SIDDHI TIMES owned by Hindu Temple of Georgia (USPS - 590) published monthly by SIDDHI TIMES 5900, Brookhollow Parkway, Norcross GA - 30071 periodicals postage paid at Norcross GA & Additional Offices.

POST MASTERS: Send address changes Siddhi Times, 5900 Brookhollow Parkway, Norcross GA - 30071. SIDDHI TIMES does not accept any responsibility for products or services advertised. Publisher has the right to deny and advertising at his discretion. web: www.siddhiusa.com.

Atlanta’s 1st full color Magazine for the Spiritual, Health & Nutrition. Submission & Disclaimers : We accept Articles, ‘Photography and Artwork’ which are in line with our mission goal and objectives. We do not endorse any particular program, ad or opinion.

We reserve the right to accept or reject or edit any material we receive and we do our best to honor the integrity of the writers and our readership. We simply hope to help our readers achieve success in their lives.

Contact/information : email:siddhitimes@gmail.com Advertising/Marketing : email:avtemple@aol.com Production : email:siddhitimesindia@gmail.com Tel(USA) : (770).447.9393 Fax : (770).447.9392 Web : www.siddhiusa.com

Content Pageno

Editorial“SIDDHITIMES” 4

Spirituality 7ThePresenceofHinduTempleofGeorgia&SiddhiTimesUSAatFestivalofIndia(FOI)2007 14

ExploretheeffectofPlanetsonmankind 16

Theartofgiving 19KidsArts 22

SivaforSeptember 24

Postmodernism,Hindunationalism 25

AdithyaHrudayam 32

LettertotheEditor 36

Meditation 40

HinduIdeas 46

Kabirdas“AgreatIslamsaint” 50

VedicAstrology 57

A.SivamaniInterview 59

TempleFestivals 62

ZodiacConnection 70

PublisherHindu Temple of Georgia

SpecialSectionsEditorsPundit SharmaPriya Tybaert

PhotographerC.T. Kumar

ContributingWritersSuha Nilima Mehra Mandira Gokuldas Nair

CreativeArtDirector’s

Jeyakumar MurugeshGraphicDesigner

Jeyakumar

AccountExecutivesParu Siva

ReceptionRavi Krishnamurthi

Advertising&MarketingChandra Mohan Loganathan(Vice President, Marketing)(678).234.7182

Ms. Riba-GEORGIA(770).447.9393x226

Mr.Yuvaraj Vivekanandan-LOSANGELES(805).558.9103

Mr. Krishnakumar-BAYAREA(510).213.1223

Ms. Suganya-ILLINOIS(847).620.9419

Editor-

Madhu manikandan

Editorial

HisHolinessSriSelvamSiddhar(DR.CommanderSelvam)

Siddhi Times USA 4

Namasthe!Vanakkam!Tomydearandgoodsoulsontheearth,thisisour5theditionofSiddhiTimescomingatyouwithShivji‘sblessings.Everydaywearegetting

atleast5to10peoplecallingfromallpartsofthecountrytoappreciatethecontentandvalueofourSiddhiTimes.It’sjustnotenoughtothanktheSiddhiTimesteam,butIshouldblesseachandeveryonetolonglivewithgoodhealthandwealth.

Now we have started our store front free distribution inSouthernandNorthernCalifornia. Ipersonally thankSubashBhaiandParikhJifortheirtimelydistributionofthemagazineinCalifornia.

TheTristatedistribution,WashingtonDC,Maryland,Virginiais starting from October 2007. The beautiful angel NilimaMehraistakingcareofthisnobletaskfromVirginia,wholivesaverymeaningfulanddedicatedlifewithherblessedhusbandDrRajeshMehraandtheir3beautifulandwonderfulchildren.TheyareproudfoundersandpresidentofGlobalTVNetworkalsoknownasNilimaTVfortheTristateIndians.

IalwayssaythatYOUWILLLIVEACCORDINGTOYOURTHOUGHTS,andwiththeblessingsofShivji,ourSiddhiTimesis leading #1, all over USA with more than 250,000 readers.Approximately 10000 copies are mailed to most influential Indian Americans in this country and in India. There is atremendous welcome for the distribution of Siddhi Times inIndiatoo.

Manypeoplewonder,howallthesethingsarepossibleinashortspanoftime.Theanswerisverysimple.It’snotaoneperson’stask.WithLordShivji’sblessings,allmyactionsaresupportedandprotected.

DuringaSatsang inVirgina,among thecrowdof thousands,one of my devotees asked, ”Swamiji, what is your business?Howdoyoumakemoney?”MyresponsewasthatIamworkingasaGeneralMangerfortherichestandblessedpersonalityinthewholeuniverse,andHelikesmesomuchandIgetthebestsalarywithallperks.Asmanywerepuzzled,Ithensaidthatthe“person”whomIworkforis,“LORDSHIVA”.

Lookingback thepath Ihave traveledso far, it’s like rags torichesstorywithabsoluteblessingsfromShivji.Theremaybelotofgreatpeople,greatsanyasis,swamijis,multi-millionairesand billionaires in this world who can financially do anything for thespiritualcauseandforGods,butIbelieveLordShiva

hasagreater reasonforchoosinganordinaryperson likemetoventurethisuniqueoneandonlySHIVMANDIRwith108Shivjisinthisworld.

People who know Vedas should admit that this subject wastriedbynumerouspeopleforthousandsofyears;howeverIamblessedtohavegotjackpotofdoingthiswonderfulHistoricalventureinthisGreatnation.Whenyouseesomeonewhoisrichinwealthoranythingforthat matter, please learn to appreciate and definitely not to questiontherichness.Humanmindcandogoodaswellasbad,whydon’twechoosetodogoodthings.

As I say quite often “LOT OF PEOPLE ARE UNHAPPYIN THIS WORLD, SINCE THEY FEEL SOMEONE AREHAPPY.” Those people need to change their attitude andrespect someone to the caliber not to his money. Some onewhohasmadelotofmoneyinhislifeshouldnotbeassumedasanintelligent,andatthesametimesomeonewhohaslostmoneyshouldnotbefeltasanidiot.Allourlifeiskarmabased.Destinycannotbechanged.But,wecouldadmitourdestinyinacomfortableway.

It’s like some one has an ugly nose, wishing to be changed.In today’s technological world, it’s easily possible by plasticor cosmetic surgery. It’s not a natural process, but still it’spossible.Right?Icangiveanotherexample,youcouldpullthe12”x12”plasticbagcoupleofmoreinchesbiggerbyproperlystretchingit,andhoweveryoucannotconvertthesametothesizeof24”x24”.

Many people worry about the financial issues in their life and it is interesting when somebody wanted to solve their financial problemandalltheywantedwastowinabiglottoandwillingto pay $50 for making this possible. If somebody knows thelottonumberfor$40Million,whywouldtheygiveitfor$50?Makesense?

There is nothing wrong is wishing to be wealthy. There is apricetobepaidforeverysuccess.Eachandeverysuccessfulperson in thisuniversehaspaid theirprice indifferent termslikemoney,time,love,hardworketc.Donotlookforshorttermhappiness.Whatdoyougainbybadmouthingotherswithoutknowing thefactsand theirgoals?Jealousy isgoing tomakeone’sownlifemiserable,maynotbe in their time,butGod’stime.

Om Namashivayaa!!

Siddhi Times USA 3Siddhi Times USA 5

Whatdoyouthinkofapersonwhosays“Iwanttogotoheaven;butIdonotwanttodie’?.Well,Irelatethesamewiththepeoplewho are wishing to be wealthy, but not ready to work for it.Manylackintheknowledgeoftheirownfamilyresponsibilitiesandalsoof theircommunity.Bewilling to learn thefactsbyseekingtherightknowledge.Whenyouappreciatethesuccessofothers,Godwillblessyours.Thisplanetearthcanprovideforeverybody.YoudoyourpartandGodwilldotherest.Nooneelsecanmakeyourdreamscometrue.Youmayhearandseecommercialstomakeallyourdreamscometruein7daysandtheirresultsareguaranteed.

WhocanguarantyGod’screation?Nothinginthespiritualityisguaranteed.Knowthegoodfrombadandbeawareofyourapproachtosolveyourproblems.Don’tbeavictim.ThegoodthoughtsandactionswouldmakeuporleadourKarma/Destinycomfortable.KnowingthescienceandpracticingtheAtharvaVedaprinciples,Ialwaysinsistthatoneshouldlivealifewithstandards.Youjustcannotmakeanyshortcutstowintheinnerconsciousness.That’swhyallourRishiswereprayingtoShivji

nottoberebornandtogetliberation.NoneofthegreatRishisprayedtoanyGodstorebornasthePresidentorSecretarytotheirorganizationagain.

Nothingwillcomeeasyinourlife.Pleasedonotalwaysexpectanythingfree.Beforeyoustretchyourhandstotakeanythingfree,thinktwicewhathaveyougiventoearnthatfreething?Doyoureallydeserve that? Donotuseyour intelligencefora wrong reason. Intelligence is like a knife. You could useto cut the fruits or to take a life away. You choose to do agood thing!Comeoutof the rut lifeof jealousy,misery,badmouthing, fighting, group politics etc. No is superior to others. Liveapeaceful lifeand follow theprinciples formanifestingthe spiritual destiny. Hindu Temple of Georgia is servicingpeopleallacrosstheworld,providingthespiritualsolutionandeveryone is welcome to make the service beneficial for their lives.

Om Shanthi ! Om Shanthi ! Om Shanthi !

Siddhi Times USA 6

Siddhi Times USA 7

PanditL.V.Sharma

Vol:5

During the past issues we discussed a lotabout spirituality and the benefits of leading a spiritual life. In this issue I

wishtodiscussmoreabouttheworksofthegreatsaint Sri Adhi Sankaracharya. In his great worknamed“Bajagovindam”hetellsusalotaboutthespirituality. One should be a human being first. Thenonlyhecanbecomeagreatsoul.Thisisthegist of “Bajagovindham. He says no grammar oranything what you have learnt will never followyou,whenyoudie.Onlytheresultofthegoodorbadthingsyoudowillonlyfollowyouwhenyoudie. It iswidely thought that there isno lifeafterdeath,ButaccordingtotheancientVedasandotherepics suchasRamayana,Mahabharata,BhagavatGeeta, Bible and Holy Quran, the life continuesevenafterdeath.Atthetimeofdeaththephysicalbodybecomesvacuumandtheairwhichiscalledas “prana”or lifeonlygoes away.Theair entersinto some other physical body according to theresultofgoodorbadthingsithasdoneinthelife

time.ItiscalledasKarmaorDestiny.As according toour Swamiji Sri.Siddhar,theKarmaorDestinycan’tbechanged.Itcanbeonlyalteredaccordingtothehoroscopesofanindividual.

HowwecanmakeourDestinyorKarmaasgood?This is the most valuable question which arisesfromthemindsofall.Thesimpleandonlyansweris“byleadingaspirituallife“.ThehelpofaGuruorteacherisrequiredtopracticethespiritual lifeWearegoingtopracticespiritualityinourlifeorwe are going to live a spiritual life. What is thepartofateacherinframingourspirituallife.Forthis Adhi Sankara gives a detailed in his greatworkBajagovindam.GovindaBagavatpadais theGuruofSri.AdhiSankara.OnlytoinformusnottoforgetourguruorteacherheconcludesthestanzaswithBajaGovindam..Onlybypraisingguruorbe

Siddhi Times USA 8

being obedient to the teacher one canget the blessings of the teacher. By theblessingswecangettheguidanceoftheteacher either in thisworldly educationorspiritualeducation.

The saint even gives us a guidance ashowweshould respectourparents.Wehavenotseenanyofthedivinepowers.The only divine power we see is ourparents.Bygivingproperrespecttoourparents and teacher we can have goodguidance from them. The saint furthersays to ignore the caste, creed and thefight between the religions. Now a days the quarrel between the religions aremore. If we avoid all these quarrels.What are the basic things we need to

leadaspirituallife.

Firstdevotion,secondis

selfconfidence. If we show dedication and devotion to allwalks of our life, and if we develop self confidence, we can havethemostbeautifulspirituallife.Bypracticingthespiritualwayof life,wecanhave thehelp fromallour surroundingsincludingthenaturalforcessuchasair,wateretc.Thepersonalbenefit is one can become as”Buddhimaan,Madurabashi, Poorvabaashi, Priyamvadha”, which means, one can easilybecomegreathavingagreatknowledgeandwisdom.Bythatgreatknowledgeandwisdomonecanhavesweetwords.Byhavingthesetwo,wecanhaveagreatoratoryskillandwecanspeak ina lovelyandpleasingmanner,which isadmiredbyeachandeverybody.

Ifwestartlovingeachother,theentirehumanracewillhaveaverysmoothwalkoflife.Wecanreachthepeaksandachieveourgoalsveryeasily.Thereisnoneedtobecomeamonkorsaint to leada spiritualwalkof lifebutwe shouldhave selfconfidence. With the blessings of our parents, teacher(guru) andthealmightywecaneasilycomeacrossallthetroublesandwecanbetheleaderoftheentirehumanrace.Wecaneasilygetnewpowersandwewillbeforcedbyourinnerconsciousto utilize these powers for the betterment of mankind. Wecannotusethemotherwise.Intoday’sworlditisveryhardandatthesametimeitisveryeasytopracticethespiritualwalkofourlife.Eachandeverybodywishestocomeacrossalltheproblemsofthelife.

Allarereadytoaccomplishwiththis.Thisissowidespreadandfastgrowing.Butnobodyknowshowtostartthemission.OnlytomakeallhappyourSriSriSiddharSwamijihasstartedthis“SiddhiTimes”.Wecanjoininthemissionandstartabeautifulwalkoflife.Wecaneasilydeveloplove,affection,dedication

anddevotion.Byhavingallthesequalitieswecaneasilybecomethebestcitizenoftheworld.Ifeachandeverybodyhasalltheseaforesaidqualitiestherewillbenoquarrelatall.Wecanhaveabeautifulandpeacefulatmospherethroughouttheuniverse.Bythepeacewecaneasilyreachourtargetandgoal.Wecanbeamodeltoeachandeverybody.

Ihumbly requestall to join in themission to leada spirituallifeandhaveaverypeacefulandbeautifullife.Ifwestartthemissionnow,wewillbeveryhappyandournextgenerationwillliveinapeacefulandhasslefreeuniverse.Iwishtothankyouallforgivingmeanopportunitytosharemyideaswithyouall.Iparticularly thankSriSiddharSwamiji for thisopportunity.Wewillmeetinthenextissuewithsomemorenewideas.

Om Shanthi ! Om Shanthi !

Om Shanthi !

Siddhi Times USA 9

Siddhi Times USA 10

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, thecreator of the “Peanuts” comic strip. You don’t have toactuallyanswerthequestions.Justreadthee-mailstraight

through,andyou’llgetthepoint.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss World Contest.

4.NametenpeoplewhohavewontheNobelorPulitzerPrize.

5. Name the last half dozenAcademyAward winners for bestactorandactress.

6.Namethelastdecade’sworthofWorldSerieswinners.

How did you do?

Thepointis,noneofusremembertheheadlinersofyesterday.Thesearenosecond-rateachievers.Theyarethebestintheirfields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1.Listafewteacherswhoaidedyourjourneythroughschool.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4.Thinkofafewpeoplewhohavemadeyoufeelappreciatedandspecial.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most

awards. They arethe ones that care.

-Gokul

Philosophy Charles Schultzof

Siddhi Times USA 12

Its Presence of mind and the right answer at right time thatmatters!!

Q. How can you drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it?A. Concrete floors are very hard to crack!

Q. Ifittookeightmentenhourstobuildawall,howlongwouldittakefourmentobuildit?A.Notimeatallitisalreadybuilt.

Q.Ifyouhadthreeapplesandfourorangesinonehandandfourapplesandthreeorangesintheotherhand,whatwouldyouhave?A.Verylargehands.

Q.Howcanyouliftanelephantwithonehand?A. It is not a problem, since you will never find an elephant with onehand.

Q.Howcanamangoeightdayswithoutsleep?A.NoProbs,Hesleepsatnight.

Q.Ifyouthrowaredstoneintotheblueseawhatitwillbecome?A.ItwillWetorSinkassimpleasthat.

Q.Whatlookslikehalfapple?A.Theotherhalf.

Q.Whatcanyounevereatforbreakfast?A .Dinner.

Q.Whathappenedwhenwheelwasinvented?A .Itcausedarevolution.

Q.BayofBengalisinwhichstate?A .Liquid

“Technical Skill is the mastery of complexity, while Creativity is the master of presence of mind.”

Siddhi Times USA 14Siddhi Times USA 14

The Hindu Temple of Georgia and Siddhi TimesUSA magazine joined hands with IACA toparticipate and celebrate the Festival of India

2007heldatGwinnettCivicCenteronAugust11th2007from9amto7pm.ItwasindeedaremarkableeventtobeapartofIndia’s60thIndependenceDaycelebrations.

ThedaycommencedwithsettingupofourboothfortheTempleandtheSiddhimagazineina250sqftareaontheaisle.GranddecorationswereexhibitedwithGodShiva& Goddess Parvathi idols and lot of traditional southIndian silk saris were hanging at the backdrop to addmultiplecolorsforthebackgroundofthebooth.ThreePriestsfromHinduTempleofGeorgiawereexclusivelyassigned to take careof thedecorations anddisplayofArtcraftsatthebooth.TheSiddhiTimesUSAmagazinemarketingteamheadedbyMr.ChandraM.Loganathanwereconstantlyinteractingwiththevisitorstotheboothand educating them about the magazine. All visitorsand special guests coming to the booths got a copy ofSiddhimagazineandwereverymuchappreciativeofthemagazineanditscontributionstothesociety.Truetothe

belief “Service to Mankind is Service to God”, Siddhimagazineteamistakingallnecessarystepstoimproviseonanongoingbasistoservethespirituallyenlightenedcommunitywhichincludespeoplefromallwalksoflifesuch as doctors, engineers, IT professionals, scientists,home-makers, students,businessowners etc. It is alsoamazing toearna readershipof250,000withinashortspanof3monthsandgrowingrapidly.Additionally,itistheonlyIndianmagazinetobedistributedin400+outletsinGeorgiaandFREEsubscriptionsentnationwide.ManyBusiness owners showed interest in advertising in themagazineduetofactthat80%ofSiddhireaderspreservethemagazineasresource/referenceguideanditleadstohighshelflifeforadvertisementsaswell.AstheSiddhiTimesteamisgrowingsteadily,therewereagoodnumberof interested people enquired about job opportunitieswithSiddhiTimesasSub-editors,MarketingandSalesbothfullandpart-timepositions.

