HariOm Parents,
We had a great Friday yesterday with all your children. This is very good to see how virtual class become the new normal. Just like our Balavihar sessions children know to start the day with Likhita Japa.Please remember the following needs to be kept handy as they sit down for the class.
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 6 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.Story Time : Akrura stops the chariot by the river Mandakini He then starts chanting the Gayatri Mantra. Krishna and Balarama were talking to one another. Balarama and Krishna were together sitting on the chariot. As Akrura, plunged into the water he saw the 1000 headed serpant which came dancing. Akrura, then gets the vision of the Lord on top of the thousand headed serpant. Akrura, sees the vision of the Lord as he would be in Vaikunta. So, the Lord shows him the vision of his in Vaikunta. He is laying on Adisesha with Lakshmi with him and all the divine consorts next to him..
Akrura, folded his hands and prostrates before the vision. As he gets up that he does not have the vision. Then Akrura, goes back to the chariot. Krishna, then asks him what did you see. Why do you look so mesmerized? Akrura, then says I have now seen everything I want to see and what you have shown me.
O Lord of Lords the sole king of the Universe and Akrura bows down and asks Krishna and Balarama to come and visit his house. Then Krishna replies says that now we have come to Mathura to do some tasks we will be there once we are done with our work.
Krishna and Balarama as they visit the Mathura city they are fascinated. They saw the city was beautiful with nice looking mansions, granaries overflowing with grain. It was place of plenty and riches. Both Krishna and Balarama were very happy to see this.
When the brothers walked by Krishna and Balarama everyone in Mathura were very happy to see the boys. As they walked along they saw washermans shop. The washerman had not changed from his last birth. He made fun of Krishna and Balarama and asked how can you ask for such fine clothes. Now, Krishna just tapped his head and his head separated from his body and he attained Moksha.
Then they came across a weaver who dressed them with the best clothes he had. Then Krishna blessed him. Krishna then meets Sudama a gardener and he blesses him. Then he meets a girl carrying sandalwood paste and some oil who just passed by. She had a beautiful face but she had a hunch back. Then Krishna looks at her and asks him for her name. Then she says she prepares Sandalwood paste and oil for Kamsa everyday. Krishna when he asked for it. She gives Krishna and Balarama some of her sandalwood paste and oil. Then Krishna with his two fingers her chin and her hunchback disappears. As she is very happy she invites Krishna to her home and Krishna says he would come when his work is over
Krishna and Balarama visited all the places of interest till they arrived the sacrificial hall of the bow. The jweles were also kept in the exhibition. The bow was heavily guarded by fierce looking armed men. Krishna, then sees the bow and lifts the bow and snaps the bow. Immdtly the armed men came to attack at Krishna. Then both Krishna and Balarama take each one part of the bow and stops the soldiers with the half of the bow. Now, Krishna and Balarama reach the camp outside the city where Nanda and people of Mathura have camped. So, Krishna neutralizes the first layer of offense.
4. Home work : As the children were asked to identify the krishna's characterstic they loved and also say how they worked on it they came up with their own versions. It was interesting to see how the children were helping out at home and felt that was something kind and helpful.
Child 1: Krishna is motivating. I motivated my mom by doing yoga everyday and my mom does yoga everyday. I motivated my sister by singing and dancing classes. So, she made her sister sing with her. Since I do Bollywood dance she motivated dad to dance.
Child 2: Krishna is helpful. I wash my plate and my brothers plate and wiped down the dinner table.
Child 3 : Krishna is kind. She did vacuum and helped around the house.
Child 4 : Krishna is kind. He helps his mom around the house. Putting things back in the refrigerator after lunch/dinner.
We then concluded the class with our closing prayers aarati and pledge. We did not have the time to do Bhagawat Gita Chanting. Many children wanted to chant. We will soon have them chant in class. Parents please record your childs chanting and send it across for house points.
Wish all the children Good Luck to all of those participating in the Gita Chanting.
Pranaam,
Meena and Viji
