From Sai Baba

Consider this birth valuable.  Consider this life precious. Recognize the value of God within.  Realize, death is only for the body. Death can do nothing to the soul, which traverses from one birth to another.  Soul is the dynamism of life, the ultimate God. Let Him fill it in you. Fill yourself in Him.  

Dr. M. Hari Haran, world famous astrologer and music therapist, will visit the Temple Friday and Saturday, July 15 and 16th.  Friday he will be giving short free consultations (bring one question), and Saturday more extensive hour long consultations. On Friday night, he will give a free lecture and music therapy concert in the Community Hall, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.

Many people are skeptical of astrologers, thinking they are just businessman. Dr. Hari Haran is the "real deal".  He charges very little (I don't know how he even covers his expenses) and gives advice out of love, not desire for profit. 

Musicians and Dancers Wanted for Sahasra Deepam Kala Archana Each Month 

Artisans are needed for short performances following Sahasra Deepa Kala Archana, held on the fourth Saturday of every month.

This is a beautiful archana where 1000 oil lamps are lit by the devotees. Dance and/or music conclude the evening.  Please sign up early as the schedule will fill up quickly.  Performances of 5 - 15 minutes preferred.

Please contact Balaji to perform sacred dance or music on the fourth Saturday of every month. Children, Teens, Adults, all skill levels are welcome.   

Chandi Homa Video on Youtube, Charity Follows Yagna

Srinivasa Halaharvi made a beautiful video with highlights of the last day of Chandi Havan.  It is available for viewing at  CHANDI VIDEO.

Worker at Round Rock Community Food Pantry accepting donations of food from the Temple following the 9 day Chandi Havan

The saints say that when one does great spiritual practice, one should also do great charity. The charity is a like a catalyst, an active ingredient, that makes the spiritual practice effective. After the Chandi Yagna Poornahuti, the Temple delivered hundreds of pounds of canned beans to the Round Rock Community Food Pantry, and fed hundreds a delicious meal through the Temple kitchen.  This is the Vedic way.  Feed others and be happy. 

27 Day Nakshatra and Navagraha Yagna July 28 - August 23

While tens of thousands of Navagraha (nine planet) pujas are performed each year, rarely is the Nakshatra (star) Yagna done. Even more rare is the Nakshatra Yagna performed on the correct day for each nakshatra. There is a different day for each of the 27 nakshatras, so the Yagna takes 27 days. 

The Nakshatra Yagna is more powerful than the Navagraha Yagna. It works on a deeper level.  In addition to the Nakshatra Yagna, each of the nine planets will be propitiated for three days, making this both a Nakshatra and Navagraha Yagna.  It will be performed in the homa kunda each evening. Details will come in a future newsletter. 

Do You Know?

Do you know where paper towels, paper cups, plates, and napkins come from?  Have you taught your children?  Frequently, we see people using more of these items than needed. The other day I was shocked to see a man use four paper towels to dry his hands in the Men's restroom!  This is expensive to the Temple and wasteful. Paper products come from trees, meaning that a living thing has to perish for us to enjoy their use. Basic to Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism is the principal of ahimsa, or nonviolence. This means not to waste precious resources, such as food, money, and yes, paper products.   - Craig Sastry

Yoga Teacher Needed for Fall Bal Vikas

During its Fall and Winter semester, Bal Vikas students begin class with 15 minutes of Yoga and Surya Namaskar.  If you would like to teach yoga every week to the children, ages 4-11, or even every other week, please contact  CraigSastry. The next semester begins in September.  

Three Gates to Hell

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna the three gates to hell are lust, anger, and greed. Therefore, He says, these are to be avoided at all costs. 

Cosmic Story -  Draupadi and Krishna

This is a story Maharishi Mahesh Yogi told in Rishikesh in 1968:

Thursday, July 30:  Morning: Sarva Devata Homam in Homa Kunda, 9:00 am - 12:00 Noon.  Evening Santhi Kalyanams in Sri Venkateswara Temple, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.