Hari Om Dear Families,
We had a fun Sunday afternoon with our kids. Please find below the summary of our class on Sunday, Dec 17th 2023
Opening Prayers: We chanted 3 OMs followed by the following opening Prayers
- Om Sahanavavatu
- Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu
- Saraswati Namastubhyam
- Vakratunda mahaakaavya(for Lord Ganesha)
- Buddhir Balam Yashodhairyam
Kids are given an opportunity to come in front and lead the group for chanting. Please revise as we will be asking each kid to lead in our class.
Hanuman Chalisa: We started learning Hanuman Chalisa since last 5 weeks. We have learnt 10 verses so far.
We did verses 11 to 15
Verse 11:
Laaya sanjivana lakhana jiyaye; sri raghivira harashiura laaye (Verse 11)
Meaning: You fetched Sanjivani herb to revive Lakshmana (who had fainted on the battlefield) and made Sri Rama happily embrace you.
Story: Lakshmana's Revival
During the war between Lord Rama and Ravana, Indrajit (Ravana's son) injured Lakshmana with a deadly weapon which put Lakshmana in a coma. The only medicine that could revive him was Sanjivani herb which had to be brought from the Himalayas. That had to be administered before dawn or it could be fatal for Lakshmana. Hanumanji took up the impossible task and promised Lord Rama that he would do it in the fastest time. He brought the entire mountain to Lord Rama and Lakshmana was saved with the herb. Lord Rama was filled with love and gratitude. He was thinking how to reward Hanumanji and he remembered the best gift would be a big hug from him.
Group Discussion: The children were very excited to hear about Hanumanji's speed in performing a task. We discussed lifesaving activities to help people. Children mentioned blind people crossing the road and their siblings from hurting themselves. Most kids have younger siblings. We discussed about how there should be no delay or unnecessary thinking and wasting time. They should just help.
Verse 12:
Sraghupati kinhi bahuta badhayi; tumamama Priya Bharata sama bhai (Verse 12)
Meaning: Lord Rama praised You very highly and said "You are as dear to me as My brother Bharata"
Group Discussion: We discussed that Bharata was a very dear brother to Lord Rama perhaps his favorite. Lord Rama compared Hanumanji to Bharata and said he was as close to him as Bharata. We discussed how friends can be like family.
Verse 13:
Sahasavadana tumharojasa gaavai; asakahi sriapthi kantha lagavai(Verse 13)
Meaning: Embracing you, Lord Rama said, Even Seshanag, the thousand hooded serpent sings your glory. That means even thousand mouths are not enough to sing Your glories. There is no end to Hanumanji's glories.
Story: Find a fault
A kind had an exhibition of paintings of different award-winning artists. The best painting was kept by him at the entrance saying, "what is inappropriate about the painting". At the exit gate he had placed another painting and asked, "what is exceptionally beautiful about the painting". By end of the day, the painting at the entrance had most pencil marks than the one at the exit. The king then understood that to find fault in someone is easy but to praise is very difficult.
Group Discussion: We discussed that we should praise people and not always pick faults. We discussed by asking the children do they like being praised or picked on. It was a very good discussion with examples.
Verse 14, 15:
Ssanakadika brahmadimunisa; naraa sarada sahita ahisa(Verse 14)
Yamakubera dig apala jahante; kavikovidha kahi sakai kahaante (verse 15)
Meaning: Great sages like Sanaka and Goddesses like Brahma, Seshanaaga, Narada, Saradadevi etc praised Hanumanji. Yama, the god of death, kubera, the god of wealth, eight regents, poets, scholars also have not been able to praise You adequately.
Story: Man's greatness lies in his efforts
Four boys were digging the ground and pulled out Aladin's magic lamp. A feeble voice came asking them to ask whatever they wanted. Three of the boys asked for something or the other. But the last one told the lamp to vanish because he said that God gave us 5 senses and limbs to get whatever we wanted. We should put efforts and that is our true greatness.
Group Discussion: We discussed that we should put in efforts. We asked everyone to share their stories of efforts and how they felt about it.
Other Activities:
Hero Pose: We did the Hero Pose where we stand straight keeping our hands at the waist and smile. We discussed how we should start our day with that.
Meditation: We did silent meditation for 3 minutes.
Craft Activity: We made an ornament for the Christmas tree.
Likhita japa: We did Likhita japa of the kids favorite god in the book. Please remember to send it with the kids every class. Yellow is our house color. To read more about Balavihar Houses, check out this link and participate in the upcoming events. https://www.chinmayavrindavan.org/balavihar/balavihar-houses
Things to note:
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 1 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.
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)
Hanuman Chalisa book
Balavihar Handbook (Bhagavad Gita)
Regards,
Aasthaji and Rajeswari