AlmosteveryvisitorandguestwhocametotheboothhadachancetolookattheArtCraftsandaudiodevotional/musicCDsdisplayfromHinduTempleofGeorgia.Manyof them bought different Art Crafts and CDs. Therewasoneitemthatwasbought likehotcakewas“BabyGanesh” idol. It’s a small idol but thehandcraftworkwas done very meticulously. Some of the people whovisitedtheboothhadagoodunderstandingofwhatthe“108ShivaTemple”meansandalsogotanupdateofthecommencementofthetempleproject.

Sri Sri Selvam Siddhar, the Managing editor of SiddhiTimes USA magazine came with his entourage to thebooth early afternoon and proactively participated ingreetinganddiscussingdifferentmatterswiththevisitorsandguests.Coincidentally,theTVAsiateamalsocametotheboothanddidapersonalinterviewwithSriSelvamSiddhar.Heexpressedhishappinessinparticipatingandsocializing with a huge crowd at the Festival of India2007.TherewasalsoaquickphotoshotdonewithMissIndiaGeorgia2007,RoshniDevliaandDr.CommanderSelvamSiddharexpressedhisheartycongratulationsforheraccomplishment.

Altogetheritwasaneventfuldaytoservethecommunityandfeelasenseofachievementandsuccess.

Contributed by S.B. Roy & C.M. Loganathan

The Pre

sence o

f Hindu

Temple

of Geor

gia & S

iddhi Tim

es USA

at Festi

val of In

dia (FO

I) 2007

“IfGodwerenotforgiving,heavenwouldbeempty.”-SriSelvamSiddhar

Siddhi Times USA 15

Siddhi Times USA 16

In our past issues, the study about Sun and Moon wereanalyzed. In this issue, we are going detail about LordsMars,Mercury,Jupiter,Venus,Saturn,RaguandKethu.

LORD MARSPresentworldofscientistssaythatMarsisaredplanet.Whentheastrologywasknownto theworldabout5000yearsback,the saints named Mars as “ANGHARAHA” which revealsinformationofone’sbloodandthebrotherandsisterwhowereborn along with. Keeping the position and the star in whichMarsistraveling,thepredictionsabout,elders,youngsters,theaccidents of fire, one’s anger, ill health, landed properties, the disturbancesandthehurdlesinmarriedlifearecalculated.Forallsuchcategory, thespiritualremediesandritualpracticestosetthethingsinrightwayarearrangedbytheVedicprinciples.The prayer rituals are done for the selection of life partner’saccordingtotheirhoroscopeandespeciallythepositionoftheplanetLordMars in theirhoroscope.Wego to see thedoctorto get relieved of sickness. Same way one goes to astrologertolivecomfortablyandpeacefullyforthecontinuationoflife,alongwithsociety.Inweekdays,MarsisrulingonTuesday.ForpeacefulmarriedlifeandcomfortthereareseveralritualstodoforMars.

LORD MERCURYThe planet Mercury iscalledBudha.Inweekdays,Wednesday is ruled byMercury.Inastrology,byobservingthepositionofMercury, theeducation,brain power, brilliancy,and the smartness of apersoncanbefoundout.The reason for failurein any venture, exams,disturbed school daysand career, etc are dealt byBudha. In short,He is theLordfor knowledge. If any one is muchaffected by the matter of knowledge,thereareamazingastrologicwaysforimprovementandprogress.Wefollowcertainmethodsofchantingthesecretwords and do the whole-hearted prayers.These divinely rituals are mostly done for m a n y

schoolgoingchildrenandtheelderswhoarenotcapabletocontroltheiractivitiesinpropermanner.Everyonemustgetthepracticetorectifythedefects.Thereareseveralwaystoget the things done in a successful manner. The Mercuricpowerinbrainofthehumanpermitstheaimtothebasicandbestwayforsuccess.

LORD JUPITERThemostgracefulandblessingplanetJupiter, rules thedayoftheweekThursday.AstrologycallsHimas“Prahaspathi”.AtroublefreelifewithsuccessandprosperityreachestothenativeofhoroscopeinwhichtheJupiterwillbeaccommodatedintraintotheLagnaorRasi.Theearthrevolvingonitsaxisgoesaroundallthe12signsofthezodiacinoneday.Ittakesabouttwohourstocrossfromonesigntothenext.Thesignrisingonthehorizonatthetimeofone’sbirthisthe“Lagna”.Thesignofoccupationofmoon,onthatsamehouranddayiscalled“Rasi”.

Total progress of the individual like status, dignity, familyprestige,honorandhighpositionarerevealedwellasperthestarandsigninwhichtheJupitermovinginaccordancetothetimeofbirth.SoJupiter’spositionsingoodsignswillliftthe

ThefearoftheLORDisthebeginningofknowledge,butfoolsadespisewisdomanddiscipline.-SriSelvamSiddhar

Siddhi Times USA 17

personforhappylife.Forthosewhoaresuffering,thepositionofJupiterwillbeon6th,,8thor12thhouseofeitherLagnaorRasi.

Since,goodgracefromJupiterwillyieldthehappylife,howtogetthegrace?It’spossiblebywayofprayersandritualswhicharetaughtwhileattendingtheclassofyogaandmeditationinourtemple,HinduTempleofGeorgia,Norcross,GA.

Thephysicalexercises,yogaandmeditationwillrelatewithbrainconcentrationandthepowerofcontrollingdesires.Naturalwayofobservingselfactivitiesandacquiringthepowerbydivinelyprayersarequitepossible.

One will be blessed with philosophic nature, high life withknowledge and wisdom when we do the prayers to LordPrahaspathi.

LORD VENUSLordVenusrulestheweekdayFriday.Theeffectofthisplanetinastronomicalpositionscanbeonmatrimoniallife,love,affectionandcanalsobeonwind,rain,cycloniceffects.Forecastingcanbedoneforhurricanesandtornadostoo.TheseprimevalforcesofMotherNaturearewellappreciatedandareneeded for themankind. When it exceeds the limits, we fear. For example,

oneglassofwaterwhencompared toocean, themultipleandenlarged ratios, actually create fears. So, the big we see, wecallitasgiant.Thegiantgivesthemeaningofsuperhumansizeand nature. Here comes the astonishment to access the God,thecreatorofearth,sunandstars.Eventhesmallcreatureslikevirus,andmosquitoeswhichareverysmall,but theydohaveeyesandothersensitiveparts.Isitnotawonder?ItisreallyamatterofdeepthinkingtoreachaconclusionoftheAlmighty.

Inastrology,thejobofVenusisseveral.Asfarashumanbeingisconcerned,thematteroflovetochildissues,allarecomingtotheaccount.Willone’slovebeasuccessfulone?Willapersonget married early?What is the nature of person?What is thestrengthofonetogiveachildbirth?Willonebeabletosecuregoodlifematewithchastity?Isthereanymatterofdivorce?Ifdivorcewhatisthenexttohappen?AllsuchthingsaredealtbythepositionofVenus.So,theritualsandpre-cautionaryactionsaretobeconductedafteracompletestudyofpositionofVenusin every horoscope. The compatibility of a male and femaleshouldalsobecheckedforasuccessfulmarriedlife.

LORD SATURNThelastoftheweek,SaturdayisforRomanGodofagriculture,Saturn.Asperscience,Saturntakes30yearstomakeonefullround around the sun.Where as earth takesonly365days to

Siddhi Times USA 18

make a circle. Saturn does it in 10,950 days. That counts toapproximately 30 months to cross one zodiac sign. For theliving beings, Saturn stands authority to age and life. Saturnis considered as a strict teacher. While teaching lessons, thepunishmentisalsothereforonewhodoeswrong.AstrologytellsthatthefateisdecidedbySaturn.ThepositionofSaturnineverybody’shoroscopeisdeeplychecked.SinceHeisapunisher,oneandallfearforhisbehavior.CertainzodiacsignsareverycruelandcriticalwhenthetransitofSaturnhappens.Suchbadplacewillbedealtwithfearfor life,failureinmarriage,unbearablepovertytrouble,somecourtcases,anddemotionsinjobsandallkindsoflosses.

Such kind of sufferings may continue for 7 to 8 years. Somepeople will have miserable experience.This is noticed as 7½year-Saturn. The health conditions will grow worse. Medicalexpenses will be heavy. Some persons may go mad. Somewill be with fear of devils. Many persons will have to facethe enemies and loose their opportunities. Still further, somemight be suffering with a peculiar type of illness related topsychotherapy.

With thebirth timeofapersonandanalyzing theastrologicalpositions,it’spossibletogetrelieffromallthestrugglestolivewithpeaceandcontinuethelifewithhappiness.Theritualstothe Lord Saturn are specified in astrology. We can adopt all such neededmeasuresandlivewiththepieceofmind.

RAGU AND KETHUIn astrological norms, they are defined as shadows; if one straightlineisdrawnfromSuntoEarth,onceinayearortwicethemoon’s transitwill occur inbetweenSunandEarth.ThatdayiscalledSolarEclipse.Somedays,betweenSunandMoon,thetravelingrouteofearthwillcrossandcreateLunarEclipse.This long line, infinity to infinity should also possess two edges. OneisRaguandotheroneisKethu.(Thecontactwithorbitalpointsofmoon)

Inoldenage, the lifeofapersonwhosees thecrescentmoon(on the waxing period-specifically 3rd crescent) on the 1000th timefromhisbirthwashonored.Thatcomestotheaccountof83yearsto84yearsofliving.

RahuandKetutakeabout19monthstotransitthroughasign.Transitoftheseplanetsbringsinimportantchangesinthelifeof an individual. The impact is not always negative. But themalefic effects can be loss and pain to the investors, ego clashes, verbal fights within married couples, problems with bosses, lack of courage and confidence and many more. Astrological consultation isneeded to identify thevariousareasof the lifewhich will be affected by Ragu and Kethu and get remedialsolutionsformitigatingthenegativeaffects.

When there were no deeps, I was brought forth, when there were no fountains laden with water. - Sri Selvam Siddhar

Siddhi Times USA 19

Thethoughtofgivingisthecreationoftheartofgiving.Theactofgivingistheartofliving.

You may be a bit skeptical, wondering what exactly you haveto give. Unfortunately, in this fastest moving world, the word‘giving’ is so much intertwined with just financial aspect of human life. Each and every one of us has something to giveeveryone!Everybodyhassomethingofvalueforanotherpersonorcommunityornationortotheworld.

Itcouldbeakindword,asimplesmile,someappreciation,thesharingofsomespecialknowledge,evenahelpinghandorabitof support during a difficult emotional time.

It could also mean being generous philanthropists with fewbillions pledged like Bill and Melinda Gates (Microsoft co-founder),GordonandBettyMoore(Intelco-founder)andWarrenBuffett(BerkshireHathawayCEO).

The art of giving for the spiritual guru, divine personality andAtharva Veda Scholar, Sri Sri Selvam Siddhar, is all aboutdedicationtothemissionandempoweringthecommunitywithspiritualtransformation.

Theactoftruegivingissomethingwonderfulandamazing.Withmostthingsinthisworld,thereisonlyalimitedamountofwhatyoucangiveaway.Fortunately,generosityandkindnessarenotboundtothesesamemateriallimitations.

“You have something to give everyone”

Youractofgivingdoesn’tnecessarilyhave tobe limited toanexchange of presents at Christmas time or Birthdays.You cantreateverypersonyoucomeintocontactwithassomeonewhoyoucangiveagiftto.

Averyspecialactofgivingcanbeintheformofsmall,personalactsofkindness.Veryoften it isnotmoneyorbelongings thatpeople need, it’s the things that can’t be seen, such as advicereassurance,akindword,complimentsorasmile.

Themostofbasiclawoflifeis“everysingleactoflove,kindnessandgenerositywillmultiplyandreturntoyoumanytimesover”.Themoreyougive,themoreyougetandthemoreyouwillfeelhappy.Thetrueartofgivingistogivefromtheheartwithoutanyexpectationofitsreturnorresults.

What you give out is what comes back in direct proportions to the feelings you have in the act of giving.

It’s very simple. If you want to experience more joy, give joytoothers,ifyouwantmorelove,learntogivelove,ifyouwantattention and appreciation, and learn to give appreciation toothers.Thesearesomeoflife’smostpreciousgiftsandtheydon’tcostyouanything.

Blessedisthemanwholistenstome,watchingdailyatmygates,waitingatthepostsofmydoors.-SriSelvamSiddhar

Siddhi Times USA 20

When you meet someone, you can silently send them ablessing,wishing themhappiness, joyand laughter.Thiskindofsilentgivingisverypowerful.Dothisexerciseforthenext21consecutivedays, (withno thoughtof return)andyouwillsuddenly find people around you opening to you in joy and happiness?

Makeadecisionthatwhereveryougo,towhoeveryoumeet,togive.Aslongasyouaregiving,youwillalsobereceiving.Themore you give, the more will flow back to you and be returned manytimesover.Givingcreatesapatternofhappiness,joyandloveinyourlifebeyondyourwildestexpectations.

In ancient China, Lao Tsu wrote “Kindness in words createsconfidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness inGivingCreatesLove.”Manythousandsofyearsagoagreatsage inBabylonsaid“The rewardofcharitydependsentirelyupontheextentofthekindnessinit.”

Truly giving something from the heart is an action which will fill your life with joy.

Practicetheartofgivinginyourdailylifetothepeoplearoundyouandextendittocommunities,organizationsandtocountries.Startfromwhereveryouarewithwhateveryouhave,butwiththebiggestandgreatestheartofkindnessinit.Donotthinkoflack.Ifyoufocusonthelack,lackincreases.Thejoyreduces!Thisiswheretheexpressionto“givewholeheartedly”comesfrom.

The intentionbehindyourgiving is themost important thing.The intention should always be to create happiness for boththegiverandthereceiver.Ifyouexperienceresentmentandafeelingof“Idon’treallywanttogivethistothisperson,butIfeelthatIhaveto”or“Ireallyshouldgivethemsomething,”thisisprobablywhatultimatelywillcomebacktoyou.Perhapsinthiscase,youneedtoconsidernotgivingthegiftatall!

Agiftissomethingthatisenjoyedtwice.Firstbythegiverwhoenjoys thepleasureofgivingsomethingspecialand thenalsoenjoyedbythepersonwhoreceivesthegift.

How often do you expect back from the person you gavesomething toagiftofasimilarorgreatervalue?Is this truegivingormerelyanunvoicedexpectationofanexchangeofsimilargoods?

Haveyoueverheardanyonesaying“Ijustgiveandgiveandgive until I have nothing left”? This behavior is called selfdenialorselfpity.This isanegobasedformofgiving. It isgivingwithanexpectationofsomethinginreturn.Inreality,thisisnotgivingatallbutanun-vocalizedformofbarter.If,throughtheactofgiving,youfeelthatyouhave“lostsomethingor are somehow lessened” then the gift was not truly givenfromyourheart.

Itisoneoflife’swonderfulparadoxesthatyoulimitthepowerofyourgivingbyhavinganexpectationofgettingsomething

in return. When you give without any thought or desire forsomethingback,yourreturnswillbetrulylimitless.

Our life is like a river, full of energy, continually flowing. What happens when a river is stopped from moving? It gets verymuddy and stagnant. A fast flowing river is full of life and clear water.Wherewouldyouratherdrink?

The acts of giving and receiving are a continuous process ofcirculation that continues the flow of your life’s energies. For onepersontoreceivesomeoneelsehastogive.It’sacycleofenergy that flows continually onwards.

Pause for as moment as you read this, and take a big, deepbreath.Holditforaslongasyoupossiblycan.Asyouholditinside,noticehowuncomfortableyoubegin to feelwhenyouareholdingontosomethingthatismeanttobereleased.Now,breatheout, completelyandholdyourbreathwithyour lungsfullyemptied.Feelhowuncomfortableyoufeelwhenyouareresistingtakinginsomethingthatyouneed.

True giving, without expectation of anything in return is as effortless as breathing.

Practice the art and act of giving in your family for a happy,joyouslifeandteachthegivingspirittoyourchildren.Nurturethethoughtofgivingintheirmindsthroughdailysimpleactivities.Teachers and parents can be the biggest inspirations for thechildren,tobethebest‘givers’withloveandcompassion.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston ChurchillGive with abundance mentality and make a life, a life filled and blessedwithabundanceofhealth,wealthandhappiness.

- Suganya Prathap

Philosophyhasnoendinview,savetruth.Faithlooksfornothingbutobedienceandpiety.”-SriSelvamSiddhar

How do we make sure that our favouriteperson stays by our side at most times? Simple - we frametheirphotographsandkeeptheminaplacewherewecanalways

see them.What fun if we could make the photo frames too!And it is not at alldifficult.

Thethingsyouneed:

1. Ice Cream sticks. 2. Adhesive.

3. Colours. 4. Thick string or wire.

Step 1:Collectaround15icecreamsticks.Forthebaseoftheframe,sticktheicecreamsticksasshowninthepicture.

Step 2:Leavehalf-an-inchspacefromallthesidesandgluefoursticksonthebasetomaketheupperlayeroftheframe.

Step 3:Slidethephotographthroughthegap.

Step 4:Takeathickwireorastringtomakealoop.Stickthetwoendsoftheloopatthebackoftheframe.Youcannowhangyourphotoframe.

