Following is summary of Balavihar session on "September 27th, 2020 - Grade 5 (Sunday PM)"
We started the session with 2 minute silence followed by Guru Stotram, GaneshaStavam, Mahabharat story and Saints of India - Biography of Adi Sankaracharya, Bhagavat Gita Chanting (Primer) and Aarti.
Mahabharat Story
- We reviewed the Kuru Dynasty / Kaurava Family Tree.
- Mahabharat Story - Shantanu Becoming King
- He is a descendant of the Bharata race, of the lunar dynasty and the ancestor of the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
- He was the youngest son of King Pratipa of Hastinapur and had been born in the latter's old age.
- Pratipa’s eldest son Devapi suffered from leprosy and abdicated his inheritance to become a hermit.
- Pratipa’s middle son Bahlika devoted his life to conquer the old Aryan territories near Balkh
- Hence, Shantanu become the King of Hastinapur by default.
- Mahabharat Story - Shantanu meeting Ganga
- Once while strolling on the banks of the river Ganga, Shantanu saw a maiden of exceeding beauty. So enthralled was he by her charm, that he asked her to be his wife. She agreed, but put forth a condition, that at no stage shall the king question her actions, or she would leave him. He agreed to her condition and their marriage was solemnised.
- In due course she bore him a child, but at its birth she flung the baby into the river Ganga and returned smiling to the king. Pained and bewildered as he was by her action, he did not question her, for fear of her leaving his side. This act, of drowning their babies continued for six more children.
- When, at the birth of their eighth child, his wife left to throw the baby into the river, Shantanu, who had so far bore his children's fates with fortitude to honour his promise, could no longer suppress his anguish. He finally burst out and questioned her as to why she would perform such an act upon the birth of a child. Thus he broke his promise. The maiden revealed her identity. She was Ganga, the goddess of the river. As the king had gone back on his words, she would have to leave him. She told him that she would not kill this 8th child, but would take him with her, and present him to the king in due course.
- His given name is Devvrat, also known as Gangaputr (son of Ganga)
- Mahabharat Story - Story behind Ganga ji and Children (Vasus and Sage Vasistha’s curse)
- There was a great sage Vasistha. He had celestial cow called Nandi. It had exceptional possessing’s, it had large eyes, full udders, fine tail, beautiful hoofs along with every other auspicious sign and yielding abundant milk.
- There were 8 brothers known as the Vasus who were Devtas. Once they were strolling with their wives, reached Sage Vasishta’s Ashram.
- When they reached the Ashram, Sage Vasishta was away from the Ashram, they saw the beautiful cow and got astonished by her beauty.
- Their wives were so attracted by the beauty of the cow that they requested their husbands to steal it. One of the brother Dyu was instrumental in stealing.
- When rishi Vasishta returned to his Ashram and discovered Nandi was missing. With his magical powers, he understood 8 Vasus stole the Nandi.
- He got angry and hence cursed the 8 brothers. His curse said that these 8 Devtas will be born as humans on earth. The brothers then returned the cow to the Sage and requested him to forgive them.
- He was convinced but said that curse given cannot be taken back hence he can just lessen its effects. The brother (Dyu) who had stolen it has to live the entire lifecycle of a human whereas the other seven will be short lived.
- Vasus saddened by the curse and prayed Ganga ji to be their mother.
- That the reason 7 of 8 were drowned and 8th one was left to live longer.
India Sacred Land - Saints.
- Shankaracharya - Diverting Purna River
- Shankara completed his studies by the age of 8.
- After he came home and he noticed mother was getting old and had difficulty going to river to take bath every day, but she was not satisfied without taking bath in the river.
- Sankara noticed her difficulty, prayed to goddess river and river changed the course and flowed by the side of his house.
- Shankaracharya - Becoming Monk
- From the beginning, Shanakara had no interest in worldly activities and he wanted to become a sanyas.
- He approached her mother for permission to become a Sannyasin and she did not permit him with fear him away from her.
- But one day incident took place where he went into a river to take shower, crocodile caught him and he prayed to his mother to permit him to become a monk as he was fighting for his life with Crocodile.
- In unavoidable situation, with no choice, mother Aryamba gave permission for him to become Monk.
- Upon getting permission, he got released from Crocodile clutches. Mother was happy to see him coming to bank of the river, but he did not return home.
- Crocodile was a Gandharva, who was under Bramhaji’s curse.
Hari Om
CMTC - Sunday PM Balavihar - Grade 5 - Sevak and Sevika
(Harish and Priya)
