Hari Om Dear Families,
We had a fun Sunday afternoon. Please find below the summary of our class on Sunday, Jan 7 2024
1) Opening Prayers: We chanted 3 OMs followed by opening Prayer:
Om Sahanavavatu
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu
Saraswati Namastubhyam
Vakratunda mahaakaavya(for Lord Ganesha)
Buddhir Balam Yashodhairyam
2) Hanuman Chalisa - We revised the previously learnt verses of Hanuman Chalisa and also learnt the following verses
Laye Sanjivan Lakhan Jiyaye Shri Raghuvir Harashi ur laye
Meaning: You brought Sanjivan (A herb that revives life) and restored Lakshman back to life, Shri Raghuvir (Shri Ram) cheerfully embraced you with his heart full of joy.
Raghupati Kinhi bahut badai
Tum mam priye Bharat-hi sam bhai
Meaning: Shri Raghupati (Shri Ram) praised your excellence and said: "You are as dear to me as my own brother Bharat."
Sahas badan tumharo yash gaave Us kahi Shripati kanth lagaave
Thousands of living beings are chanting hymns of your glories; saying thus, Shri Ram warmly hugged him (Shri Hanuman).
Sankadik Brahmadi Muneesa Narad Sarad sahit Aheesa
When prophets like Sanka, even the Sage like Lord Brahma, the great hermit Narad himself, Goddess Saraswati and Ahisha (one of immeasurable dimensions).
Yam Kuber Digpal Jahan te Kavi kovid kahi sake kahan te
Even Yamraj (God of Death) Kuber (God of Wealth) and the Digpals (deputies guarding the four corners of the Universe) have been vying with one another in offering homage to your glories. How then, can a mere poet give adequate expression of your super excellence.
Tum upkar Sugreevahin keenha Ram milaye rajpad deenha Tumharo mantra Vibheeshan mana Lankeshwar Bhaye Sub jag jana
You rendered a great service to Sugriv. You united him with Shri Ram and he installed him on the Royal Throne. By heeding your advice, Vibhishan became Lord of Lanka. This is known all over the Universe.
3. Storytime -
Find a Fault Please
Once a king had an exhibition and put two paintings, one at the entrance and the other at the exit. He asked the people who entered to find fault with the painting at the entrance and to find the right things with the paintings at the exit. It was found that people found faults easily compared to praising a painting.
Man's greatness lies in his efforts
Four boys were playing in a field & from one of the corners of the field they heard a feeble voice coming from beneath the ground. "Dig and take me out; I will give you whatever you want." Digging the ground, the boys found a small right now. When they rubbed the lamp, it spoke. " I am Aladdin's magic lamp. I can give you whatever you ask for. Please ask." The first boy said, "I do not like doing my homework. Can you please do my homework daily?" The magic lamp replied, "yes of course, I will." The second boy asked, "how about giving me enough to eat so that I never have to work?" Again, the magic lamp replied,"yes of course. You should have enough Food to last your lifetime." And so the 3rd boy asked for something similar and the genie offered to do it. The last boy, however, ask something very unusual. "O magic lamp, I request you to vanish before you give us anything.
Our kind God has given us our eyes, ears, hands and legs. We should make full use of these gifts to make others and us happy. Man's greatness lies in his own efforts. Why should we be beggars before you and insult these gifts of God ?"
Sugriva meets Lord Rama
This story is how Hanumanji introduced Sugriva to Rama and Lakshmana. Sugriva initially was scared to see strangers in the forest and assumed that they were sent by Bali. It turned out fortunate for Sugriva to have met Rama and Lakshmana with whose help he was able to get back his kingdom. Lesson learnt is that a wise man is one who keeps the company of other wise men..
You become the company you keep
Once upon a time there was a king who got lost while hunting. He ended up in an area where the Bhils lived. The Bhills had a pet parrot.. As soon as the parrot saw the king, he started squawking, " Kill the king; steal from the King. Catch him before he runs away." Hearing the words of the parrot, the king knew he better run away to save his life. When Bhils heard the words of their parrot, they came out from their hiding place to capture the king, but the King quickly mounted his horse and escaped the hands of the Bhils.Traveling further, again he heard another parrot, "O Saint & Sages, come and serve the great King. Stop him. It is a great privilege to serve him."
Hearing these words, the king knew he had found a safe place to rest. The Rishis along with the disciples came out to receive the king. The king narrated the episode of the Bhil's parrot and asked why the parrots behave so differently.The Rishi's parrot replied ,"Although we were born of the same parents, I was raised by saints while my brother was raised by Bhils.I learned to talk & behave from saints and my brother learned the ways of Bhils.
Hanumanji meets Vibhisana
When Hanumanji went to Lanka to rescue Mother Sita, he came across a house with auspicious symbols but inside, it was Vibhisana, another asura who happened to be the brother of Ravana. Hanumanji found out that Vibhisana was also a great devotee of Lord Rama. Hanumanji helped Vibhisana understand that Lord Rama will recognize his devotion and not judge him by his brother Ravana's deeds.
Narada's Pride
Lord Vishnu asked Narada to play vina for a party in heaven. All the gods and goddesses were invited to the party. Narada foolishly felt proud that the Lord had selected him among all of the talented celestial musicians to play for the party.
At the party, Narada played his Vina and poured his heart into all of his songs. Everyone, but the Lord, clapped. Narada was unhappy, sensing Lord's disapproval.The Lord asked Narada to give his instrument to Hanuman Ji.Narada reluctantly handed his instrument to Hanuman Ji, nervous that Hanumanji would not be able to handle such a delicate instrument.
Hanumanji started playing the instrument while singing Raam naam. Everyone was absorbed in this divine song. Even Stones started melting in devotion. Narada soon realized how his ego had hurt him and made a fool of him. Narada apologized to the Lord and thanked him for teaching him a valuable lesson. Surrender at the feet of the Lord and be a winner.
4. We watched a video illustrating the Hanuman Chalisa verses we have learnt so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qywgxZ9A58
5. Bhagavad Geeta : We learnt verses 11,12 and 13. We have been learning Bhagavad Geeta for few classes and 2nd grade kids have been assigned only 14 verses this year. So we will be working on memorizing these 14 verses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSTS7nJlewU
6.Meditation/Yoga : We did a couple of yoga poses.
8.Activity: We divided into 2 groups and played games. We will continue to do this as the kids loved it and is a good way to learn more about our beloved Hanumanji.
https://wordwall.net/resource/9820598/dhyaan-shloka and
https://wordwall.net/resource/12142389/quiz-time
Things to note:
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.
You will receive class updates through email every week.
WhatsApp group if you haven't joined yet: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JTCTZ4rPWLPH8te76B1QGy
Materials Needed for the Class
Notebook for Likhita japa ( Pencil and Eraser), Hanuman Chalisa book and Balavihar Handbook (Bhagavad Gita)
Regards,
Divya