You can draw a variety of patterns on the side of your photo frame with the help of crayons.

Vishal

Siddhi Times USA 22

Haveyouheardthesayingwhatgoesupmustcomedown?Wellwhatgoesupandnevergoesdown?Your age!

Whatdoyouthrowoutwhenyouwanttouseitbuttakeinwhenyoudon’twanttouseit?

An anchor.

TakeoffmyskinandIwon’tcry,butyouwill,whatamI?Anonion

What kind of tree do you find in the kitchen?

A pantry.

Thereisanancientinventionstillusedinsomepartsoftheworldtodaythatallowspeopletoseethroughwalls.Whatisit?

Windows

Whatcanbeheardandcaughtbutneverseen?

A Remark.

Riddles-ByVishal

Siddhi Times USA 23

Lord Murugan’s lesson for Poetess Avvaiyar A short story by Abhirami Nathan

OnedayAvvaiyarPaati,awellknownSouthIndianlegendarypoetess,wasthinkingproudly,“Oh!Ihave learnt everything in the world, what elsetolearn?”Shewentandsatunderacherrytree.LordMurugan(anIndianGod,sonofGodShiva

and Goddess Parvathi, also known as Karthik) did not wantAvvaiPattitothinkthatshekneweverythingbecausenooneintheworldknowseverything.So,LordMurugantookformofaShepherdboyandappearedontopofthecherrytree.ThelittleboygreetedAvvaiPaati“Hello!”andaskedher

“Wouldyoulikesomecherriesfromthetree?”

Avvai Patti replied back “Thank you for asking. I will havesome.”

The boy asked, “Do you want hot cherries or coldcherries?”

“Coldorhotcherries!”wonderedAvvaiPaati.

With some doubt, she replied, “I want only coldcherries” The Shepherd boy started shaking the

cherrytreebrancheshardandthecherriesstartedfalling down. Avvai Paati picked somefrom the ground andstartedblowing

thedirtoff.“Ohthecherriesmustbeveryhotthatyouhavetoblowthembeforeeating!

I thought you got only cold cherries from the tree”, said theSheppardboy.

“Ah!”saidAvvaiPaati.Itstruckhermindthatthereisnothingreallylikeahotorcoldcherriesandrealized“Whatshelearntsofarwasonlyhandfulandalotmoretolearn.”Simplyput,“Thereisnoendforlearning.”

AvvaiPaatithankedtheShepherdboyhumblyandthroughhersiddhi knew that the boy is noneotherthanLordMuruganhimself.

The moral of the story is “Whatyou’ve learntsofar inyour life isonlyahandfulandtherestofwhatyou have to learn is as big as theworld.

So, keep learning and there is no end to learning”

Siddhi Times USA 24

AsaccordingtoHindubeliefs,LordShivaisthesuprememostpoweramongtheholytrinity.HehasgotvariousshapesaccordingtotheAtharvaVeda.Eachandevery

formofhimgivesremedytotheproblems.Tosayintheeworldlylanguage,thefamilyphysicianstakecareofminorailments.Thestomachsurgeoncuresthestomachandsoonetc.LikethatLordShivagivesremedyforvariousailmentsandsufferings.Inthepast issue we learnt about Nardana Rudra, SwarnaakarshanaRudra, Agora Rudra, Shatkara Mruthyunja and Kaal maariaadiya murthy. This month we will see about SugaasanaMoorthy,AalinganaChandrasekaraMoorthy,AnandaThandavaMoorthy.

SHUKASHNA MOORTHY

Thebeginningof thenameisexplainingthecomfort.The happy with peacefulness is the atmosphere in which theLord Shiva gives this appearance.The facet is adorning withgracefulnessandmagnanimity.

Lord Shiva is the deity with the name “PRANATHAARTHI-HARA”.Thetruemeaningis“Heisthesaviorofhisdevotees”People use to attend prayers every day. Due to their busyatmospheretheconcentrationinchantingtheproper“Mantra”is vibrated. So the practice to utter the “Mantra” in a simplified form“OMSHIVAYANAMAHA”willbemostconvenientandthesamecanbefollowedduringcrucialtimes.

Ourfore-fathershaveshownaproperwaytocultivateourhabitsin a highly dignified manner. We follow and teach our children also to follow the same for a peaceful and happy life. In theinitial stages, the worship gives discipline first and step by step thebestcharacter.

Shukashna Moorthy to be worshiped by all the members offamily and specifically the ladies engaged in domestic routines and all those who are awaiting for their carrier in education,professionandbusiness.

TheNameShukashnais acombinedmeaningofshukamandaashana. Shukam means pleasure. Aasana means chair. Thisindicates circumstance of comfort with happiness.Aashana isinvolved for firm and right status of sitting. This will also relate toone’sprofessionandbusiness.

Tobesteadyandtohaveapositivedevelopment,thedevoteesshallhavethepracticetomakeseparateprayerforShukashanaMoorthy.

At a glance we can observe from this idol, which gives a lotof peace and nobility. The people in the rank of head of thedepartment,eldersinfamily,presidentsofassociations,captains,principalsandpoliticalleadersshoulddevotetimetopraythisdeityregularly.Theresultwillbewithpeaceandsatisfactionin

theirroutineofwork.

ANANTHA THANDAVA MOORTHY

ThisisoneofthedancingstatesofLordShiva.Atthetimeofthecreationofthisuniverse,LordBrahmacreatedthecreaturesandallkindofbeingsonthisuniverse.ThentheLordBrahmawantedLordShiva togive thephonetics, languagesand theirsounds.ThenHestartedhisdance.Thisiscalledas“cosmicdance”.Heis having four hands. The first right hand is the blessing hand. Thesecondrighthandisadornedwiththesmallmusicaldrumwhichiscalledas“damarukam”or“udukkai”.Thesecondleftisperpendicular to the first right hand with the palm facing his left foot. He stand on one leg and lift the other leg with magnificent appearance.ThosewhoprayLordShivawill theblessedwithhappiness. This posture indicates Lord Shiva is influencing the time,earthskyandspace.

Justimaginewhereastageforherdancecouldbearranged.Allovertheshyandspacethemarvelouswayofdances(Thandavam)Heperformandcreate the sound,music, languagesand ragas(tunes).

This image is mainly for proper worship to the people ofeducationandarts.

AALINGANA CHANDRASEKARA MOORTHY.

Aalingana gives the meaning of welcoming guests and alsowhentheydepart.Thistraditionalactisobservedasamarkofrespectandgratitude.Thisconnectstoloveandaffectionalso.ChandrasekaraMoorthywithallhisgraceanddeeploveappearsherewithhissweetheartUmaDevi.Thedevoteesareblessedwith comprehensive possession of boons from this divinelyappearance.

WhenweworshipChandrasekara,ourneedssuchaspeacefullifewithwifeandfamilywillbetheawardsoftheprayer.Thepractical example for the boon is the Moon, also called asChandra.Eventhoughhehad27wives,heshowedhisloveandaffection to only two of them.They are Krithika and Rohini.So,hisfather-in-lawgotangrywithhimandcursedhim.Duethecurse, thecharmingbeautyandhealthof theMoonbeganto reduce.HeprayedLordShivaandgotasylumon theheadof Lord Shiva. So, in a month the moon will be diminishingfor14daysandtheboonofLordShivawillbegivingpowertoregainstrength in thenext14days.Thatwhythewaxingandvanningof themoonoccur inzodiac.Peoplewhoareinneedofhealthyandhappylifeshouldpraythislord.AsaccordingtoSwamiji Sri Sri Selvam Siddhar, one should understand whatwedoandthenonlywewillgetthefullresultoutoftheaffair.ThatswhywegivethewriteupsaboutthevariousshapesofLordShivaintheformofRudra.PleaseunderstandthisandworshipLordShivaandcomeoutofallyourtroubles.

108

-MsAzahuVairavanDirector:AlagappaUniversity&Groupinstitutions,India.Director:HinduTempleofGeorgia,USA.

Siddhi Times USA 25

ThemixingupofthemythosoftheVedaswiththelogosofscience must be of great concern not just to the scientific community, but also to the religious people, for it is a

distortionofbothscienceandspirituality.

THERE are two kinds of claims that feed the notion that the“Vedas are books of science”. The first kind declared the entire Vedic corpus as converging with modern science, while thesecond concentrates on defending such esoteric practices asastrology,vastu,Ayurveda,transcendentalmeditationandsoonas scientific within the Vedic paradigm. The first stream seeks to establish likeness, connections and convergences betweenradicallyopposedideas(gunatheoryandatomicparticles,forexample).Thisstreamdoesnotrelativisescience:itsimplygrabswhatevertheoryofphysicsorbiology may be popular with Westernscientists at any given time, andclaimsthatHinduideasare“likethat”,or“meanthe same” and

“therefore” areperfectlymodernand

rational.Thesecondstreamis far more radical, as it defends

this“method”ofdrawinglikenessesandcorrespondences between unlike entities as

perfectly rational and “scientific” within the non-dualisticVedicworldview.

The second stream, in other words, relativises scientific method todominantreligiousworldviews:itholdsthattheHindustyleofthinkingbyanalogiesandcorrespondences“directlyrevealedtothe mind’s eye” is as scientific within the “holistic” worldview of VedicHinduism,astheanalyticalandexperimentalmethodologyofmodernscienceistothe“reductionist”worldviewofSemiticreligions. The relativist defence of eclecticism as a legitimatescientific method not only provides a cover for the first stream, italsoprovidesagenericdefenceofsuchemerging“alternativesciences”as“Vedicphysics”and“Vediccreationism”,aswellasdefending suchpseudo-sciences asVedic astrology, palmistry,TM(transcendentalmeditation)andnew-ageAyurveda(DeepakChoprastyle).Inwhatfollows,IwillexaminehowpostmodernistandsocialconstructivistcritiquesofsciencehavelentsupporttobothstreamsofVedas-as-scienceliterature.

But first, I must clarify what I mean by postmodernism.Postmodernismisamood,adisposition.Thechiefcharacteristicof the postmodernist disposition is that it is opposed to the

Enlightenment,whichistakentobethecoreofmodernism.Of course, there is no simple characterisation ofthe Enlightenment any more than there is ofpostmodernism. A rough and readyportrayal might go like this:Enlightenment is a generalattitude fostered in the17th and 18thc e n t u r i e sonthe

heelsofthe Scientific

Revolution; it aimsto replace superstition

andauthorityof traditionsandestablished religions with critical

reasonrepresented,aboveall,bythegrowthof modern science. The Enlightenment project

was based upon a hope that improvement in secularscientific knowledge will lead to an improvement of the human

condition,notjustmateriallybutalsoethicallyandculturally.

While the Enlightenment spirit flourished primarily in Europe and NorthAmerica,intellectualmovementsinIndia,China,Japan,LatinAmerica, Egypt andother parts ofWestAsiawere also

Post Modernism, Hindu Nationalism and

“Vedic science”

“Godistheindwellingandnotthetransientcauseofallthings.”-SriSelvamSiddhar

Siddhi Times USA 26

influenced by it. However, the combined weight of colonialism andculturalnationalismthwarted theEnlightenmentspirit innon-Westernsocieties.

Postmodernists are disillusioned with this triumphalist viewofsciencedispellingignoranceandmakingtheworldabetterplace.Their despair leads them to question the possibilityof progress toward some universal truth that everyone,everywhere must accept. Against the Enlightenment’s faithin such universal “meta-narratives” advancing to truth,postmodernists prefer local traditions which are not entirelyled by rational and instrumental criteria but make room forthe sacred, the non-instrumental and even the irrational.Social constructivist theories of science nicely complementpostmodernists’angstagainstscience.Therearemanyschoolsof social constructivism, including the “strong programme”of the Edinburgh (Scotland) school, and the “actor network”programmeassociatedwithaschoolinParis,France.Themanyconvoluted and abstruse arguments of these programmes donot concern us here. Basically, these programmes assert thatmodernscience,whichwetaketobemovingclosertoobjectivetruth about nature, is actually just one culture-bound way tolookatnature:nobetterorworsethanallothersciencesofothercultures.Notjusttheagenda,butthecontentofallknowledgeissociallyconstructed:thesupposed“facts”ofmodernscienceare “Western” constructions, reflecting dominant interests and culturalbiasesofWesternsocieties.

Followingthislogic,Indiancriticsofscience,especiallythose

ledbytheneo-GandhianssuchasAshisNandyandVandanaShiva, have argued for developing local science which isgroundedinthecivilisationalethosofIndia.Otherwell-knownpublicintellectuals,includingsuchstalwartsasRajniKothari,Veena Das, Claude Alvares and Shiv Vishwanathan, havethrowntheirconsiderableweightbehindthiscivilisationalviewofknowledge.Thisperspectivealsohasnumeroussympathisersamong “patriotic science” and the environmentalist andfeminist movements. A defence of local knowledges againstrationalisationandsecularisationalsounderliesthefashionabletheories of post-colonialism and subaltern studies, whichhave found a worldwide following through the writings ofPartha Chatterjee, Gayatri Spivak, Homi Bhabha, DipeshChakrabartyandothers.Alltheseintellectualsandmovementsmentionedherehavetheirrootsinmovementsforsocialjustice,environmental protection andwomen’s rights - all traditionalleft-wingcauses.

Social constructivist and postmodernist attacks on sciencehave proven to be a blessing for all religious zealots, in allmajor faiths, as theyno longer feel compelled to revise theirmetaphysics in the light of progress in our understandingof nature in relevant fields. But Hinduism displays a special resonance with the relativistic and holistic thought that finds favouramongpostmodernists.Intherestofthistwo-partpaper,IwillexaminethegeneraloverlapbetweenHinduapologeticsand postmodernist view of hybridity (part I) and alternativesciences(partII).

“Faithisbelievingsomethingyouknowain’ttrue.”-SriSelvamSiddhar

Siddhi Times USA 27

The contemporary Hindu propagandists are inheritors of the19thcenturyneo-Hindunationalistswhostartedthetraditionof dressing up the spirit-centered metaphysics of orthodoxHinduism in modern scientific clothes. The neo-Hindu intellectuals, in turn, were (consciously or unconsciously)displayingthewell-knownpenchantofgenerationsofSanskritpunditsfordrawingresemblancesandcorrespondencesbetweenreligiousrituals,forcesofnatureandhumandestiny.

Postmodernist theories of knowledge have rehabilitated this“method” of drawing equivalences between different andcontradictory worldviews and allowing them to “hybridise”across traditions. The postmodernist consensus is thatsince truth about the realworld as-it-is cannotbeknown, allknowledgesystemsareequivalenttoeachotherinbeingsocialconstructions.Becausetheyareallequallyarbitrary,andnoneanymoreobjectivethanother,theycanbemixedandmatchedinordertoservetheneedsofhumanbeingstolivewellintheirownculturaluniverses.

From the postmodern perspective, the VHP justification of thegunatheoryintermsofatomicphysicsisnotanythingtoworry about: it ismerely an exampleof “hybridity”betweentwo different culturally constructed ways of seeing, a fusionbetween East and West, tradition and modernity. Indeed, bypostmoderniststandards,itisnotthishybriditythatweshouldworryabout,butratherweshouldopposethe“positivist”and“modernist” hubris that demands that non-Western culturesshouldgiveup,oralter,elementsoftheirinheritedcosmologiesinthelightofthegrowthofknowledgeinnaturalsciences.LetusseehowthisviewofhybriditymeshesinwiththeHindutvaconstructionofVedicscience.

Itisawell-knownfactthatHinduismusesitseclecticmantra“Truth is one, the wise call it by different names” - as aninstrument for self-aggrandisement. Abrahamic religions goaboutconvertingtheotherthroughpersuasionandthroughthe

useofphysicalforce.Hinduism,incontrast,absorbsthealienOtherbyproclaimingitsdoctrinestobeonly“differentnamesfor the One Truth” contained in Hinduism’s own PerennialWisdom. The teachings of the outsider, the dissenter or theinnovatoraresimplydeclaredtobemerelynominallydifferent,a minor and inferior variation of the absolute and UniversalTruthknowntoVedicHindusfromtimeimmemorial.

Christianity and Islam at least acknowledge the radicalothernessanddifferenceofotherfaiths,evenas theyattempttoconvertthem,evenatthecostofgreatviolenceandmayhem.Hinduismrefusestograntotherfaithstheirdistinctivenessanddifference,evenasitproclaimsitsgreat“tolerance”.Hinduism’s“tolerance”isameredisguiseforitsnarcissisticobsessionwithitsowngreatness.

Whereas classical Hinduism limited this passive-aggressiveformof conquest tomatters of religiousdoctrine, neo-Hinduintellectuals haveextended thismodeofconquest to secularknowledgeofmodernscienceaswell.Thetraditionofclaimingmodernscienceas“justanothername”forthespiritualtruthsoftheVedasstartedwiththeBengalRenaissance.

The contemporary Hindutva follows in the footsteps of thistradition.

The Vedic science movement began in 1893 when SwamiVivekananda (1863-1902) addressed the World ParliamentofReligionsinChicago.Inthatfamousaddress,hesoughttopresent Hinduism not just as a fulfilment of all other religions,

“Thetruthsofreligionareneversowellunderstoodasbythosewhohavelosttheirpowerofreasoning.”

Siddhi Times USA 28

but also as a fulfilment of all of science. Vivekananda claimed that only the spiritual monism of Advaita Vedanta could fulfil theultimategoalofnaturalscience,whichhesawasthesearchfortheultimatesourceoftheenergythatcreatesandsustainstheworld.

Vivekananda was followed by another Bengali nationalist-turned-spiritualist, Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950). Aurobindoproposedadivine theoryofevolution that treatsevolutionasthen adventures of the World-Spirit finding its own fulfilment through progressively higher levels of consciousness, frommattertomantotheyet-to-comeharmonious“supermind”ofa socialistic collective.

Newer theories of Vediccreationism, which propose toreplace Darwinian evolutionwith “devolution” from theoriginalone-nesswithBrahman,are now being proposed withutmostseriousnessbytheHareKrishnas who, for all theirscandals and idiosyncrasies,remain faithful to the spiritofVaishnavaHinduism.

