HariOm Parents,
We had a great Friday yesterday with all your children after the break. As we had children coming in, we got the children start the day with a maze. We worked with our maze for a little child to reach Krishna.
Thank you for making sure quite a few children started doing Likhita Japa at home. We will continue collecting the sheets filled with Likhita Japa so our team Krishnas cowboys points
We then proceeded to our routine. We said Om 3 times and then starting class with our Opening Prayers(Om Sahanavavatu).
1. Chanting My Prayers: Since all the kids who attended 3rd grade were already taught the My Daily Prayers we chanted it. For the benefit of the newcomers, the Daily prayers are in My Prayers Pg,11 of green book. The following are the shlokas
a. Karagrevasathe Lakshmi
b. Gangecha yamunechaiva
c. Saraswati namstubyam
d. Brahmarpanam
e. Subhamkaroti kalyanam
f. Karacharana kratamvaak
g. Kayenavacha manasaindriyeyva
2. Krishnashtakam : We chanted Krishnashtakam so that we get fully prepared. Please memorise the shloka so that we can move on to our next shloka this year. Krishna Damodara Stotram. Parents please play the shloka and let the kids listen to it even if they don't chant it will help.
3. My 24 Teachers : Fire
Riddle :
I am brilliant in appearance. I have many colors. I can do lot of good to you, but if used improperly, can destroy as well. It is better if you don't come too close to me. Who am I?
Fire is always bright. No form of light can cover the brightness of the fire. The fire teaches us to be brilliant.
Fire is not contaminated by good or bad thrown into it. Fire reduces all, even the filthiest things thrown into it to ashes. It ever remains pure. It teaches us that we can mingle with one and all, we may use all sense objects of the world, but not let any vices of any kind enter us; may we not get attached to any worldly objects.
Just as fire has no shape if its own but takes the shape of the firewood, so also the all-pervading Lord. He, being all pervading does not have particular form, but all forms are only His.
Tale : Buddha and the Elephant
Buddha had touched many lives and inspired many to be wandering monks. One of his disciples was infatuated with power and wanted to be the leader of the group. He knew he would not be the leader as long as Buddha was alive.
King Ajatasatru had one wild elephant that was always kept in chain. The disciple let loose the wild elephant on the way of Buddha. Along with Buddha, there was a crowd of monks but when they saw the wild elephant, most of them started running. Only a few, true disciples stayed back with Buddha.
Buddha, remained calm and asked his disciples not to fear as he who harms none, will not be harmed by any. To everyone's surprise, the wild elephant bowed down to Buddha!
Moral : This is the power of Saints. They purify one and all like how fire purifies everything.
Tale : He Accepts All
Once, Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda was giving a discourse in the USA. All his devotees were around him. A filthy looking man entered the hall. He had dirty clothes and had a beer can in his hand. Everyone looked at him with disgust and wanted him out of there. Swamiji lovingly asked him to sit next to him. Everyone had a surprised and curious look in their eyes. Why? Swamiji smilingly said, " He needs me more than you do".
Gurudev lovingly accepted equally.
Tale: Faith
Our Param Guru Swami Tapovanji Maharaj was traveling on foot in the Himalayas. He never carried any food with him. He never carried any food with him. He knew that he would be provided by the Lord when it was necessary for him.
One time he was passing through the forest. It was noon and he felt quite hungry. He was tired and decided to rest under a tree. He was not worried but started thinking how in this forest his beloved Lord would provide him with food.
In a few minutes he saw a farmer rushing towards him out of no where and asked him to share food with him. The farmer said that it was his sons birthday and it is great prarabdha that you are here today. Then he handed him a feast for lunch.
These are the ways the Lord works.
Moral : Have faith in the Lord; do not hoard. He shall provide what you need when you need.
Tale : The Greedy Jackal
A hunter went to the forest in search of a deer. He saw a deer and killed it. Happily, he was carrying the deer on his shoulder and on the way saw a pig pass by.
Greed got hold of the hunter. He said it was a lucky day he mounted his arrow to kill the pig. Just then, the pig charged the hunter. The hunter fell to the ground along with the pig. A serpent got crushed under the pig and the hunter with a bow next to them.
A jackal was passing. He saw a hefty pig a hunter a deer and a serpant all dead. The jackal was pretty happy to see food for next three months ready for him. He then said to himself let me just wet my appetite with the muscle tissue in the bow string and then eat my main meal.
So, saying as he snapped the muscle tissue, the bow straightened up and pierced the greedy jackal.
Moral : Do not hoard. Keep only what you need.
4. Bhagawat Gita : We did Bhagawat Gita chanting verse 19,20 and 21 again since last week we had problem with the audio. Please bookmark Swamiji's Bhagawat Gita teaching videos. Please chant regularly. Bookmark the youtube video
We then followed to the temple for Aarati and Pledge. Next class is next week January 31st. Please continue practising Bhagawat Gita. We will have our gita competition end of March or 1st week of April. So, yes your efforts will soon be recognized and rewarded.
Meena and Viji
