Hari Om! Parents,
Week 4 Class
The children did this Likhita Japa 16 times at the beginning of today's class -" Jai Durga/ Mahalakshmiye Namaha/Saraswati Namastubhyam ''. Please remind your child to do Likhita Japa regularly at home.
Shlokas
We started with Om chanting and then chanted Sahana vavatu, Vakratunda mahakaya, Saraswati namastubhyam, Guru Brahma, Sarva Mangala mangalye (ref. My Prayers book pg 39) we chanted Mahalakshmi Ashtakam Slokas 1-4 (ref. My Prayers book pg 40)
Mahabharata*
We continued Vana Parva, talking about the time of exile of the Pandavas for thirteen years as part of their punishment for losing the game of dice to the Kauravas. During their exile, the Pandavas go on a pilgrimage or Theertha Yatra. The story of Bhimasena's encounter with Hanuman, where Hanuman promises to protect the Pandavas in their battle against the Kauravas. The story of Jayadrata kidnapping Draupadi and Bhimasena rescuing her. Yudhistira spares his life, but seeking his revenge Jayadrata gets a boon from Lord Shiva to defeat the Pandavas, except Arjuna, only once during the war. The story of Duryodhana captured by the Gandharvas and the Pandavas rescuing him. Duryodhana's Rajasuya yagna and gathering several kingdoms for the war against the Pandavas.Arjuna's Quest for Weapons: Arjuna embarks on a journey to obtain divine weapons from the gods and celestial beings during their exile. This quest prepares him for the battle that lies ahead. His boon of Pashupatastra from Lord Shiva. He collects chariot, horses and other asthras from his father Indra. He gets Urvashi's curse and how that later helps him in the incognito year.
Yaksha Prashna: In this Parva, there is a famous incident where Yudhishthira encounters a mysterious yaksha who poses a series of Dharma questions. Yudhishthira's answers to these questions showcasing his wisdom and moral values. The yaksha is none other than Yama, his father, who blesses him that the Pandavas will not be recognised in their Ajnatavasa. In another encounter with Nahusha, the cursed king, Yudhistira once again shows why he is known as Dharmaraya i.e. Dharma incarnate. This concludes the Vana Parva of our Mahabharata story and the review of the 5th grade curriculum.
One-minute focus exercise - 11 Ganesha Squats
Reflection - We thought about physical hardships with moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Pandavas, how they kept their focus on Lord Krishna and always had devotion towards him.
We will be doing activities from the Mahabharata Junior Workbook by Chinmaya Publications throughout the year. Please send this book with your child to class.
Reflection - We spoke about the benefits of holding ears and squatting in building strength in our legs and increasing memory
India, the Sacred Land
Topics: The Sacred Land - Guru Parampara
Adi Shankara lived 2700 years before us, traveled the length and breadth of Bharath on foot 3 times, and established mutts. Remains of Sharatha Peth and how the once-thriving library is now in shambles because of repeated invasions. Great works of Adi Shankara are Bhaja Govindam and Nirvana Shatakam
Students presented
1. Rivers of India
2. Spices of India
#TIL [Today I Learned] Sri Venkatadri Kavi -
The great poet who lived in the 17th Century and created Raghava Yadaveyam, which reads Rama's story and when read backward forms Krishna's story. Taking pride in the greatness and intelligence of our rishis!
Houses Inaugural Assembly
Aligned with this year's theme of Service, all the students participated in wrapping spoons and forks in napkins for soup kitchens. Our team successfully finished in third position, completing over 1,000 packages with minimal waste. It gave them the opportunity to bond, make friends, and have fun in the process of working for the greater good! We concluded the session with Aarti and Pledge recitation in the Prayer Hall.
- Sangeetha Srikanth and Rashmi Kuroodi
Supplies needed for every class:- Bala Vihar Handbook, My Prayers book, the Junior Class Workbook Part 1 & 2, a notebook and pencils for likhita japa; everything in their Bala Vihar bag
*Reference books - Mahabharata by Rajagopalachari / Mahabharata by Kamala Subramaniam
