Dear Parents,
Harih Om! The following was taught to your child on September 27, 2020 during Balavihar.
1. We talked about importance of symbolism: How our our mind can visualize and hold on to a name only when it is associated with a corresponding form e.g. ice cream, tree etc. Since it is difficult to visualize what God "looks" like our Sages and Rishis have given a form to God so that it is easier to relate the One with form.
2. The origin of the Mahabharatha: Bhagavan Vyasa who compiled the Vedas was the son of the great Sage Parasara. It is he who gave the entire world the epic Mahabharatha. Having conceived the Mahabharatha, he thought of a means to give the story to the world. He meditated on Brahma, the Creator who appeared before him. It was Lord Brahma who advised Sage Veda Vyasa to invoke Lord Ganapathi so that He would be the "script writer" for the epic. Lord Ganesha had only one condition that Lord Vyasa must dictate it without a pause or hesitation. Veda Vyasa agreed to this condition provided Lord Ganesha was able to comprehend and understand the meaning of the verses dictated by Sage Vyasa. So Vyasa would occasionally compile complicated verses so that he would get a breather and time to think of what next to write while Lord Ganesha contemplated on the verse that Vyasa had narrated.
3. At the end of the battle of Kurukshethra when the Pandavas win, Yudhisthira is dejected and saddened by the loss of life and meaningless war. He is then advised by Lord Krishna to clarify his doubts with Bhisma his Grandsire who is lying on a bed of arrows awaiting death. Yudhisthira then asks Bhisma "If one wants a good life, what kind of actions one should avoid?" Bhisma says, "In order to lead a good life one has to give up 10 karmas – 3 of the body, 4 of speech and 3 of mind.
4. At the body level we should give up:
- To kill: To kill any human being or any living being (plants animals etc.) is a maha paapa (sin). We are all connected to one another and are all part of the same ecosystem. If we hurt or kill a living being we destroy the food chain and some animals, plants may even become extinct due to that. Taking care of the environment, climate change issues where discussed including soil erosion, massive flooding in the Gulf states, and the recent wildfires in Oregon and California.
- To steal – This also includes taking or using more than what we need, wasting things unnecessarily. For example, taking more than our share of dessert at a family gathering, grabbing hold of more spoons or paper towels at a restaurant than what we need.
- To have an illicit/improper relationship – to not hurt the feelings of our loved ones
5. At the speech level we should give up:
- To say bad words
- To say harsh words
- To lie: we may get away with a lie here and there but eventually we will get caught. The small white lies become bigger lies as time passes and the consequences may not be immediate but far greater and the downfall will be steep and fast
- To unnecessarily complain or spread rumors – all these things are expressed due to our own anger, jealousy, and frustration and unfulfilled desires. We should be grateful for the home we have, the food we are given, for our loving and accommodating family. Whenever grudge or hateful thought of somebody comes, think of the millions of people who have incurable diseases, who are homeless, who have no family to turn to in their hour of need.
6. At the mind level we should give up:
- Thinking about taking away some one's wealth: wealth earned through one's own hard work and dint gives one satisfaction and confidence. Yearning for someone else's hard earned wealth is incorrect.
- To have ill-feeling about others: Whenever you have ill feeling or bad thoughts about others immediately do japa and say the Lord's name. In this fashion, you nullify some of the effects of the ill feeling/thoughts and also become aware of your negative tendencies which need to be corrected.
- Not to have faith in Law of Action / Karma: Often times when we do something wrong like telling a white lie to circumvent a problem, and we do not get caught, our mind convinces us that it is alright to occasionally lie. However, lying then becomes a vasana which will become a dominant trait over time. In due time these negative actions will bear fruit and we will have to pay a hefty prize e.g. dishonor, loss of face in a community etc.
7. Law of Karma was discussed:
- Every action/karma has a result (Karmaphala)
- Performer of the action alone gets the result
- Result of karma will come at right time. Result may be immediate or may take several lifetimes to fructify. We had a good discussion with the kids about karma and karmaphala. They can shape their destiny with their own hands. " What you get in life is because of actions that you have performed. If you do not follow your Dharma and perform wrong actions, you only will get negative consequences later on."
8. One way to overcome these 10 bad karmas is to develop awareness for our duties and to fulfill them to the best of our ability and with determination. By praying to God we ask Him to make Him aware of our responsibilities. Also, pray to God ask for His forgiveness and guidance.
9. If you accomplish something good be thankful to Him. By thanking the Lord, one avoids ownership of the deed and "success". In this way, one avoids developing too much ego.
10. During this year we hope to make the kids examine their behavior, actions, thoughts and introspect. Based on Bhishma's teaching and see if they can make positive behavioral changes.
Bhagavad Geeta Chanting: This year we are teaching verses 1-28 of Chapter 2 which will commence from the week of October 4th. We showed the children another video for correct pronunciation of some common Samskrtam words. As they watched the video, they practiced the words.
Geeta Dhyanam: This year's curriculum includes teaching the students Geeta Dhyanam and we taught them the first verse of the same.
Thankyou!
Sitaram Kuchibhotla
And
Mekhala Girish (Grade 8 Sunday A.M. Balavihar sevaks)
