Hari Om Parents:
Namaste and greetings
Daily Balavihar activities:
Typical balavihar class starts with Likitha Japa (silent writing of name of ishta devatha) followed by
3 time Om invocation, followed by Shanti mantra
Daily prayers ( Page 11 of My Prayers book).Om Saha Nau-Avatu |Saha Nau Bhunaktu |Saha Viiryam Karavaavahai |Tejasvi Nau-Adhiitam-Astu Maa Vidvissaavahai |Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||ॐ सह नाववतु ।सह नौ भुनक्तु ।सह वीर्यं करवावहै ।तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विद्विषावहै ।ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
After the daily activities were completed. we practiced the 1-4 slokas of Ganesha Pancharatna ( Page 30 of My prayers book). Please help kids memorize the daily prayers and Ganesha Pancharatnam. There are a few kids who are new, request parents to engage them and learn/ practice the slokas along with them
We played a game to focus the mind, concentrate the mind and direct their energies to one task. The lights were switched off and kids were asked to count how many chimes the bell rang. Surprisingly, almost all kids counted the number of chimes correctly. Well, it was surprising - how little effort we need to enable the kids to focus their minds, because their minds are all already focused, we just have to create the ambiance and environment!!
This was a short class. after recapping las week's class, we started the terms "karma" & "phala", "action" & "reaction - consequences" Mahabharatha is full of such events where actions are taken in a hurry or succumbing to immediate wants, and wishes which later on result in consequences that are repented or lead to unknown consequences, misery. Somebody rightly said " Act in haste, repent at leisure"
It was time for the House's inaugural assembly in the prayer hall and the kids all rushed to the hall to enjoy the fun activities during the house activities. The 5th graders who are Krishna's Cowboys made the most of the cutlery packs 🙌🙌🙌
Until we meet next time
HariOm
Shivram
Important Information:
List of things that we need the kids to bring to the class
- An empty notebook to write likhita japa and notes
- Two sharpened pencils
- Daily Prayers book
- Curriculum for 5th graders
- Mahabharata By Raja Gopalachari
- India the sacred land (handouts will be provided by teachers)
- Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 4 1-28
- Slokas
- Ganesha Panchratnam
- Link to rendition with lyrics in english https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4lZCKxeJFE or
- Link: https://youtu.be/Oyo0FWP9fB8?si=ZaYVDepNkX0YWShI (play at lower speeds for kids to follow lyrics and hear clearly)
- Nirvana Shatakam: https://youtu.be/rKx7K13OvQ4?si=lM6g_ZtX0kdF5Sfo - Uninterrupted Line Guided Chant - YouTube
