"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy." - St Francis of Assisi
 

The saints and sages of India have developed innumerable practices to rid people of their vasanas (deep impressions/karmas).  Of all these practices, such as pujas, abhishekam, archanas, etc. havan is the most powerful. During havan, ghee is offered into the saced fire while sacred mantras are chanted.  At the end of each mantra, "svaha", meaning "I offer this" is recited and ghee is offered into the fire.

The fire is symbolic of God.  It is said that Agni (fire god) is the messenger of the gods.  After the recitation of the mantra, with the offering of ghee, there is an explosion of solar energy as the ghee is consumed by the fire.  This transmits the sound vibration of the mantra out across the universe, neutralizing bad karmas and enhancing life supporting karmas.

How is solar energy released?  It happens like this.  First, the Sun shines on the Earth.  Grass grows.  Cows eat the grass, which is digested and refined by their fine nervous systems into milk.  The farmer takes the milk (which originated with the Sun shining on Earth and grass growing) and turns it into butter.  Butter is further refined into golden ghee, which has the color of sunshine.  When the ghee is offered into the fire, the concentrated solar energy stored in the ghee is released.

It is said that Sanskrit is the language of the gods. Furthermore, it is said that there is an intimate relationship between sound and form in Sanskrit.  When we say Rama in Sanskrit, it is not just a name, it is also the seed form of Rama (God) Himself.  It is like the human DNA, which has the entire form of the human encoded in small strands that only a powerful microscope can see.  Or it is like the seed of a banyan tree, which has the whole huge tree in a tiny space.  Physicists tell us that this whole universe is made up 99.99% of empty space, and the rest is filled with vibrating particles.  The Sanskrit mantras contain the seeds of all the energy that makes up creation.  When the priest recites the mantras, it invokes the energies described in the mantras.

The correlation between name and form is a unique aspect of Sanskrit and to a lesser extent the other Indian languages. In the havans and other Vedic ceremonies, not only is the Sanskrit important, but also the meter and inflection of the mantras when recited.  This is why training of the priest is of utmost importance. There are other important aspects to a havan, such as having the right size and shape of the homa kunda (fire pit).  The homa kunda at the Sai Baba Temple is one of the few in Texas constructed according to Vedic standards.  The purity and faith of the priest is also very important.  Ideally, the priest should be a jnani, a Self-Realized knower of God. 

When the havan is performed with utmost concentration, faith and devotion, unusual things happen.  At times I and others  have seen Saint Panduranga take on the appearance of Sai Baba during a havan. His very physical appearance changes. In the picture above, taken during a havan conducted by JK Guruji, the form of Sai Baba appears in the flames of the havan itself.  Sometimes Sai Baba or other gods come out of the havan fire, as if to look around.  This is only witnessed by those with pure vision.

Different mantras used in the havans invoke different energies, just as different seeds grow different trees. Gayatri mantra is used to give the devotee good education and wisdom. Mahamritunjaya mantra is used for health, Rama mantra for enlightenment, Ganesh mantras to remove obstacles, Durga  for familial matters, Mahalakshmi and Kubera mantras to promote spiritual and material wealth.  For every human condition, the sages and rishis have found mantras in the Vedas.  I have seen many miraclous changes in karma, too numerous to recount here, after a havan is performed for a specific condition. 

Yagna is a word often used in Vedic literature.  Yagna means sacrifice. The Vedas proclaim that nothing in this world is accomplished without sacrifice.  There are many types of sacrifice.  Going to school when growing up (when one would rather be playing with one's mates) is one type of sacrifice.  It brings good results.  But the Vedic sacrifices such as the havan are different.  In the Vedic yagnas, what is sacrificed are our destructive qualities. They bring success to every area of life, and thus are useful for everyone.  -Craig Sastry

 A long time ago there was a Buddhist teacher who had many monk disciples.  They all lived together in a hermitage founded by the teacher.  It so happened that one of the young disciples who joined the ashram was a thief.  After he came, the other monks noticed that small personal things started disappearing. Monks possess almost nothing, so they become upset when the small things they do possess disappear.

It wasn't long until the monks caught the thief red handed.  They discovered stolen items among his belongings.  They took him to the Master, expecting the Master to punish him severely.  However, the Master didn't say much. After being caught, the monk tried to break his habit of stealing, but he could not.  It wasn't long before the monks caught him stealing again.  They paraded the thief before the Master again. They wanted him to give the thief some strong punishment.  To their surprise, the Master did not say much.  He only encouraged the young monk to break his habit of stealing.

