Dear Parents,
Harih Om!
The following material was taught to your child on Sunday, January 12th, 2020
1. Geeta chanting verses 1 through 21
2. Geeta Dhyanam: the children chanted this fully
3. Tapovana Shatakam: the children were taught the first two verses
4. Yato Dharamah tato Jayah: The ten values in life that characterize Dharma according to Manu Bhagavan were reiterated:
- Dhriti: forbearance/fortitude: is the strength which one clings on . It can be of three types: Tamasic Dhriti: when we cling on to things like sleep, food, wrong ideas.
- Kshama: forgiveness: When we forgive someone, we should do it completely and not raise the issue with them again. We can hold it like Damocles' sword over someone and exploit them for our advantage and make them feel guilty each time for the wrong they did to us sometime ago. That is cannot be classified as forgiveness. We all make mistakes and just like we would like to be forgiven and the issue to be forgotten, we owe it to others that we do the same.
- Dama: control over our organs of action: even if somebody upsets us or we are angry at somebody, we do not use violence for example as a means to get our point across is an example of control over our organs of action.
- Asteya: stealing: We do not have the right to deprive someone of their possessions because they have put sincere effort and worked hard for it. If we want those things we should be determined to work hard with sincerity and get it. Even the thought of stealing something from someone should not arise in our mind.
- Indriya Nigraha: mastery over organs of perception: control of this determines what we choose to hear, watch, taste, touch etc. Again this requires discrimination. For example, if we become agitated by listen to gossip then we should recognize that and choose to distance ourselves from that.
- Dhi: using the faculty of discrimination. There are always two paths available to us. We must always choose the right path even though it may be difficult. When we choose the right path, Bhagavan automatically will give us clarity and determination to proceed in this path and will support us and help us. We should not take short cuts as this leads to short term happiness only.
- Vidya: Knowledge: that we do not need to seek happiness elsewhere or from outside and that happiness lies within us.
- Satya: Truthfulness: always tell the truth because lying will lead to misery, ill health and provides short term happiness. If we are honest then our conscience will be clear and we can lead a happy fulfilling life. If we lie, it will eventually catch up with us one day and we will be burdened throughout our life because of lying.
- Akrodha: absence of anger: Anger is justified at times for instance a mother scolding her child to look carefully on both sides before crossing a road etc. Anger should not overwhelm our mind because we will become slaves to it. We should have control over anger and also show discrimination to know when and where to show anger. Anger brings misery, guilt and peace brings happiness!
These ten values must be followed and practiced all the time, every time! For example if we say we are honest 80% of the time, that means we are being dishonest 20% of the time and so we are not an honest person!
Another aspect to these ten values is that we may see others not following these values and still appearing to doing well. We should however not be affected by what others are doing or not.
5. Yaksha Prashnas:
- What is moha (delusion)? Wrong understanding of Dharma is moha. Often, when are doing something wrong, our mind convinces us that it is okay to make a mistake or do wrong to somebody now and then. Our intellect deceives us and therefore we misinterpret Dharma and this leads to delusion.
- What is Maana (exaggerated self respect)?: We should not brag about our achievements or qualities. Remember if we have achieved anything or have won accolades it is due to the Lord's Grace alone. Exaggerated self respect and pride leads to a person's downfall.
- What is a Aalasya (laziness): To not follow Dharma is laziness. A student's dharma is complete his/her homework and study meticulously for exams. If a student instead wastes his/her time playing with friends or gossiping then it will comprise his/her grades and this is not following Dharma because of laziness.
- What is Shoka (grief)?: If we have knowledge of Self then we see God everywhere. When we have this knowledge then there is no grief.
Thank you!
Devender Akula and
Mekhala Girish ( Balavihar teachers 8th Grade A.M. Sunday)
