Hari Om! Parents,
We started our class with the beginning prayers followed by the Vedic Chant,
Om Namaste Astu Bhagavan..
Tryambakam Yajamahe..
We then learned a new shlokam on Lord Vishnu,
Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam…
Chanted and learned verses 29, 30 from Chapter 1 of the Bhagavad Gita along with Pujya Swamji.
Revised and recorded verses 15 to 25 from the same chapter.
This week our curriculum was the detailed study of 2 mahavakyas which we had enumerated in the last class
1. “Prajanam Brahman”, or “Consciousness is Brahaman” from the Rig Veda
Discussed, anything I see is an object and is not possible without the presence of the seer. The seer is always separate from the seen. I see my body, and I recognizer my thoughts and emotions and they are different from the seer.
The seer in me is the Awareness. The Awareness in me is the same Awareness in everyone. We have to recognize this oneness. This can be made possible only through love and compassion.
Discussed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s quote,” Love and Compassion are necessities not luxuries, without them humanity cannot survive”.
Discussed this idea with stories:
The thief at the Sabramati ashram:
Once a thief was caught in the Sabarmati ashram and brought before Gandhiji . Gandhiji looked at the thief lovingly and asked if he had breakfast. The thief was touched by Gandhiji’s gesture and fell at his feet. He later transformed himself and became Gandhiji’s disciple for life. Compassion is the key to transformation.
Discussed the story of the Pandava prince, Yudhishtira.
Yudhishtira was a follower of dharma. When he was about to leave the world, all his good and bad deeds were computed. He had lied once in his life during the Mahabharata war. When the elephant died, he had said Aswathama is dead, and this brought about the death of his guru, Dronacharya. Yudhishtira had to spend a day in hell. All the people in hell were very happy in his presence. The next day, when he was about to leave hell, the people started crying. Yudhishtira thought for a moment and asked the attendants if he could live here permanently. They told him it was possible, if he could exchange his merits with their demerits.. Yudhishtira agreed . All the people from hell were transferred to heaven and Yudhishtira was left behind. He created heaven in hell with his mere presence.
2. “Tat Tvam Asi”, or “You are That” from the Sama Veda. Here we stressed on shastra vakyam and guru vakyam.
Brahman or The Awareness, which is the Lord present in every being, that Awareness, we are. “ The Lord within us is not far away somewhere but right here within us” says the guru. We are not able to realize this because of our limitations and ignorance.
We can make it happen by studying the scriptures with the help of a Guru. Surrendering at the feet of the Guru with humility we can realize our true nature which is Brahman.
We told 2 stories to reinforce this.
Discussed the story of Sage Udhalaka and his son Svetaketu.
Sage Udhalaka sent his son to the gurukula to study the Vedas. When the son came back Sage Udhalaka asked his son if he had learnt about a branch of knowledge, whereby knowing one thing you can know all. Swetaketu arrogantly replies that he didn’t know, since his guru did not teach him. Sage Udhalaka patiently taught his son Brahma Vidya and Svetaketu could realize his true potential.
Dicussed the story of Udhalaka, who was known as Aaruni earlier.
When he was a small boy his guru had asked him to take care of a small farm. The farm was on the top of a hill and the water in the farm would always flow down. His guru told him that if he built a dam he could stop the loss of water. Aaruni, had deep faith in his guru’s words. One day during heavy rains when he decided to lie down and become the dam to stop the flow of water. His guru was very impressed with his and faith and commitment and gave him the name Udhalaka.
Discussed service to the teacher changes our attitude and we become humble.
Discussed the life of our Pujya Gurudev and his reverence to his guru Tapovan ji Maharaj. Gurudev brought about the transformation of so many lives around the world.
Discussed how the children can implement the attitude of service and humility towards their parents and teachers and bring transformation in their lives.
The children sang the arathi and recited the pledge in the classroom.
Announcements:
Gita chanting competition at the ashram on March 28th. We would like the children to participate. We have been practicing in the class. The children can participate in the reading or memorization category.
Slokathon competition on Aril 4th at the ashram.
Ram Navami celebrations on April 4th and 5th at the ashram.
Pranams,
Nirmala and Purnima
