BALAJI VANI Volume 1, Issue 10 October, 2007 HARI OM September was full of celebrations of all the Hindu festivals such as Krishna Janmastami, Swarn Gowri Vratam, Vara Mahalakshmi puja, and Vinayaka Chaturthi. Krishna Janmastami was celebrated on September 3rd with puja, sat- sang on the leela of Krishnas life and bhajans. Lord Krishnas swing was constructed by Ashok Chawathe and beautifully decorated by devo- tees. The puja for Krishnas birth was performed by Swamiji and devotees sang bhajans all through the night. Ganesha Chathurti was celebrated in a very unique way by performing Ganesha Stapana to the Ganesha murthy, as well as the Ganesha utsava murthy. The 3 day festival and rituals started on September 13, 2007. On the first day of the festival the temple entrance was decorated with banana trees giving the devotees a prelude to the festivities inside. The evening started with Ganesha puja, and Punyavacham by Vishwas and Arthi Gadbole, followed by deeksha dharana by devotees who were participating in all 3-day rituals. Swamiji started the Charastapana ritu- als according to the Rig, Yajur, Sam and Atharva Vedas. The second day of the festival, several Homas were performed including Maha Ganapathi homam, Navagraha homam, Vastu shanti and Chandi homam. The 3rd day of festival was Ganesha Chathurthi day. The day started with traditional suprabhatham by all devotees. Girish and Vibha Gaitonde, Vishwas and Arthi Gadbole and Prabhu and Poonam Goel and family participated in the puja, and performed the Shanti Homa and Purna Ahuti and were honored following the puja. This was followed by abhishekham by Swamiji assisted by Manoj Kumar and S. Maratheji. The abhiskeham started with the holy water from the main kalasha being poured on Lord Ganesha and was followed by the holy waters of India. The radiance of the murthy filled the temple and all devotees certainly received the divya darshanam of Lord Ganesha. The devotees enjoyed a pravachan by Swamiji on Lord Ganesha, how he came into being and why he is called Gowri putra (son of Gowri) and celebration of Ganesha Chathurthi . Srimad Bhagawat sapta was given September 16, by Sri Sathyanarayana Marathe. He spoke about the leelas in the life of Lord Krishna. All who listened were inspired by Marathejis knowledge and love of the Lord. --Balaji Temple board OM NAMO BHAGAVATE PANDURANGAYA TVAM MATA SARVA-BHUTANAM DEVA-DEVO HARIH PITA | TVAYAITAD VISHNUMA CHADYA JAGAD VYAPTAM- CHARACHARAM || "You are the mother of all creatures, as that God of gods, Hari, is their fa- ther. And this universe, consisting of moving and nonmoving entities, is presently permeated by You, as well as Vishnu." MA NAH KOSHAM TATHA GOSHTHAM MA GRIHAM MA PARICCHADAM | MA SARIRAM KALATRAM CHA TYAJETHAHA SARVA-PAVANI || "O purifier of all, if You forsake us, neither our treasures, nor our cows, nor our houses, nor our possessions, nor our bodies, nor our wives, are se- cure." MA PUTRAM MA SUHRID-VARGAM MA PASHUN MA VIBHUSHANAM | TYAJETHA MAMA DEVASYA VISHNOR VAKSAH-STHALALAYE || "O You whose abode is the chest of Vishnu, if You forsake me, neither sons, nor friends, nor animals, nor ornaments can be mine." SATTVENA SATYA-SHAUCABHYAM CHATHA SHILADIBHIR GUNAIH | TYAJANTE TE NARAH SADYAHA SANSYAKTO YE TVAYAMALE || "O spotless One, men who are forsaken by You are also forsaken by good- ness, truth, purity, good character and other virtues." TVAYAVICO KITAH SADYAHA SHILADYAIR AKHILAIR GUNAIH | KULAISHVARYAISH CHA MUHYANTE PURUSHA NIRGUNA API || "And those who are glanced upon by You, although devoid of any good qualities, are infatuated by all good qualities, such as good character, line- age, wealth, etc." SA SHLAGHYAH SA GUNI DHANYAHA SA KULINAHA SA BIDDHINAM | SA SHURAH SA CHA VIKRANTO YAS TVAYA DEVI VIKSHITAHA || "O goddess, he who is glanced upon by You, is praiseworthy, accom- plished, fortunate, intelligent, high-born, heroic and possessed of power." Pullagi Seva Vishal S, Lakshmi V, Vibha & Girish Gaitonde, Poonam & Prabhu Goel, Arthi, Viswas & N. Swamiji