Dec 17, 2023 - Grade 2 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Parents,

Dec 17th 2023 Balavihar class started with 3 Oms followed by shlokas

1. Sahanaavavathu
2. Vakratunda
3. Saraswathi
4. Gururbrahma
5. Buddhi balam

Hanuman Chalisa: 

We revised 21 verses and learnt new verses 22, 23 and 24.

Story: Saint Malidasa

In Bihar, an innocent boy named Malidasa used to take cows to graze in the forest. He used to get scared in the forest, while he was there from morning till evening, because of many wild animals, but he had no choice.

One evening while he was returning from the forest, he saw one brahmin taking bath in a river. After the bath, he came to the banks, did pranayama and said prayers. Boy approached the brahmin and asked what he was doing. Brahmin said that he was praying to God. Malidasa asked if he could teach him how to pray. Brahmin replied, "you haven't studied, how can I teach you the scriptures, how can I teach to pray?"

Boy became sad, but asked again humbly "okay… but tell me, why did you close your nose?" Brahmin was annoyed with his questions and said "By closing the nose, breathing is stopped, which concentrates the mind. Only with a concentrated mind one can see God. Now go! don't disturb me!" and shooed him away. 

Malidasa considered the Brahmin as his guru. He took a bath in the river, came to the banks as the brahman had and closed his nose. He had decided to see God. He was struggling with his inability to breathe, but he was determined to see God. The Lord saw that this boy would die with lack of air and came to reveal himself. 

Malidasa opened his eyes and asked, "who are you?"

God thundered, "I am God".

Malidasa was not convinced, so he wanted to ask his Guru (the Brahmin) to make sure He is God himself. But he thought, what if God runs away before the Brahmin comes! So Malidasa tied God to a tree and went to bring the Brahmin. Malidasa asked the Brahmin, "Guruji, come quickly and tell me if He is God!". The Brahmin came reluctantly, but he could not see God!

Malidasa was shocked that his Guru couldn't see God, but God explained, "Unless your heart is pure, you cannot see Me". 

To reward the boy, God offered him a boon.

Malidasa asked, "Everytime, as soon as I close my nose, please appear".

After that, everyday, as soon as Malidasa went to the forest, he would close his nose and the Lord would appear and play with him the whole day. He had no fear of any wild animals in the forest.

Moral: 'With God as the protector at our side, we have nothing to fear' as it says in verse 22 of Hanuman Chalisa.

Bhagavadgeetha: We watched Swamiji's teaching video of verses 12, 13 and 14.

We revised all the old verses. Very very happy to see a few kids memorizing till verse 17!

https://youtu.be/VSTS7nJlewU?feature=shared

2nd grade kids have been assigned only 14 verses this year. So from next class we will be working on memorizing these 14 verses. 

But we have a few enthusiastic kids in our class, who want to learn the whole chapter. Here is a playlist for those. Please practice regularly.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwv-WSJSokEMDUAisk23c-TudJA6lE-pf&si=82cTrT236BXy2yFO

Announcement: 

Many many thanks to Rahul ji (Sricharan's dad) for helping out Meena ji with the past few classes, while I was in India.

No class on Dec 24th and 31st. Next class is on Jan 7th.

Happy Holidays and Happy New year. See you all in Jan.

Pranaams,

Ramya Belavadi & Meena Rajan.

Oct 8, 2023 - Grade 2 (Sunday AM)

Hariom Parents,

We had a great Balavihar class on October 8th. The email gives us the details about our class. Please revisit this as we have come to class after Navratri

Our class started with 3 Oms followed by 4 shlokas

1. Sahanaavavathu

2. Vakratunda Mahaakaaya

3. Saraswathi namastubhyam

4. Gururbrahma Gururvishnuh

We revisited the Buddhir Balam shloka which we learned last week. Then we had Story time. This weeks Stories were

5. Hanuman chalisa verse 7,8 and 9

6. Story Time

Hanumanji's Flight

When Hanumanji flew across the ocean to look for Sitaji. He encountered 3 obstacles which he overcame easily. The first obstacle was the Mainaka Mountain, which appeared in the middle of the ocean. Hanumanji was invited to rest for a while on this mountain but Hanumanji did not give in. Instead he said he cannot rest till his masters work is done and so continued. 

