What started off as a gathering of a few families on a Friday weekend to recite the Lalita Sahasranamam brought forth an increasing set of individuals dedicated to spiritual and community service. This is Soundarya Lahiri, a Boston based group that now has a core group of 50 to 60 families that meet every weekend and a committed number of 300 to 400 participants during events. Subba Rao Kompella, one of its main architects acquiesces, that it is not a one man show but a group effort, for, he says ”the essence of Soundarya Lahiri, is its continuation and sustenance and that can happen only if everyone participates and plays a role.”

Subba Rao Kompella, who works for Johnson and Johnson in their software programming division, has been instrumental in popularizing the text of Lalita slokas in layman’s terms. He uses day to day analogies to bring home a point and in one instance he resorted to the popular Hindi song “Koyi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod de” to bring a fresh approach to the understanding and significance of God in our lives. Wife Usha Kompella actively participates in the group that read the Pancha Suktas; chant and discuss the meanings of words in ancient texts; and seek guidance of a Guru. Volunteers also help in the translation of the text, distribute and make available these texts in different languages, help in designing the web site and promoting the group.

The funds donated voluntarily by the group participants have been channeled to the Srividya Trust based in Anakapalle in rural AP, India where it is used for the establishment of schools in the district. With the help of the SBI, fifty computers have also been donated. There is also a proposal to establish a Yoga and Meditation center in the future and the group hopes to attain a non profit status for its activities.

On June 21 and June 22nd, Soundarya Lahiri has undertaken the effort of reciting Lalitha Sahasranamam 10,000 times in one day at the Sadhu Vaswani center, Dracut, MA. This will be an event that is occurring for the first time outside of India. Thanks to technology, people outside can also hook up at that time and participate in this event. Subba Rao Kompella tells me that other temples have also been contacted in various parts of the US and they have promised to participate in this event.

For more information on the event and the group visit www.srimeru.org

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