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SREE VENKATESWARA TEMPLE OF CLEVELAND
Sree Padmavathi Sametha Sree Venkateswara Parabrahmane Namaha
4406 Brecksville Road Richfield OH 44286 Tel: (330) 576-5626
Winter timings: Open 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends & holidays
Issue 27
Board of Trustees
Dr. R. Bandi
Mr. L. Venkataraman
Dr. P. Achanti
Mr. J. Medarametla
Dr. S. Ramanavarapu
Dr. R. Donthi
Dr. R. Taliwal
Mr. R. Srinivasan
Mr. M. Lakireddy
Mr. K. Devulapalli
Treasurer
Mrs. S. Venna
Mar 2015
SPECIAL DISCOURSES this weekend!
With blessings from H.H. Sri Sri Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, his disciple Kumari Prapanna Vaisaradiji will be here in Cleveland to facilitate the activities of His Holiness visit to
Cleveland on April 16th. She will be here from Saturday 3/7/2015 to Monday 3/9/2015. For further details
on the discourses rendered by her, please click here.
Save The Dates ~ details to follow:
4/16 & 4/17: His Holiness Sri Sri Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swami.visit to Sree Venkateswara temple
6/12 to 6/14: Brahmotsavam
5/3: Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s Chandalika-A Kuchipudi Dance drama by Dr. Kamala Reddy
and group.
Featured article: New Year Goals ~ Artha Panchakam (Page 3)
Special non-profit message ~ Donate your old sarees for an honorable cause! (Page 4)
Jt. Treasurer
Mrs. N. Kulasekaran
Secretary
Mr. R. Rambhatla
Jt. Secretary
Mr. R. Atluri
Detailed Calendar on Pg 4
Religious Calendar:
Thu, Mar 5—Purnima
Sree Satyanarayana Vratam
7 PM
Fri, Mar 6
Mahalakshmi Jayanti
Nithya Sumangali Puja 7:30 PM
Mon, Mar 9
Sankatahara Chaturthi
Garuda / Hanuman Abhishekam 11 AM
Fri, Mar 20
Panchanga Sravanam 7:30 PM
Special Ugadi Archana 8:30 PM
Sat, Mar 28
Sri Rama Navami
Procession 10 AM
Sita Rama Kalyanam 11 AM
Pledge or donate here
Visit: www.balajiusa.org
For Information
330 576 5626 /
Info@balajiusa.org
Sree Rama Navami Dr. Narender P. Reddy Ph.D.
Sita Rama Kalyanam on Sat, Mar 28!
Sree Rama Navami is the appearance day of Lord Sree Rama and also the day when Rama and Seeta got married. Lord
Sriman Narayana took the incarnation of Sree Rama (as the eldest son of king Dasaratha) to show mankind how an
ideal human and an ideal king must live by the principles of dharma. The story of Ramayana has been mentioned in
several puranas including Srimath Bagavatham and Vishnu puranam, and is fully described in the epic Ramayanam
composed by sage Valmiki, which represents the first poem ever written.
Why Sree Rama?: Sage Valmiki once questioned Deva Rishi Narada as follows… “Oh sage! At present, is there a
Thanks to all for your consideration in following our Temple Etiquette
Sree Venkateswara Temple of Cleveland 4406 Brecksville Rd Richfield OH 44286
Page 2
SREE VENKATESWARA TEMPLE OF CLEVELAND
Sree Padmavathi Sametha Sree Venkateswara Parabrahmane Namaha
4406 Brecksville Road Richfield OH 44286 Tel: (330) 576-5626
Winter timings: Open 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends & holidays
Issue 27
Mar 2015
person who is full of virtues (gunavaan), extremely courageous (veeryavaan), knows what is right (dharmagnya), remembers even the smallest help
given by others (kruthagnaya), speaks only the truth (sathya vaakya), firm in
resolve (druda-vratha), possessed of right conduct (chaarithrena),
friendly and well-wisher of ALL living beings (sarvabhootha hithah), full of knowledge (vidwaan), powerful to be able to achieve anything
(samartha), has a singularly lovable appearance (priya darshana), has subdued his self (athmavaan), conquered his anger (jitha-krodha), possessed of
splendor (dhuthimaan), without jealousy (anasuyaka), and whose anger when provoked makes even the demi-gods dread and tremble (bibyathi
devasya jaatha-roshasya samyuge)?” Sage Narada replied, “Yes, that person is Sree Rama,” and granted sage Valmiki divine vision to witness Sree
Rama’s life. In addition to all the divine qualities mentioned above, Sree Rama has numerous others like extreme compassion, forgiveness, patience,
renunciation, etc. We adore Sree Rama for these innumerable and divine qualities, and celebrate His appearance day.
