Hindu Temple of Central Indiana Grand Anniversary &
Sri Adinath & Sri Saraswathi Pranprathishtapanam 3350 N. German Church Road, Indianapolis, IN 46235 317-891-9199 • treasurer@htci.org • Tax ID: #35-2092107 • www.htci.org/kumbhabhishekam
Ganapathi Homam Saturday, 4th June 10:00am - 12:30pm
Chandi Homam
Saturday, 11th June 8:00am - 12:30pm
Saraswathi
Pranaprathishtapanam
Ceremony all 3 Days 24th - 26th June
Sri Adinath
Devi Jagran
PranaPrathishtapana Saturday, 11th June Saturday, 11th June 8:00pm - 5:30am 8:00am - 12:30pm (Next Day)
Maharudram
Deep Lakshmi
Homam Saturday, 25th June 7:30am - 2:00pm
Pooja Friday, 24th June 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Sudarshana Homam Saturday, 18th June 8:00am - 12:00pm
Sri Venkateshwara Kalyana Utsava Saturday, 25th June 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Friday 24th - Sunday 26th, June 2016 (3 Day Event) Friday, June 24, 2016 - 9am-Noon - Ganapathi Pooja, Anugyai, PunyaVachana, Raksha Bandhanam, MahaSankalpam, AnkurArpana Homam, Saraswathi Jaladhivasam, Gopura KalashSthapanam Friday Evening 4pm-9pm - Saraswathi KalashAradhanam, Moola Mantra Homam, DhanyaAdhivasam, PushpaAdhivasam, ShayaAdhivasam, Deep Lakshmi Pooja and Cultural Program Saturday, June 25th, 2016 - 7:30am-2pm - Maharudram with Homam, Saraswathi Prathishta Homam, Yantra Sthapanam, Ratna Nyasam, Vasordhara, Aarti and Cultural Program Saturday Evening 4pm-9pm - Sri Venkateshwara Kalyana Utsava, ThailaAbhishekam, JeevaAdhitatva Homam, Sri Rudra Kramarchana, Aarti, Cultural Program and Fireworks Sunday, June 26, 2016 - 8am-2pm - Saraswathi Homam, Maha Purnahuti, Vimana, Gopura and Moorthi Kumbhabhishekam, PranaPrathishtapanam, Sarva Devtha Abhishekam, Asheervadam and Aarti
Let Your Soul Feel The Delight Of Divinity. 1
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List of Anniverssary Planning Committee Members Rama M.Belagaje (Chairman of APC) S.R. Marri (Co-Chairman of APC) Vijayapal Reddy (Co-chairman of APC) Ravi Pattar (Advisor) Mohan Razdan (Advisor) I.Religious Committee: Krishnakumar Padmanabhan (chair) Ananth Duvvuri Anil Bajpai Anil Vashistha Jay Pandey Rama Belagaje Srinivasan Chandrasekhar II. Fund Raising Committee: Om Narla (chair) Ravi Pattar Jayesh Patel Dilip Vadlamudi Yeleti Ramarao III. Finance Committee: Mani Subramaniam (chair) Kusum Patel Ravi Dinakaran Yeleti Ramarao IV. Food Committee: Usha Pyreddy Yemme (chair) Shanti Pathak S.N.Aashik Sarita Bajpai Shobha Reddy Rajalaxmi Kulkarni Indu Subramaniam Suneela Ramaswamy Hansa Dave Renju Swaminathan Sirisha Annamneni Gopendra Bhattrai
V. Logistics Committee: Sathya Tulasiraman (chair) Arun Jain Sandeep Gupta Ravee Dudhlur Atul Bhargava Akshay Bhargava Javed Khan Aditya Shahi Jagdish Dave Subramani Udaynath VI. Hospitality Committee: Subhash Khanna (chair) Vijayapal Reddy Madhu Bhargava Sai Prasad Sanka Ambat Babu Anita Gupta Harprit Bagga Geetha Babu VII. Volunteers Committee: Prabhakar Kasarabada (chair) Nabin Pudasaini Prakash Mahesh Aditya Shahi Tripti Vyas VIII.Communications Committee: Raghava Ayyagari (chair) Dilip Vadlamudi Madhu Bhargava Sharmila Sanka Vijay Narayanan Rama Belagaje Mohan Razdan IX. Cultural Committee: Kannan Natarajan (chair) Kshitija Dube Nalini Belagaje Shanti Panicker Ashok Pillai Bindu Ashok
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Rejimon Varghese Srikanth Kondeti Sreemala Murthy Uday Murthy X. Decorations Committee: M.R.Ivaturi (chair) Flowers : Bhooma Narayanan Mala Sridhar Naleni Amarnath Jayanthi Gopalrathnam Rajalaxmi Kulkarni Rukmani Govardhanan Shobha Reddy Rangoli: Sudha Manikandan Gomathi Ravichandran Sudharani Mamidipalli Sudha Shankar Sridevi Dudhlur Nandini Sundaram Srimala Murthy Viji Meyyeppan Kripa Ramachandran Decorations: Anita Gupta Smitha Sarma Sriranjani Ashwin Indu Subramaniam Srivani Mohan Shraddha Vasavada Abhirami Niveditha Divya Annamalai Aarathi Chokkalingam Thanu Chockalingam Ranjani Krishnakumar Niveditha Dudhlur Kshitija Dube Vishruthi Ravi
HTCI Anniversary Planning Committee Chairman’s Message Dear Devotees and Friends: It is my great privilege and honor to welcome you all for the HTCI’s “ANNIVERSARY, MAHARUDRAM, SRI SARASWATHI DEVI AND SRI ADINATH JI PRATISHTHAPANA EVENT”.