This happened many times.  Finally, all the monks got very upset.  They took the thief to the Master and gave an ultimatum.  They told the Master  "Either he goes, or we go!"  To their surprise, the Master looked at them and said "Fine, you all go".

Tears welled up in the eyes of the disciples.  "Master how can you send us away like this?" they asked.  "Listen", he said.  "You are all good disciples. You can go anywhere and be accepted as monks.  But this young man, if I were to abandon him, no one would accept him anywhere.  Certainly, he would die."

Hearing these words of love and compassion, the disciples were calmed down.  A little light trickled into their hearts, which were previously hard like stone.  The heart of the thief also melted.  With the Master's encouragement, he was able, then and there, to break his habit of stealing.  All were happy, and all learned a great lesson.

As the saying goes, anyone can be friendly to someone who is friendly in return. But only a saint can shown compassion to those who are deluded and have bad habits. If we want enlightenment, we need to shake off this concept that all of life is one big business transaction, where good is exchanged for good, bad for bad. Practice love for everyone, that is the best way to live.

Friday, January 23, Varada Ganesha Chaturthi

Saturday, January 24, Vasant Panchami, Saraswati Abhishekam 6:15 pm; Samuhika Saraswati puja for students of all ages, 6:45 pm.

Sunday, January 25, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Monday, January 26, Ratha Saptami, Bhishma Asthami

Wednesday, January 28, Madhava Navami

Friday, January 30, Bhishma Ekadashi

Saturday, January 31, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm 
 

FEBRUARY, 2015
 Sunday, February 1, 108 Collective Surya Namaskar Performance, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, in Sai Temple

Monday, February 2, Navavarana Sri Chakra Archana, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday, February 3, Magha Poornima Satyanarayana Puja, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Tuesday, February 3, Thai Poosam

Wednesday, February 4, Ayyappa Puja

Saturday, February 7, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Thursday, February 12, Kumba Sankramana, Ayyappa Puja

Saturday, February 14, Vijaya Ekadashi, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm,

Saturday, February 14, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Sunday, February 15, Shiva Parvati Kalyanam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Monday, February 16, Rudra Homam, 10:00 am - 12:00 Noon

Monday, February 16, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm,

Tuesday, February 17, Maha Shivaratri, Abhishekam, bhajans, aarati from 6:00 pm Tuesday until 6:00 am Wednesday!

Wednesday, February 18, Vasantha Rutu

Tuesday, February 24, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, February 28, Amalaki Ekadashi, Srinivasa Kalyanam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

MARCH, 2015

Monday, March 2, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, March 4, Holi, Navavarana Sri Chakra Archana, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Friday, March 6, Lakshmi Jayanthi, Lakshmi Abhishekam and Archana, 7:00 pm

Saturday, March 7, Holi Celebrations

Saturday, March 7, Satyanarayana Puja, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Sunday, March 8, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, March 14, Mina Sankramana, Karadaiyan Nombu, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Saturday, March 14, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Saturday, March 14, Ayyappa Puja, 7:00 pm

Monday, March 16, Papamochini Ekadashi

Tuesday, March 17, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, March 18, Masa Shivaratri

Friday, March 20, Manmatha Ugadi, Chaitra Navaratri

Saturday, March 21, Sai Temple Anniversary, Food Mela

Sunday, March 22, Gowri Tritiya, Matsya Jayanthi, Chowki, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Wednesday, March 25, Sahasra Modaka Ganapati Homam, 10:00 am - 12:00 Noon

Thursday, March 26, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Friday, March 27, Durga Asthami

Saturday, March 28, Sri Rama Navami, Sita Rama Kalyanam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Monday, March 30, Kamada Ekadashi

APRIL,2015

Wednesday, April 1,Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Friday, April 3, Panguni Uttiram, Hanuman Jayanti,

Friday, April 3, Navavarana Sri Chakra Archana, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Saturday, April 4,  Satyanarayana Puja, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Tuesday, April 7, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 11, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Sunday, April 12, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Tuesday, April 14, Mesha Sankramana, Varuthini Ekadashi, Tamil New Year Vishu

Tuesday, April 14, Ayyappa Puja, 7:00 pm

Thursday, April 16, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm, Masa Shivaratri

Monday, April 20, Akshaya Tritiya, Grishma Rutu

Wednesday, April 22, Sri Shankara Jayanthi

Thursday, April 23, Sri Ramanuja Jayanthi

Friday, April 24, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 25, Bagalamukhi Jayanthi, Sri Satyanarayana Swami Kalyanam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pmTuesday, April 28, Vasavi Jayanthi 

