Hari om parents,
Here is the summary of last class (10/8/23) -
We started our class with 3OM's and our beginning prayer "Om Sahana Bhavtu" followed by prayers for Lord Ganesha, Devi Saraswati & our Guru.
Revision time - Talking about the Samik Rishi's story & Avatars and why, Bhagvatam and who wrote it? Who inspired the author to write Bhagvatam? You can talk to the kids about the same.
Story time - Parikshit meets Kali
One day, King Parikshit was strolling on the banks of the river Saraswati where he saw a strange sight. A mean-spirited man, Kali, dressed in royal clothes, was kicking and torturing a bull. A cow, standing close by, was shedding tears. The wicked man had decapitated three of the bull's legs, and was about to cut off its fourth leg too.
Seeing the cruel treatment of the animals, King Parikshit got very angry. He turned around and said, "Hey, who are you?" In spite of being strong, you are cruelly hitting these innocent weak animals of my kingdom. Although you're dressed like a king, your actions seem to be that of a person of low cast. How dare you ill- treat these poor innocent creatures? Do you not know that I am the king of this land and I can punish you with death? Then he turned to the trembling and shivering bull and cow, and spoke to them very kindly and soothingly. He enquired how the bull had lost his three legs.
The bull bowed its head and said," O King, you wonder who has caused my suffering. Some say that beings, in their ignorance, cause their own sorrow or happiness. Others say it is due to one's own karmas. I do not know which is true."
Parikshit was surprised to hear the bull speak. He thought deeply and realized that the bull was none other than Dharma or virtue, the cow was Mother Earth and the wicked man was Kali - the spirit of Kali yuga.Parikshit then said to the bull, "You are indeed the personification of Dharma. Your four legs are austerity, kindness, purity and truthfulness. Of these you have lost three legs namely austerity, purity and kindness. You are now standing on truthfulness and Kali was about to cut that too."
Parikshit turned to Kali with his sword drawn and was about to cut off his head. Kali fell at his feet and begged to be heard. Since a king cannot kill anyone or any creature seeking refuge and protection, Parikshit had to withdraw his sword and listen to Kali. Kali said I'm supposed to be the ruler of the next age(Kali yuga) which will be full of cruelty and falsehood. Please spare my life.
Kali pleaded to Parikshit to give him some place to live. Parikshit thought and said ," You can go thrive where the name of the lord is forgotten."Kali now resides in 5 places where dishonesty, pride, arrogance, gambling/drinking, lust and cruelty prevail.
Brainstorming - We discussed a little about the 4 legs of Dharma and what they are called in Sanskrit. Will share a pic about it in our WhatsApp group chat.
Game time - We played Unscramble and it was so much fun.
For Closing prayers and aarti - We went to the temple hall.
. Also please check the WhatsApp group for messages.
Regards,
Chitra & Rupa