Appearance of Sree Rama: According to Sri Varaha puranam, king Dasaratha learned from his guru Vasista that even Brahma went to Venkatachalam (Venkatadri hill, the present Tirumala) and started meditating on Sriman Narayana on the banks of Swami Pushkarani. One day when Lord Srinivasa appeared in His divya vimanam, Dasaratha praised Him with four shlokas and then asked for children. Lord Srinivasa replied “Oh king, you
adorned me with great devotion with four shlokas, therefore you will get four children of great might. They will possess strength equal to mine; Go to
Ayodhya and perform a yagnam with great devotion” (Yasmaath preethyaa chathushlokee thvayoktha mama bhoo-pathe, Thasmaath thava puthraachcha chatvaaro amitha vikramaa! Shoorasya balavanthacha mathulya bala vikramaa, Daththaa raajam swaya, Ayodyam gathva yagnavyam
aadaraath!). According to Ramayanam, after performing the yagnam, yagna purusha appeared and gave the divine nectar to Dasharatha who then
distributed it to his three wives. Twelve months later, in the lunar month of Chaithra, on the ninth day of ascending moon (Chaithre navaimike
thithou) with moon in the Punarvasu nakshatram and all the planets in their exulted positions, Lord Vishnu (Vishno ardha maha bhaagam) appeared
as Rama and emerged out of the womb of mother Kousalya the eldest wife of Dasaratha. Later, his second wife Kaikeyi gave birth to Bharatha, and
his third to the twins Lakshmana and Shathrugnya. All the four studied under the sage Vasista and acquired all possible knowledge in every field including archery and missile technology. Sree Rama, with his divine qualities, captured the hearts of all citizens of the kingdom.
Seeta-Rama Kalyanam (Marriage of Sree Rama with Seeta): Upon the request of sage Viswamithra, Rama and Lakshmana went with him and
protected his yagnam by destroying the disruptive rakshasas. Fierce arrows of Sree Rama turned rakshasa Subahu into ashes instantaneously, and
made Mareecha fall into the ocean 100 yojanas (800 miles) away. After this, the sage Viswamithra took them to the kingdom of Mithila. On the way,
by the mere touch of the feet of Sree Rama, Ahalya shed her petrified form and came back to life. In Mithila, sage Viswamithra asked king Janaka to
display the divine bow of Shiva to Rama. This bow was given by Shiva to Devaratha, an ancestor of king Janaka. Janka had a daughter named Seeta
(an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi), who was endowed with extreme beauty, and divine character and qualities. Janaka had taken a vow to offer his
daughter Seeta in a marriage only to a person who could lift the bow and string it. Numerous kings from all corners of the earth (including the raksasa
king Ravana) tried to lift the bow but only unsuccessfully. Sree Rama lifted the bow with great ease and while he was stringing it, the bow broke into
pieces releasing a thundering noise to the delight of Seeta and king Janaka. Seeta then adorned Sree Rama with Jaya Mal, the victorious garland.
King Dasaratha was informed of this and invited to Mithila with his entire family.
“Thatha Seethaam sarvabharana bhooshithaam, samkshamagne samsthaapya Raaghava abhimuke thadaa! Abravee Janako raja Kousalya nandavardhanam!”
As the bedecked Seeta sat opposite Rama near the agni (sacred fire), Janaka addressed Rama as follows:
“Iyam Seethaa mama suthaa sahadarmacharee thava! Pratheecha chainam badram the paanim gruhneesha paaninaa! Pathivrathaa mqahaa bhagaa
chaye anugatha sadaa, ityuktha prakshipad raja manthrapootham jalam thadhaa……deva dundubhi nirgosha, pushya varsho mahaanubhooth”
“This is Seeta my daughter who is going to be your partner in discharging your sacred obligations and duties. Take her hand in your own.” With
Seeta’s palms in Rama’s, Janaka transferred the holy water consecrated by Vedic manthras from his hand into Sree Rama’s. The delighted demigods
played drums and there was a rain of flowers.
