Shanthi Sandesh Hindu Temple and Community Center Of Mid -Missouri 2006 Holly Avenue, Columbia, MO 65202 -2043 http://shanthimandir.missouri.org (573) 814 -1286 V O L U M E
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Devi Lalitha and Devi Durga: their Functional Variety Dr. C.L. Prabhakar This article is continued from last edition of Shanthi Sandesh
Inside This Issue Devi Lalitha and Devi Durga
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Executive Board
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Sharing the Warmth
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The Case of the Empty Jewelry Store
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Bal Sandesh
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HTCC Youth Day Picnic
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Shanthi Mandir at Ten The Big Picture
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Yoga Corner
8
Bhagavad Gita
9
Quarterly Fiscal Report
10
Donor Acknowledgment
11
Community Calendar
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Current Programs
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She is worshipped on certain specific days like Ashtami, Amavasya and such odd occasions because she will square up the negatives. For example She will settle family feud and quarrel between the wedded couple and make peace and amity reign. She improves the health and longevity of people (Ayurarogyadam Pumsam). She blesses betterment and success in knowledge. She provides happiness from the happy rites done in the rites. She is fond of her son Kumaraswamy and so gets a special name Kaumari. Also the name ‘Kumaralalasasakta’. She in the form of Lord Krishna is the destroyer of the life of Kamsa, the demon. She is born out of Fire and Mahakala (Mahakala Samudbhava). She is born out of the three murthisBrahma, Vishnu, and Mahesvara. She is born out of the Nara and Narayanas (Naranarayananodbhuta).
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s you read this issue of Shanthi Sandesh, please keep Basu family in your prayers. Dr, Asit Basu, HTCC’s beloved sustaining member left for his heavenly abode on October 19, 2015. May his soul rest in Peace and we pray that almighty give his wife Sandra and Basu family strength to bear this loss. It’s hard to believe that 2015 is coming to an end fast. It has been an eventful year indeed.
She is basically a great light manifesting into a female form to destroy the demons. She is described as ‘Purushakarshini’ meaning ill intentions of people are ruined. Here for contrast we cite the name to Lalitha Devi as Karangulinakhotpanna Narayana Daskrutih). Durga is a war goddess and so in older times kshatriyas and warriors worshipped her for victory. She is highly skilled in the war craft and wielding the war weapons appropriately right justifiable to the occasion (Saryudhadhara and Visvsato mukhi). Goddess Durga rides the lion (Vahanam) presented by her father the Himavan. She has killed several asuras in a war. The war details are mentioned in the Durgasaptasati and few other texts. She has killed demons like Sumbha, Nisumbha, Mahisa and several others who came to destroy her in support of the said Rakshasas. She has nine manifestations depending on need during the war. The
goddess Durga is the secret Power (Guhyasaktih) and manifests in several ways. She has several functions related to the cosmic functioning of the Universe .The five vital elements balances universe and human body are forces of great Durgaparamesvari. She is more associated with the lightening Energy (Vidyudgihva). She is cause for the rain and subsequent benefits upon the earth. She is cause for the Ahoratris (Ahoratrividhayini). Her powers are endless even in the cosmic management (Anantaananta Prabhava). She is known for several qualities and corresponding functions. She is well known for immensely powerful qualities (anantagunagambhira). She is fond of good people (sista) known for ‘satvika guna’ She loves those who are known for devotion to elders and dedication to Vedic tradition. She is described (continued on Page 2)
Message from the Executive Board Earlier in the year HTCC celebrated 9th Annual Anniversary Banquet on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at the Peachtree Banquet Center. Sanjeev Khanna chaired the “Anniversary Banquet Committee” this year and did an excellent job despite the late start. Over 200 people attended this year’s annual banquet. It was an evening of celebration with Good Food,
Music and Fun for all the attendees. Net revenue after expenses was over $2,850. We would like to thank all the members who helped to make this year’s anniversary banquet a memorable event. In the BoT message in “Samarpanam2015” that was released on April 4, 2015 at the 9th Anniversary Banquet, Dr. H.R. Chandrasekhar (continued on Page 3)