हरी ॐ
Dear Parents,
Dear Parents,
This week was a short class of only 45 minutes.
Given the limited time, we decided to do just one small chapter, which gave rise to an important topic - Guru Bhakti.
Opening Prayers: Om Sahanā vavatu, followed by the chants Om Sree Ganeśaya Namaha, Sree Saraswatyai Namaha, Sree Sat Gurubhyo Namaha.
Meditation: A few minutes of silence preceded by chants of Om.
Story: As mentioned in the last update, we resumed class with Ekalavya's story. Being a Nishāda, he couldn't become a student of Drona. That did not deter him from his passion for Archery. Creating a likeness of Drona out of mud, and treating that as his Guru, Ekalavya mastered the art form. When discovered by the Pāndavās, as a supreme archer, Ekalavya revealed Drona to be his Guru. Arjuna is angered and disappointed that the Guru who intended to make him the best archer in the world had, instead, given the supreme skills to another student. Drona, upon discovering this, asked Ekalavya for his right thumb as Gurudakshina. Ekalavya did not hesitate, and carved out his right thumb immediately.
Discussion:
1. Why was a Nishāda not eligible to learn from Drona?
2. What is Guru Bhakti?
Examples of Guru Bhakti - Adi Śankara's disciple (who walked on water when he heard his Guru call him), Karna (when he withstood the pain of the insect biting through his thigh while Parasurāma lay on his lap).
What is your idea of Guru Bhakti? Who, in this modern world, has portrayed that deep devotion and attributed their success to their Guru?
See you all on Friday, Oct 25 at 7pm.
Pranāms,
Akshay and Nivedita