Vivekananda andAurobindo lit the spark

that has continued to fire thenationalist imagination, right

to the present time. The Neo-Hinduliterature of the 19th and early 20th

centuries, especially the writings ofDayanandSaraswati,S.Radhakrishnan

and the many followers ofVivekananda, is

replete withcelebration of

Hinduismasa“scientific”

religion.E v e n

secularistslikeJawaharlalNehruremainedcaptiveofthisideathattheoriginalteachingsofVedicHinduismwereconsonantwithmodernscience,butonlycorrupted laterby thegradualdepositsofsuperstition.CountlessgurusandswamisbegantoteachthattheVedasaresimply“anothernameforscience”andthat all of science only affirms what the Vedas have taught. This scientisticversionofHinduismhasfounditswaytotheWestthroughthenumerousashramsandyogaretreatssetup,mostprominently,byMaharishiMaheshYogiandhismanyclones.

ALL these numerous celebrations of “Vedas as science”follow a similar intellectual strategy of finding analogies and equivalences.All invokeextremely speculative theories frommoderncosmology,quantummechanics,vitalistic theoriesofbiology and parapsychology, and other fringe sciences. TheyreadbackthesesciencesintoSanskrittextschosenatwill,andtheirmeaningdecidedbythewhimoftheinterpreter,andclaimthattheentitiesandprocessesmentionedinSanskrittextsare“like”, “the same thing as”, or “another word for” the ideasexpressedinmoderncosmology,quantumphysicsorbiology.

Thus there is a bit of a Brahman here and a bit of quantummechanics there, the two treated as interchangeable; thereare references to “energy”, a scientific term with a definite mathematical formulation in physics, which gets to mean“consciousness”; references to Newton’s laws of actionand reaction are made to stand for the laws of karma andreincarnation; completely discredited “evidence” fromparapsychologyand“secretlifeofplants”areupheldasproofsof the presence of different degrees of soul in all matter;“evolution” is taught as the self-manifestation of Brahmanand so on. The terms are scientific, but the content is religious. There is no regard for consistency either of scientific concepts, or of religious ideas. Both wholes are broken apart, randomconnections and correspondences are established and withgreatsmugness,thetwomodesofknowingaredeclaredtobeequivalent,andeveninter-changeable.Theonlydrivingforce,theonlyideathatgivesthiswholemish-mashanycoherence,is thegreatanxiety topreserveandprotectHinduismfromarational critique and demystification. Vedic science is motivated byculturalchauvinism,pureandsimple.

Whatdoes all thishave todowithpostmodernism,onemaylegitimatelyask.Neo-Hinduism,afterall,hasahistorydating

back at least two centuries, and the analogical logic onwhichclaimsofVedicsciencearebasedgoesbacktotimes

immemorial.

Neo-Hinduism did not start with postmodernism,obviously. And neither does Hindutva share thepostmodernisturgencyto“overcome”and“gobeyond”

themodernistfascinationwithprogressanddevelopment.Farfromit.Neo-HinduismandHindutvaarereactionary

Siddhi Times USA 29

modernistmovements,intentonharnessingamindlessandevendangeroustechnologicalmodernisationfortheadvancementofatraditionalist,deeplyanti-secularandilliberalsocialagenda.Nevertheless,theyshareapostmodernistphilosophyofsciencethatcelebratesthekindofcontradictorymish-mashofscience,spirituality,mysticismandpuresuperstitionthatthatpassesas“Vedicscience”.

ForthosemodernistswhosharetheEnlightenment’shopeforovercoming ignorance and superstition, the value of modernscience lies in its objectivity and universality. Modernistssee modern science as having developed a critical traditionthat insists upon subjecting our hypotheses about nature tothe strictest,mostdemandingempirical testsand rigorouslyrejecting those hypotheses whose predictions fail to be verified. For the modernist, the success of science in explaining theworkingsofnaturemeanthatsciencesinothercultureshavea rational obligation to revise their standards of what kindof evidence is admissible as science, what kind of logic isreasonable, and how to distinguish justified knowledge from merebeliefs.Forthe

modernists,furthermore,modernsciencehasprovidedawaytoexplaintheworkingsofnaturewithoutanyneedtobringinsupernaturalanduntestablecausessuchasacreatorGod,oranimmanentSpirit.

Forapostmodernist,however,thismodernistfaithinscienceisonlyasignofEurocentrismandculturalimperialism.Forapostmodernist,otherculturesareundernorationalobligationto revise their cosmologies, or adopt new procedures forascertainingfactstobringtheminaccordwithmodernscience.Farfromproducingauniquelyobjectiveanduniversallyvalidaccountofnature,the“facts”ofmodernscienceareonlyoneamongmanyotherwaysofconstructingother“facts”aboutnature,whichareequallyvalidforothercultures.Nature-in-itself cannot be known without imposing classifications and meaning on it which are derived from cultural metaphorsandmodels.Allwaysofseeingnatureareatparbecauseallare equally culture-bound. Modern science has no specialclaimstotruthandtoourconvictions,forit isasmuchofa

culturalconstructoftheWestasothersciencesareoftheirowncultures.

ThisviewofscienceisderivedfromavarietyofAmericanandEuropeanphilosophiesofscience,associatedmostlywithsuchwell-knownphilosophersasThomasKuhn,PaulFeyerabend,W.O Quine, Ludwig Wittgenstein and Michel Foucault. Thisview of science has been gaining popularity among Indianscholars of science since the infamous “scientific temper” debatesinearly1980swhenAshisNandy,VandanaShivaandtheir sympathisers came out in defence of local knowledgesand traditions, including astrology, goddess worship as cureforsmall-pox,taboosagainstmenstruationand(lateron)evensati.Overthenexttwodecades,itbecameageneralpracticeinIndianscholarlywritingtotreatmodernscienceasjustonewaytoadjudicatebelief,nodifferentfromanyothertraditionofsortingouttruthfrommeregroupbelief.RationalismbecameadirtywordandEnlightenmentbecameastand-infor“epistemicviolence”ofcolonialism.

Accordingtothosewhosubscribetothisrelativistphilosophy,the cross-cultural encounter between modern science andtraditionalsciencesisnotaconfrontationbetweenmoreandlessobjectiveknowledge,respectively.Ratheritisaconfrontationbetweentwodifferentculturalwaysofseeingtheworld,neitherofwhichcanclaimtorepresentreality-in-itself.Indeed,manyradicalfeministsandpost-colonialcriticsgoevenfurther:theyseemodernscienceashavinglostitswayandturnedintoapowerofoppressionandexploitation.Theywantnon-Westernpeople

Siddhi Times USA 30

n o tjust to resist

science but to reformi t byconfrontingitwiththeirh o l i s t i c traditionalsciences.

What happens when traditional cultures do need to adoptat least some elements of modern knowledge? In such cases,postmodernists recommend exactly the kind of “hybridity”as we have seen in the case of Vedicsciences in which, for example, sub-atomic particles are interpreted asreferring to gunas, or where quantumenergyisinterpretedtobethe“sameas”shakti, orwherekarma is interpreted tobeadeterminantofbiologyina“similarmanner” as the genetic code and so on.On the postmodern account, there isnothing irrational or unscientific about this “method” of drawing equivalencesand correspondences between entirelyunlikeentitiesandideas,evenwhentheremay be serious contradictions betweenthe two. On this account, all science isbaseduponmetaphorsandanalogiesthatreinforce dominant cultures and socialpower,andall“facts”ofnaturearereallyinterpretationsofnaturethroughthelensofdominantculture.

Itisperfectlyrational,onthisaccount,forHindunationaliststowanttoreinterpretthe“facts”ofmodernsciencebydrawinganalogies with the dominant culturalmodels supplied by Hinduism. Becauseno system of knowledge can claim toknowrealityas it really is,becauseourbest confirmed science is ultimately a culturalconstruct,allculturesarefreetopickandchooseandmixvarious“facts”,aslongastheydonotdisrupttheirowntime-honouredworldviews.

This view of reinterpretation of“Western” science to fit into the tradition-sanctioned, local knowledges of “thepeople”hasbeenadvocatedby theories

of “critical traditionalism” propounded by Ashis Nandy andBhiku Parekh in India and by the numerous admirers ofHomi Bhabha’s obscure writings on “hybridity” abroad. IntheWest, thisviewhasfoundgreatfavouramongfeminists,notably Sandra Harding and Donna Haraway, and amonganthropologists of science including Bruno Latour, DavidHessandtheirfollowers.

To conclude, one finds a convergence between the fashionable left’spositionwiththereligiousright’spositiononthesciencequestion.Theextremescepticismofpostmodernintellectualstowardmodernsciencehas landed them inapositionwheretheycannot,iftheyaretoremaintruetotheirbeliefs,criticise

Hindutva’seclectictake-overofmodernscienceforthegloryoftheVedictradition.

Ms. MeeraMeeraistheauthorofProphetsFacingBackward

“Religionisexcellentstuffforkeepingcommonpeoplequiet.”-SriSelvamSiddhar

Siddhi Times USA 31

Atthetimeof takingthenectarfromthemilkocean,a lotofthingscameoutfromtheocean.Firstawhiteelephant

came.LordIndratookit.ThenextcameisSriMahaLakshmi.LordMahavishnutookher. ThethingthatcamenextwastheworstpoisonnamedAalakalaVisham.Evenifitissmeltitwillkilltheperson.Nobodywantedtotakethepoison.So,allthedivinepowerswenttoLordShivatoprotectthem.LordShivatookthepoisonandswallowedit.Onseeingthis,LordShiva’swifeParvathyputherhandsacrossthethroatofLordShivaandstoppedthepoisonfromenteringinsidethebodyofLordShiva.Onseeingthisallthedivinepowerswerestunned.LordShivastarted dancing in front of all the divine powers. As per theprayersofallthedivinepowersLordShivagaveaboontoallas,“Iwillshowerallkindsofwealthandhealthtoallthosewhoperformpoojasandprayerstomeonthisday”.AccordingtothewordsofLordShiva,ifwepouradropofwaterandofferoneleafnamed“Vilvam”itgrowsinthemultiplesof“n”.

Asweallneedhealthandwealth,ourHinduTempleof Georgia has made very elaborate arrangementsforthePradoshapoojaatourTempleeverytwoweekstentatively (Please check the Temple calendar for theexactPradoshapoojadays).ThePradoshaPoojasarenormallyperformedinthetempleswithoutperforminghomam.ButinourTemplethepoojasareperformedwithhomambyverywelllearnedSivacharyas.Thebiggest Emerald Linga of USA is kept in ourtemple.Normallythedevoteesarenotallowedto perform poojas to Lord Shiva in thetemples.Butinourtemplethedevoteescanperformmilkabishegam(pouringof milk), jala abishegam (pouringwater) and

“Kanakabishegam”(pouringgoldcoins)forLordShiva.Thereare different types of Shiva Lingas. Emerald Linga is the first in thelist.ByperformingkanakabishegamtotheEmeraldlinga,wecanhaveaverygoodwealth.

The Pradosha Pooja dates for the month of September are09-08-2007 Saturday and 09-24-2007 Monday. Please markyourcalendarsandplanonattendingthisauspiciouseventandparticipateinabishegamstoreceivetheblessingofLordshiva.

ContributedbyPundit L. V. Sharma

The Significance of PradoshamThe Significance of Pradosham

Sponsors & Donations Welcome

Pradosham 09-08-2007 Saturday and 09-24-2007 Monday.

Siddhi Times USA 32

Meaningofadithyahrudayam:thepurushawhichisintheinnermostpartofthesooryamandala.”Pleasesee“

yayeshontharadithyehiranmaya:purushodrusyathe“etc..Before we chant this sthothra with devotion every day ,we must chant* agasthya bhagavaan as rushi, anushtup aschandus andbrahmaasdevatha.Anduse it forwardingoffall obstacles to attain brahma vidhya and to succeed in allourattempts,“ shadanganyaasa“ isperformedbychantingbhoorbhuvasva: with pranavaand using the three words ofgayathri. “ Jayathu jayathu suryam sapthalokaika dipamkiranashamithapapamkleshadu:khasyanashamarunanigamagamyamchadimadithyamurthim sakala bhuvana vandyambhaskaramthamnamami”isthedhyanasloka.This sthothra comes in the 107th chapter of sri. Vaathmikiramayanam“yuddhakaanda:astaughtbythesageagasthya,to sri ramabeforehewent towagewaragainst ravanawhowastiredinwar,1.“ThathoyudhhaparishrandamsamarechindayasthhithamRavanamchagrathodrushtwayudhhayasamupasthhitham2.DaivathaischasamagamyadrashtumabhyagathoranamUpagamyabravidramamagasthobhagavanrishi:”Meaning*sageagasthyawhowentalongwithdevaastoseesreeraama,whowastiredwagingwarwithraavanaduetowarpreparednessandwasstandingwith“chintha”(thoughyfulness),toldsriramathus:-3.“RamaramamahabahoshrunuguhyamsanathanamYenasarvanareenvathsasamarevijayishyasi4.AdithyahrudayampunyamsarvashathruvinashanamJayavahamjapennithyamakshyyamparamamshivam5.SarvamangalamangalyamsarvapaapapranashanamChinthashokaprashamanamayurvardhanamuththamam”Meaning:heyvatssa(heydear)ramawhoislokabhirama,havinggreatand robust shouldersandhandswith strength ,pleaselistentomywordsbywhichyoucanwinwaragainstallenemies.Thesecretthatadithyahrudayasthohramissacred.Andwhichremainsfromtimeimmemorialandwhichendowssuccessinallattempts,andsanathana(Continuestobeendless)andwhichisauspiciousandwhich

givesallthebestinlifeandwhicheradicatesallpapas(sins),andwhichremovesallworriesandsorrows,andwhichgivesdirghayus(longlife)andwhichismostsacredamongallthemanthrasshouldbechantednithyam(dailyoralways)withdevotion.

-2-

Gihaveseenanotherversionofthismeaningthatlordramawas tired of waging war with ravana and was thoughtfullygazing the war field. If read chapter 106 of yuddha kandha thenwewillcometoknowthatravanawastired.G someareof theopinion that instead., Anganyaasa andkarannyaasa can be performed by chanting pranavam andkarannayasabychanting the6namesofadithyaasgiven inthe 6 th stanza as om rashmimathe nama:angushtaabhyaamnama;etc.6.“RashmimanthamsamudyanthamdevasuranamaskrithamPujayaswavivaswanthambhaskarambhuvaneshwaram“Youperformpoojatothisadithyadevawhoriseswithraysandwhoisprostratedorworshippedbydevasandasurasequallyandwhoistheresponsibletolightenupandwhoisthelordofloka(bhuvana).7.“SarwadevathmakohyeshathejaswirashmibhavanaEshadevasuragananlokanpathigabhasthibhi”Thislordadithyais thesamewhois theembodimentofalldevas(eshahisarvadevathmaka),andenlightensallandwhoisresponsibletoproviderays(rashmibhavana)it is this lordadithyawhoprotectsbyhis rays(gabasthibhi)alldevasandasuras,andalltheworlds(lokan).8. “Eshabrahmachavishnuschashiva:skandaprajapathiMahendrodhanada:kaloyama:somohyapampathi” It isonly this lordadithya ,who is thebrahmadeva , thelordofcreations,vishnudeva(lordofprotection),lordshiva(lord of destruction), lord subrahmanya (skanda) and lordprajaapathi(theswamywhoisthelordofallthosesoulswhohavebeencreated.(Prajanamjanyavasthunamswami).Againitisthisadithyadevawhoisdevendra,kubera(Dhanada),whoisthedestructorofthewholeoftheuniverse

Adithya Hrudaya Sthothram

Siddhi Times USA 33

(kala) , yama (the lord who punishes) i.e. “Yamayathishikshayathithiyama),soma(whoistheardhanarishwarai.e“mayaprabhaya,umasarvadasahithasoma:“andwhoisthelordofjala(water)i.e“apampathi”Note : i have also seen soma being interpreted as lordchandra9.“Pitharovasava:sadhhyahyaschinoumruthomanuVayurvanhi:prajapranaruthukarthaprabhakara:“

-3-

It is this lordwhobestows light to theworldswhoare the“pithrus”ancestors.Ashtavasus;theyogiswhohaveattainedthepowertodoanything(sadhyas)Ashwinidevasthosewhohavenodeath(“mriyanthenakadachidithimarutha:”)Manu (who has attained knowledge in all subjects – “sarvanjnhan”.Vayudeva,Lord of fire ( vanhi deva ) and who is the soul (praja prana) of allsubjects,andwhoisthecreatorofseasons(ruthukartha),andenlightensall(prabhakarameansthelordwhobringsoutknowledgeinall)10.“AdithyasavithasuryakhagapooshagabasthimanSuvarnasadrushobhanurhirnyarethadivakara”11. This adithi devi’s son adithya is the creator; he is thecatalystwhomakesus todoour“karma“;he is thepersonwhotravelsthroughthesky;heisthegodwhodevelopstheworld with rain (pushnathithi pusha) , he is the lord withrays (gabhasthhiman) . His complexion is like gold; he isthepersonwhogiveslight(“bhanu”)heisthecreatorofthegoldencoloureduniverse(“hiranyaretha”) ;he is thepersonwhomakesday(“divakara”).“Haridashwa:sahasrarchisapthasapthirmarichimanThimironmathhanashambhusthwashtamarththandaamshuman”.Theword“haridashwa”hasmanymeanings.Onemeaningis thepersonwhowinsall thehearts (handsome ), anothermeaningisthepersonwithgreenhorse(haritha=ashwatherearemanymoremeanings.Ileaveittotheexpertsinsanskrittoanalyse.Sahasrarchi means the god with countless rays althoughliterally sahasrameans thousand.Sapthasapthi :meansonewhohasahorsebynamesaptha.Anothermeaningisonewhohassevenhorses. Thosewhohaveverygoodknowledgeinsanskritcaninterpretthiswithmanyothermeanings.Marichiman means one who has bright rays of light.Thimironmathana means one who destroys “thimira” ordarkness.Shambhumeansonewhoendowshappylife(“kshema”)Thwashtameansonewhoisthedestroyer.Maarththandameansonewhobringsbackthosedestroyed.Amshumanmeansonewhohasmanyrays.