with features described thus: Maharudram is one of the highest forms of worship of Lord Shiva, the very source of cosmic energy for the universal creation and beyond. The yagna is performed by 12 priests and 120 Rithviks, seeking health, wealth, prosperity and welfare for all devotees and community members, for Universal Peace or Loka Kalyana. This is the first time that our temple will be performing such a spiritually charged Havan. This provides us an opportunity to participate and get the blessings of Lord Shiva for everything we aspire for, and to attain the highest level of happiness. This is a momentous occasion for all of us in the Greater Indianapolis and the Midwest regions.
This is a month long celebration in June 2016 to commemorate the first anniversary of the temple since the Maha Kumbhabhishekam event last June. The celebration starts on June 4th, 2016 and culminates in the grand finale of a three day event during June 24th 26th, 2016. The key features of this grand event are installation, consecration & pranaprathishta of Goddess Saraswathi and Sri Adinath ji along with Maharudram, Srinivasa Kalyanam and Abhishekam to all Devathas. The dream of our community to have a temple in Central Indiana started in November 1999, when Geeta Mandal of Indianapolis planted its seed and a group of highly enthusiastic devotees pledged money and land for the construction of the temple. After 15 years of devotion, financial support and hard work by the community, the construction of the temple was completed and the Maha Kumbhabhishekam event was performed with great success last June. It was a historical event for the Hindu Community in Central Indiana and surrounding communities. The key features included installation, consecration and pranaprathishta for Sri Ganesha, Sri Aiyyappa, Sri Hanuman, Sri Subramanya Swamy, Sri Jagannath, Sri Durga Mata, Sri Shiva, Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, Sri Bhoo Devi, Sri Lakshmi Devi, Sri Parvathi Devi, Sri Ram Parivar, Sri Radha Krishna, Sri Shirdi Baba, Sri Mahavir and Sri Navagrahas. Since the Vigrahas of Goddess Saraswathi and Sri Adinath ji did not arrive in time, the installation and consecration of these two vigrahas were not done during that time. A year passed so quickly and as a mark of the first anniversary event, the Anniversary Planning Committee (APC) of HTCI is pleased to announce the month long celebration starting with Ganapathi Homam on June 4th, 2016, Chandi Homam and Devi Jagran on June 11th, 2016 and Sudarshana Homam on June 18th, 2016, culminating in the grand finale of a three day event during June 24th to June 26th, 2016
Lord Sri Adinath is the first Tirthankar whereas Lord Mahavir is the 24th and the last Tirthankar of Jain religion and both are considered as the Gods of Jains. Once consecrated, both Lord Adinath and Lord Mahavir will bless the worshippers seeking and practicing the righteous way of living, steering them towards moksha. Goddess Saraswathi bestows all devotees with knowledge, Music, Arts, Wisdom and Learning. Her prathishtapana at our temple re-energizes interest in these areas. Maa Saraswathi along with other maternal forms of the Trimurtis (Parvathi and Lakshmi) allows us to seek Her blessings and affection to fulfill wishes of the current and future generations. Chandi Havan is one of the most popular havans in Hindu Religion. Goddess Durga is the chief Deity of this havan which is performed by reciting verses from the “Durga Sapthashathi” and offering oblations into the sacrificial fire. By performing this homa, one can invoke the energy of Goddess Durga, who will bless to solve all the problems in life. Sudarshana Homam is another powerful homam which is generally performed to accomplish any task successfully and for prosperity. Lord Sudarshana/ Narayana is the chief Deity of this homam who uses 3
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His mighty “Chakra” to grant immediate relief to the sufferings of His devotees with benefits including removal of negative energies, healing of the body and the mind.
