Hari OM Dear Families,
Here is this week's update.
Week 8 :
19th November 2023 / 9:15 AM
Opening prayers and Shlokas
Slokas: Class began with 3 OMs followed by
Shri Krishnashtakam – In our previous classes we had learnt up to the fifth verse, today after chanting the first five verses, we learnt the sixth verse.
Verse -6
Rukminikeli samyuktam peetambhara susobbhitam
Avaapta tulasi gandham krisham vande jagadgurum
The Lord who is engaged in playing with Rukmini, adorned and resplendent with peetambaras (silk garments woven with gold)
Who attracts to the scent of Tulasi (Ocimum), I bow to you, Lord Krishna, Guru of the World.
"My Twenty-Four Teachers"
Today's Riddle: I am brilliant in appearance. I have many colors. I can do a lot of good to you, but if used improperly, can be destroyed as well. It is better not to come too close to me. Who am I?
There were a few guesses- rainbow, earth, water, and then came the right guess- Fire. Yes, today's teacher is Fire.
"Like fire, the sage should be brilliant with knowledge and Tapas"
"Just as fire gives color to what it burns, a guru gives His qualities to His disciples."
Fire is brilliant and bright, and it teaches us not to hoard, accept all and not allow impurities of others to enter our personality. Fire takes in everything, whether pure or impure, whether dirty or clean and reduces them all to ashes. It does not get impure by taking in bad things. It always remains pure. Fire teaches us that we can mingle with anyone, but we should not let any vices or bad things enter us.
Fire has no shape of its own. It takes the shape of the firewood or the container. Similarly, God also does not have any form. God is everywhere and he is there in every form, and all forms are his!
(1) Tale: Buddha and the Elephant:
Once Buddha was walking with his disciples. One of the disciples, who did not like Buddha, set a wild elephant free. The elephant was creating havoc, and everyone was running away for their lives. Even Buddha's followers, except the ones who had firm faith in him, ran away. Buddha, seeing this confusion said that if we don't harm anyone, no harm will come to us. True to his words and to everyone's surprise, the elephant became very calm as soon as it saw Buddha and even bowed down to him with respect.
Moral: He, who harms none, will be harmed by any.
(2) Tale: He accepts all:
Once Swami Chinmayananda was giving a discourse in the USA. As everyone in the hall was listening to him, a man entered the hall noisily. He was a filthy looking man with dirty clothes and hair and was drunk. Everyone was disgusted and wished that he would leave immediately. But Gurudev lovingly asked that man to go sit next to him. To explain to the crowd who was surprised at this, Gurudev told them that the filthy man needed him more than everyone else.
Moral: This story shows us that great people like Gurudev accept everyone equally.
(3) Tale: Faith:
The story of Swami Tapovan Maharaj ji, who was our Gurudev's teacher. He used to travel in the Himalayas by foot. He never used to carry any food with him, as he believed that God would provide what is necessary, when it is necessary. Once it so happened that Swami was walking in a forest. It was noon and he was hungry and tired. He sat down to rest. He was sure that God would somehow take care of his hunger but was curious how it would happen in a forest at midday. Within a few minutes a farmer came with his son. It was the son's birthday, and the farmer served a nice feast to Swami right there.
Moral: We learn from this story that we need to have faith in God. There is no need to hoard. He will provide what we need when we need.
4.Tale: Discovery of fire:
Once a man picking up fruits and leaves in a forest sees a cloud of smoke at a distance. He does not know what it is, so he goes closer to observe. He sees a bright fire burning in a small area of the forest floor. He had never seen fire before and thinks it's probably a star fallen to the earth. He tries to go closer, but is unable to, due to the heat. He thinks it's a powerful being and greets the fire. The fire greets him in return and tells him that he can stay near the fire to keep himself warm and cook some corn on the fire, as cooked food tastes much better. The man does what the fire tells him. He soon gets used to the light, warmth, and cooked food, all which came from the fire and wants to get more of them. He asks fire if he can take him home. The fire politely refuses, saying that it could be dangerous to move him from where God intended it to be, the forest. The fire offered that the man could come to the forest whenever he wanted to cook his food but warned him not to tell anyone of its whereabouts. The man and his wife kept going to the forest occasionally and started enjoying the cooked food and the warm fire. Once a neighbor follows them secretly to the forest and sees the fire. Once the man and his wife are asleep, he steals a twig of fire and runs across the forest. Unknowingly, he drops sparks of fire all over on the dry leaves on the forest floor, and soon the forest is in flames. Terrified, everyone jumps in a nearby river and swims to safety. Then fire tells them, "As long as I am contained and respected, I do you a lot of good, but out of it, I can be a monster destroying everything".
Moral: Do not be greedy and treat everyone with respect.
Gita Chanting: We practiced shlokas 1 through 5 and then learnt shlokas 6 and 7 today. Please encourage the kids to practice often. The link to Swamiji's videos is Verses 6-7 Ch.4 BG - YouTube
Aarti and Pledge - We concluded the class with Aarti and Pledge in the temple hall.
We look forward to seeing the kids in class on 03-Dec-2023 after the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have.
Thank you and Hari OM
Neelima Turaga and Rekha Pai.