The next obstacle that Hanumanji had to face was raksasi name Surasa who threatened to eat Him. This was the second obstacle. Hanumanji pleaded with her to let Him go to finish His Lord's work.She ignored his pleas and showed no compassion Instead she opened her mouth wide to swallow Him. Hanumanji grew bigger and bigger so the rakshasi opened her mouth wider and wider then suddenly Hanumanji became small in size and he flew across his mouth before she could close it. He then said I went into your mouth and out so now let me go. Surasa was pleased with his intelligence and let him go. Then she turned into a beautiful woman and said she was sent by Devatas to test his intelligence. Surasa blessed him to complete his journey and mission successfully.

As Hanumanji continued on his journey he felt a mysterious force pulling him down. That force turned out to be the third obstacle, the rakshasi Simhika who had the power to bring down and devour all creatures flying over her head. Symbolically Simhika stands for jealousy. Jealousy can never bear the rise of another. Jealousy pulls us down and burns us. Obe should destroy jealousy and so Hanumanji mercilessly killed Simhika with one blow.

Burning of Lanka

When Hanumanji reached Ashoka vatika. He recognized Mother Sita sitting under a tree guarded by rakshasis. Ravana approached Sitaji initially tried to tempt her saying she can be his queen. She asked him to get rid of his lustful wicked desire and warned how he will loose his entire kingdom as a king who is not disciplined was destined to loose his entire kingdom. This enraged Ravana who gave her an ultimatum saying she has two months to agree to be his wife if not she would be served as his breakfast.

Hanumanji saw all this and did not know how to convey that he was Rama's messenger. Then it occurred to him he can change his size to the size of mosquito and narrated beautiful story of Rama. Hanumanji presented himself as a miniature form so that no one else except Sitaji could see him. He then gave Ramas ring to Sita and Sitaji gave her ring to him so that he can give it to Rama. After exchanging rings he told Sitaji that she would soon be with Rama. He wanted Ravana to know his powers so he then became huge and roared. He jumped all over the garden and destroyed the garden. Hanumanji then let him get captured and he was brought to the court of Ravana.

When asked who he was Hanumanji spoke fearlessly that he was the messanger of Rama the prince of Ayodhya. He said he had come with a message of peace. Ravana had abducted the Sitaji his queen. So, he said return Sitaji to Rama and ask for his forgiveness and you will be forgiven. Hearing this Ravana got very angry. He wanted to kill him. Ravana's brother advised you cannot kill the messanger. At the most you can punish or ill treat him and send him back.

Thinking monkey's pride is its tail Ravana asked his guards to tie rags to Hanumanji's tail and set it to fire. As quick witted as Hanumanji was he used this opportunity to scare Ravana and destroy half of Lanka. He then grew huge is size and then started jumping from building to building till he set fire to the whole city of Lanka. He then again became small in size shred his rags.

This story shows Hanumanji's resourcefulness and intelligence.

7. Play time: We headed out to play so that all our little children could enjoy being little vanarsena playing Rama says

8. Bhagawat Gita : Next we learned verses 2 and 3 of Bhagawat gita.

9. Aarti and Pledge in the temple.

We had a fun-filled day with your children. Our next Balavihar class is on October 29. 

Enjoy Navratri !!.

Pranaam,

Meena Rajan and Ramya Belavadi

Oct 1, 2023 - Grade 2 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Parents,

It was so nice to see everyone dressed in yellow, showing our House spirit.