In order to make this grand event successful, we request the entire community to come together and pledge your time and contribution. Without your generous financial support, we cannot achieve our goal. There are many ways for you to support this event as detailed in our website (www.htci.org) and the sponsorship form on page 15. Please note that HTCI is a non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible. If you need more details, please contact any member of the executive committee or the board of Trustees of HTCI.
Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Kalyana Utsava celebrates the divine union of Lord Venkateshwara (or Srinivasa or Balaji) with His consorts Bhudevi and Sridevi, for the benefit of devotees to fill joy and happiness in their minds. Being present during the Kalyana Utsava time, can alleviate any hindrance that stops a devotee from finding a great life partner. The act of participating in Kalyana Utsava is also proven to remove any existing problems in a married life.
Since the beginning of our temple, many Volunteers, Devotees, Donors and Supporters have worked hard by giving their time, energy and money to make this community dream a reality. On behalf of the HTCI Board of Trustees and Executive Committee, I take this opportunity to sincerely thank every one of them. My heartfelt congratulations, best wishes, and thanks to each of you on this very proud anniversary event. I feel extremely fortunate and honored to be a part of this event and the organization. May God bless you all.
As you all know, temples are the epitomes of Hindu Sanatana Dharma which is the ideology of our religion that has been in existence since timeless beginning. They stand as the identity of our spirituality with five essential values denoted by five letters of the word “HINDU” (H for humanity, I for integrity, N for nonviolence, D for divinity, and U for universality). Our primary goal of the temple is to promote these five values by educational, cultural, spiritual, and religious activities such as those listed above.
Rama M. Belagaje Chairman, HTCI Anniversary Planning Committee 317-815-5524
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Bhagawan Adinatha: The First Enlightened Human by Suvarna Chhajed-Vinze
he understood that earth, water, fire, air, plants, insects, fungus, and animals are all living beings.
Both Hindus and Jains recognize that Bhagawan Adinath was the first human being to achieve ‘moksha’ or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Jains refer to him as the first Tirthankar – the one who has conquered his ‘ahankar’ (ego) completely. The Hindus regard him as the 8th avatar of Vishnu.
He understood that ‘matter’ is made up of an atomic structure and space, and that no object is really solid; just particles vibrating at a speed that gives the object the impression of solidity. As his meditation deepened, he remembered his past lives. He understood that souls migrated from one form to another depending on the ‘karma’ they had created. He recognized that all souls have two relationships, an internal relationship with the body and an external relationship with the millions of other souls in this Universe. Souls interact with each other through the exchange of energy vibration or karma. Adinath realized that to be free from reincarnation of the soul one had to exhaust all karma.
Bhagawan Adinath is revered in the Rigveda, the oldest of all the Vedas. Bhagwat Puran refers to Him as the 6th generation of Manu and Shatrupa. He was born to King Nabhi and Queen Marudevi and had 100 sons. His first son was Bharat and second son was Bahubali. Modern India was called as ‘Bharat’, after his first son. According to Jain texts, Adinath was born in the age when there was happiness all around with no work for men to do. As this era changed, hardships began to befall people. Adinath is said to have introduced Karma Bhumi by teaching six main professions to mankind: (1) Asi (swordsmanship for protection), (2) Masi (writing skills), (3) Krishi (agriculture), (4) Vidya (knowledge), (5) Vanijya (trade and commerce) and (6) Shilp (crafts). Adinath is also called Rishabnath or Rishabdev, because he introduced the art of farming to mankind with the help of bulls (Rishabh).
Having understood the science behind the Universe, he developed complete detachment for everything that is impermanent and ephemeral and decided to devote his life to the search of lasting happiness. He felt that he should transfer all his responsibilities to his sons and proceed towards liberation through spiritual practices. He desired to reach the state of omniscience and consequently show the path of a disciplined life and spiritual practices. Adinath saw that indulgence in mundane things would not bring true happiness but only an illusion of happiness. True happiness is derived out of freedom from material indulgences. Following the stream of his thoughts, Adinath divided the area of his rule between his one hundred sons. Bharat was given the state of Ayodhya and Bahubali that of Takshashila. Once he was free from the responsibilities of the State, Adinath decided to take Deeksha (the formal initiation into the ascetic way) and he renounced all material things. He only ate if the food was offered to him and gave up wearing clothes, ornaments, and even pulled out his hair by hand.