12. “Hiranyagarbha:shishrasthapanobhaskaroraviAgnigarbhe/dither:puthra:shamkha:shishiranashana“Hiranyagarbha:meansonewhoremainsinthemiddleoftheuniverse; shisira : means one who cools down the mind of

thoseprostratingbeforehim.Thapanameansonewhocharsthose who are enemies of those depending on him. Literalmeaning

-4-

“Thapana”isonlyonewhocharsbyburningothers.Bhaskarameansonewhogiveslight.Ravimeansonewhoisreveredbyall“ruyathesthuyathesarvairithiravi”.Agnigarbha means the one who possesses fire himself during day.“DivaagnirgarbheYasyasa” .Abhitheputhra:means thesonofabhitheedevi.Shamkha means the one who becomes calm himself afterdusk.“ShamyathiswayamevasayamkaleIthi shamkha `. Shishiranashana : literally means onewho removes mist. Here, it means the one who destroysunintelligence(“mandabudhhi”).13.“Vyomanathhasthamobhedirugyaju:samaparaga:Ghanavrishtirapammithrovindhdhyavithhiplavamgama“Vyomanathha means the king of sky; thamobhedi meansonewhokillsdarknessoronewhodestroysrahuoronewhodestroysthethamogunaofhisdevotees.Rugyajussamaparagameansascholarwhoisamasterofrugveda,yajurvedaandsamaveda;ghanavrishtimeanstheonewhobringsheavyrain;apammithra means the one who is friendly with “ ap “ i.E.Water; vindhyavithhi plavamgama means the one who goeswith ease through the difficult terrain like the vindhyas . Note : many interpretations are given by sanskrit pundits for thewords“vindhyaveethhiplavamgama`.14.“Athapimandalimruthyu:pimgala:sarvathapanaKavirvishwomahathejaraktha:sarvabhavodbhava”Athapimeanstheonewhichhasheatinit. Herewemayinterpretit astheonewhogivessunrays(veyyil).Mandalimeanstheonewhichisroundshaped.Mruthyumeanstheonewhoisthedestructorofeverything.Anothermeaningistheonewhodestructsallenemies.Pimgala:meanstheonewhoisgoldencolouredduringrise.Another meaning is the one who makes us to perform ourduties.Therearemanymeaningforthisword.Sarvathapanameanstheonewhotroubleswithheatduringnoon.Anothermeaning is the one who destructs the whole universe.Kavi:means the one who is proficient in all subjects (sarvanjna). Vishwa:meanstheonewhodirectstheuniverse.Thiswordhasmuchmoremeaningswhichonlyapersonwithveryhighknowledgeinsanskritcanexplain.Mahatheja:meanstheonewithgreatpersonality (tejas) . Raktha:means theonewholikesallcreatures.Again,anothermeaningistheonewhoisredincolourduringriseandset.Sarwabhavothbhava:meanstheonewhoisthecauseforthewellbeingofall.15.“Nakshathragrahatharanamadhipovishwabhavana: Tejasamapi thejaswi dwadashathman namosthuthe “

Siddhi Times USA 34

“ Nakshathragrahatharanammeans the lunar constellations,planets andothernon-lunarconstellations;adipameandtheruler or king; vishwabhawana means the one who protectsalltheuniverse;tejasamapitejasvimeanstheonewhichisbrighter

-5-Thanthebrightest;dwadashathmanmeanstheonewhichisthesouloflordindra,lorddhatha,lordbhaga,lordpusha,lordmithra,lordvaruna,lordaryamav,Lord archchis, lordvivaswan , lord thwashtwa, lord savithaandlordvishnu.Thenamahasthumeanstothyisalute.16.“Namah:purvayagirayepaschimayadrayenamah Jyothrgananam pathaye dinadhipathaye namah; “I pay obeisance to thee ,who has the east mountain as thyrisingplaceandthewesternmountainasthesettingplaceandswaminofallobjectsinthehorizonandtheownerofthedaytime.17.“Jayayajayabhadrayaharyaswayanamoh:namah Namo namah :sahasramsho adithyaya namo namah”Jayaya who is the the brahmadwarapala called “jaya”or by the help of whom the bhakthas win their mundaneduties jayabhadraya means the one who gives victory andpropitiousnessharyashwayameanstheonewhopossessgreencolouredhorses; namoh:namah:means i paymyobeisancetohim.Againipaymyobeisancetohimwhoissahasramshomeans theonewhopossess innumerable typesof lifeor theonewhopossessinnumerablerays;adithyameansthesonofadithi.18. “Namahugrayaviraya sarangayanamohnamohNamahpadmaprabodhayamarththandayanomohnamah”Ugraya means the one who is the deadliest enemy of thosewhodonotworshiphimViraya means the one who induces all creatures to performtheir duties (vividham irayathithi) saramgaya means theone who travels very fast through the skies or the onewho is one who is dealt thoroughly through “pranavam”padmaprabhodhaya means the one who makes lotus flower to blossom marththandaya means the one who gives life tothedeaduniversenamohnamah:meansiprostrateagainandagain.19.“Brahmeshanachyutheshayasooryayadithyavarchase Bhaswathe sarvabhakshaya raudraya vapushe namah”Brahmeshanachyutheshaya means the one who protectsbrahma,lordshivaandlordvishnuorthegodwhoisthegod

of brahma, vishnu and shiva; suryaya means the one whoinduces all to work; adithyavarchase means the one who ishaving the brightness of adithya; bhaswathe means the onewhoisbright;sarvab

Akshaya means, the destructor of all ( universe ); raudrayavapushe means the one who destroys the sufferings or theonewho is ferociousduring thedestructionof theuniverse;namah:meansiprostrate.

-6-20.“Thamognayahimaghnayashathrughnayamithathmane Krithaghnaghnaya devaya jyothishampathaye namah”Thamognaya means the one who removes darkness;himagnaya means the one who removes hima ( cold, mist,snowetc);shathrughnayameanstheonewhowardsofftheenemiesofhisworshippers;amithathmanemeanstheonewhohasmanyattributesorfacets;krithagnagnayameanstheonewhodestroysthosewhoarethankless;devayameanstheonewho shines himself; jyothishampathaye means the one whoisthemasterofthewholeuniverse(jyothis)namahmeansiprostratebeforethee.21.“ThapthachamikarabhayavanhayeviswakarmaneNamahsthamo/bhinighnayaruchayelokasakshine”Thapthachamikarabhyaya means the one who is meltedgoldencoloured;vanhayemeanstheonewhointheguiseoffire carries the oblation or offerings (havis). Vishwakarmane meanstheonewhomakestheworldstoperform;thamo/bhinighnayameanstheonewhodestroysdarknessortheonewho removes ajnhana Ruchaye means the one who has theshapeofbrightnessortheonewhoislikedbyall“Rochatheithiruchi”.Lokasakshinemeans trhewitnessforall thesinsandgoodswhichweperform;namah:meansiprostrate.With this sloka the ashtoththara shatha naamah: (108 names of lord soorya) Which starts from rashmimantham and ends with the name lokasaakshine,ends.22.“Nashayathyeshavaibhuthamthadevasrujathiprabhuh:Payathyeshathapathyeshavarshathyeshagabhasththibhih”(Esha: vai bhutham nashayathu prabhu) nashayathyeshavaibhuthammeans ,it is thisdevawhodestroys theworldsthadevasrujathiprabhumeansthathsrujathievameansitishe who creates them also; payathyesha means eshapayathimeans it is also thisdevawhomakesevery thing todryuphapathyesha(eshathapathi)meansItisthisdevawhomakeseveryone to burn or it is this deva who makes everyone tosuffer; varshathyesha gabhasthibhi ( esha gabhasthibhi:varshathi)meansitisthisdevawhowithhisraysmakerainstofall.

Siddhi Times USA 35

23.“Eshasuptheshujagarththybhutheshuparinishtitha:Eshaevagnihothramchaphalamchaivagnihothrinam”Thisdevaremainsasas invisibleandawakeinallcreatureswhen they sleep. It is this deva who is the shape of the five indriays which are the five fires (Panchagni) and it is this deva whoistheultimategoalofagnihothris.

-7-24.“VedaschakrathavaschaivakrathunamphalamevachaYanikrithyanilokeshusarvaesharaviprabhu”Itisthissooryabhagavaanwhoistheembodimentofallvedaas,yaagaasandtheirresults.Itisthisalmightybhagavaan,whoistheembodimentofallthedeedsoftheworlds.25.“EnamapathsukrichchreshukaanthaareshubhayeshuchaKeerththayanprusha:kaschinnavasidathiraghava.”Heiraghavameanstheoneborninraghukulai.Esreeraama,a person who recites with devotion , this adithya hrudaya,remains protected from all accidents, difficulties and fears whichthreatenshim.26.“PujayaswainamekagrodevadevamjagathpthimEthaththrigunithamjapthwatyuddheshuvijayishyasi.”Withoutanythinginmindorwithoutthinkingofanyone(ekagrachiththan),performpujatothisadithyabhagavanwhoisthedevaofalldevas.Ifyourecitethis“sthawa”threetimesyouwillwinthewar.27. “AsminkshanemahaabaahoravanamthwamvadhishyasiEvamukthwathadagasthyojagamachayathhagatham.“Heimahabaho(personwithstrongforearms)i.e.Sreeraama,withoutanywasteof time, immediatelyyouwillkill ravana.Thusadvising,agsthyabhagavanwentaway,likehecame.28.“Ethacchruthwamahathejanashtashoko/bhavaththathadaDharayamasasuprithoraghava:prayathathmavan”Thisisanimportantslokawhereinitisclearedthatitwassreeraamawhowastiredandwasfullofchintha(thoughtsastohowtowagewarwithravanaandwinoverhim).Hearing these words of sage agasthya, sree rama became“nashta shoka” i.e.Sri ramaovercamehisgrief. Srirama,becamehappyandstartedprayingbycontrollinghisbodyandmind(indriyaas).29.“AdithyamprekshyajapthwathupatamharshamavapthavaanThrirachamyashuchirbhoothwadhanuradayaviryavan”

-8-

Thebraverama,aftersippingwaterthreetimes(achamana),cleaninghimself,tookthebowandstoodbeforethesungodandafterchanting(adithyahrudaya),becameveryhappy.30.“Ravanamprekshyahrushtathmayuddhayasamupagamath Sarvayathnena mahatha vadhe thasya dhrutho/bhaveth.”Happyandcheerful,sreeraamawentnearraavanaatowagewaragainsthimwithadeterminantmindtokillhim31.“AthharaviravadannirikshyaramamMudithamana:paramamprahrusyamaanaNisicharapathisamkshayamvidithwaSuraganamadhhyagathovachasthwarethi.”At that time thesuryabhagavan in themidstofotherdevasbecameverypleasedandhappyandblessedsreeraamawiththepowertokillraavanaandsaid“startwarimmediately”Ithyaarshe sreemad raamaayane vaalmeekiye aadi kaavye yuddhakaanddhe sapthoththarashathathama sargha samaaptham -

endof107thchapter..

- Gokul

Siddhi Times USA 36

“ThisisthemostusefulFREESubscriptionIhaveeverreceivedinmylife.AmongthehundredsofmagazinesIhavereadsofar,SIDDHITimesistheonlymagazinewhichhasaddedvalueinmypersonalandspirituallife”Divya Patel, Edision, NJ

ItotallyenjoyreadingGistofBhagawatGitaofeveryedition.Please continue your service to better ourselves throughspirituality”Raj Purohit, Bombay, India

“Siddhi Times truly empowers the self and community to bebetterandIlovereadingallthearticles.”Harish Dalwar, Torrance, CA

“Mykidslovethestoriesandpoemspublishedinyourmagazine.It’saverycolorfulmagazineandweareexcitedtogetittoourdoorsteps”Deep Kumar, Pelham, AL

“Sri Sri Selvam, Congratulations for leading this magazinesuccessfully. Its getting better every month and there is somuch to learn in each article. I have almost stopped readingalltheother“news”magazineswhichdoesnotgiveanyusefulinformation.”Shawn Mathur, Morrisville, NC

My Name is Narasi and I am the biggest follower of ParamPujyaSriSriSelvam”Siddhar(DrCommanderSelvam)WhenImetwithmySwamijiIwaslivinginaStudioApartmentinSunnyvale,CA,andwithhisblessingsIamtheownerofa$69Million software firm, having its Head quarters in CA, and I havebranchesinBangalore,Chaennai,London,andSingapore.MywifeRamyafoundedbyourSwamiji.ShewasaverystrongDevoteeofSriSriSelvam”Siddhar”.MysonPranavwasbornwithourSwamiji’sblessings.IwouldcertainlysaythatpleaseapproachourSwamijiSriSriSelvam”Siddhar”,foranyofyourproblemstobesettled.Verydowntoearthpersonality,althoughheistherichestSwamijiinUSA.HEISFULLYBLESSED....IWOULDSAYTHAT....Ifanyofyourproblemtobesettled,thanheisrightsoulintheworldtosettleanyofyourproblems.AllthebestSurender Narsi :Sunnyvale, CA, USA

SwamijiSriSriSelvam”Siddhar”isalivingGodtomeHecameinmy life in theyear1997,andIwasworking inSunnyvale,CA..Now I am theBigBossof amutliNational corporationAllmylifeishisBiksha.Withouthissupport,Iwouldnothave

comeuptothislevel.Iwouldrecommendourswamijitoanyonewithanykindsofproblems,pleaseapproachourHolinessSriSriSelvam”Siddhar”andgetsettleddownwithyourproblems.OmShanthiRupan , Walnut Creek, CA

TheHinduTempleofGeorgiaisverygood.VeryknowledgeablePundits,BeautifulandintelligentSwamiji.Allthebest.Subra, Lawranceville, GA

“ReadingSIDDHITimesismybestpasstimenow.IlovereadingaboutdifferenttopicsaboutGita,Meditation,Yogaetc..Ican’tbelievethereissomuchtolearnandThankssomuchSwamijiforhelpingusgetthislearningthroughthiswonderfulmagazine.Ishouldsayit’sthebestbooktokeepitwithalways!”Mehra Reka, Hillsborough, NC

“IamastudentandIhesitantlystartedtoreadthismontheditionofSiddhiTimesthatmyparentsgot.IlovedthecolorsandthenStudents Special captured my eyes. I was so impressed andnowIamsoclearaboutthestagesoflifeandunderstandwhymyparentskeeponrepeatingtoreadandlisten.Iamlookingforwardforthenextedition.”Seema Navaladi ,Orange Park, FL

My Dear Swamiji, Thanks for your Thantra Rituals. Finallymyparentsagreed,andmyselfMinasareveryhappy.WewillbeyourdevoteesalwaysaroundyourHolyfeet.WithoutyourHolyblessings,wecannotcometothishappinesstoday.Iwouldcertainly recommend to anyone in theworld thatYOUARETHE BEST GURU MAHARAJ who can settle any ones lifeproblems.ThanksSwamiji.PranamSakuntala Patel, Macon, GA

SwamijiSiddhiTimesthismonthisremarkable.Itook4copiesandmailed tomyparents andbrothersThanks for your greatservice to our Hindus Swamiji Narayan, Sunnyvale, CA.SwamijiSiddhiTimesthismonthisremarkable.IhaveseenthesuprapathaminEnglishwithtranslation;Idonothavewordstoexpressmyhappiness.YouareaGod.Youarealwaysinmymemories.OmshanthiSwamijiYour ever loving, Nirupama, Sandy Springs, GA

Siddhi Times USA 37

It isnotatallboring likemanyothernewsmagazines. I lovelookingatthepicturesandallofusinourfamilyreadZodiacConnection,Gita,Spirituality,VedicAstrologyandallthestories.SwamijiSriSriSelvam,Iwouldliketocontributesomethingtothemagazine.Whatistheprocedure?”Ssini Shukla, Melbourne, FL

“DrCommanderSelvam,IcameacrossSiddhiTimeslastmonthandreadyoureditorial.Wow,youareamazingandyouhavelotsofgutstotellthetruthandIadmireyourboldnessandprinciplesofbeingcleanhearted.Iamsureyouwillcontinuetodoittobetterourcommunity.Nowonderyourdevoteesaresohappytoassociatewithyou.ItoldmyfriendShivakumar(whoisyourdevotee)tohelpmemeetwithyousometime.”Jay Singh ,Silver Springs, MD

OMSARANAM!!IamsomuchpleasedwithSwamijiSriSriSelvam”Siddhar”s(DR.COMMANDERSELVAM)AGREAT.Hecameinmylifeintheyear1999,whenIwaslivinginNJ.Ihadlotofproblemsinmyfamilylife.AssoonasImetwithhim,withhisblessings,onebyoneallmyproblemsarereduced,nowIamhavingapeacefullifewithmyfamilyinCAIwouldrecommendSwamijiSriSriSelvam”Siddhar”toanyoneintheworldtogetSpiritualsupporttosettleanyofyourproblemsinyourlifekartik sundaresan, mountain view, CA

Namaste, Ji. I lookedat thepicturesofyour temple, and themurthyarebeautifulbeautiful.ThemandirIprayathasawallwith 1008 Shivling and several enormous Shivling on the floor. It is overwhelming to be around such extreme presence ofMahesh.I’msuretobearoundyour108Shivmurthyisatleastasmuchanincredibleexperience.N Sundar, Dallas ,TX

Thanks Swamiji for sending thisamazing Siddhi Times magazinepersonally to hour home. We lovereading itandwepreserve iteverymonthinourhomelibrary.”Siraj Patel ,Houston, TX

“ToEditorofSiddhiTimes,canyouinclude more articles about Yogaand meditation? Wonderful andinformative articles. I love readingit.GoodJobSiddhiTimes!!”Suganya Madan Aurora, IL

I am the regular visitor of HinduTemple of Georgia also themember there. IhavenevercomeacrossaHolyMan likeSriSelvam Siddhar also known as Dr Commander Selvam. ThelifewhichIamleadingintheUSishisBiksha.Withouthim,I,wouldhavelostmymedicalprofessionwhensuddenlyIhadmymedicalmalpracticeLawSuit.OnlywithhisThantraRitualsallmycourtcasescametomyfavour.HeisourfamilyGod.Iwouldcertainlysaythat,goandgettheDarshanofourGreatSwamijiTomyknowledgeheisthe1stSwamijiintheUShistory,nevercalledasinglepersontogetfreemoneyordonation.Iamreallysurprised to see his Aiswarya. I shall definitely guarantee that, anyonegethisblessingswillcomeoutofanyofyourproblemsinyourlife.OnethingIforgottoadd,HeisaTopnotchAstrologerand#1inAstrologerinthewesternCountries.Hehaswrittenmore than13,000 articles aboutAstrology in theUSApaperswithinthelast12yearsinthecountry.All thebestGodBlessalsoletmySwamijiDrCommanderSelvamblessyou.&yourfamily.Nalini , Alpharetta, GA

“Ireadthestoriestomykidsallthetime.Theylovethecolorfulpictures.Mydaughterlovestheartsectionofthemagazine”Lingusamy Nandakumar Flushing, NY

Siddhi Times USA 38

’

Siddhi Times USA 39

Siddhi Times USA 40

MEDITATION- PL.SUBBIAH

Meditation & Yoga: An ancient discipline

Meditation is a process that leads to a state of consciousness that brings serenity, clarity and bliss. Without much effort, just be as an audience and

witness the mind how it acts. What are the desires that the mind is longing? What are the dreams that the mind enjoys? From the reminiscences, what is the expectation? Without giving a judgment or argument, the watching is noticed. Without coming to any conclusion about good or bad, just continue watching. In a state of watcher, the meditation in a form of witnessing is also one kind of meditation, which can be called as ‘watcher’.