1. Opening prayers
Class started with 3 Oms followed by 5 shlokas
           1. Sahanaavavathu
           2. Vakratunda Mahaakaaya
           3. Saraswathi namastubhyam
           4. Gururbrahma Gururvishnuh
           5. Buddhir Balam 

2. Hanuman Chalisa: Very happy that most of the kids practiced the first 3 verses from last week.
We learned new verses 4,5 & 6 from "Kancana barana" till "mahaa jag bandhana". We will be sending audio clipping soon on WhatsApp.

3. Story: We had a very short class today and hence didn't learn any stories

4. Bhajan: We learned Veera Hanumana -  Our House "Bajarangi Bolts" Bhajan.

5. Bhagavadgeeta: We revised the 1st verse of the 4th chapter. Didn't learn any new verses.

6. House inauguration:  We all assembled at the prayer hall for House inauguration. Hope kids liked the challenge of preparing cutlery packets. 

7. Announcements
⁃ Parents, please help us in using our classroom time efficiently by helping your kids use the restroom before coming inside the classroom @9:10am
⁃ Please Practice Hanuman Chalisa 3,4,5 and Bhagavath Geetha with your kids.
⁃ See you all next week Oct 8th.

Pranams
Ramya Belavadi & Meena Rajan

Sep 24, 2023 - Grade 2 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Parents,

We had a wonderful Balavihar class today. 

1. Opening prayers

Our class started with 3 Oms followed by 5 shlokas

1. Sahanaavavathu

2. Vakratunda Mahaakaaya

3. Saraswathi namastubhyam

4. Gururbrahma Gururvishnuh

        5. Buddhir Balam 

2. Hanuman Chalisa

We learned first 3 verses from " Jaya Hanuman jnana guna saagara" till "Kumari nivaar sumati ke sangi". We share the audio clipping in whatsapp soon.

3. Stories

Story #1: Indra's Vajra

During a major war, Indra couldn't defeat the rakshasas who were causing great harm to the people. When he approached Brahma ji for help, Lord Indra heard that the only weapon that can defeat rakshasas is, the one made from the backbone of the great saint Dadhichi. How would he get the bones of a living person? When he reluctantly approached saint Dadhichi, out of compassion and for the welfare of people Dadhichi agreed to sacrifice his body to make this powerful weapon Vajra. 

Hanuman ji is called Bajarangi, because he is as strong as the thunderbolt/Vajra of Indra 

Story#2: Curse or a Boon

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful apsara called Pumjisthala, who was very naughty. One day, she disturbed a sage who was meditating. Sage got very angry and cursed her to become a female monkey in her next life. Pumjisthala got very sad and fell at his feet and apologized. Sage said she could be free from the curse if she gave birth to Lord Shiva. 

Pumjisthala was reborn as Anjana who was married to Kesari. He was called Kesari because he was as brave as a Lion. Anjana worshipped Lord Shiva for many years. Because of her intense tapas, Lord Shiva granted her wish to be born as her son. 

At the same time, Ravana was creating havoc in the world and hence all the gods prayed to Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu agreed to incarnate as Lord Rama. Since Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a human, all the gods who wanted to serve Him, assumed the form of monkeys/vanaras. Sugreeva was the son of Surya, Vali was the son of Indra. Shiva also wanted to serve Lord Rama. He placed his Tejas and brilliance on Sri Hanuman who was born to Anjana. 

• Sri Hanuman is the son of Anjana, hence He is called Anjaniputra
• He is the son of Kesari, hence He is also referred to as Kesari Nandana
• Lord Vayu placed his power when Hanuman was born to Anjana, hence He is also called Pavanasuta.

When Pumjisthala got cursed, her good deeds and intense worship to Lord shiva turned the curse into a boon. She got a son like Hanuman ji. 

