Page 2 - March 2018 Newsletter
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From The Editor’s Desk
Dear Members, night, with heavy downpour and lightning,
In a few weeks Malur Sri Balambika temple Rous Peter was woken from his slumber to
will be agog with the colors and lights of yet the sound of someone calling his name, and
another celebration – the first anniversary the jingling of anklets. Curious, he followed
of the temple kumbhabishekam. A whole the sounds, and saw a little girl decked in
year has passed, with a multitude of elabo- silks and finery calling out to him to follow
rate traditions and customs, that remind us her out of his bungalow. Hardly had he
of Sri Bala’s stunning alankarams and come out, when a fierce lightning struck his
pooojas, executed with sincerity and quarters, and destroyed what was his home
dedication, leaving no petal unturned in the just a few seconds before. The little girl had
relentless pursuit of perfecting Her worship! vanished into thin air, leaving Rous Peter
The team of temple volunteers and convinced that Madurai Meenakshi Amman
management truly deserve a resounding had saved him that night from such a
applause for giving us each morning, the calamity. Rous Peter’s dedication to his
sheer joy of starting the day with Sri Bala’s work, his magnanimity in respecting and
darshan. We thank the team for making it abiding by the rules of the day and age, is
possible for all those around the globe, to truly commendable, and earned him the
enjoy it all at the touch of a screen . ultimate seal of acknowledgement from
God!
We have all heard of the clichés – ‘work is
worship’, and ‘duty comes first’. All work – We can all take a page from Rous Peter’s
big or small is God’s work, as long as we book of devotion to work, and follow
follow the rigors and rules of dharma. As through with loyalty. It goes beyond the
this interesting story reveals, we will each limits of caste, creed and religion, only
find out what it truly means to ‘worship our bowing to the power of dharma, and
work’. As the story goes, back in the 1800s, seeking its final surrender at the feet of
when the British served as local officials, God. May we all experience Her grace and
Rous Peter served as the District Collector work with unconditional devotion, that will
of Madurai, who also had to oversee the enable us to deliver our best at all times.
administration of Madurai Sri Meenakshi
Amman temple. Although a Christian by
faith, he respected the traditions and
religious sentiments of the local Hindus and
performed his duties with utmost integrity.
In fact, while crossing the temple premises
on his way to work, he would get down from
his horse, take off his shoes and hat, and
cross the pathway by foot. One stormy
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