Just by sitting and thinking a subject or witnessing in a state of witness, the moment when the mind observes the silence is like a sky. That experience will connect the self to the sense and nerves of one’s lift, which is exposed as a picture.

In your heart of heart i.e. in deep mind, a deep silence will occur. It is like a sky, where clouds will come and go, planets like moon will appear and disappear, stars will appear and disappear, but the sky, is stable as it is. No one can touch it or destroy it or even separate it. That is the phrase “such of inner sky”. This is the object of meditation. You have to go in and find the large sky and enjoy the expanded happiness. What ever you happen to look; you cannot be as that of what you have seen.

You can find the thoughts but you cannot become as thoughts. You can find your feelings but you cannot

become as feelings. You can see the dreams but you

will not become as dream. Likewise,

you can desire, but you

cannot be as desired. You can imagine b u t cannot be

converged as imagined.

Leaving all sorts of such

experiences, you have to step in, and one

day all of a sudden the wonderful event will occur and what all you have seen will disappear. The future and the induction will be in your vision. That is called prophet of seer. That is the vacuum sky. Through that broad sky, the fear of us will disappear. We can find and observe the love. We can see the God and get the deathlessness. Such kind of meditation comes actually and not a givable object. Meditation cannot be added to you. This can only come to you through a basic transformation.

Almost 5000 years back, even in Bhagavat Gita, the meditation is considered as a part of yoga. The vibration in life is set aside by meditation. In Vedas we find the originator of yoga is ‘Hiranyakarpana’. The divine Brahma is the creation of Hiranyakarpana. He has established a religion called ‘Yoga Smiruthi’. Saint Pathanjali has done it as theories with the experimental processes like Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Prathyakara, Tharanai, Thiana and Samathi. Likewise, the eight steps are defined as yoga. Many people think that the third step of the art of yoga (Asana) when read the yoga comes to an end. This is totally wrong.

Controlling the actions and controlling the mind are not at all possible for anyone all of a sudden. The human body is practiced to involve in ambitions, desires and passions. This state derives to enjoy the earthly pleasure and settle with worries. So, the human body is the main one to be trained. That is why the “Asana” (physical exercise) becomes important.

The Saint Pathanjali, in his writings gives the theory “Stability (Sthira), Happiness (Sugan) and exercise (Asana)”, gives the meaning that the happiness and the stability lie in Asana. The neck, the head, and back, these three to be steady in a straight line and projected perfectly. This posture is most important in Yogasana.

What is called “Yoga”? The scattered mind to be controlled and focused to a perfection that is “Yoga”. It is said in 4 stages, which are:

1. Scattered stage.2. Brisklessness stage.3. Confused stage.4. Bringing to perfection-stage.

In all of the above, the essential one is the important stage of, united aims to be in perfection. Saint Pathanjali confers “Siddha Viruthi Nirothi Yoga”. This means the knowledge of developed thoughts and its unification. ‘Vidya’ is Sanskrit language and it’s meaning is ‘Art’.

Part- 2

Vastly studied some time wastely burried because the moto was not inclined to get appreciation.- Sri Selvam “Siddhar”

Siddhi Times USA 41

From that art,1. To frame the body (Asana-Art)2. To frame the mind (Prathyakara)3. To frame the thoughts (Thiyuna-art)4. The physique, mind, knowledge and all together to be brought to a stage and find the soul is called “Samathi”.

Let it be any religion or any caste, let it be a male or female, which prevails makes no difference. Whether young or old, no such restrictions apply. Every one can do the ‘Thiyana’. Involving yourself you can become Gnani (A person with wisdom).

The physique should have the best health and purity. The “Asana” is the first step where one should keep the body parts clean from his stomach to mouth, also, from the lower portions of stomach and abdomen. By following this habit, the diseases like piles, appendices, hernia, hydrosol, and stomachache will be cured.

As we are active, through out the day, the cheeks, stomach, hands, legs, and their flushes are drawn towards earth. To balance this out, at least for a few minutes of the day, let us try to focus our body to be upwards. It will give lot of comfort to body. To do this the practice in “asana” is most important.

The mind based on thoughts where the sickness commences and that are why the feelings got the elaborative and results in blood pressure. To avoid all these, one should practice to do ‘asana’.

Padmasana, Sarnanga Asana, Bujan Asana, Yogamudra and Mayura are few of many kinds.

Yama explains1.Ahimsa (No harm to living being)2. Truth (Not telling lies-speaking the facts only)3.Thief tendency (Stealing others property)4. Deathlessness (Immortality)5.Controling the senses (Control of sex desire and its ejaculations)

After practicing all these things the next formalities are to be followed.

1. Purity (Clean, sacred, and faultless)2.Penance (Constant worship forgetting the atmosphere and surroundings)3. Theoretical study.4. Happiness in equalized state. 5. Worship to lord.

The above formulas should be stabilized and the asana (posture) should be commenced and the yoga will be regulated. Without the regularity, the art of yoga cannot be materialized in this birth. So many of the have been exploited.

When you happen to do this, you are also recognized as persons with wisdom like Sri Shankara, Sir Ramanuja, Sri Viswamithra and Sri Vasista. If the yoga is followed, so many benefits and aims can be achieved.

Siddhi Times USA 42

Siddhi Times USA 43

Siddhi Times USA 44

Information travels fast, but ideas often move slowly. The assimilation of information leads to knowledge, which may help you win a job or even a career.

But knowledge is not to be confused with education. In the name of education, mushrooming institutions offer job-oriented courses.

Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested all your life,’’ said Swami Vivekananda.

“We must have life-building, man-making, character-making, assimilation of ideas. If you have assimilated five ideas and made them your life and character, you have more education than any man who has got by heart a whole library.’’

Information spread depends on technology, which is at the mercy of obsolescence. Therefore, there is a constant need to update one’s knowledge in any sphere of specialisation. But ideas, travelling slowly, take root. Consider this great idea from Joseph Mazzini’s `The Duties Of Man’.

He writes ``My voice may sound too harsh, and I may too severely insist on proclaiming the necessity of virtue and sacrifice; but I know, and you too-untainted by false doctrines and unspoiled by wealth-will soon know also that the sole origin of every Right is in a Duty fulfilled.’’

In a chapter on education, Mazzini writes ``Present directors of education imagine that they have fulfilled their duties towards you when they have opened a certain number of schools-where in your children may receive a certain degree of elementary instruction,

consisting principally of reading, writing and arithmetic.’’ Mazzini points out that this is merely instruction and not education. However, he says that both are necessary.

``Education addresses itself to the moral faculties; instruction to the intellectual. The first develops in man the knowledge of his duties; the second gives him the capacity of achieving them.’’

Information and ideas may not be directly linked. The role of education in the digital age is to make them compatible. No information overload, but ideas that can take the reins.

Mr. Nirmaldasan

To be kind is good, but there should be a check to access the worthiness. - Sri Selvam “Siddhar”

Siddhi Times USA 46

For many years Dr. Graham Howe has been a student of Hindu

philosophy, and it may well be true, to quote from the foreword,

that “ he knows more about this field than

anyone in this country.” His special interest has been in chakra (in San-

skrit “ a circle “) psychology, a form of teaching which reaches

back into the dim past of Hindu thought. There are six chakras-4hat

is, symbols or centres of physical and psychological energy located at

different levels of the body, such as the diaphragm, the heart, the head.

A transition from a lower to a hig er centre indicates the gradation from

gross matter to psychical reality.

Howe, wisely, does not attempt the almost impossible task of condens-

ing Eastern wisdom. His more modest intention is to show how some

of the principles on which it is founded may be used in psychotherapy,

with special reference to psychosomatic medicine. Unfortunately the

refinement of Hindu concepts cannot always be expressed in words and

so CAPITALS and small letters are introduced to distinguish shades of

meaning which the’same words, making the same sound, cannot dif-

ferentiate. Thus SELFLOVE and self-love are not identical. In addi-

tion certain ideas are represented by graphic signs or ideograms and

by diagrams.

This supplement to plain words does not make matters easier for those

who find that diagrams complicate rather than simplify thought. How-

ever, any aids are welcome in trying to comprehend Eastern ideas from

the standpoint of the West. To judge from their publications, Indian

psychiatrists value Western knowledge and attach little or no impor-

tance to chakra psychology. Perhaps

Graham Howe’s thoughtful books may direct their attention to a ne-

glected source of wisdom, from which, indeed, all psychiatrists

can learn.

The soil is wet -How for it could be? When heat comes it is tried. Time factor is there for every thing. - Sri Selvam Siddhar

Siddhi Times USA 47

Siddhi Times USA 48

As s o c i a t e yourself and your family as a Volunteer, Member,

and Trustee of Hindu Temple of Georgia, the 1st and only temple in the world with 108 Shivji (Not Shivlinga or dances of Shiva).Your time and efforts will make a difference in the temple and in yourself !!

Thoughts from the growing list of volunteers of YOUR temple, Hindu Temple of Georgia, located in the most convenient, central location of Norcross, GA …

“I believe this is the only Hindu Temple with absolutely no group fights, group politics, egos and jealousy. I love volunteering myself along with my family every week. The standards are set very high. Nobody imposes any kinds of fees to be Trustee or a Member. However, people who fame for creating politics will not be engaged” - Madhu Manikandan

“I like the concept of oneness in this temple. There is no differentiation of South, North, Jain, Gujarati, Punjabi, Bengali etc.. I love making new friends and we have lot of fun together. In my opinion, this is the best Hindu temple in the nation”- Anu venkatraman

“It is amazing that this temple has the highest servicing Hindu Priests in the American Hindu Temple History. Pundits never take even single penny for their personal use from anyone. Best Service and happy people around all the time. Everybody is welcome here. This is the only Hindu Temple in USA to operate 24/7 to help the devotees all across the world.”- Rangachari

“This temple brings a feeling of satisfaction and inner peace in me. This is the only Hindu Temple to celebrate Shiv Pradosh every month with Kanakabishekam, where the devotees are allowed to bath Shivji with pure 24 CT Gold. Also, the biggest Maragatha Lingam is very unique to this temple. Come and join us for this noble task.” - Rohini Mohan

For details about the activities and procedure, CALL today!Chandra @ 678 - 234 - 7182 Viswanatahn @ 678 - 232 - 5999 Hindu Temple of Georgia, 5900 Brook hollow Parkway, Norcross; GA-30071

Tel: Toll Free@ 1-800-574-3427 / 1-888-232-1818 or Tel @ 770 447 9393 / Fax: 770 447 9392web: - www.108shiva.com; E- mail:-avtemple@aol.com

Temple Volunteer Opportunity“Manava Seva Is Madhava Seva”(Service to Humanity is Service to GOD)

Siddhi Times USA 50

Al-Kabir “the Great” is also one of the 99 names of God in Islam. Born in 1398

according to some accounts, Al-Kabir was one of the most interesting personalities in the history of Indian mysticism. Born in or near Benares, there is a mystery about his family background.

However, in early life he became a disciple of the celebrated Hindu ascetic, Ramananda, who brought to Northern India the religious revival which Ramanuja, the great twelfth-century reformer of Hinduism had initiated in the South. A Bhakti saint, a contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev, who sang the ideals of seeing all of humanity as one, and also the path of natural

oneness with God; some even believe him to be the preceptor of Guru Nanak. His Baani is registered in the holy book of Sikhs Guru Granth Sahib. He was known to be a weaver and later became famed for scorning religious affiliation. His philosophies and ideas of loving devotion to God are expressed in metaphor and language

from both the Hindu Vedanta and Bhakti streams using vernacular Hindi. Kabir is also considered one of the early northern India Sants. He was initiated by Ramananda.

Kabir is associated with the Sant Mat, a loosely related group of teachers (Sanskrit: Guru) that assumed

prominence in the northern part of the I n d i a n sub-cont inent f r o m

about the 1 3 t h

century. Their teachings are distinguished theologically by inward loving devotion to a divine principle, and socially by egalitarianism opposed to the qualitative distinctions of the Hindu caste hierarchy and to the religious differences between Hindu and Muslim. The Sants were not homogeneous, consisting mostly of these Sants’ presentation of socio-religious attitudes based on bhakti (devotion) as described a thousand years earlier in the Bhagavad Gita. Sharing as few conventions with each other as with the followers of the traditions they challenged, the Sants appear more as a diverse collection of spiritual personalities than a specific religious tradition, although they acknowledged a common spiritual root.

The first generation of north Indian Sants, (which included Kabir), appeared in the region of Benares in the mid 15th century. Preceding them were two notable 13th and 14th century figures, Namdev and Ramananda. The latter, a Vaishnava ascetic, initiated Kabir, Raidas, and other Sants, according to tradition. Ramanand’s story is told differently by his lineage of “Ramanandi” monks, by other Sants preceding him, and later by the Sikhs. What is known is that Ramananda accepted students of all castes, a fact that was contested by the orthodox Hindus of that time, and that his students formed the first generation of Sants.

Philosophies of Kabirdas

The basic religious principles he espouses are simple. According to Kabir, all life is interplay of two spiritual principles. One is the personal soul (Jivatma) and the other is God (Paramatma). It is K a b i r ’s view that salvation is the process of

bringing into union these two divine principles. The social and practical manifestation of Kabir’s philosophy has

rung through the ages. It represented a synthesis of Hindu and Muslim concepts. From Hinduism he accepts the concept of reincarnation and the law of Karma.

A Great Islam Saint

‘Hope’ of course it is nature which should not mix with greedy and jehousy.“God is not without sins: He created the world.” - Sri Selvam “Siddhar”

Siddhi Times USA 51

From Islam he takes the affirmation of the single god and the rejection of caste system and idolatry. Not only has Kabir influenced Muslims and Hindus but he is one of the major inspirations behind Sikhism as well.

His greatest work is the Bijak (that is, the Seedling), an idea of the fundamental one. This collection of poems demonstrates Kabir’s own universal view of spirituality. His vocabulary is replete with ideas regarding Brahman and Hindu ideas of karma and reincarnation. His Hindi was a very vernacular, straightforward kind, much like his philosophies. He often advocated leaving aside the Qur’an and Vedas and to simply follow Shahaj path, or the Simple/Natural Way to oneness in God. He believed in the Vedantic concepts of atman and therefore spurned the orthodox Hindu societal caste system and worship of statues, thus showing clear belief in both bhakti and sufi ideas. The major part of Kabir’s work as a Bhagat was collected by the fifth Sikh guru, Guru Arjun Dev, and forms a section of the holy Sikh scripture “Guru Granth Sahib”. According to legendary accounts Kabir and Guru Nanak had met once. While many ideas reign as to who his living influences were, the only Guru of whom he ever spoke was Ramananda, a Vaishnav saint whom Kabir claimed to have taken initiation from in the form of the “Rama” mantra.

Kabir’s Poetry

“The poetry of mysticism might be defined on the one hand as a temperamental reaction to the vision of Reality: on the other, as a form of prophecy. As it is the special vocation of the mystical consciousness to mediate between two orders, going out in loving adoration towards God and coming home to tell the secrets of Eternity to other men; so the artistic self-expression of this consciousness has also a double character. It is love-poetry, but love-poetry which is often written with a

missionary intention. Kabîr’s songs are of this kind: out-births at once of rapture and of charity. Written in the popular Hindi, not in the literary tongue, they were deliberately addressed—like the vernacular poetry of Jacopone da Todì and Richard Rolle—to the people rather than to the professionally religious class; and all must be struck by the constant employment in them of imagery drawn from the common life, the universal experience. It is by the simplest metaphors, by constant appeals to needs, passions, relations which all men understand--the bridegroom and bride, the guru and disciple, the pilgrim, the farmer, the migrant bird--that he drives home his intense conviction of the reality of the soul’s intercourse with the Transcendent. There are in his universe no fences between the “natural” and “supernatural” worlds; everything is a part of the creative Play of God, and therefore--even in its humblest details—capable of revealing the Player’s mind.”

