Oct 27, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

Oct 27, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

Following is the summary of Balaviha session Oct 27, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

We continued talking about Hindu culture from where we left off last week. There were only 3 students present. There was some discussion in class about why we are having the class. Teacher explained that in the spirit of what Gurudev professed, the class must go on even if there is one person attending. 

We also talked about why we are attending the class and what we wish to gain from this. Hindu culture is the oldest living culture in the world. We are discovering that the answers to many contemporary problems in the ancient hindu books or practices. The once "only Indian" practices like Yoga, Pranayam & Ayurveda are rapidly gaining global acceptance. Bhagwad Gita has been rediscovered by Gurudev as a knowledge bank to solve all the problems we face. We have inherited part of this culture. Why, then, can we not spend a couple of hours to understand as much as possible? Why, then, can we not accept and appreciate this inheritance humbly? 

The hindu scriptures are broadly classified into Sruti and Smriti. 

Sruti comes from root "sru" that means "to hear". Thus, Sruti is the revealed knowledge. Rsis, received this knowledge, because they had the subtle ability to "hear" this. Vedas are thus the collective knowledge gained by many such accomplished rsis. Vedas can be classified into four parts - Rg, Yajur, Sama & Atharva. Vedas are derived from the Sanskrit root "vid" - "to know". Vedas can also be classified the Samhitas (hymns), the Brahmanas (rituals), the Aranyakas (theologies) and the Upanishads (philosophies). Upanishads are the essential philosophies that demonstrate the truth in multiple different ways. 

Smriti means "to remember". There are 18 Smritis and one of the popular ones is Manu Smriti. Smritis are knowledge that is modified according to the time, need, circumstances and people. So, there may be limited relevance of one Smriti in another time and cultural setting. 

Ithihasas means "thus it was". So, it is something that has been reported to us by others. Two great and well known Ithihasas are "The Ramayana" and "The Mahabharata". 

Purana means ancient, timeless, eternal. There are 18 puranas and 46 Up-purarans. Bhagwatam is one of the popular puranas. 

Sad Darsanaas and Sadangas are six philosophies and six limbs respectively. The include various different forms of philosophies. Sadangas include knowledge of the worldly science. 

Upavedas have information about all aspects of human life eg Ayurveda (life sciences), Dhanurveda (warfare), Gandharva Veda (Art & Music) & Sthapatya (Architecture). 

We talked about the story of 2 wolves. A grandpa was explaining to his grandson about a fight between two wolves going on inside him. One wolf represents anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other one represented joy, peace, love, hope, generosity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, truth, compassion and faith. The question then is which one wins.
Grandpa answered "The one I fed.".
We have various tendencies and we have a choice to feed the one that helps purify our mind and strengthen our positive tendencies. Karma Kanda from Vedas helps us in this. 

We started Geeta Chanting in class this week onwards. This year we will covering Chapter I of Bhagwad Geeta. 

For Nov 3 Class:
1. Its picture day at Bala Vihar - Please come in traditional Indian Attire. 

2. We are going to cover "Do your Duties" and about Karma. 

Hari Om
CMTC - Vridavan Sevika and Sevak

Oct 20, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

Oct 20, 2019 -

Following is the summary of Balavihar session on Oct 20th, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

We started discussing about Hindu Culture and its significance to us. The main hindu scriptures were discussed. Srutis which is the four Vedas - Rg, Yajur, Sama & Atharva Vedas.

It was a very short class. All students in the class were selected as leaders in a community giving activity. They helped children from other classes in wrapping plastic cutlery at the main temple hall. These will later be sent to local community kitchen. It was very good to see excitement and work done by all in this activity.

Hari Om

CMTC - Vridavan Sevika and Sevak

Oct 6, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

Oct 6, 2019 -

Following is the Summary of Balavihar session on Oct 5, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

There was a conversation about Navratri and general cultural customs followed in various hindu traditions like Navratri Golu, Dandiya, Pujas. There was a discussion about the change in food habits followed during this festive season.

There were questions about why we avoid non-vegetarian food, avoid onion/garlic and/or avoid restaurants during this period. 

The students did Saraswati Puja after a short session on this day.

Hari Om

CMTC - Vrindavan Sevika and Sevak

Sep 22, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

Sept 22, 2019

Following is summary of Balavihar session on Sep 22, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

We started with Om chanting and invocation prayers. A new vedic sloka was introduced today - "Om bhadram Karnebhih…". This will be recited and practiced in upcoming classes. A photocopy of the shloka, english transliteration and english translation has been given to the attendees. 

We will be doing another set of verses from Rudram - "Namaste Astu Bhagavan…." and Siva Manas puja in upcoming classes.

We started discussing the upcoming festivities of Nav Raatri. Activities done at home in families were discussed Garbha and Golu's. The creation of mother goddess from the combination of powerful forces of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara. Then the goddess kills Mahishasura.[1] This symbolises the destruction of evil forces from the world. 

We also talked about 2 great festivals that come in the nights - Nav Raatri and Siva Raatri. [2]

The 9 nights, in sets of 3 nights, are dedicated to Goddess Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati respectively. They represent Power, Prosperity and Wisdom. So, these nights are one of the most auspicious nights in hindu culture. 

Selected Questions:

[1] - If there is a way to destroy the evil from the world then why kill an asura. Does that not amount to murder? Teacher explained different views on what scriptures represent. There have been instances where avataars come to restore balance. 

The teachers also talked about the translation of sanskrit words directly into english carry an incorrect connotation.

[2] If someone is older than us by just a few months, do we still have to respect them? 

Class was introduced to a new teacher - Partha Turaga. Partha has been associated with Chinmaya Brindavan for about 4 years now through Adult classes under Manikandan Ji.. Apart from an obvious interest in Indian culture & philosophy, he likes movies, math & sciency fun stuff. 

We are looking to connect to the children and the best way to provide value to them.

We have created a whatsapp group for better communication for this class. Students and Parents please join through - https://chat.whatsapp.com/IffD7cSRC4q0ETcAGFBRU6.

Regards,
Maneesha.

Sep 15, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

Sept 15, 2019

Following is the summary of Balavihar Session on Sep 15, 2019 - Grade 9 (Sunday PM)

This year 9th grade will be talking about Hindu Culture. 

The book for this is Hindu culture - An Introduction by Swami Tejomayananda. Other resources are Why Do we… Swamini Vimalananda.
We will also be learning how to chant Bhagwad Gita Chapter I slokas. 

The first class we talked about the importance of Culture. And the difference between culture and civilization. 

There was also a discussion about Prakriti and Vikriti.

Hari Om

CMTC - Vrindavan Sevak and Sevika

Welcome to Gr 9 - Sunday PM Session

Please look out for regular updates from the teachers soon after the session starts on Sept 15th