HariOm Parents,
We had a great Friday yesterday with all your children. The week after movie night and long weekend. So, it was classroom setting after long. 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. Then 7th and 8th verse were taught. Now we have completed the full Govinda Damodara Stotram. Please ask your children to practice at home so that they know the shloka well.
3.Story Time : End of Kamsa: Krishna and Balarama visited all the places of interest in Mathura and finally arrived at the hall where the huge and heavy bow, studded with previous gems, was being exhibited. The bow was heavily guarded by fierce armed men. But before they knew what was going on, Krishna seized the bow and drew its string until it snapped into two pieces. The thunderous breaking sound reverberated in the hall and shook the earth making everyone tremble from head to toe. Not only this, but the terrific thunder clap reached as far as Kamsas interior compartments and shook him from head to toe with immense fear.
Kamsa had a very bad restless sleep. His head swirled with the day's shocking events : the destruction of the bow, the death of his stalwart guards and soldiers and his own servants and citizens. He was trembling with fear from head to toe and he was plagued by nightmares of death, torture and dishonor. Kamsas nerves were on the edge and he knew no rest or peace.
At last the sun rose and it was the day everyone was waiting for. The massive arena and amphitheatere ws luxuriously decorated with flowers and garlands. Spectators had started lining up from earlu morning to make sure to get good seats. The galleries were filled with princes and chiefs and ministers and traders. The wrestlers Canura, Mustika, Kutam Sala and Tosala world renowned for their strength, prowess and skill were itching for the matches to begin.
Krishna and Balarama as they came into the ampitheater there was an elephant and a manhout. Krishna asked the manhout to move the elephant from the gate instead the manhout set the elephant to trample the boys under its feet. Krishna however slipped between the legs of the elephant and caught the elephants trunk. It fell down with a mightly thud. Krishna ripped out the elephants tusks and with one blow killed both the animal and its manhout.
Soaked in perspiration and armed with the bloody tusks, the warrior brothers looked like lions as they marched majestically. Every one including the wrestlers and Kamsa were scared. At last the signals was given for the games to begin. To all the spectators surprise all the wrestlers were killed by Krishna and Balarama. The trumpets sounded for the victors and the crowd stood on its feet cheering joyously. Kamsa's rage knew no bounds. He ordered the trumpets to be silenced and shouted. Drive the boys out of Mathura..Take away the possessions of the gopas. Seize Nanda and put him in chains. Kill the wicked Vasudeva and my father Ugrasena, Kill them. Do it now.
Before Kamsa could finish giving his orders, Krishna started walking toward the throne and in long leaps and strides jumped onto the raised platform and immediately drew his sword. But Krishna was fearless and he caught hold of Kamsa by the hair swung him around and threw him down into the arena dead. It was just that quick.
But in spite of his disgraceful end, Kamsa was rewarded in his last moment with a blissful vision of the Lord Himself in entire divine splendor. He obtained oneness with the Lord because he never spent a single moment without thinking about Krishna. Even though he thought of the Lord only with hate, anger, and fear, his focus on the Lord was single pointed and constant. Kamsas eight brothers immediately drew swords to kill Krishna and Balarama but soon were overpowered by Krishna and Balarama and killed.
Krishna and Balarama then hastened to join. They released Ugrasena the family elder and the king now of Mathura. The brothers then bowed to the king and asked for release of their parents. Then Krishna and Balarama met their parents Vasudeva and Devaki and all the years of pain melted away for that time as they joined in happiness.
Krishna kept his promise to Trivakra(once hunch backed girl now beautiful lady). Then with Balarama and Uddhava, he visited Akrura's home who received them all with great devotion.
Krishna and Balarama met Nanda and respectfully addressed him saying "Dear Father you and Mother Yasoda shall ever be our parents, because it was you who raised us. We request you now to go to Vrindavana to console all the gopas and gopis.
Tale 2: Gurukula Days
Vasudeva now felt that it was time for Krishna and Balarama to be initiated into the brahmacharya ashrama invested with the sacred thread and go to Gurukula to learn the scriptures from a Guru. After the upanayana ceremony the boys were taken to their teacher, risi Sandipani. During the entire period of their studies the boys were required to stay in the ashrama and follow strict discipline. Under the guidance of the rishi they both mastered Vedas and Vedangas, phonetics, grammar, astronomy, logic and the different systems of philosophy and economic sciences in 64 days. Here Krishna met his favorite friend Sudama and he was his very close friend.
When they reached the Guru to ask for Gurudakshina. The Guru who knew the divine nature of the brothers said they needed nothing. The brothers insisted that they wanted to offer something as per tradition. Risi Sandipany consulted his wife and said we need no material fees. We are blessed to have seen you and spend time with you. Since you are insisting on offering Guru Dakshina our son was drowned in the sea at Prabhasa. We request you to get him back to us.
The sea brought forth many gifts for Krishna and Balarama but denied having swallowed the Gurus son. At this point the brothers went to Yama and demanded the restoration of life to the Gurus son. Guru and Guruma were very happy and blessed them having received the most precious Guru Dakshina. They blessed them "May your glory shine wherever you go. May you purify the whole world."
Krishna and Balarama then returned to Mathura. They never went back to Vrindavana. So, Krishna asked Uddhava to carry the message of love for him. Uddhava was pleased to do lords bidding. His visit is one of the most beautiful, mystical and memorable episodes in Srimad Bhagwatam.
4. Sudama story : We watched together on video (as children requested)Sudama story. They enjoyed as they still wanted fun like movie night.
We finished the day with Shanti mantra and Pledge.
Next week June 5th is the last day of Balavihar this year.
Important Information
1. Balvihar Field Day : Please check the link which was sent to you through whatsapp. Please record videos of your children. End day for field day is June 7th. So, please come up with suggested activities or create your own and post it in private face book group.https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V7OWuN0uVxqL8-pEodvgdW95TuSDmgWoFgZTzFtSEV0/edit
2. Online Summer camp : Please register for online summer camp . Here is the link which will give you all the details. It is for 2 months. June 15th to August 15th and is for 2 hrs 11 AM to 1 PM EST. It is unique opportunity as the camp is conducted by Swamis and Brahmacharis. Theme is Mahabharata. To know details please click https://files.constantcontact.com/92a172db501/a08c0bbe-e03a-4878-824e-10258bc2a412.pdf
Pranaam,
Meena and Viji
