Hindu Temple and Cultural Society of Southern Illinois

07/15/2026

jaganatha Ratha Yatra remember for today

07/09/2026

06/20/2026

Meaning of the Naivedya Mantra

During Naivedya (offering of food to the Lord), we recite:

* Prāṇāya Svāhā
* Apānāya Svāhā
* Vyānāya Svāhā
* Udānāya Svāhā
* Samānāya Svāhā

These mantras are offerings to the five vital life forces (Pañca Prāṇas).

According to Hindu scriptures, there are five principal vital energies operating within the body:

1. Prāṇa – the vital force governing breathing and the functions of the heart and lungs.
2. Apāna – the force responsible for elimination and downward-moving bodily functions.
3. Vyāna – the force that circulates energy, blood, and nutrients throughout the body.
4. Udāna – the force governing speech, expression, consciousness, and upward movement.
5. Samāna – the force responsible for digestion, assimilation, and balancing bodily functions.

While offering Naivedya, we recognize that the Lord dwells within all beings as the indwelling Self. Therefore, these mantras express the sentiment:

“I offer this food to the Divine who manifests as the five vital energies within all living beings.”

The complete sequence is:

Prāṇāya Svāhā । Apānāya Svāhā । Vyānāya Svāhā । Udānāya Svāhā । Samānāya Svāhā । Brahmaṇe Svāhā ।

Meaning:
“May this offering be dedicated to Prāṇa, Apāna, Vyāna, Udāna, Samāna, and ultimately to Brahman, the Supreme Reality.”

The underlying principle is expressed in the Vedic teaching:

“Annam Brahma” — Food is Brahman (the Divine).

Thus, both the food being offered and the life forces that receive and sustain it are understood to be manifestations of the Divine.

06/20/2026

Certainly.

Sanskrit (Devanagari)

गृहे लिङ्गद्वयं नार्च्यं गणेशत्रितयं तथा ।
शङ्खद्वयं तथा सूर्यं देवीत्रितयमेव च ॥
द्वे चक्रे द्वारकायास्तु नार्चयेत् पूजयेद् बुधः ।
भिन्नं वा स्फुटितं चैव न पूज्यं देवतागृहे ॥

Sanskrit (Transliteration)

Gṛhe liṅga-dvayaṁ nārcyaṁ gaṇeśa-tritayaṁ tathā ।
Śaṅkha-dvayaṁ tathā sūryaṁ devī-tritayam eva ca ॥
Dve cakre dvārakāyās tu nārcayet pūjayed budhaḥ ।
Bhinnaṁ vā sphuṭitaṁ caiva na pūjyaṁ devatā-gṛhe ॥

English Translation

In a house, two Śiva liṅgas should not be worshipped, nor should three Gaṇeśa images be worshipped.
Likewise, two conch shells, two images of Sūrya, and three images of the Goddess should not be worshipped.
A wise person should not worship two Dvārakā Cakras.
Also, broken or cracked idols should not be worshipped in the household shrine of the deities.

Source: Traditionally cited in Dharmasindhu and Nirṇayasindhu while discussing rules for household worship (gṛha-pūjā). 🙏🏻

06/08/2026

Hare srinivasa

06/08/2026

 June 27th 28th  13th Temple anniversary

06/06/2026

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12/04/2025

*Monthly Satyanarayana Pooja*
December 4th Thursday

5:30PM to 7:00 PM Satyanarayan puja & katha .

7:00pm to 7:30pm Swami Narayan & saibaba & Maha arati.