Hari Om! Parents,
Happy Navaratrri to everyone!
We began our class with the opening prayers and a brief meditation.
This helps untangle the mind from the prior activities of the day and
with the reminder to bring back the mind, if and when it wanders,
subtly reinforces that one can watch and manage the mind.
We next chanted Lingashtakam. The students are enjoying this and take
turns to chant the previously learned verses and the new one.We have
enjoyed the musicality of the words and tried to see what happens when
we change the time signature.
Recap of the previous week was done by the students-it is indeed
rewarding to know that students are taking notes and using them to
refresh everyone's memory. Last week's lesson on Gandhi ji, his
favorite bhajan, principle of satya, origin of his activism in South
Africa, which took the shape of civil disobedience in India were
remembered. Karma and Karma phala and refinement of karma were
remembered .The story of the eagle which took upon itself the painful
task of hitting its beak on a hard rock and regrowing new talons at
around 40 years of age, out of which came an added 30 years of
productive living was an example of refinement of karma.
The lesson of the day was analysis of cause and effect with examples
from Ramaya, Mahabharata and contemporary life.
1.Kaikeyi decides to ask for the 2 boons due to her on the night
before Rama's coronation.
2.Soorpanakha goes to her brothers for help following her nose and
ears being chopped off by Lakshmana.
3.Bheeshma brought Amba, Ambika, Ambalika to Hastinapura without
knowing of Amba's love.
4.Draupadi laughed at Duryodhana's fall in their beautiful palace.
5. My mind wanders during online class as I feel disconnected from the others.
6. I am always being corrected for my choice of clothes, music,
language, friends.
This was very interactive and through discussion we arrived at this conclusion-
Every effect has a cause.
Nothing happens by accident.
What happened before determines what happens after.
The future is carved out of actions done in the present
We all did a small stretching activity- helps after all the sitting.
The vision of the scriptures and the contribution of Veda Vyasa was
the second part of the lesson.
We told the story of the life of Veda Vyasa - his parents were Rishi
Parashara and Satyavati. Explained that his works include Mahabharata,
Aadyatma Ramayana, 18 Puranas, Brahma Sutra etc. Vyasa's works
reached all levels of people like contemplative and devotional minds
Sources of knowledge
Sruthi – Vedas- compiled by Veda Vyasa into 4 Vedas.
Knowledge "heard " by evolved souls Rishis or revealed to them
Smriti- Knowledge that was heard, assimilated and then taught. Smriti
for remembered. Manu Smriti, the base for the Indian penal code is a
famous smriti.
Itihasa- Iti- Thus Hasa- happened. History. Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Puranas- Known for their symbolism – these ancient stories cover a
wide range of topics. Cosmology, temples, genealogy of deities. 18
Main Puranas and 18 upapuranas.
The final part of class was Bhagavad Geeta chanting. As 9th grade is
the first grade level at which reading verses for Geeta chanting
competition is allowed, we encourage all students to take
part.Families can help by chanting together. That works better than
reminding just the student to chat:))
We concluded with Aarti and pledge.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact
Nirmala or Uma through email or whatsapp.
Our next Balavihar class in on October 30
Thank you
Nirmala and Uma
