவிடு மழகுனட யரினவயர் களவி ணனாடுணபாரு ளளவள வருளிய கலவி யளறினட துவளுறும் ணவளிறனன ...... யினிதாளக்

கருனண யடியணரா டருனணயி ணலாருவினச சுருதி புனடதர வருமிரு பரிபுர கமல மலரடி கனவிலு நனவிலு ...... மறமவமன

தமர மிகுதினர ணயறிவனள கடல்குடல் மறுகி யனலபட விடநதி யுமிழ்வன சமுக முககண பணபணி பதிணநடு ...... வடமாகச்

சகல வுலகமு நினலணபற நிறுவிய கனக கிரிதிரி தரணவகு கரமலர் தளர வினியணதா ரமுதினன ணயாருதனி ...... கனடயாநின்

றமரர் பசிணகட வுதவிய க்ருனபமுகில் அகில புவனமு மளவிடு குறியவன் அளவு ணநடியவ னளவிட அரியவன் ...... மருமகாமன

அரவு புனனதரு புநிதரும் வழிபட மழனல ணமாழிணகாடு ணதளிதர ணவாளிதிகழ் அறினவ யறிவது ணபாருணளன அருளிய ...... ணபருமாமள.

18

Song 367 - 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.

Meaningkumara 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;

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!

20

Lord Jnana Dakshinamurti at Sri Meenakshi TempleBy 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 2016.

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

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: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakshinamurthy

22

Events Calendar for 4th Quarter 2016 By Month October 2016


2-OCT SUN 7:00 PM NAVARATHRI BEGINS7-OCT FRI 7:00 PM SUVASINI PUJA9-OCT SUN 10:30 AM DURGASHTAMI, DURGA HOMAM10-OCT MON 7:00 PM SARASWATI PUJA11-OCT TUES 7:00 PM VIJAYADASAMI29-OCT SAT 11:00 AM DEEPAVALI KAATCHI/ LAKSHMI PUJA29-OCT SAT 7:00 PM DEEPAVALI LAKSHMI PUJA

November 2016

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

5-NOV SAT 10:30 AM SKANDA SASHTI HOMAM, SUbRAMANyA AbhIShEkAM 15-NOV TUE 7:00 PM AYYAPPA SAPDASUDHI ABHISHEKAM16-NOV WED 7:00 PM AYYAPPA MANDALA PUJA BEGINS 26-NOV SAT 10:30 AM KAISIKA DWADASI

December 2016

3-DEC SUN 10:30 AM MAHA SATYANARAYANA PUJA26-DEC MON 7:00 PM AYYAPPA MANDALA PUJA COMPLETION

23

MTS Advisory council CommitteesThe following are the committee coordinators for the 2016-2017 Advisory Council term. Membership committee Coordinator: Raj Mikkilineni Email:[email protected] Trust Fund (MTF) Committee Coordinator: Vairavan Subramanian. Email: [email protected] Committee Coordinator: P. Vaduganathan Email: [email protected] Committee Coordinator: Padma Golla Email: [email protected] Affairs Committee Coordinator: Nat AnnamalaiEmail: [email protected] committee Coordinator: Tupil Narasiman Email: [email protected] and Advisory Committee appointments by the Council. Mr. Vairavan Subramanian was appointed as one of the trustees for the Advisory Council for the 2016-2017 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 2016-2017 term due to the vacancy created in the board.

MTS Board CommitteesCultural Committee Mala Gopal, Coordinator 281-286-9192

Education/ VHS committee Mahesh Iyer, Cordinator 832-475-1985 Food Committee

Vijaya Rani Chilukuri, Coordinator 713-443-8442 Chitra Kumar Susheela Denduluri Taraka Bodagalla Malar Narayanan Suryakumari Mikkilineni Natch Vadugunathan

mailto:Email%[email protected]







24

Facilities Planning/ Construction committeeAVN Reddy, Coordinator 281-989-8080

Facilities Maintenance and Rentals CommitteeRamachandra Reddy, Coordinator 832-385-9006 Tupil Narasiman Vinod R. Kaila Nalini Kannan

Finance Committee Sasi Pillai, Coordinator 832-552-6585Giyarpuram Prasad Kamala RaghavanKumar Bashyam (Accounts and Budget subcommittee)A. SivaramanSridhar Srinivasan

Infrastructure CommitteeSundar Arun, Coordinator 832-515-0766

Library Committee Somarajan Nair, Coordinator 713-320-9334

Property Maintenance CommitteeRamsunder Ramamurthy, Coordinator 281-804-0619

Public Relations Committee Kamala Raghavan, Coordinator 440-227-4510M.K. Sriram Nachal Sethuraman (Electronics and Web Subcommittee)Dhani KannanHaripriya Sundar

Religious Activities Committee Dr. Padmini Nathan, Coordinator 713-829-2040Sheila Sriram, Festivals & Puja Coordinator

Youth committeeChandrakala Gupta, Coordinator 281-851-1205Thangam MuthuswamyVeena Sundar

25

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]


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 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



27

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 RadioMTS RADIO PROGRAM Every Sunday

2016 New year, New timing, New stationTUNE INTO RADIO DIAL

1110 AM STATIONFROM -12 Noon to 2 pm

Tune on link from Sri Meenakshi Temple website www.emeenakshi.org Listen live - www.sanatanhindu.orgListen to Bhajans: 24/7 online Radio

28

NON

PRO

FIT

ORG

. U

. S P

OST

AGE

PA

IDPE

ARlA

Nd, T

X PE

RM

IT N

O. 7

9

Tem

ple

Tim

es is

a p

ublic

atio

n of

Sri M

eena

kshi

Tem

ple

1713

0 M

cLea

n R

oad

Pear

land

, TX

775

84-4

630

32

Tem

ple

Tim

es is

a P

ublic

atio

n of

Sr

i Mee

naks

hi T

empl

e So

ciety

17

130

McL

ean

Road

, Pe

arla

nd, T

X-77

584-

4630

Lord

Siv

a

Documents

Temple Times 4th Q 2016