After King Nabhi, Adinath ruled with equanimity, treating everyone alike and making sure that the needs of the citizens were fulfilled. However, he started losing interest in daily life and activities. Once, while he was watching a dance, the dancer suddenly died. Adinath was very disturbed by this incident. He realized that every situation in the Universe undergoes changes and that no situation stays the same forever. While seeking truth and permanent happiness, Adinath realized that the universe is divided into two things – Jeev (energy) and Ajeev or Pudgal (matter). He realized that energy or Jeev is never created nor destroyed. It has no shape, color, size, mass or weight. It has perfect consciousness, knowledge and perception and can be transferred from one object to another. The energy that is permanent he called “Ishwar”. Anything which is not permanent, or that which is ever changing, he called as “Nashwar”. He realized that all living beings have an indestructible soul or energy within them and that all souls were identical. Through omniscience,
His followers are referred to as ‘Shramans’ and the path is referred to as “Shraman Paddhati’, which in modern times is referred to as Jainism. ‘Shraman’ means effort. Bhagawan Adinath’s message to mankind is that we all have the potential to be free from the cycle of birth and death, but it requires significant effort. The result is permanent true happiness. 5
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Maa Saraswati! Lead us from illusion to illumination by Sharmila Sanka Dedicating this article to Mother Saraswati on the occasion of ‘Sri Saraswati Prana Prathishtapana’ After Lord Brahma created the universe, He looked over His creation and realized that it was unformed and lacked the complete concept. Then, Brahma decided to create an embodiment of knowledge and wisdom to help him with this monumental task of creating form. Thus, Saraswati emerged from Brahma’s mouth and helped Him in creating order in the cosmos. Saraswati is a Sanskrit fusion word of ‘Sara’ which means essence, and ‘Sva’ which means one self, the fused word meaning “essence of one self ”, and Saraswati meaning “one who leads to essence of self-knowledge.” Later, Saraswati became the consort of Lord Brahma. Being an embodiment of art, knowledge, learning, intelligence, and enlightenment, Saraswati is named as Sharada, Vaagdevi etc. Typically, Saraswati is depicted in a white saree symbolizing purity and sitting in lotus posture which to signify that she is grounded in absolute truth and has pure knowledge. Her four arms represent mind, intellect, intelligence, and ego. They also represent the 4 Vedas, the most sacred books of Hindus. In her hands, she holds, a book of the Vedas, crystal malas, representing meditation and spirituality, a pot of water, representing creative and purification powers and a musical instrument called Veena that represents her perfection in all arts in sciences. Swan is her mount which symbolizes her ability to discriminate and help us discriminate between good and bad. Without her, the world would be disorganized, chaotic and ignorant with no Vedic knowledge and wisdom. Mahasaraswati is also part of the Navdurgas, or nine forms of Durga, Many festivals and rituals seek her blessing when undertaking any task. The Indian tradition dictates that if you stamp your feet on a book (a symbol of knowledge and therefore Saraswati), you must perform a mudra of apology with the right hand. She is also a mythical representation of one of the most important rivers in India. There are many famous temples dedicated to Goddess Saraswati in and around India. Basara is one of the prominent temples situated in the Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh at a place called Basara where she is called ‘Jnana Saraswati’ or the provider of knowledge. She is shown in a seated position with a Veena in her hands. It is well known fact that the little kids who kick start their education visit this temple and get the ritual of ‘Aksharabhyasa’ done in Her presence at Basara in order to flourish with Her blessings. 6
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Shri Saraswati Temple at Pushkar, Rajasthan has a very distinct and beautiful structure, representing the Hindu style of architecture which is visited by thousands of devotees and tourists each year. The popular Birla Mandir at BITS Pilani campus, Rajasthan, is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. It is a white marble temple with 70 pillars to provide support to the temple. Five sections, namely the Garbha-Griha, the PradakshinaPatha, the Antarala, the Mandapam and the Ardha Mandapa are parts of the Saraswati temple. Another important temple called Dakshina Mookambika temple is located at Panachikkad, Kerala. The Saraswati Pooja festival held during September-October is the main festival of this temple. People also celebrate Navaratri with great enthusiasm. The temple has a rich history that goes back thousands of years. Hamsa Vahini is the form of Goddess Saraswati who is worshipped as Vidya Saraswathi in Wargal in the Medak district of Andhra Pradesh. This temple is maintained by Kanchi Shankar Mutt and this temple also has a Veda PaathaShaala in its vicinity, which teaches
ancient Vedas and provides accommodation to about 300 students.