Seeta and Rama are anyonya dampathis and represent the ideal and husband and wife. While in exile in the forests, Rama helped the hermits and
killed numerous raksasas. Seeta was abducted by the ten-headed raksasa king Ravana. Rama with the help of Hanuman, Sugreeva and other monkeys
killed Ravana and his dynasty, and was reunited with Seeta.
Ramayanam is also our story: Like Seeta, we the jiva athmas (souls) have been abducted by the ten headed Ravana (the mind with ten senses: five
internal and five external) into Lanka (the material body). The athma(soul) really belongs to Paramathma (the Supreme Soul, Sriman Narayana, the
indweller) and used for His service. However, from time immemorial, we got amused by material objects (golden deer) and fell into the miserable
ocean of samsara consisting of birth and death. If we remain undeterred like Seeta and not fall for Ravana, Sriman Narayana (Sree Rama) will send an
Acharya (spiritual teacher, Hanuman) to our rescue. If we remain undeterred in saranagathy to Sriman Narayana, He will finally remove the darkness
imposed by the mind driven by sense (temporary) pleasures, and we will be re-united with Him in the permanent (spiritual) abode (nithya vibhoothi).
Always chant Sree Rama’s name. The very name Rama represents pleasure (Ramanthe Ramaha). Chanting of Rama’s name will wash away our sins.
However, approach Sree Rama through mother Seeta (the universal mother) who is full of love and compassion.
Kids & Adults—Send in your contributions to articles@balajiusa.org and get published!
Sree Venkateswara Temple of Cleveland 4406 Brecksville Rd Richfield OH 44286
Page 3
SREE VENKATESWARA TEMPLE OF CLEVELAND
Sree Padmavathi Sametha Sree Venkateswara Parabrahmane Namaha
4406 Brecksville Road Richfield OH 44286 Tel: (330) 576-5626
Winter timings: Open 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends & holidays
Issue 27
New Year Goals: Artha Panchakam
Mar 2015
Narender P. Reddy, Ph.D.
As we welcome the New Year, we typically perform some self-analysis and embark on new projects. However, most people do not know themselves
or their goals. Nevertheless, we are all looking for happiness. Moreover, we want this happiness to be permanent. Most of us associate this happiness
with bodily comforts and sense gratification since we tend to identify over selves with our bodies. We all know that this material body is transient
and degrades with time. Then, the question arises “who am I,” and thus begins the spiritual quest. Answers to these and other questions are addressed in the Vedic literature. Swami Pillai Lokacharya has distilled this information into a simple compilation “Artha Panchakam”. Artha
denotes meaning/truth and pancha means five. These are the Five Truths of Spiritual Quest that everyone must know.
The five fundamental questions are:
Who am I? (Swa-swaroopam)
Who is the Supreme Being? (Para-swaroopam)
What is my Goal? (Purushartha swaroopam)
What is means to achieve the goal? (Upaaya swaroopam), and
What is the obstruction/hindrance in achieving the goal? (Virodhi swaroopam)
The Nature of Jeeva-athma: All living beings (Jeevas) are driven by individual athmas. This athma is referred to as jeeva-athma. There are basically four categories of Jeeva-athmas: (a) Nithya (the eternally free), (b) Muktha (the released), (c) Kevala (the isolate or aloof), (d) Badda (the bound).
The Nithya athmas have been eternally in the Nithya vibhoothi (Permanent abode) and are in Bhagavad anubhavam (enjoying/experiencing bliss in
the company of Supreme Being). On the other hand, the Kevala enjoys athmanubhavam only.
We are all the Badda-athmas and each of us are bound by a body and are in this Leela Vibhoothi (the abode of amusement).
There are two kinds of Badda athmas:
Bubukshu (One who continues to identify athma with the body and interested in material enjoyment), and
Mumukshu (one who is interested in Moksha or release). Mumukshus are Athma who want to get out of (released from) the unending cycles of birth
and death referred to as Samsara. Mumukshus eventually get released from the Leela Vhibhoothi if they follow the proper means and avoid the obstructions. Mumkshus upon release, enter the nithya-vibhoothi to enjoy uninterrupted Bhagavad anubhavam and unconstrained supreme-Bliss.
