HariOm Parents,
We had a great Friday yesterday with all your children. It was amazing to see how they were all prepared to join the class to have some fun. They are fully in tune with the zoom sessions. This is very good to see. Just remember the following needs to be kept handy as they sit down for the class.
Additional Guidelines for Zoom class to be followed (from what we observed yesterday)
1. Keep your balavihar bag ready with you as you login (My prayers, Govinda Damodara stotram printout, Balavihar handbook, Likhita japa notebook, pencil and sharpner)
2. No screen sharing or chatting. Only children are allowed to mute and unmute so they can speak.
3. No sitting on bed or leaning in bed while doing balavihar class
4. No eating please during the class.
We started the class with 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 once we are done with this eclasses. Please ask the children to continue writing likhita japa. It is the time we show our children to do prayers and stay positive.
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 children had screen time as we called out one child to lead one shloka
a. Karagrevasathe Lakshmi
b. Gangecha yamunechaiva
c. Saraswati namstubyam
d. Brahmarpanam
e. Subhamkaroti kalyanam
f. Karacharana kratamvaak
g. Kayenavacha manasaindriyeyva
2. Govinda Damodara Stotram : We had our children chant 5 verses. We are sending as attachment the stotram for children who do not have the print out. Please print it and have it ready so we can continue learning the next verses.
3. My 24 Teachers
Riddle
Though I roar Day and Night. I am cool and I am vast. Who am I ?
Ocean
What is the lesson that the ocean teaches. It teaches you to how to do what you need to do but you do not accept any returns. It teaches you to do what you are supposed to do and without loosing your balance. The ocean keeps getting waves one after the other but it soon die it does not loose its job.It goes on and on.It does not care if you enjoy it or not it just ebbs and flows.
Things happen sometimes according to your wishes and sometimes it does not work out but its OK. This is a learning for all of us
Story : One day Ekanath who is a big Krishna Bhakta. One day Ekanath's teacher asked him to go to river and take a bath and get a pot of water. But on the way back nobody should touch you or the pot. So, Ekanathji goes to river takes a shower and gets a pot of water. On the way back one man calls him and gets curious to check what is in the pot and touches him. So, Ekanathji goes back to the river and takes a dip and gets a pot of water. On the way back one of the villagers touches thinking that might be the reason he must have gone back. So, kids keep going back and forth several times to gather a pot of water. Then he just does not loose patience and keeps doing.
So, we need to be like the ocean we need to be the same during success and failure.
4. Krsna Story :
Akrura goes to Vrndavana
Akrura was very pleased that he was going to Vrndavana. He was overjoyed at the thought that he would see the lotus feet of the Lord. He felt sure that despite the message he was carrying he was very sure that the Lord would realise how much he loves the Lord. He keeps thinking in his mind how he would met him
Before he knew it, Akrura was in Vrndavana. His body trembled at the awesomeness of being in the same grounds were the Lord played, walked, ran and jumped. He reached Nandababas home just as the sun was setting.
Kamsa sent three asuras to kill Krsna before Akrura reached Vrndavana. Krsna vanquished the three asuras before Akrura reached Vrndavana.
Krsna and Balarama were beautifully dressed in the evening.In great excitement Akrura jumped down his chariot and he was overjoyed. The tears rolled freely down his cheeks as he fell at Krsnas feet and prostrated before Him. His voice choked with emotion sho he could not even introduce himself.
Both Krsna and Balarama embraced him and welcomed him affectionately. They both took him home washed his feet massaged his feet and fed him a delicious meal.
Then, Nanda and Akrura exchanged greetings. While they were talking Akrura told them how Narada had revealed to Kamsa and revealed to him the secret of Krsna's birth. Akrura also told them the real reason why he had been sent to Vrndavana, sparing no details. At this Krishna and Balarama laughed.
Nanda at once ordered the preparation of carriage and presents for the trip to Mathura. Chariots carrying Nanda, some elders, and some gopas (who refused to let Krsna and Balarama go without them)followed Akrura. Behind them came carts loaded with girts of milk, curd and butter for Mathura;s king.
The gopis who were left behind in Vrndavana were very sad. Their hearts were heavy with grief. They continued to do what they need to do but their mind was always fixated on Krsna. So, even though they were separated from the Lord they were still devoted to him and fixated on him.
6. Bhagawat Gita : We did verse 15 and 16 of Bhagawat Gita.
We then concluded the class with our closing prayers
Wish all the children Good Luck to all of those participating in the Gita Chanting.
We will practise Gita next week during class and record verses soon. All your help is required and is much appreciated. This will give the children who did not participate a chance to practise. Also, this will gain points for Krishnas cowboys. Please play the video and continue to learn Gita.
Pranaam,
Meena and Viji
Meena and Viji