Prana Prathishtapana’ is going to take place in our temple during our temple anniversary event in June 2016. The best thing we could ever give to our future generations is faith and love for Maa Saraswati. Let us invoke her blessings by participating or sponsoring in the Saraswati Prana Prathishtapana. Lives of those who receive her blessings can never go in vain. They bloom in life like a bud blooming into a beautiful flower drifting their paths from illusion to illumination. The ultimate purpose of taking a human life is to earn jnana or divine wisdom without which Moksha or liberation would not be easily possible. May we form a garland of beautiful blossomed flowers around the neck of Maa Saraswati and sanctify our lives. Every wisdom seeker prays thusSaraswati Namastubhyam, Varade Kaamaroopinee Vidyarambham Karishyami, Siddhir bhavatu mey sadaa O, Goddess Saraswati, my humble prostrations unto Thee. You are capable of fulfilling all my wishes. I request you to bestow thy blessings on me, before I start my studies.
The Saraswati temple at Kuthanur in the Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, has a stone image of Goddess Saraswati sitting in a yogic posture with four arms, holding rosary (japamala), water-pot (kamandala), chinmudra (indicative of knowledge) and a palm-leaf manuscript. Unless one has the blessings of Saraswati, he is not bestowed with the art of literature, writing, music and various forms of traditional dance etc. She shines through each of us in the form of art. Apart from these arts, we relate Maa Saraswati mostly to Education in the present day world. Most of the Indian children go to the temples and get their aksharabhyasa done in the presence of Goddess Saraswati’s Deity to kick start formal education. In order to earn her blessings, we need to yearn from inside with a deep prayer to connect with the Goddess to invoke the innate power snoozing inside of us for years or births. One such opportunity to worship Maa Saraswati physically is through bringing her into our HTCI temple. We are all so fortunate that ‘Saraswati
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Significance of Sudarshana Homa by Dr. BVK Sastry, Ph.D.
Om namo bhagavathe maha sudarshanaya hoom bhat |
“Sudarshana Homa” is a very specific Hindu ritual -‘Homa’ (A special format of Yajna)’ worshipping MahaVishnu’s powerful weapon ‘Sudarshana” to seek protection from evil and negative energies causing suffering, losses, health problems and many other kinds of impediments causing failures in endeavors. The ritual presents three ways of visualizing ‘Sudarshana’ – the powerful great weapon of Maha-Vishnu. First one is in the form of a Devataa-Purusha - Human like Divine. Second is the Mantra- the Name- Sounds form. Third is the symbolic mystic iconic form –Yantra. The most popular form of Sudarshana Chakra is a part of Balaji Temple symbol.
This mantra beginning with the sacred sound Om, mentioning Vishnu’s sacred names Krishna, Govinda, equating Krishna with the Supreme Divine. The submission is for destroying the evil and negative energies, the untimely death and delays. The mantra ends with a ‘seed sound’ to conclude the request. Notice that here the mantra does not end with ‘svaha’ the common word used in yajna. The Sudarshana Gayatri Mantra reads: Om sudarshanaaya vidmahe mahaajvaalaaya dheemahi tanno Chakrah prachodayaat|
The word ‘Su-Darshana’ literally means ‘Well Visioned’, having very beautiful and appealing appearance. The expression ‘Sudarshana-Chakra’ means ‘the wheel of auspicious vision’. The expression ‘Maha-Sudarshana Homam’ means the ritual which yields clear vision for action and clears the blocks for making choice for right action and success. In its deepest transcendental meaning, it means the ultimate Truth Satya seen well in its total and truthful clarity, by the practice of Yoga guidance. The yoga-mediation secrets for meditating on the form of Sudarshana come from the Vedas and Upanishads. This is for most advanced seekers seeking the ‘Parama-Purusha Brahma-tattva’. The technique and instructions for using the ‘Sudarshana-mantra’ in Vaishnava traditions are derived from Nrusimha Taapini Upanishad. This is for Yoga-practitioners. The details of performing the ‘Sudarshana-Homam’ for seeking specific custom benefits is from Pancharatra Agama and other temple-ritual guidance texts. This is for the people in the society who are caught up in the whirlpool of worldly miseries and seek the help of ‘God’ to help them get freedom from suffering and stresses.
This mantra simulates the Gayatri mantra in its structure and meaning. The prayer is for seeking intellect to be prompted for right action. The Sudarshana Homam Mantra reads: Om Namo Bhagavathe Mahasudarshanaya Deepthre, Jwalapareethaya Sarvadigshobhanakaraya Brahmane Para Jyothishe, Hum Paht Swaha | This mantra is for visualizing and meditating the Devata of mantra for the homam in the brilliant shining thousand spokes- fire radiating form going for destruction of enemies. This is specific for homam. Sudarshana is represented as a powerful weapon of Maha Vishnu, as a wheel-weapon with thousand cutting edges, rotating at high speed and emanating flames. Sudarshana is not only the Wheel of Cosmos, the weapon to punish the evil, but also the ‘DharmaChakra’ Wheel of Dharma in the national flag of India and also used in Buddhism.