Story#3: Stories related to Kumati (bad thoughts) & Sumati (good thoughts)

Once there was a man who was deeply jealous of his neighbor. One day a genie appeared in front of him and wanted to grant a wish. But the only condition was that his neighbor gets twice as much. Having a wicked thought (Kumati) of not wanting anything good for his neighbor, he asked the genie to take out one of his eyes. Hence his neighbor lost both his eyes.

Once there was a rich man. He was thinking how to please the Lord and thought of lighting a ghee lamp every day at a nearby temple.

There was this poor man living nearby. The road to his village was very dark. He thought of lighting a lamp everyday near the road, so that the passerby won't stumble and hurt themselves. The Lord was more pleased with the deeds of the poor man, since his lamp helped the maximum number of people, compared to Rich man's lamp which was not of much use in the already well lit temple.

Service of the world is service of the Lord. This is Sumati (good thoughts)

Sri Hanuman gives us good thoughts (Sumati) and eliminates evil thoughts (kumati)

4. Bhajan

Swamini Radhikananda ji taught a wonderful Hanuman Bhajan today. We have sent the video on WhatsApp group. Here are the words.

The blessed son of Anjana, His name was Hanumantha

To find lost mother Seetha, He helped Sri Ramachandra

He carried the Drona mountain, giving Lakshmana his life again

To this great soul Hanuman, Tukaram does humble Pranam

5. Bhagavath Geeta: We learnt the first verse of chapter 4. Here is the link for the same. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYZhDbZK1N0

6. Announcements

• Please make it a habit to use the restroom before entering the class at 9:10am
• Hear the above stories from your own kids with the help of these Cue words: Vajra, Dadhichi, Bajarangi, Pumjisthala, Anjana, Shiva, Kumati, Sumati.
• Please Practice Hanuman Chalisa and Bhagavath Geetha with your kids.
• See you all next week Oct 1st.

Pranams

Ramya Belavadi & Meena Rajan.

Sept 17, 2023 - Grade 2 (Sunday AM)

Hariom Parents,

We had a great Balavihar class today.

Our class started with 3 Oms followed by 4 shlokas

1. Sahanaavavathu

2. Vakratunda Mahaakaaya

3. Saraswathi namastubhyam

4. Gururbrahma Gururvishnuh

We revisited the Buddhir Balam shloka which we learned last week. It was great to see that 5 children Sreecharan, Vivaan Neil, Aditi and Shivaani tried to tell the entire shloka on their own. Today we talked about Balam and the story we talked about was Bhimas arrogance. 

Pandavas were living in a forest. At that time, one day a lotus flower of thousand petals flew through the air and fell at the feet of Draupadi. Draupadi liked this flower very much. She told Bhim, "Bring me such other flowers." "I will bring them just now," said Bhim and went into the direction from where the flower came. Bhim was very much proud of his strength. He thought while going, "There is no other such Bhim as strong as I in the whole world." Hanumanji knew about this pride of Bhim. He had a great attachment for Bhim. He considered Bhim his younger brother. So he thought that it was not proper for Bhim to be proud of his strength. Some have the strength of wealth, some have the power of knowledge, some have the strength of body; but no one should be proud of it.

Because whosoever is proud happens to be miserable. So he made a plan with a view to setting Bhim free from the pride of his strength. Hanumanji turned himself into the form of an ordinary monkey and lay down as an obstacle of Bhim's way. Meanwhile Bhim arrived at the site. On seeing the monkey sleeping in his way, Bhim roared to scare him away. Bhim roared like a lion but there was no effect of this roar on the monkey.

