Following is summary of Balavihar session on "Oct 4, 2020 - Grade 5 (Sunday PM)"
We started the session with 2 minute silence followed by Guru Stotram, Ganesh Stavam, Mahabharat story and Saints of India - Biography of Adi Sankaracharya, Bhagavat Gita Chanting (slokas 1 and 2), Aarti and Pledge.
We started with quick recap of previous week sessions. Thank you to all children for actively participating.
Mahabharat
Santanu meeting Devavrat
- Shantanu, filled with grief from the loss of his wife and son, began to practice Brahmacharya and ruled his kingdom extremely well.
- One day, while walking along the banks of the Ganga, Shantanu saw that the river had become shallow. While searching for the cause of this phenomenon, he came across a handsome young boy who had checked the river's flow with his celestial weapon.
- The young boy was his son, however he didn't recognize him because he could see him only for a few moments after he was born.
- Shantanu marveled at the capacity of the boy, who was able build a bridge single handedly.
- Mother Ganga appeared, revealed to him that the boy was actually his son Devavrata.
- She explained to him that, he was taught the knowledge of the holy scriptures by the sage Vasishtha and the art of warfare by Parshurama.
- After revealing the truth about Devavrata she told Shantanu to take him to Hastinapura.
- Upon reaching the capital Shantanu crowned Devavrata as the heir-apparent to the throne.
Devavrata Becoming Bhisma
- One day, Shantanu was out hunting when he saw a beautiful woman.
- He inquired about her and she told him that her name is Satyavati and the daughter of the chief of fishermen. I ferry passengers across the river to acquire religious merits.
- Shantanu expressed that he would like to marry her. She informed him that, he need to get permission from her father.
- Shantanu went to her father to informed his interest to marry Satyavati.
- Satyavati’s father replied. “O King, It is an honor to us that you want to marry my daughter. But you have to make one promise before you can marry her.
- Satyavati’s father asked King Shantanu promise that, he would have to make the sons born to Satyavati the heirs to the throne.
- Shantanu could not promise that, as he already had a grown up son, Devavrata and he already made him prince. So Shantanu went back without marrying Satyavathi.
- Shantanu was disappointed and went back to Kingdom with heavy heart. He started stay gloom.
- Devavrata noticed King Shantanu was staying gloom, he inquired about it. He learnt what had happened.
- He went to fishermen village, spoke to Satyavati’s father and told him that, he would never ascend the throne. But her family wanted to know what would happen if Devavrata were to marry and beget children.
- Devavrata then promised that he would stay bachelor and never marry or seek the company of women.
- When he made this promise, the celestials shook with fear and he came to be known as Bhisma, because of his terrible oath.
- With that, Satyavati’s father agreed for the marriage of Satyavati with King Shantanu.
- When Shantanu came to know of his son’s oath, he gave him a boon. Bhisma could die at will.
India Sacred Land - Saints - Biography of Adi Sankaracharya
Meeting his Guru - Govindanapada
- After he gets permission from his mother to become sanyasi, Sankara went on search for Guru.
- He traveled by foot from his home town Kaladi to Madhya Pradesh (middle of India), place called Narmadeswar (at the banks of Narmada).
- He met his Guru Govindapada, who was all known and he was expecting the arrival of Sankara.
- Sankara stayed with his Guru for several year to learn Advaita Philosophy and he mastered Advaita Philosophy under the guidance of Guru Govindapada.
- Guru Govindapada asks Sankaracharya first visit Varanasi (Kasi) to preach Advaita Philosophy.
His Journey to Varanasi
- Guru’s permission started to travel, first went to Varanasi, Varanasi is a place of learning in those days.
- Crossing Vindhya hills Sankara reaches Varanasi – City of Lord Siva (Kasi Viswanath, Mata Annapurna, Kasi Vishalakshi, Kalabhairav)
- He made his residence on the banks of the holy river Ganga.
- His spiritual glow attracted everyone, many disciple flocked to his feet from far and near to learn Vedas and Upanishads.
- He lived in Varanasi for several years, bathing in Ganga, worshipping Lord Viswanth and explaining scriptures to the student.
Sanandan becoming Padmapada
- Sanandan is one of Sanakara’s disciples.
- He was very intelligent and was dearly loved by his Guru (Sankaracharya).
- Sanandan also had resect to Sankaracharya.
- One day, he was trying to cross the river to come for class with Sankaracharya
- Suddenly, river flooded and he had no easy way to come and he upset.
- Sankaracharya saw the distress of Sanandan and signaled him to come/.
- Sanandan with no second thought started to walk (with great faith in his Guu).
- Miraculously, lotus flowers started to sprout in the river as Sanandan’s path / under his feet.
- This was all possible with Guru Krupa.
- After that, he became Padmapada
Hari Om
CMTC - Sunday PM Balavihar - Grade 5 - Sevak and Sevika.
Harish and Priya