The ‘Sudarshana moola-mantra’ used in the homam, covers all the three aspects above. There are three mantra formats providing the above understanding in the ‘homam’ performance.
The wheel form is also explained as the Vedic cosmic wheel in motion, in many temples of Vishnu. The wheel weapon form of Sudarshana is mentioned in many Vaishnava Puranas. In many south Indian temples, especially ‘Narasimha kshetras’, there is a combined representation of Sudarshana in the wheel form, and also human divine form mounted on ‘Yantra’ diagram. Sudarshana is integrally linked with Nara-Simha
Om kleem krishnaya govindaya gopijanavallabhaya, Paraya param purushaya paramatmane, Parakarma mantrayantraushadastrashastrani, Samhara mrityormochaya mochaya| 8
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hands carrying weapons: conch, wheel, lotus, mace, bow, arrow, sword and lightning. The temple-water spots are sometimes called ‘Chakra-teertha’. For the purpose of Yoga, the word ‘Sahasrara’ (Thousand cutting edges) is interpreted as ‘ the Crown lotus place’. The iconic representation of Yoga instruction to meditate on Supreme Divine in Vedas takes many forms. The ‘Formless Universal Parama Purusha ParaBrahma’ of Vedas finds a human like form in Sri Rama and Sri Krishna as the ‘avatar’ of ‘Maha Vishnu’. When the transcendent assumes the ‘transformed form and looks like Maha Vishnu, to perform the ‘Loka Palan Rakshaka’ guarding and protecting this Universe, He is associated with special weapons. Sudarshana is one such iconic form of Divine weapon. Just as meditation on Maha Vishnu yields beneficial results, the specific meditation and worship of Sudarshana – the powerful weapon of Maha Vishnu also gives desired benefits. To facilitate the meditation, a form, a mantra and a ritual are designed by sages of yore and passed over as a part of ‘temple-ritual’ as ‘Sudarshana Homam’. Depending on the needs of the devotee, the meditation –mantra and form of Sudarshana–Chakra-mandala can be used for worldly and spiritual benefits.
form of Vishnu, Garuda and Hanuman. During the Jagannatha-Ratha Yatra at Orissa, the procession of Sudarshana is taken in front as the protector, guardian and chief of Vishnu’s army. Jagannatha has a ‘pole’ form of representation for Sudarshan. The symbolic mystery of the wheel through the number of spokes in the wheel is linked to conception of Time-in-Motion (Kaala-Chakra), the wheel of the Universe (Brahmanda Chakra). Sudarshana worship is also called ‘Chakra-Narayana worship. In Chakra Narayana iconic form, Sudarshana is shown as accompanied with Mahalakshmi with eight
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Maharudra – The Great Rudra by Sree Aswath, Columbus OH The Sanskrit word Rudra is defined as ‘the one who melts away the sorrows of samsaara’. He is the fierce deity who destroys evil in the world. For the devotee, he is Shiva, the auspicious. Shiva is indeed everything and the all-pervading God1 . His worship through the ritual of Maharudra assures freedom from the three sources of sorrow2 .
Maharudra is the link between Karma Kaanda and Jnaana Kaanda
5. Repetitive prayer and chanting create clarity in our mind which is essential to deal with challenges in life. 6. We discover how to apply values in our everyday life, create purpose and render meaning to what we do. 7. Our relationships with our fellowmen become pleasant. 8. We accrue the merit (punya) of performing all the five mandatory daily yajna-s4 . 9. Ishwara’s grace is attained. There is no doubt that Ishwara is always benevolent to all at all times just as the Sun shines on all. But, prayer and chanting is like holding a lens to generate both intense light (jnana) and heat (tapas).
Our Shastra (Vedic scripture) prescribes two consecutive means to achieve lasting peace and liberation. They are karma kaanda (ritual part) and jnana kaanda (wisdom part). Dedicated observance of rituals constitutes the first and transformative study of shastras the second. Karma Kanda purifies our mind (chitta shuddhi). Jnana Kaanda leads us to Moksha (liberation). Maharudra belongs to the former, Karma Kaanda. The main feature of this ritual is repetition (japa) 1331 times of the Rudra mantras from the Yajur Veda (Namaka and Chamaka). The Japa may be undertaken individually or collectively by an assembly of 121 Rithviks chanting the mantras 11 times. The power of the ritual is increased exponentially when done with knowledge, faith, and internalization of the meaning of the mantras3 .
