Hari OM
Parents-
Beginning prayers
· saha naavavatu
. Vakratunda Mahakaya
. Saraswathi Namasthubhyam
. Gururbrahmaa
. Budhir Balam
· Guru Stotram 10 verses
Gitaa chanting
We first practiced verses 1-7.
Verses 14, 15 and 16
Yoga Time
Breathing exercises, cat & cow pose, tree pose
Story time
· Dhruva
Comments:
King Uttaanpaada, the first son of Manu had two wives, Suniti and Suruchi. Suniti's son was Dhruva and Suruchi's son was Uttama. Suruchi was very beautiful and so the king liked her more. But she was terribly possessive that she would not even let the King meet Suniti and her son, Dhruva.
Disheartened, when he approached his mother (sunIti), she consoled him and explained that it was only Lord viShNu who could grant him all his wishes. Dhruva thought over his mother's words and that night sneaked out of the palace and went into the deep forest. He spent many days and night without food, water and rest. Narada, heard the cries of the little boy and advised him to go back where he belongs and that the path he is treading on is really difficult. But the boy did not want to retreat from his desire and told Narada Ji that he is not going back without seeing the Lord. Upon talking to the boy, Narada understood that Dhruva was a sincere seeker and then taught him japa and showed him how to meditate. He gave him the sacred mantra "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and asked him to meditate constantly.
During the first few days meditation was hard then found the ultimate joy in it. He took terrible fasts, sipped water and breathed only once in a while. His penance was so strong that the three worlds began to rock. The Lord, now had to go and meet His devotee, mounted His Garuda and gracefully landed in front of Dhruva. Slowly Dhruva opened his eyes and was dazzled by the presence of the Divine Lord. Dhruva prostrated but was so struck that he could not utter a word. Dhruva didn't ask for anything but only asked the Lord that his mind should always revel in Him. The Lord agreed and gave him a permanent unchanging place in the celestial sky and be called "Dhruva Nakshatra". Then the Lord asked him to go back to his father and rule the kingdom. With this blessing the Lord disappeared.
Obeying the Lord, Dhruva went back to his kingdom and soon succeeded his father as the king. He ruled as a wise and noble ruler for many years.
Tale: The Legend of the Dipper
We all can be like Dhruva by caring for others. Please ask your kids to retell the story and what they understood from it.
Regards,
Indira/Raji