We have to decide if we want to be Mumukshu or remain a bubukshu.
The Nature of Supreme Being:
The Supreme Being Lord Sriman Narayana, out of compassion for the jeevathmas, simultaneously exists with all his powers and innumerous divine
qualities (Kalyana Gunas) in five types of forms:
Para (Supreme): The Supreme Being eternally exists in His original form in the Nitya Vibhoothi (Permanent Abode). He is often referred
to as Para Vasudeva.
Vuyooha Avatharam (Expansion incarnations): Vasudeva, Pradyumna, Sankarshana, Anirudha and Narayana. In the Leela Vibhoothi
(Abode of amusement), Lord Sriman Narayana who is the cause of all causes (Narayana ParaBrahma sarva karana karanam), along
with His consort Lakshmi, entered each universe. He created Brahma from His navel. Brahma created all beings including all the demi
gods, etc. The other four Vyuha Avatharas (Pradyumna, Sankarshana, etc.) conduct the creation, maintenance and destruction at the
subtle level.
Vibhava Avatharam (Incarnation as human, animal etc.): There have been twenty one Vibhava avatharas. Ten of these are more prominent and referred to as Dasa-Avatharas (Mathsya, Koorma, Vrahaha, Narasimha, etc.) and displayed kalyana gunas (divine attributes/
qualities). As Narasimha, He showed that He is everywhere. As Vamana-Thrivikrama, He measured the three worlds to show that
everything belongs to Him. As Sri Rama, He showed how an ideal human being should behave. As Sri Krishna, He displayed His
soulabhyam (easy accessibility to even the ordinary people) and sowseelyam (easily mix with everybody, even the lowest), and has
displayed numerous leelas (pastimes).
Antaryami Avatharam (All Pervading indweller)
Archa Avatharam (Incarnation facilitating worship): There are two kinds of Archa Avatharas: Self Manifested Archa Murthy/Vigraham as
in Tirumala, and Archa Murthy or Deity installed in Temples as per the Agama Sastra. Even the deity in our homes is also Archa
Avatharam. It should be pointed out that the Archa Avatharam, although appears as lifeless, is the Supreme Being Himself and
has all the powers and Kalyana Gunas as He holds in Vaikuntam. This is in contrast to the vigrahas of demigods may be only the
representations of them.
Looking for a venue for your next big celebration?
Look no further...check out the Community Hall at the
Sree Venkateswara Temple of Richfield.
Sree Venkateswara Temple of Cleveland 4406 Brecksville Rd Richfield OH 44286
Page 4
SREE VENKATESWARA TEMPLE OF CLEVELAND
Sree Padmavathi Sametha Sree Venkateswara Parabrahmane Namaha
4406 Brecksville Road Richfield OH 44286 Tel: (330) 576-5626
Winter timings: Open 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends & holidays
Issue 27
Mar 2015
Whereas Vibhava avatharas are at a Universal scale and are not visible to us, the antharyami (indweller) can be seen only through intensive meditation for a number of years. Vibhava avatharas (e.g. Krishna, Rama etc.) appear on the earth for a limited time only.
However, we can see the Archa avatharam of Lord Sriman Narayana with our mortal eyes, here and now. For thousands of years,
devotees have seen, served and taken shelter at the divine feet of Lord Sri Venkateswara (Archa avatharam) and transmigrated to the
Nithya Vibhoothi (the permanent abode) to enjoy the Supreme Bliss.
The Nature of Purushartha (the Human Goal):
There are four general purusharthas:
Dharma (Righteous conduct), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire), and Moksha (release). There is a reason why artha and kama are in the middle. Whole
life should be centered on dharmic conduct. One should acquire wealth with dharmic conduct only, and use this wealth to fulfill the desire (kama) to
serve God and have the desire for Moksha. Therefore, all goals should be bound by dharma and moksha.
For a Mumukshu, the real purushartha is Bhagavad anubhavam (experience of the Supreme Being Sriman Narayana, the Supreme Bliss). The immediate purusharthas are: Hari katha shravanam (listening the divine past times of Lord Hari (Sriman Narayana and His incarnations); Hari guna
ganam (Singing the Glory of Lord Hari; Bhagavad (Sriman Narayana) and Bhaagavatha (Sriman Narayana’s true devotees) Kainkaryam (service;
That is offering service to Lord Sriman Narayana and His devotees), and Bhagavad Prema (Love toward Supreme Being Lord Sriman Narayana).
