Hari Om!
Here is a brief summary of the class activities from Week 9
1. Beginning Prayers:
- We learnt the sixth verse of Ganesha Pancharatnam and completed the stotra. Please have the children continue to listen and practice it.
2. Saints of India:
- We had an open-ended discussion on the topic of "Guru", "Belief/Faith/Logic in Religion", "Asking Questions" and the like. It was an enriching experience with robust discussion all around. The children were interested to know that philosophies were established and defended by vigorous debate and Adi Shankara travelled around the country engaging in highly intellectual debates. They all seemed well aware of the value of a Guru in our lives, as someone who gives us peace and keeps us calm. We continued our discussion on Saints of India, learning about the selfless services of Mother Teresa and the unwavering devotion of Mira Bai.
-Mother Teresa was born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Yugoslavia, in 1910. She was 12 when she felt a deep calling to become a missionary to spread His word. She trained to do missionary work and came to India in 1931. She was a teacher for several years, but strongly felt the need to serve. In 1948, she got permission from her Superiors and started serving the poor and the under-served ill people. Over course of time, her work expanded and she established " The Missionaries of Charity" in Calcutta. This is now an internationally respected service organization that cares for the poor and neglected people around the world. Mother Teresa has been awarded the Medal of Freedom (US), Magsaysay Award and the Nobel Peace Prize (1979). After years of suffering from a weak heart, she breathed her last on 5th September, 1997.
- Mirabai was born in a royal family in Rajasthan, India. When she was 5 years old, she was given an idol of Krishna and she was inseparable from it. She believed that Krishna was her partner in life and developed an unwavering devotion towards Krishna. Even after she was married to the King of Chittor, Bhojaraja, she continued her worship of Krishna. The King respected her devotion and built a temple for Krishna where she could pray. But her other relatives resented this behaviour of hers and tried to harm her, even going to the extent of poisoning Mira. The poison had no effect on her and she continued, writing soul-stirring Bhajans in praise of Krishna. These bhajans are to this today extremely popular. It is said that even Emperor Akbar was very moved by her singing. The story of Mira's devotion spread far and wide. Towards the end of her life, she set out on a pilgrimage to Mathura and Dwaraka in Gujarat. She stayed at Dwaraka and one day in the middle of a prayer meeting, went into trance and left her bodily presence.
3. Bhagavad Geeta Chanting:
- We continued with Geeta chanting this week, working on verses 7 and 8. We will record the class chanting verses 5-8 this upcoming class, so please make sure the children practice the verses at home.
Here is the youtube playlist for the children to listen to Swamiji chant and practice at home -
There is also coaching for those interested,on (before the Friday session) and Saturday (2-3pm). Here is the link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwvWASOVvVJLOe4rc6LClWV4Mn9jRVkOxCb4eVaDu_vX_Eaw/viewform
4. Reminders:
- Please make sure the children are in class by 9:15am
- Registrations for Art contest, Shlokathon and Likhita Japa submissions are now open.
- Class stage performance is on Feb 9th, 2020. Please sign up in the attached spreadsheet to confirm your availability for that date. Parents willing to help out with practices, costumes, props, AV are very welcome!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p1ecz2urWUMkeA-7udYHn_hlD9rrMnqeydZdQjKmycA/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks
Abhirami Shrinivas
Rekha G Pai
