Hari OM Parents,
• Welcome back to Balavihar 2020-21!!! With Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji and Swami Shantanandaji's blessing we are starting a new academic year here in Balavihar. This year is quite different than most of the other years because of virtual classes. Having said that we are very happy to have your children in our class and do our best to engage them in class.
• This year we will be covering topic "Hindu culture" and also discussing significance of Chinmaya Mission Pledge. We'll also be using the text, Introduction to Hindu culture, by Swami Tejomayanandaji as an additional resource.
• In addition, the chanting of Chapter 2 of Bhagavad Gita Verses 1 – 38 will be taught throughout the year using Swamiji's videos. We will also be learning together Lord Shiva Dhyana shloka (Page 78), Lingashtakam (79), Shiva Panchakshari Stotram (82) and Shiva Manasa Pooja – all the pages from My Prayer Book. Finally we will learn chanting of Atharva – veda Peace Innvocation – Om Bhadram Karnebhih Srnuyama Devah!
• Today we spent quite a bit of time letting each student introduce themselves, what their interests and hobbies are, how they have been coping with Covid situation and going back to high school for most of them virtually - only one student is having in person classes! For most part they seem to be doing fine.
• Today's class we began by posing a question, What does the word, Culture, means to them. Students who responded had different perspectives. It was explained to them by quoting what Pujya Gurudev said, "Man's control of nature external is civilization. His control of nature internal is culture." He states that when a group of people, live together for a long time, in a particular geographical area, following certain values the special individuality or fragrance that emerges from that group is their culture. In this definition the three factors which are - group of people, living for a long time, in a particular geographical area are common factors to all cultures but what differentiates one culture from the other is the values that they practice. For Hindu culture, our values are based on Vedas. We will dwell on these things in greater detail during this year.
• Further it was explained how Culture is also a measuring rod of civilization. When culture deteriorates civilization deteriorates. We see numerous examples in history like Roman Empire and Greek Empire etc. and their decline. What is unique about India and Hindu culture is despite foreign rule for many hundreds of years, initially by Islamic rulers and subsequently by Britishers, Hindu culture has survived and continues to flourish.
• One of the important factors that has kept our Culture alive is the Guru Sishya Parampara - where the knowledge is handed over from the teacher to the taught. Here we are talking about spiritual knowledge and Sadgurus. We discussed and refreshed the memories of the students regarding Guru Sishya Parampara. We went over the two slokas
"Sadashiva Samarambham Shankaracharya Madhyamam
Asmad Acharya Paryantam Vande Guru Paramparam"
"Narayana Samarambham Vyasa Sankara Madhyamam Asmad Acharya Paryantam Vande Guru Paramparaam"
• A brief PowerPoint presentation was shown how God himself was the first teacher who gave the knowledge, subsequently many Rishis and Acharyas handed over this knowledge to their disciples – so the knowledge flowed from Guru to sishya/disciple. As it pertains to Chinamaya Mission our Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji learnt this knowledge from his Gurus Swami Sivanandaji and Swami Tapovan Maharaj, continuing that tradition is Gurudev's many disciples lead by Guruji Swami Tejomayanadaji and for us our own Swami Shantanandaji … so the tradition continues …
• This year our time to do monthly cultural program is on 12/20/2020 and annual annadanam is on 12/19/2020 – more information about these programs will be forth coming as we get closer to the dates.
• Finally we take this opportunity to introduce ourselves.
Rukmani Sriram - has been teaching Balavihar for over 10 years, she has three grown children who have gone through our Balavihar program and lives with her husband here in Central Jersey.
Devender Akula – teaching balavihar for 4 years, has two children one in college, other in high school and lives with his wife in South Jersey. Physician by profession. Enjoys biking, outdoor activities and watching sports (thanks to covid like most of us now becoming proficient with cooking!!)
We look forward to an exciting and meaningful learning time with your children during this year in Balavihar. Please do not hesitate to contact us (info provided below) with any issues or questions regarding Balavihar class. We will communicate with you all via email and whattsapp throughout the year.
Pranams,
Rukmani Sriram
609-571-5560 (c)
Devender Akula
856-237-5646 (c)