(To be continued...)
Please direct any questions to reddynp@yahoo.com
BHAJAN CLASSES
There will be open Bhajan classes held twice a
month in the Temple Auditorium during the Prajna
class, from about 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM on the
second and fourth Sundays, starting in February
and ending in June. Srivishnu Pasumarthy has
kindly agreed to teach these Bhajans. There will be
a fee of $116 charged by the Temple to students
who do not currently attend Prajna. For further
“Annadanam Samam Danam
Trilokeshu Na Vidyathe"
Annadanam is supreme among all danas and incomparable to any other. It is considered extremely
pious and fulfilling for the donor. Devotees can
donate for Annadanam in the Temple for important
festivals in 2015. Interested devotees, please contact the Temple Management to reserve a day.
For further details, please click here.
Kids & Adults—Send in your contributions to articles@balajiusa.org and get published!
Looking for a venue for your next big celebration?
Look no further...check out the Community Hall at the
Sree Venkateswara Temple of Richfield.
Sree Venkateswara Temple of Cleveland 4406 Brecksville Rd Richfield OH 44286
Page 5
SREE VENKATESWARA TEMPLE OF CLEVELAND
Sree Padmavathi Sametha Sree Venkateswara Parabrahmane Namaha
4406 Brecksville Road Richfield OH 44286 Tel: (330) 576-5626
Winter timings: Open 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends & holidays
Issue 27
Mar 2015
NOW BEING SERVED!
Breakfast and Lunch every weekend, cooked fresh in the
newly inaugurated kitchen…
Wish to help in the kitchen? Enquire at the temple office
For up-to-date puja schedule, special events, sponsorship information & much more, visit the temple website at
http://www.balajiusa.org
Mar 2015
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
1
2
3
4
5 Purnima
Hanuman Ashtothara Puja
6:30 PM
Sree Satyanarayana Vratam
7 PM
6
Mahalakshmi Jayanthi
Abhishekam 11 AM
Lakshmi Sahasranama Archana
6:30 PM
Nithya Sumangali Puja 7:30
PM
7
Garuda / Hanuman Abhishekam
11 AM
Vishnu Sahasranamam 11:30 AM
Hanuman Chalisa 12 PM
Sree Venkateswara Sahasranama
Archana 5:30 PM
8
9 Sankatahara
Chaturthi
Ganesha Sahasranama
Archana 6:30 PM
10
11
12
Hanuman Ashtothara Puja
6:30 PM
13
14 Mahalakshmi Abhishekam
Lakshmi Sahasranama Archana 11 AM
6:30 PM
Vishnu Sahasranamam 11:30 AM
Hanuman Chalisa 12 PM
Sree Venkateswara Sahasranama
Archana 6:30 PM
15
Utsava Murthi
Abhishekam 11 AM
16
17
18
19
Hanuman Ashtothara Puja
6:30 PM
20 Ugadi
Lakshmi Sahasranama Archana
6:30 PM
Panchanga Sravanam 7:30 PM
Special Ugadi Archana
8:30 PM
Sree Venkateswara
Abhishekam 11 AM
21
Bhudevi Abhishekam 11 AM
Vishnu Sahasranamam 11:30 AM
Hanuman Chalisa 12 PM
Sree Venkateswara Sahasranama
Archana 6:30 PM
22
23
24
25
26
Hanuman Ashtothara Puja
6:30 PM
28 Sri Rama Navami
27
Lakshmi Sahasranama Archana Procession 10 AM;
Sita Rama Kalyanam 11 AM
6:30 PM
Sree Venkateswara Sahasranama
Archana 6:30 PM
29
30
31
1
2
Hanuman Ashtothara Puja
6:30 PM
3
4
Lakshmi Sahasranama Archana Vishnu Sahasranamam 11:30 AM
6:30 PM
Hanuman Chalisa 12 PM
Sree Venkateswara Sahasranama
Archana 6:30 PM
Om Sriman Narayana!
Content collated and edited for Sree Venkateswara Temple Of Cleveland By Sravanthi Vallampati
Sree Venkateswara Temple of Cleveland 4406 Brecksville Rd Richfield OH 44286