Hari Om Dear Families,
We had a great second Sunday afternoon with energetic and curious kids. Please find below the summary of our class on Sunday, Sep 17 2023
1) Opening Prayers:
We chanted 3 OMs followed by 4 opening Prayers:
Vakratunda mahaakaavya(for Lord Ganesha)
Saraswathi namastubhyam
Guru Brahma
2) Shloka
We learned and chanted Sahanavavatu. We also learned the meaning of each verse.
Om Sahanavavatu (May he protect us both)
Saha nau Bhunaktu (May he nourish us)
Sahaviryam karavavahai (May we get the capacity to study and understand our scriptures)
Tejasvinavadhitamastu mavidvisavahai (May we study and get along well)
Om Shantih Shantih Shantihi
3. Brainstorming
Vertebrates versus Invertebrates: we learned about visible backbone( our spine) and the invisible backbone( our mental strength).
4. We then learned and chanted Dhyana Shloka of Sri Hanuman
Buddhir Balam Yashodhairyam nirbhayatvam arogataa
ajaaDyam vaakpaTutvam cha hanumat smaraNaat bhavet
Buddhi (intelligence), Balam (strength),Yasas (fame),Dhairyam (courage),Nirbhayatvam (fearlessness), Arogata (free from diseases), Ajadyam (alertness) and Vakpatutvam (eloquence) - These are the eight virtues that make our invisible back bone strong.
Throughout the next few classes , we will continue to learn about virtues of Hanuman and what constitutes a strong backbone.
5. Story : The Empty Pot.
Once there was a king with no heir to the throne. One day, he devised a clever plan to select the right person as the successor to the throne. The king distributed flower seeds to eveyone in the kingdom and announced, "you have six months to grow the healthiest plants you can. I will choose the future king based on the growth of your plant." Six months passed. All the subjects with that healthy plants in their hands proceeded towards the palace. A young boy also rushed towards the palace but his pot was empty. Nothing had grown! All the people laughed at him. The young boy said nothing and only smiled in response. When the king looked at the boy's empty pot and asked what happened ? The boy replied, "your majesty, I watered.I fertilized. I took care of it, but nothing grew. I am sorry, but I have tried my best.". The king then shocked the crowd by proclaiming the boy as the future king. " You have all proven unworthy. I gave you roasted seats that would never sprout. Each of you lied, because of the greed to gain the kingdom, but only this young boy despite all your jeers and taunts spoke the truth. Thus, he is the only one among you who is fit to be the future king."
Ask the kids why they think the boy became the king? The boy was sure of his efforts he knew he had worked hard and was very careful and yet his seeds just did not sprout. He had a choice. He could have cheated and replaced those seeds just as everyone else in town. Instead he was able to stand firm & he refused to lie. Because he had a strong invisible back bone that allowed him to stand up for what is right and uphold his virtues and beliefs.
6. Activity: Difference between string and ruler. String moves when you blow at it but not the ruler. Don't sway and be influenced by external forces (like the string ) and stay firm and strong to your values.
7. Story: Akbar and Birbal
In India, there was a king named Akbar. He had a very intelligent advisor named Birbal. One day, the king decided to test the intelligence of his ministers. He ordered all the ministers to find out how many crows there were in his kingdom. None of the ministers, except Birbal, had an answer for the king. Birbal said, we have 27,042 crows in our kingdom. The king said, if the answer is incorrect, the punishment will be severe. Birbal said, "Sir, if the number of crows are less than my count, it means that some crows have gone outside the kingdom to visit their relatives. If there are more, then their relatives have come here to visit them. King admired the intelligence of Birbal.
Discussion: We have to use our intellect in making right and wise decisions.
8. Game time - We played Simon says.
9.Geeta Chanting - We chanted Verses # 1 & 2 from Chapter 4
10.We ended our class with aarti and shaanti mantra.
Few Announcements:
- Next Balavihar class is on Sep 24th.
- You will receive class updates through email every week.
- WhatsApp group if you haven't joined yet: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JTCTZ4rPWLPH8te76B1QGy
- Class starts at 12:45 PM sharp with opening prayers. Please make sure kids are inside the classroom 5 mins before the class starts.
- Please make sure kids use the restroom before entering the class.
Few links for parents
This year's parents handbook is available at the following link- https://www.chinmayavrindavan.org/balavihar/parents-corner/handbook
Materials Needed for the Class
- Notebook for Likhita japa
- Pencil and Eraser
- My prayers book
- Hanuman Chalisa book
- Balavihar Handbook
Regards,
Divya Purushotham and Rajeswari Ummettala