Shiva Samkalpa is the outcome of this yajna The ‘heart’ of the Maharudra ritual is to directly experience the presence of Lord Shiva in one’s own heart. When Shiva is embedded within one’s own being, all thoughts, attitudes, and actions become auspicious. Shiva Samkalpa is termed ‘hridaya’ (heart) in the mahaanyaasa.
Need for repetition 1. The nature of the divine cannot be perceived by our senses. By reorientation and perfecting (samskara), the mind becomes fit to experience the abstract and the absolute. 2. We achieve the discipline to do unconditionally what needs to be done without resistance. 3. Every time we chant, a new and deeper meaning is seen. 4. Faith is strengthened by chanting (keertana), listening (shravana), internalizing (manana) and worshipful attitude (bhakti).
The essence of Maharudra is to make a bhakta learned and wise person (jnaani) who alone is fit for Moksha. Let us pray to Lord Shiva to grant us knowledge and bestow lasting peace upon us! jnaatvaa shivam shaantim atyantameti |
____________________________ 1 Sarvaanana shiro greevah sarva bhoota guhaashayah | sarva vyaapee sa bhagavaan tasmaat sarva gatah shivah (Shiva is the all- pervading Lord! Every face is His, He is inheres in all beings, hence He is known as Shiva) 2 Adhyaatmika - internal, aadhibhautika - physical, and adhidaivika-divine. 3 Yadeva vidyayaa karoti sraddhayaa upanishadda tadeva veeryavattaram bhavati – Chandogya Upanishad 1-1-10 4 Worship of God (deva yajna), Study of scripture (brahma yajna), Service to our fellowmen (manushya yajna), Honoring of ancient Sages (pitru yajna), and harmony with the environment (bhoota yajna).
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The Grandeur of Hindu Temple of Central Indiana A Reflection by Dr. C. L. Prabhakar Our Hindu Temple of Central Indiana now bears an imposing look. The moment we go to the main entrance, we have the darshan of the majestic Sada Shiva Linga directly. Next when we enter the hall we have the darshan of many other Gods, which is very impressive. Beside the Shiva Vigraha, to the right is the garbha gruha of Goddess Durga Parameswari. The Deity is so lively that we feel as though the Goddess is sitting there to grace the devotees who are visiting. On the other side, there is the installation of imposing radiant presence of Sri Venkateswara Swami or Lord Balaji. There is also a mythological grandeur added to the build there. The garbhagruha design is educative and quite grand.
the temple. There are three gopuras bringing powerful architectural grandeur to the sanctum sanctorum of the Deities installed namely Lord Siva, Durga, Venkateswara and the entrance gopuram. Gopuram is the means to draw the cosmic powers for the Deity by the Deity from the heavens, the repository of Powers. The canopy arranged in the main hall where Deities are installed is imposing and quite innovative. One could have darshan of gopuras too at the same time owing to the transparence fixed. It is like viewing the vimana Venkateswara at Tirumala separately. There is a canopy at the entrance of the temple hall and there is the Visvarupa svarapa of MahaVishnu sculptured that could be gathered from the names in the Vishnusahasranama stotra. This is simply imposing and neatly suggestive and revealing.
We begin our tour starting at the left of the entrance from the individual garbhagruhas of prominent Deities namely Sri Maha Ganapati, Sri Ayyappa Swamy, Sri Vallisena sameta Subrahmanya Swamy, Sri Anjaneya, Puri Jagannath and on the other side of Sri Venkateswara are Devi Maha Lakshmi, Devi Parvati, Rama parivar and RadhaKrishna. We end the tour by going around the navagrahas installed on the platform of a chariot-design. They are all highly beaming with grace and luster. The garbha gudis are impressive with grand sight and invoking devotion. Behind the Shiva Linga, there is Devi Bhuvanesvari. Prana pratishtha of Devi Saraswati and Mahavira Jain will be performed during our Temple’s first anniversary.
The pillars inside the hall of the temple and outside too are typical with significant mythological depictions and importance. All of this adds to the knowledge. The main and supporting pillars have beautiful carvings which is highly significant. The colors of the pillars and temple remind ancient temples built by the royals in India. Therefore, a native feeling is felt when visiting the temple making one experience peace from prayer and meditation.