His poems resonate with praise for the true guru who reveals the divine through direct experience, and denounced more usual ways of attempting god-union such as chanting, austerities etc. His verses, which being illiterate he never expressed in writing, often began with some strongly worded insult to get the attention of passers-by. Kabir has enjoyed a revival of popularity over the past half century as arguably the most acceptable and understandable of the Indian Saints, with an especial influence over spiritual traditions such as that of Sant Mat and Radha Soami. Prem Rawat (‘Maharaji’) also refers frequently to Kabir’s songs and poems as the embodiment of deep wisdom.

O SERVANT, where dost thou seek Me?Lo! I am beside thee. I am neither in temple nor in mosque:I am neither in Kaaba nor in Kailash:Neither am I in rites and ceremonies, nor in Yoga and renunciation.If thou art a true seeker, thou shalt at once see Me:thou shalt meet Me in a moment of time.Kabîr says, “O Sadhu! God is the breath of all breath”

Are you looking for me? I am in the next seat. My shoulder is against yours.You will not find me in the stupas, not in Indian shrine rooms, nor in synagogues,nor in cathedrals: not in masses, nor kirtans, not in legs winding around your own neck, nor in eating nothing but vegetables.When you really look for me, you will see me instantly You will find me in the tiniest house of time.Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is God? He is the breath inside the breath.

Religious Affinity

It is a fruitless endeavor, indeed one that Kabir himself disliked, to classify him as Hindu or Muslim, Sufi or Bhakta. The legends surrounding his lifetime attest to his strong aversion to established religions.

From his poems, expressed in homely metaphors and religious

Siddhi Times USA 52

symbols drawn indifferently from Hindu and Mohammedan belief, it is impossible to say of their author that he was Brâhman or Sûfî, Vedântist or Vaishnavite. He is, as he says himself, “at once the child of Allah and of Râm. In fact, Kabir always insisted on the concept of Koi bole Ram Ram Koi Khudai..., which means that someone may chant the Hindu name of God and someone may chant the Muslim name of God, but God is the one who made the whole world.

In Kabir’s wide and rapturous vision of the universe he never loses touch with the common life. His feet are firmly planted upon earth; his lofty and passionate apprehensions are perpetually controlled by the activity of a sane and vigorous intellect, by the alert commonsense so often found in persons of real mystical genius. The constant insistence on simplicity and directness, the hatred of all abstractions and philosophizing, the ruthless criticism of external religion: these are amongst his most marked characteristics. God is the Root whence all manifestations, “material” and “spiritual,” alike proceed; and God is the only need of man--”happiness shall be yours when you come to the Root.” Hence to those who keep their eye on the “one thing needful,” denominations, creeds, ceremonies, the conclusions of philosophy, the disciplines of asceticism, are matters of comparative indifference.

They represent merely the different angles from which the soul may approach that simple union with Brahma which is its goal; and are useful only insofar as they contribute to this consummation. So thorough-going is Kabîr’s eclecticism that he seems by turns Vedântist and Vaishnavite, Pantheist and Transcendentalist, Brahmin and Sûfî. In the effort to tell the truth about that ineffable apprehension, so vast and yet so near, which controls his life, he seizes and twines together--

as he might have woven together contrasting threads upon his loom—symbols and ideas drawn from the most violent and conflicting philosophies and faiths.

His birth and death are surrounded by legends. He grew up in a Muslim weaver family, but some say he was really son of a Brahmin widow who was adopted by a childless couple. When he died, his Hindu and Muslim followers started fighting about the last rites. In Maghar, his tomb or Dargah and Samadhi Mandir still stand side by side. Another legend surrounding Kabir is that shortly before death he bathed in both the river Ganges and Karmnasha to wash away both his good deeds and his sins.

One popular legend of his death, which is even taught in schools in India (although in more of a moral context than a historical one), says that after his death his Muslim and Hindu devotees were fighting over his proper burial rites. The problem arose, as Muslim customs called for the burial of their dead, whereas Hindus cremated their dead.

The scene is depicted as two groups fighting around his coffin one claiming that Kabir was a Hindu, and the other claiming that Kabir was a Muslim. However when they finally open Kabir’s coffin, they find the body is missing, in lieu of which is placed a small book in which the Hindus and Muslims wrote all his sayings that they could remember some even say a bunch of his favorite flowers were placed. The legend goes on to state that the fighting was resolved, and both groups looked upon the miracle as an act of divine intervention. Kabir is revered as Satguru by the Kabirpanthi spiritual group, based in Maghar.

Siddhi Times USA 53

Siddhi Times USA 54

Indian Celebrity

Bobby Patel’s Son’s

Marriage

Siddhi Times USA 55

Siddhi Times USA 56

Siddhi Times USA 57

Sri Selvam “Siddhar”

I n the last issues I discussed about

various problems faced by all. In

this issue I wish to discuss about

the sexual problems. Certain works in

the world needs only physical strength.

For example lifting a weight. Certain

works need only mental strength only.

For example working with a computer.

It needs only mental power and there is

no need for physical strength. But only

sex is the work, which needs mental

and physical strength. As according to

Atharva Veda the planet Venus, which

is called as Sukran, is the in charge of

enjoyments. A lot of people suffer due to this and they

go to a sexologist for their health check

up. They undergo a lot of medication

but the result will be nothing. The

planet Venus, if he is in his own house

individually in one’s horoscope it is

very sure that the person will have a

satisfied sexual life. If the plant Venus

is in his full power(uccham) it is very

sure that the person will wander for

more and more sex. If the planet Venus

is powerless in a male’s horoscope he

will have the problem of premature

ejaculation. If the planet Venus is

powerless in a female’s horoscope she

will wander for having sex with more

than one man. If the planet Venus is

seated along with the Planet Moon

in on female’s horoscope it is very

sure that she will have more than one

partner for sex. If the planet Venus is

seated with the planet Mars in a male’s

horoscope it is very sure that he will be

a homosexual personality. If the planet

Jupiter is seated with the planet Venus,

in one’s horoscope, he/she will have

no interest towards sex. The aforesaid

are only examples. There are a lot of

things to analyze regarding one’s sexual

life and how much enjoyment one will

have in the life. The transit of major

planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Raaghu and

Kethu also play a role in deciding the

capacities of an individual. The planets

are the only authorities to decide on the

life of an individual. There is a vast

different between the regular astrology

and Vedic astrology. According to the regular astrology only

the planetary position of an individual

is analyzed. But in Vedic astrology

the Karma, is also being analyzed.

Especially Atharva Veda deals a lot in

all of these aspects. Our ancestors were

intellectual giants. They have foreseen

what will happen in future and how to

come out of those troubles. It will be the

best to consult an Atharva Veda scholar

before taking any important decisions.

Only by taking the consultation and

adopting the procedures advised by

the Vedic scholar anybody can come

out of their problems very easily. The

procedures may be tough at times to

adopt but having in mind to get out

of the problems one should adopt the

procedures as prescribed by the Vedic

scholar. We all consult the doctor to

come out of our physical ailments

and we take the medications as per

the advice of the doctor. Like that

we should undergo the prescribed

procedures prescribed by the Vedic

scholar to have a beautiful life.

Siddhi Times USA 58

The next thing I wish to discuss is about the

problems of money related aspects such as

bankruptcy. It is very hard for one to become

great in life. One can come up only according

to the planets’ position and very hard works.

But it is very easy to become bankrupt

overnight. The planets decide our fate in all

aspects. According to the Atharva Veda the

2nd place, that is called as “dhana sthaanam”

for money, the 11th place that is called as

“laabha sthaanam” and the 12th place, “viraya

sthaanam” for the losses. The planets, which

are the owner of the aforesaid houses, are to

be analyzed for one’s well being in the field

of finance. If the planet, which is the owner

of the 2nd place is very strong one will earn a

good lot of money out of his hard work. If the

planet, which is the owner of the 11th place

is very strong in one’s horoscope it is very

sure that he or she will earn a lot in lotto or

speculations. If the planet, which is the owner

of 2nd place or 11th place is in his enemy’s

house the result will be the straight opposite.

This will result in the sudden down fall of

a person. The transit of the major planets

Jupiter, Saturn, Raaghu and Kethu also play

a major role in deciding one’s monetary and

economical strength. The king of the planets

is Sun. If he is the owner of the 2nd place of

one’s horoscope and he is in his full power it

is very sure that the person will earn a good

lot of money from the government sources

such as contracts. If the planet Sun is in

his enemy’s house or focused by the vision

of an enemy planet it is very sure that the

person will be put in jail for money related

problems. If the planet Sun, being the owner

of the 2nd house, if seated it 12th house he

will lose money by government sources. The

aforesaid is just an example. As such al the

nine planets will play their role in deciding

one’s financial conditions. By the vision of

good planets like Jupiter, Venus and Mercury

to the ascendant or the 2nd place one can

maintain a standard financial position. By the

vision of medium planets like Moon and the

Mars, to ascendant or 2nd place one will have

a fluctuating financial position. By the vision

of evil planets like Saturn, Raaghu and Kethu

to the ascendant or the 2nd place the financial

position will be worst. The main reason for

the bankruptcy is the position of planets.

The variation in the dasa bhukthis and the

transit of the major planets like Jupiter will

also decide one’s financial condition. Only

an Atharva Veda scholar can calculate this. By

having consultation from a learned Atharva

Vedic scholar and adopting the rituals as

prescribed him we can come out of all the

problems very easily.

Siddhi Times USA 59

Anandan Sivamani, an Indian percussionist, was born in 1959 Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. This artist is commonly known to the world as Sivamani. He plays

many instruments which include mridangam, tabla, maddalam, kanjira, drum and odukku. Sivamani first laid his fingers on the drum at the age of seven and then began his music career at the age of eleven. One of his noteworthy performances was with Zakir Hussein at a fusion concert in Mumbai. He has performed at many tours with A,R, Rahman, which includes Bombay Dreams. Sivamani has given outstanding performances on drums for numerous Bollywood films, which include Rang De Basanti, Taal, Roja, Lagaan, Dil Se, Guru, and Kabul Express. Many know Sivamani for his remarkable contribution in the famous tune, Chaiya Chaiya. Sivamani’s albums are Kaash, Golden Krithis, and Drums On Fire. He has given remarkable performances in many cities across the globe, including Dubai, Moscow, New York, Toronto, and Washington D.C. It was here in Washington D.C., at the last A.R. Rahman concert, where Sivamani stole the hearts of thousands. This concert’s promoter was Vijay Taneja of Financial Mortgage Inc. and Re/Max Summit. I, Mandira Nandani Mehra, had a chance to sit down with Sivamani and have the following conversation:

Mandira Nandani (MN): Hello, welcome to Chitrmala. You were absolutely phenomenal out there on stage. Congratulations! How do you feel?

Sivamani (SM): Hello Mandira and everybody. This is a gift that I got from God that I am just sharing with everyone through A.R. Rahman. Every concert has some magic on stage with A.R. Rahman. Every concert has been nice and I love to rock on stage. I love to play!

MN: I myself am a musician but not a drummer, so I have to ask you: your set of drums on stage is simply crazy! Tell me the key components of the set.

SM: My set is unique, it’s simply global. I collect wherever I go. For example, Africa, China, India – I just collect lots of percussion. Whenever I close my eyes I feel global. If I want to feel like I’m in Africa, I close my eyes and turn to the instrument from there. The framework for the set is custom made and was the gong drums were specially designed for this tour. I am the first Indian to use these drums, designed by Remo – whom I have to thank. I love my instruments and I love to talk to them. It is just like Alankaar, a god decorated with jewels. When I close my eyes I can talk to my instruments as if I were talking to God.

Mandira Nandani’s interview with Anandan Sivamani

Nandani’s News

Interaction with stars on Earth

To be continued page no : 67

Siddhi Times USA 60

Siddhi Times USA 61

Sankatahara Chaturthi August 2nd 2007

Mr. Mit Sr, Mr .Tracy Perry & Mr.Brooks

Siddhi Times USA 62Siddhi Times USA 62

Pradosham August 10th 2007

Siddhi Times USA 63

Community Night August 19th 2007

Shailesh Bhai Patel family & Sainathan FamilyDoing Special Abishekam

Siddhi Times USA 64

August 19, 2007

A Grand Night of knowledge sharing, thought provoking discussions, cultural events, games, fun & yummy

food…

The Hindu Temple of Georgia organized its 6th monthly community night in the temple’s grand auditorium. It was held on August 19, 2007 from 5 to 8 pm. It was a grand evening for the community to get together, share their thoughts and ideas, show their talents, and have fun as one community in spite of their multiple cultural backgrounds.

The Evening began with an arthi for Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi Devi. After receiving the blessings from the Lord, the community night started with the Open Discussion on “Spirituality - How it helps everyone to be more effective in day to day life”. The panel members were Sri Selvam Siddhar “Swamiji”, Mr. Hiresh Patel, Mr. Thakor Patel, Mr. Mani Subramanian and Mr. Chandra Mohan Loganathan. Mr. Mani Subramanian introduced the topic of discussion in the beginning followed by the panelist’s speeches with interactive audience participation.

The key points of discussion included the following:

n Leading Vedic principles centered life; helps attain the balance of body, mind, and intellect to maximize the inner energy flow to be effective in everything we do in day to day life.

n Hiresh Patel shared some of the teachings of the Gnani-

purush, Ambalal Patel, who is called as “Dadashri” by his followers. He stressed the importance of ridding oneself off of ego. He talked about egoless state, selfless soul, and total surrender to the Lord, unity of body, mind and speech, and the importance of the virtues of humility and patience.

n Human attempts to describe God as “satyam - truth”, “anbe shivam – love is God”, “consciousness”, “all wisdom and knowledge”, “all energy”, “sundaram - beauty”, as well as God is within each of us were discussed.

n Lord Sri Ramachandraji was recognized as the highest role model of principle centered spiritual living.

n Chandra Mohan briefly discussed about spiritual enlightenment and spiritually enlightened community who are people from all walks of life such as doctors, engineers, scientists, business professionals, home makers, students, IT professionals etc. He added to say that all religions converge at

Hindu Temple of Georgia

th

Siddhi Times USA 65

one point and can take you only up to that point. Beyond that, you have to go alone all the way to understand the secret of creation or know the creator (whom you can call as God). He also emphasized that to know beyond what we already know, it not enough just to rely on our five sense organs (eye, nose, mouth, ear, skin) but at least attempt to get the sixth sense (it’s more of intuitive nature rather than logical reasoning). The first step in that process is to bring your body, mind, energy and emotions at the same level through daily and consistent practice of sadhanas (yoga, meditations etc.). It is also 100% possible for every human being to know the unknown. But the unfortunate fact is more than 95% of world’s population are not even aware of that or even if they are aware, not attempting to take the spiritual path.

When the question was asked about how to teach such values to the children, it was summarized as a few basic steps

n Caring - taking genuine interest in the children

n Learning - what their interests are and what they will enjoy as their life pursuit; what their dreams are.

n Appreciating - all the things they do well / respecting them for all of their positive accomplishments.

n Contributing - Adding value to their efforts.

n Verbalizing - Affirm them and make them feel good about themselves. Praise their strengths and sincerely compliment them at every opportunity.

n Leading - after the 5 above, you will be able to lead them to success in their chosen pursuit of life.

n Winning - Win with your children in the principle centered Vedic way of life.

Most importantly, be a role model to your kids. You as parents are always their first teachers and never forget that. Your attitude towards anything directly reflects on them as well. So, be positive and be optimistic. Also, please keep in mind that you are raising adults not kids. Until the age of 17 or 18 they are with you all the time, but what matters is after they leave you and face the outside world without you – how they take it or react to it?

Following the Open Discussion event, the entertainment segment of the community night started with Mrs. Kalyani Ravi’s Bhajan songs. The Bala Vihar children namely Arti, Vishal, Shilpa, and Abhirami sang a group devotional song as the following item. Next, Abhiramii sang a Tamil Song, “Puthiyathor Ulagam Seivom” from the new Tamil movie “Elakkanam”, lyrics by great poet Bharathidasan. Ajay Sai Nathan, a Pre-K student recited Aathichudi written by great poetess Avvaiyaar. Sabarish Sainathan played “Song for a Scarecrow” and “Journey by a Camel” on the Key-Board. Following it, Arvind Ravi played a Tamil Film Song, “Ennai Konjam” from Tamil movie “Kaakka Kaakka” and a Hindi film song, “Dhoom Machale” from movie “Dhoom”. Following that, Mr. Chandra Mohan Loganathan rocked the stage by singing the “Thiruvilaiyadal” Tamil film song from 1960’s, “Onraanavan…” - a song in praise of Lord Shiva, sequencing from 1 to 10; lyrics written by great lyricist Kannadasan and the song sung by great legend K. B. Sundarambal in the movie.

The fun filled sports event followed the entertainment segment of the evening program. The kids and adults played musical chair and passing the ball games. In the end, the potluck dinner with several delicious dishes were served in the buffet manner.

The success of the community night is a joint effort of many volunteers and the temple staffs. Special thanks go to all the volunteers and all the attendees for making the 6th community night a grand success. All the attendees thanked Swamiji for sponsoring such a great event for the community.

Pictures of this event can be seen at temple website URL: ht tp://www.hindutempleofgeorgia.org /Community _%20Night_%20August 19,2007.html. Readers are also encouraged to attend the next Community Night event with family and friends. Please visit the website http://www.hindutempleofgeorgia.org/ for the next community night schedule.

- Compiled by

- Mani Subramanian

- Sainathan Sivasubramanian

- CM Loganathan

“Patience is the most beautiful prayer.” - Sri Selvam Siddhar

Siddhi Times USA 66

Siddhi Times USA 67

MN: Earlier on when I spoken to A.R. Rahman ji and Hari Haran ji they explained that they allot time each day for riaz. As a drummer, what do you do to warm up? What is your riaz?