Wednesday, April 29, Mohini Ekadashi, Thrissur Pooram

Thursday, April 30, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

MAY, 2015

Saturday, May 2, Narasimha Jayanthi

Sunday, May 3, Ayyappa Puja,

Sunday, May 3, Kurma Jayanthi, & Annamacharya Jayanthi

Sunday, May 3, Vaisaka Poornima Satyanarayana Puja, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Sunday, May 3, Navavarana Sri Chakra Puja, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Thursday, May 7, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 9, Venkateshawara Kalyanam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Saturday, May 9, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Wednesday, May 13,  Hanuman Jayanthi

Thursday, May 14, Apara Ekadashi

Friday, May 15, Vrishabha Sankramana, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Friday, May 15, Ayyappa Puja

Saturday, May 16, Masa Shivaratri, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Sunday, May 17, Shani Jayanthi

Sunday, May 17, Chowki, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Sunday, May 24, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Friday, May 29, Nirjala Ekadashi

Saturday, May 30, Shani Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm,

Saturday, May 30, Shani Trayodashi Homa, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon

JUNE, 2014

Monday, June 1 Vaikasi Visakam, Vatasavitri Vratam,

Monday, June 1, Navavarana Sri Charkra Archana, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday, June 2, Deba Snana Purnima

Wednesday, June 3, Jyestha Abhishekam

Friday, June 5, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Friday, June 12, Yogini Ekadashi, Brahmotsavam\

Saturday, June 13, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, June 13, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm,

Sunday, June 14, Masa Shivaratri, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Monday, June 15, Mithuna Sankramana, Ayyappa Puja

Sunday, June 21, Dakshinayana, Varsha Rutu

Monday, June 22, Venkateshwara Temple Anniversary

Monday, June 22, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Sunday, June 28, Satyanarayana Puja, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Monday, June 29, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

JULY, 2015

Wednesday, July 1, Navavarana Sri Chakra Archana, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Saturday, July 4, Independence Day, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, July 11, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Sunday, July 12, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Monday, July 13, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm, Masa Shivaratri

Tuesday, July 14, Ayyappa Puja

Thursday, July 16, Karka Sankramana

Friday, July 17, Rathayatra

Sunday, July 19, Chowki, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Monday, July 20, Aandal Jayanthi

Wednesday, July 22, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, July 25, Sri Venkateshwara Kalyanam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Monday, July 27, Harishayana Ekadashi

Tuesday, July 28, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Thursday, July 30, Guru Purnima

Thursday, July 30, Navavarana Sri Chakra Archana, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

AUGUST, 2015

Saturday, August 1, Shravana Masa Satyanarayana Puja, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Sunday, August 2, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, August 8, Aadi Kartikai, Subramanya Kalyanam, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Sunday, August 9, Kamika Ekadashi, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Tuesday, August 11, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, August 12, Masa Shivaratri

Friday, August 14, Hariyali Amavasya

Monday, August 17, Simha Sankramana

Monday, August 17, Ayyappa Puja

Wednesday, August 19, Naga Panchami, Garuda Panchami, Rigveda Uparma

Friday, August 21, Goswami Tulasidas Jayanthi

Friday, August 21, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, August 22, Sri Venkateshwara Kalyanam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Tuesday, August 25, Pavitra Ekadashi

Thursday, August 27, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm, Onam

Friday, August 28, Varalakshmi Vratam

Friday, August 28, Navavarana Sri Chakra Archana, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Saturday, August 29, Yajur Upakarma, Raksha Bandhan, Vaikhanasa Jayanthi,

Saturday, August 29, Shravana Poornima Satyanarayana Puja, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Sunday, August 30, Raghavendra Swami Aradhana

Monday, August 31, Kajali Tritiya

SEPTEMBER,  2015

Tuesday, September 1, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Thursday, September 3, Randhan Chhath

Friday, September 4, Sitala Satam, Krishna Janmasthami(Jayanthi), Rukmini Kalyanam

Saturday, September 5, Janmasthami Celebrations

Sunday, September 6, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Tuesday, September 8, Aja Ekadashi

Thursday, September 10, Masa Shivaratri

Saturday, September 12, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Sunday, September 13, Solar Eclipse Not Visible