All the Gods and Goddesses have independent garbhagudis with an advantage to do pradakshina to the respective Deities and this is an added advantage to the temple. The garbha gruha of each of the Deity installed is typical, significant and suggestive. For example, the Ayyappa gudi has the ManikanTa rupa of the Swamy riding His vehicle, the celestial Tiger. Also typically the garbhagruha of Anjaneya has monkeys sketched with an expressive looks and natural faces on either side of the entrance. By this, the normal form, rather than the prakruti rupa of Sri Anjaneyaswamy gets the dignity. This is a special feature not commonly seen elsewhere. His mahat is immense and what we see is reflected in the mula virat installed inside. Similarly, the other Deities remain bright and suggestive.
This temple is a complete one as this has provisions to many other activities. There is Yagasala to conduct havans and yajnas. There is also a hall to conduct cultural and religious events and literary meets and so on. The divinities installed enhance their powers and ability to extend grace, desire and fulfillment to devotees by virtue of the regular pujas and prayers, deepa haratis, bhajans and recitation of stotras, japa and havans. Their radiant energy, thermal powers, and magnetic grandeur would get enhanced by the various sevas conducted in their favor. Om namah Shivaya Sarvesham svastyadi shantirabhivruddhirastu
Devotees of different bhakti levels visit the temple to find peace looking at the Devatas consecrated thus in 12
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Hindu Temple of Central Indiana
3350 N. German Church Road, Indianapolis, IN 46235 317-891-9199 • www.htci.org • treasurer@htci.org • Tax ID: #35-2092107
Grand Anniversary Celebrations - June 2016 Last Name_____________________________________________________________________________________________ First Name________________________________________________Gotra & Nakshatra______________________________ Spouse___________________________________________________Gotra & Nakshatra _____________________________ Children_______________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _______________________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________State _______________ Zip___________________________ Home Phone______________________________________ Cell _________________________________________________ E-mail________________________________________________ E-mail___________________________________________
PLEASE CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING: q $15,001 Saraswathi Sannidhi Sponsor: Participate in all 3 day pooja; Special seating; First Aksharabhyasam and free monthly Saraswathi Pooja for a Year; Receive memento q $10,001 Platinum Sponsor: (Only 5 Families with kids under 21 can participate due to limited space) Participate in all 3 day pooja; Special seating; First Aksharabhyasam and free monthly Saraswathi Archana for a Year; Receive memento q $3,001
Grand Sponsor: Participate in all 3 day pooja; Saraswathi Archana for a Year; Receive memento
q $2,501
Grand Sponsor: (2015 Platinum & Gold Sponsors) Participate in all 3 day pooja; Receive memento
q $1,501
Maha Rudram Sponsor: All Maha Rudram Pooja - June 25th; Receive momento
q No Limit Annadaan Sponsor: Any amount is welcome; no minimum limit for sponsorship; The expected goal is to raise $50,000 towards Annadaan (free food for all days) q $501
Sri Saraswathi Pranapratishtapanam: Participate in all Saraswathi Pranapratishtapanam, Free Saraswathi Archana for a Year - Only new sponsors; Receive memento
q $251
Flower Sponsor: Minimum sponsorship is $25; open for multiple donors
q $75
Ganapathi Homam: Saturday, June 4th - 10am-12:30pm
q $101
Chandi Havan: Saturday, June 11th - 8am-Noon
q $75
Devi Jagran: Saturday, June 11th - 8pm-5:30am (next day)
q $501
Sri Adinath Pranapratishtapanam: Saturday, June 11th - 8am-Noon; Receive memento
q $101
Sudarshana Homam: Saturday, June 18th- 8am-Noon
q $51
Deepa Lakshmi Pooja: 108 (minimum) Sumangalis will perform the Pooja - Friday, June 24
q $501
Venkateswara Kalyanam: Participate in Kalyanam - Sat. June 25th 4-6pm; Receive memento
q $201
Sarvadevata Abhishekam: Including Saraswathi Prathama Abhishekam - Sunday, June 26th
q $75
Sarvadevata Archana
q $51
Navaratna Nyasam: One Navaratnam packet to offer Sri Saraswathi Sannidhi
q $31
Adhivasam Pooja Sponsor: Pushpaadhivasam
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DONATION OPTIONS: q Personal Check Make checks payable to HTCI. You will receive the receipt by email. q Credit cards are also accepted at temple office q Donate Online www.htci.org All major credit cards are accepted online. If you are unable to attend, the offering will be done on your behalf and the prasad & mememto (if applicable) will be mailed to you.
2015 Platinum and Gold Sponsors will be considered as Saraswathi Pranapratishtapanam Sponsors and will be able to participate in all Adhivasam Pooja including Navaratna Nyasam without any additional cost. Sponsors’ Family name will be included in Sri Saraswathi Pranapratishtapanam Sankalpam.
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
Hindu Temple of Central Indiana 3350 N. German Church Road Indianapolis, IN 46235
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