Hari om everyone,
Here's the synopsis of our first class in the new calendar year. We started our class with meditation and practiced Geeta chanting of Chapter 4.
The Kyun Kyun (QQ - Quirky Question) of the day was - No matter where in the world, it is hidden from both the Sun and the Moon. What is it?
This question stumped our students. We revealed the answer - Darkness! No matter where the Sun and the Moon go, they would be carrying their own light and hence will never be able to catch darkness! We will connect this with our lesson in a little while.
We continued summarizing Chapter 2 of Bhagavadgeeta. Krishna had given the highest knowledge in a nutshell in this chapter. Arjuna had many questions too.
We discussed Karma vs. Karma Yoga. Karma is actions performed to benefit oneself. In Karma Yoga, one's actions are performed with IshwaraarpaNa buddhi (as an offering to the Lord).
Karma is binding, because, our previous vaasanas (inherent traits) initiate us into actions. The fruit of those actions lead to further vaasanas that put us right back into the vicious cycle of actions.
But actions performed for the benefit of others, as Karma Yoga, will lead one towards vairagya (dispassion). Actions thus performed are not binding.
With many examples, we understood the effect of vaasanas and how they get engrained into our very personalities.
It is said,
So, we encourage our students to ask questions and be involved in conversations. Our students are very eager to share their thoughts!
Today, they had many questions about the stories they had learnt already. Why did the fat, little, cute Krishna play pranks? Why did Saraswati twist the words of Kumbhakarna? (He had done intense tapas. Yet, he was cheated of the boon he wanted!) Why was Vishnu biased while distributing amRutam after the churning of the milky ocean? (After all, the asuras had put in an equal amount of effort in the churning!)
We added another situation to the list - Krishna went as a messenger to Duryodhana and asked him to refrain from the war. On the other hand, he gave the whole Bhagavadgeeta, in an effort to make Arjuna get up and fight the war! Looks like all Gods are biased in one way or another!! huh?!
Not really!! Our shaastras and puraaNas are to be understood in the right light. What may seem wrong to the superficial eye will prove to be right when our understanding is corrected. God is NEVER biased. He is always where dharma is! The intentions of the raakShasas and Duryodhana were skewed, for selfish gains alone. That is why the Lord did not support them. Whereas, deities and Arjuna were performing their actions to uphold dharma, for the benefit of everyone!
As always, we ended the class with our 'Unique statement review' by the students. They summarized all the salient points discussed.
Parents, please discuss these topics with your highschoolers when you get a chance.
See you after the Sankraanti break. Happy Sankraanti to all.
Regards,
Rashmi and Sirisha.
Rashmi and Sirisha.