SM: Whoever wants to be a musician has to practice. I used to practice six to eight hours a day. Whether I am in an aircraft or in a car, I practice. Whoever wants to practice the drums needs to follow the beat or the music, whether it’s the radio or the television. You can’t play against the beat, you have to follow the pulse. Actually, my first drum beat was my mother’s heart beat. I follow three gurus of which my father is the first one. I never forget Ustad Zakir Hussein as my inspiration.

MN: For every song you are the pulse. As in Hinduism, Natraja holds the drum – that’s the heartbeat.

SM: In every concert, I think that Lord Shiva is dancing there. He gives me the energy – through me I can feel the energy that goes to everybody. That’s the trance.

MN: In the concert they gave you fifteen or twenty minutes of time as a solo artist. During that time, what’s going on in here (points to heart and mind)? What are you thinking with your eyes closed?

SM: I don’t know what happens on stage – it’s some kind of magic. I can’t think of anything else except matching with the pulse. I don’t want to disturb it. In India I have done solo concerts up to two hours. I basically meditate through my concerts.

MN: When was the first time in your life that you knew that this was what you were going to do?

SM: That’s a good question. I remember the moment – I was at IIT. I was doing the first fusion show with Gayatri Vena. I am crazy about my guru and the audience started shouting his name. After the concert my father was crying and holding me. I asked him why he was crying. He told me that I was given a gift and I am realizing the dream. I knew at that moment and his blessings are always there even though he is no longer with me.

MN: Sorry to hear that, but he’s always with you, in and through your music. I know that we’re running out of time, but do you have any message for any music lovers either in Washington D.C. or throughout the nation?

SM: Namaste, A Salaam Walekum to everybody in Washington D.C. I always love to come and perform here. Please take care of your ego, share with everybody, love one another, and keep peace.

MN: Thank you for sharing your precious moments with us. Once again, my hats off to you on your superb performance.

SM: Thank you for the interview Mandira. You should continue to be a musician and keep on rocking!

-Mandira Nandani

Continued from page no :59

Siddhi Times USA 68

MESHAM (ARIES)[Ashwini, Bharani and Karthigai (Part 1)]

The position of Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Ketu indicates that you are having happy life now. As your bank balance increases, financially the second part of the month will be significantly well. Some of you will carry through your gift of the gab. Overall, you will enjoy a good health and you may overcome some minor problems in the first part of the month. As Jupiter aspects to Mars

and Venus, agriculture lands will give increased produce. Regarding career, this is a period to hope for a position with power. For students, your intelligence will be sharpened and you will study very seriously and conscientiously.

Ashwini natives should eschew extravagance. Bharani born natives will get the help of their brothers in times of need. Some of the Karthigai (1) Natives will be blessed with a government job. Visit the temple of Dakshina Moorthy and worship Lord Guru.

HOW IS SEPTEMBER 2007 FOR YOU

These forecasts are based on ‘Janma Rasi’ (birth sign), which is the sign occupied by the Moon when you are born. These predictions are based upon a clear interpretation of movements of transition of planets.

Siddhi Times USA 69

uhá gy‹fŸ

Rasi Reding

September 2007

Sponsored byParuchuri Gopalakrishna Garu

RISHABAM (TAURUS)[Karthigai (Part 2, 3, 4), Rohini, Mirugasheeram(Part 1,2)

The position of the planets in their respective houses indicates that you should take good care of your health during this month and be extra cautious while driving. Not a favorable period for real estate related matters. At work, allocate your duties and responsibilities to your sub-ordinates appropriately, as this will make improvements in your organization’s growth. Avoid any misunderstanding with your spouse and children. Some of you will

be immensely happy on the arrival of a new baby in the family. There could be some obstacles in the matter of sensual enjoyment. Try to solve bilateral problems mutually and avoid any litigation. Karthigai (2, 3, and 4) Natives are advised to visit Shiva temple on Mondays. Rohini natives should not part with their secrets to strangers. Mirugasheeram (1, 2) natives should avoid going to crowded places to avoid any eye related issues.

Visit Sani (Saturn) Temple on Saturdays and feed crows. Pray to Lord Hanuman and recite Hanumam Chaleesa daily.

MIDUNA (GEMINI)[Mirugasheeram (Part 3, 4), Thiruvathirai, Punarpoosam(Part 1,2,3)]

You will be immensely pleased with the financial flow this month. You may have to take extra precaution in health and be cautious with the diseases related to blood impurities, bile or heat during the second part of the month. Agriculture lands will give you increased yields. This is not a favorable period for any real-estate deals. Your ability to work will increase. Happiness will be in abundance as your enemies will be challenged. You will enjoy good food

and avoid any harsh words with your wife and children.

Traveling is favorable and you will gain respect in your society. Be polite while talking to your siblings. Mirugasheeram (3, 4) natives can leave a sign of relief as a long standing problem will get solved. Thiruvathirai natives should keep off from games of chance. Punarpoosam (1,2,3) Natives will get a chance to go abroad for higher studies.

Pray to Lord Shiva / Dakshina Moorthy and recite Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam.

Siddhi Times USA 70

KADAGAM (CANCER)[Punarpoosam (Part 4), Poosam, Ayilyam]

The position of planets designate that, speculation when done prudently will be favorable to you. Charity work will dominate your expenses column. Export related businesses may be favorable. The natives will feel healthier and it’s advisable to consume Satvik food which helps the mind to keep cool. In real estate matters, first part of the month is favorable for making addition to your landed property. But you should take care of your agriculture produce.

Regards to career, you will be able to complete difficult tasks due to your hard work and some of you will get a commanding position. For students, intelligence will get sharpened

and you will attain success in your efforts. Creative ideas will sparkle in your brain. In personal matters, the planets above will confer on you all kinds of enjoyment. As always, beware of cheats. Long standing problems will get solved in the second fort night. For some of you, wedding bells will ring and foreign travel will be helpful. Health of your wife needs care. Some women natives of the childless will adopt a child.

Punarpoosam (4) born natives will get married. Poosam natives should scrutinize the documents very cautiously if they propose to make any deals. Ayilyam born natives will consider buying a housePray Lord of Saturn and Lord Karthikeya. Give alms to the poor and the needy. Recite Hanumam Chaleesa daily.

SIMHAM (LEO)[Magam, Pooram, Uttiram (Part 1)]

The positions of the planet in their respective houses indicate that financially this month may not pose any problem. A part of your expenditure will be on various kinds of entertainment. Some of you will buy a vehicle. During the first fortnight drive carefully as exhaustion may trouble you. During the 2nd fort night avoid crowded places and safeguard your health. In real estate matters, second fortnight will be favorable for land and property transactions and some of you will be lucky to get a good house.

In career matters, some of you will be blessed with an advisory job. Those who are in service should obey the orders of their superiors. For students, you will do well in your examinations and come out successful with flying colors. Some of you may consider learning an art or more

so music. In personal matters, you will be blessed with domestic happiness and some of you may be blessed with a baby. Avoid misunderstandings with your near and dear. Take care of your health and you may go on a tire some journey, with enemies around. You may be forced to take up a change of place. But do not sign any surety yet. For women, your husband will leave no stone unturned to make you happy.

Magam natives will be happy as they will agree to what their children want. Pooram born natives may earn through music if that interests them. Uttiram born natives can hope to get transfer to places their choice.Recite Aaditya Hridayam daily and visit the temple of Lord Saturn on Saturdays and feed the needy. Recite Hanuman Chaleesa daily and light a ghee lamp before Dakshina Moorthy on Thursdays.

KANYA (VIRGO)[Uttiram (Part 2,3,4), Hastham, Chitra (Part 1,2)]

The positions of planet indicate that you will buy a vehicle and expenses may increase. In health matters, you should take nutritious food in order to overcome weakness and to enhance the resistance power. Care is needed while outdoors. Distance yourself from the bad. In real estate matters, you will consider buying a house or a piece of land. Farmers should be happy that their lands will give higher yield.

In career matters, by the grace of Almighty some who had lost their position will regain the same. Those who try for

a job will succeed. Regards to personal matters, you will be bestowed with all types of happiness including conjugal happiness. The stars above will ensure safety and protection; some of your efforts will get fulfilled. Change of place is indicated. For women, some of you will be blessed with a son. You will acquire perfumes and other related things.

Uttiram (2,3,4) natives are cautioned not to invest huge capital even if any one forces them to do so. Hastham an Chitra (1,2) born natives should be cautious while driving.

Pray to Goddess Lakshmi and recite Kanakadhara Stotram, Hanuman Chaleesa and Hridhayam daily. Visit Lord Sani temple and help people.

Siddhi Times USA 71

THULAM (LIBRA)[Chitra (Part 3, 4), Swathi, Visagam (Part 1,2,3)]The planet positions indicate

that during the first fortnight, income would be from many directions. Speculation could also bring in some gains; you can consider expansion of your activities. Business loan is not advised as expenses are likely to go up. In health matters, you should be happy that you will enjoy good health. Be cautions as there may be a bodily injury. Agriculture lands will give increased yield.

In career matters, some of you will be blessed with a new position with power and prestige. Never antagonize your superiors. In personal matters, your relatives will be happy with you and you will be held high in your circle. However, restrain your unruly speech and do away with any quarrel either with your family members or relatives. You will

have success in litigation; if any is indicated don’t sign any surety. There may be some undesirable travels; charity work will go on smoothly without any impediments.

For women, be extra cautious with your work and some of you who are unmarried will get good news in the 2nd fortnight.

Chitra (3,4) born natives should be cautious when handling machines or while driving a vehicle. Swathi natives will be lucky to get high class food. Visagam (1,2,3) born natives will be able to recover the amount lent by them.

Do pooja for Goddess Lakshmi with lotus flowers. Recite Kanakadhara Sthothram and Shri Vishnu Sahasranamam. Visit Shiva temple on Mondays and offer “bilwa” leaves for pooja.

VIRCHIGAM (SCORPIO)[Visaga(Part 4), Anusham, Kettai)

The planets indicate that some of you will buy a vehicle and in health matters, you should avoid going in to crowded places, always remember that we eat to live and not live to eat. Do include green leafy vegetables in your diet and be cautious in your activities. There will be enhanced agricultural produce and normal activities will continue to go on.In career matters, your earning capacity will enhance. Good work always has its rewards. Business will be successful. This is favorable month for students and they will acquire knowledge of various spheres. For women, give much needed support to your husbands. Work on creating peace at home. Be careful while cooking and during other activities.

In personal matters, your family and children will be happy. Auspicious functions like marriage take place in your house. You will enjoy domestic happiness. This is a

good month. For romance, some of you will go abroad and marry a girl you love there.

You will involve yourself in activities like construction of temple, well and charity work. You will spend some time for religious rituals. In case you are entangled in any litigation, you will succeed. Be patient with your spouse and friends. Don’t sign any surety, beware of enemies.

Visaga (4) natives should take important decisions only after consulting their well wishers. Anusham natives may hear the good news of the arrival of a child. Kettai natives can hope to get a favorable turn in their career.

Visit the temple of Lord Dakshina Moorthy and do pooja with yellow flowers. Donate educational materials for poor children. Visit Thiruchendur and pray God Karthikeya. Also visit Shiva temple on Pradosham days and offer milk for abishekam and bilwa leaves for pooja. Recite “Om Namah Shivaya” at least 32 times.

DHANUR (SAGGITTARIUS)[Moola, Pooradam, Uttiradam (Part 1)]

The planet positions indicate that increase in income may be noted and there will be gain through gold ornaments and copper vessels. You may get some money from unexpected sources. In health matters, some minor eye ailments and stomach problems could trouble. You should always watch out what is before you and safeguard yourself. In real estate matters, you can hope for some gain in a transaction relating to a plot of land.

In career matters, a challenging task will be posed before you and you will complete it successfully. This will bring in due recognition from your bosses. In personal matters, an auspicious function like marriage will take place in your

house, where you will meet your friends and relatives. You will win over your enemy and end of your mental strife may be noted. Change of residence is indicated for some. Litigation if any will end favorably. You will be friend to a great man in your family and children will be happy.

Moola natives will hear good news from a distant place. Pooradam born natives will get a comfortable house. Uttiradam (1) natives will be lucky to get married to a girl who owns a house.

On Mondays visit the temple of Lord Shiva on pradosham days and offer milk for abhishekam as also ‘bilwa’ leaves for pooja. Recite “OM NAMAH SHIVAYA” at least 32 times daily.

Siddhi Times USA 72

MAGARAM (CAPRICORN)[Uttiradam (Part 2,3,4), Thiruvonam, Avittam (Part 1,2)]

Financially, this will be a good month. There will be gain from gold and copper items. Loans given by you will be recovered. In health matters, some minor ailments like stomach disorder, fever etc. may nag you. In real estate matters, you will succeed in a house transaction with moderate gains. Agricultural lands will give increased produce.

In career matters, you will meet with success in your career. Change of job is indicated for some of you, you will earn a good name in the office in the 2nd fortnight. For student, you will shine during this month more so, those having mathematics and managements as their field of study. For women, some of you will be blessed with a baby. In personal

matters, life is a cycle and good and bad come alternatively in first fortnight you may face some adverse happenings like misunderstanding with women in the family, various types of fears, bad friendship, trouble to your spouse, loss of peace at home, change of residence etc. During the 2nd half fears will vanish, enemies will with draw and you will enjoy all types of happiness. Some auspicious function like marriage will take place in your house. You will spend more time in prayers.

Uttiradam (2,3,4) native will go abroad. Thiruvonam natives should not reveal their secrets. Avittam (1,2) natives will get married.

On Saturdays, visit Lord Sani temple and help the needy people. Recite Hanuman Chaaleesa daily.

KUMBHAM (AQUA)[Avittam (Part 3,4), Sadhayam, Poorattathi (Part 1,2,3)

The planetary positions indicate that monetary difficulties could arise. Though your income will be same, expenses will increase. In health matters, stomach disorders, fear of poisonous insects and minor injuries could be causes for worry. For students, you should not waste your precious time for trivial entertainments and concentrate well on your studies. In career matters, you have to work hard and sustain the same.

In personal matters, you will achieve success in your efforts. You should avoid any quarrel with your near and dear be it

your wife, children, relatives or friends. Otherwise you will have to face the consequences. Beware of foes. Avoid any harsh words with the women in the family. Try to understand the feelings of your children objectively.

Avittam (3,4) natives should take the blessings of the family deity and the elders before commencing a new activity. Sadhayam natives should avoid giving surety. Poorattathi (1,2) natives may go on a pilgrimage in the last week of the month.

On Saturdays visit the Lord Sani temple and help lame and handicapped people. Recite Hanuman Chaleesa daily.

MEENAM (PISCES)[Poorattathi (Part 4), Uthiratathi, Revathi]

The planetary positions indicate that financially this month is excellent and there will be an increase in income and bank deposits. Speculation may be favorable and some of you may buy a vehicle. In health matters, avoid over-eating and enjoy a good health for this month. In real estate matters, you will also consider buying a good residential plot. There will be gain from transactions pertaining to houses and agricultural land.

For students, you are mentally sharp and you will able to grasp easily and you can possibly develop debating skills. In career matters, a government service is available for some of

you. In personal matters, you will find sorrows and mental tortures. You will have the good opportunity of meeting a guru, who will guide you about your future. There will be success in your efforts and your enemies will lose. Avoid quarrels with your near and dear. Some of you may plan a pilgrimage.

Poorattathi (4) native will buy a vehicle. Uthiratathi natives may take up social work activities and Revathi born natives will acquire dress materials.

On Friday, perform Rahu kalam pooja at durga temple with red flowers and recite Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Sthothiram.

- Sri Selvam “Siddhar”

Siddhi Times USA 73

His Holiness, Sri Sri Selvam “Siddhar” is also

known as Dr. Commander Selvam. Many in the US and throughout the globe also know this divine personality as “Swami

Ji”. Needless to say, this Swamiji is a great scholar and the only living “Siddhar” (in the U.S.) with the powerful knowledge of Atharva Veda. In all paths and walks of life, Swamiji is known to relieve and resolve all human related problems; may it be

mental, material, stress, etc. Sri Selvam “Siddhar” was initiated by his Guruji – Sri Sri Chinnappa Siddhar (an Atharva Vedic Swamiji from Kerala, India). Besides attending to the world’s demands and needs, Sri Selvam “Siddhar” is also managing Sri Akasthiyar Siddhar Peedam as the 126th Madathipathi. His ashram is in also famous in California. Currently, a massive Hindu Temple (in Atlanta, Georgia) with 108 Shivji is being developed by Swamiji. This Shiva Temple will be the first and the only one of it’s kind in the world. Swamiji is the highest single donor in this globe for a hindu Temple in USA and have contributed a major money for the Hindu Temple of Georgia.On August 26th, 2007, Sri Selvam Siddhar paid a visit to the Sri

Ms. Nilima Mehra(Global TV Network)

Shiva Vishnu Temple (SSVT) in Lanham, MD. There he was very graciously greeted by the president of SSVT – Mr. Raja Gopal. Thereafter he was given a grand tour of SSVT, where he met various pundits in session. He also was gracious enough to address many attendees. Later that afternoon a gala event hosted for Swamiji was that of a grandeur garland and a shawl around His Holiness. Swamiji then met, along with Mr. Raja Gopal, the other Board members and Trustees of SSVT. After his address to these Committee members Swamiji, along with his three pundits from Hindu Temple of Georgia, were treated to a luncheon that was prepared and served at SSVT.

After the departure from SSVT Dr. Commander Selvam then proceeded onto Murugan Temple where he was once again greeted very graciously. Swamiji is invited by both of the

temples to give a satsung at both of their premises in the near future. Swamiji ended his trip to the Washington Metro Area with private satsungs held in devotees’ homes. The Washington Metro Area looks forward to another visit by His Holiness Sri Sri Selvam “Siddhar” in the near future.

For more information about meeting with Swamiji or to organize a Satsang, Seminar, Lecture in Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania. please contact@ Toll Free 1.800.574.3427. E-mail: avtemple@aol.com. Web: www.108shiva.com,

- Photography, Shailendra Singh (Global TV Network)

Siddhi Times USA 74

Siddhi Times USA 75

Siddhi Times USA 76