So Bhim said, "O, you monkey ! Why are you sleeping in the way? Get aside." Hanuman said, "What can I do ? I am not feeling well." "Do you know who I am ?'' asked Bhim ? "I am Bhim ! Keep your tail away otherwise I shall crush it under my feet," said Bhim proudly. Hanuman meekly said, "O! Are you Bhimsen yourself? Then will you please lift my tail and put it aside the way ? What can I do ? I am too weak to put it aside." "Do you mean to say I should touch your dirty tail ?" said Bhim, and continued to say smilingly, "As soon as I will touch your tail, it will be broken into four pieces and you will be thrown away very far." Hanuman replied, "If it is so , I will not accuse you." "You are free to accuse me, I don't mind," said Bhim. Saying this, Bhim in order to lift and throw Hanumanji, pulled his tail. But! The tail appeared to have stuck with the ground. Bhim could not lift it up even an inch. He caught it with both the hands. Still it did not move. Bhim tried again and again. He made such vain efforts with all his might that his eyes appeared to have been displaced from their sockets to the forehead. His face turned red but the tail could not be moved or shifted.

Bhim was very much ashamed. Now he began to think, "There can never be such strength in a monkey, therefore this person appears to be somebody great. Could he be Ram Bhakta Hanumanji?" Bhim very politely said, "Believe it or not, but you are Hanumanji." Hanumanji sprang at once and stood up and turned himself into his original form. Bhim bowed to him. Hanuman said, " You are my younger brother. You have a strong notion and pride in your strength. To remove this false pride I had to show you this wonderful miracle. Tell me now, would you henceforth be proud of your strength ? " Bhim's pride now had melted away. He said, "My pride is removed because of your mercy." Thereafter Hanumanji disappeared. Bhim found out the lake with a lotus flower. He collected many flowers and returned.

We then discussed the upcoming festival. How Ganesha chaturthi is tomorrow. Then we colored Ganesha picture. It was good to see how beautiful some kids did coloring meticulously.  The whole class then went out to play some outdoor time since the weather was good and the children enjoyed playing running and tag. 

Once we reassembled in the room it was time for Bhagawat Gita chanting. This is the first day for Gita chanting. We focussed on Sanskrit pronunciation. Here is the link to the Gita chanting primer video (16) Chanting Primer - 1 - YouTube

The registration for the Bhagavad  Gita - Chapter 4 coaching session on Saturday coaching session is  open with fewer slots remaining.  Please find below the registration links for  Saturday morning session - Timing being 10 - 11 AM. Reach out to Viji Lakshmi at 609-468-9633 with any questions or concerns.  https://chinmayavrindavan.bestclass.us/add_ons/233. You can also reach out to us and we will help you connect with Viji so that you can benefit from learning Bhagawat Gita.

See you all next Sunday. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to all.

Pranaams,

Meena and Ramya

Sept 10, 2023 - Grade 2 (Sunday AM)

Hari Om Parents,

We had a wonderful Balavihar class today.

We introduced ourselves with our favorite color, animal, languages we speak at home. It was really surprising to hear one of our little 2nd grader speaks more than 10 different languages!!!!

Our class started with 3 Oms followed by 4 shlokas

1. Sahanaavavathu

2. Vakratunda Mahaakaaya

3. Saraswathi namastubhyam

4. Gururbrahma Gururvishnuh

     We learned a new shloka on Lord Hanuman who is our Superman, Super Hero of 2nd   grade. 

5. Buddhir Balam

This year, we will be learning 

1. Stories on Lord Hanuman

2. Hanuman Chalisa

3. Bhagavath Geetha 4th chapter - 14 shlokas

Kids remembered and shared a few stories from Ramayana that they learned last year. Happy to have enthusiastic kids, who love to participate.

Here is the whatsapp group for our grade. Please join if you still haven't.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/BlqjpHwYnOyKw5pXCJ30yH

We will be sharing audio clippings of these 5 shlokas in the whatsapp group.

We will be sharing more details later, on the upcoming events that kids can participate in: Shlokathon, Kalarangam, Vrundavan Mela, Bhagavath geetha competition, and many many more.

Next Balavihar class - On Sunday Sep 17th 

Pranaams

Ramya Belavadi & Meena Rajan.

Welcome to Gr 2 - Sunday AM Session

Please look out for regular updates from 

the teachers 

soon after the session starts.