Monday, September 14, Samaveda Upakarma

Tuesday, September 15, Varaha Jayanthi

Wednesday, September 16, Haritalika Teej, Ganesha Chaturthi

Thursday, September 17, Kanya Sankramana,

Thursday, September 17, Ayyappa Puja

Friday, September 18, Rishi Panchami

Saturday, September 19, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Sunday, September 20, Jyestha Lakshmi Puja

Sunday, September 20, Chowki, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Monday, September 21, Radha Asthami

Thursday, September 24, Parivartini Ekadashi, Vaman Jayanthi, Kanya Sravanam

Friday, September 25, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, September 26, Anant Chaturdashi

Sunday, September 27, Navavarana Sri Chakra Archana, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Lunar Eclipse

Monday, September 28, Shraddha Paksha Starts

Wednesday, September 30, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

OCTOBER, 2015

Sunday, October 4, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Monday, October 5, Sowbhagyavati Shraddha

Thursday, October 8, Indira Ekadashi

Friday, October 9, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Saturday, October 10, Masa Shivaratri, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Saturday, October 10, Shani Trayodasi, Shani Havan, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Monday, October 12, Mahalaya Amavasya, Shraddha Paksha Ends

Tuesday, October 13, Sharad Navaratri Begins

Saturday, October 17, Tula Sankramana, Garba/Dandiya (Dance!)

Saturday, October 17, Ayyappa Puja,

Monday, October 19, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Tuesday, October 20, Durga Asthami, Bathukamma Panduga

Wednesday, October 21, Maha Navami

Thursday, October 22, Vijaya Dashami, Dussera, Baba Maha Samadhi Day

Friday, October 23, Pasankusa Ekadashi, Hemant Rutu

Saturday, October 24, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Monday, October 26, Satyanarayana Puja, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Sharad Purnima,

Monday, October 26, Navavarana Sri Chakra Archana 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Friday, October 30, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm,

Friday, October 30, Karwa Chauth

NOVEMBER, 2015

Sunday, November 1, Daylight Saving Ends

Monday, November 2, Ahoi Asthami

Friday, November 6, Rama Ekadashi

Saturday, November 7, Vasu Baras, Food Mela

Sunday, November 8, Dhanateras, Dhanvantari Jayanti

Sunday, November 8, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Monday, November 9, Kaali Chaudash

Tuesday, November 10, Narak Chatudashi, Diwali Lakshmi Puja

Wednesday, November 11, Gowardhan Puja

Thursday, November 12, Gujarati New Year, Skanda Shasthi Celebration begin

Friday, November 13, Yama Dwittya, Bhaiya Duj

Saturday, November 14, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Sunday, November 15, Nagul Chavithi

Monday, November 16, Vrishchika Sankramana, Laabh Panchami

Monday, November 16, Ayappa Mandala Puja Begins, Ayyappa Puja

Tuesday, November 17, Skanda Shasthi, Subramanyam Shasthi, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, Subramanya Kalyanam 7:00 pm

Saturday, November 21, Devauthi Ekadashi

Sunday, November 22, Tulasi Kalyanam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Sunday, November 22, Chowki, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Monday, November 23, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Tuesday, November 24, Vaikuntha Chaturdashi, Annamalai Deepam,

Tuesday, November 24, Navavarana Sri Chakra Archana, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Wednesday, November 25, Kartikai Deepam, Sarvalaya Deepam

Wednesday, November 25, Kartika Poornima Satyanaryana Puja, 7:00 pm

Saturday, November 28, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

DECEMBER, 2015

Wednesday, December 2, Kalabhairav Jayanthi

Sunday, December 6, Utpanna Ekadashi, Chandi Homam, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Tuesday, December 8, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, December 9, Masa Shivaratri

Saturday, December 12, 108 Hanuman Chalisa Parayana, 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Wednesday, December 16, Dhanus Sankramana, Dhanurmasa Begins

Wednesday, December 16, Ayyappa Puja

Thursday, December 17, Shashti Murugan Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

Monday, December 21, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Geetha Jayanthi

Tuesday, December 22, Pradosham, Rudra Abhishekam, 7:00 pm, Uttarayana, Shishira Rutu

Thursday, December 24, Dattareya Jayanthi, Abhishekam and Archana, 7:00 pm

Thursday, December 24, Navavarana Sri Chakra Archana, 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Saturday, December 26, Satyanarayana Puja, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Monday, December 28, Sankata Hara Chaturthi, Ganapati Abhishekam, 7:00 pm

DASERA - DIWALI Food Mela - October 16, 2011 - Photos