Visit regularly for the latest updates each week.

Children are not vessels to be filled but lamps to be lit.
- Swami Chinmayananda
_________________________________________________

Please select your child's session and grade
from the list on the right side for the latest updates




Dec 6, 2020 - Grade 5 (Sunday PM)

Following is summary of Balavihar session on "Dec 6, 2020 - Grade 5 (Sunday PM)"

 

We started the session with 2 minute silence followed by Guru Stotram, Ganesha Stavam, Mahabharat story and Saints of India - Biography of Adi Sankaracharya, Bhagavat Gita Chanting, Aarti and Pledge.

 

  • We started with quick recap of previous week sessions. Thank you to all children for actively participating.

 

  • Kids should have index cards for Mahabharat
    • Characters
        • Gen1 - Shantanu, Ganga devi, Satyavati, Parashara Muni
        • Gen2 - Bheesma Pitamaha, Chitrangada, Vichitravirya (Ambika, Ambalika), Vyaasa Maharaj
        • Gen3 – Dhrtarāshtra (Gandhari), Pandu (Kunti and Madri), Vidura
        • Gen4 – Pandavas (Yudhisthira, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva) and Kauravas (Dhuryodana, Dhusasana, Dussala and 98 others)
    • Kingdom cards – Kashi, Hastinapur

 

 

  • Assigned children to participate in Saints of India project where they chose a Saint to research and present. Today we saw a presentation on Adi Shankara by a student.

 

Mahabharat 

 

Padndavas and Kauravas Childhood in Hastinapur – personality of each prince

  • The lineage of the House of Kuru must be continued. So Satyavati requests Bhisma to forego his vow. She says "it is your duty to protect the Kuru lineage from dying out".
  • Bhisma refuses as he as already caused a lot of harm to Amba and also disobeyed his guru Parashurama.
  • Bhisma has an idea –" A noble line, when dying out, can be revived by the son of a noble brahmana. " He then suggests that Satyavati can summon a worthy brahmana and they can request him to give an heir to the throne
  • Vyaasa Maharaj is summoned to the Hastinapur palace to bless Ambika & Ambalika with heirs
    • Ambika closes her eyes à Son born blind (Dhrtaraashtra)
    • Ambalika becomes white à Son born pale (Pandu)
    • Courageous maid is sent à Son born wise…Wisdom is bravery (Vidura)
  • Again Bhisma raises the boys as his own – he rules the kingdom as their regent
  • Pandu is made king as the eldest son is born blind.
  • Time comes for their marriage
  • Dhtarāshtra marries Princess Gāndhāri
  • Pandu marries Princess Prtha  (aka Kunti Devi) and Princess Mādri

India Sacred Land - Saints - Biography of Adi Sankaracharya

 

Debate with Mandana Misra

  • Sankara came to Mandana Mishra to debate, Mandana Mishra's wife Ubhayabharati became judge. Condition would be that, whoever wins the debate will become Guru for the other.
  • Debate went on for days, Sankara won the debate and Mandana Mishra became disciple of Sankara. Mandana Mishra became Suresvaracharya.

Kapalika

  • Shankara now moved to down south, reached Srisailam, there was Kapilika devotee of the Bhairavi stayed in Bhairava temple. He approached Shankara & disturbed him from him meditation and told him that he got the dream and he is chosen one of human sacrifice.
  • Shankara smiled and agreed to become human sacrifice, he agreed to not inform his disciples, agreed to come to Bhairava temple middle of night. Accordingly, middle of night Shankara quietly went.
  • Padmapada realized this and prayed to Narasimha bhagavan for protection.
  • Narasimha Bhagavan came to Shankara's rescue and snatched the sword from Kapilika's hand.

Hastamalaka

  • Shankara travelled in south many places like Harihara, Mookambika, Srivati and others.
  • He reached Srivati, where he met a Brahmin who was learned and pious, he had a son who was dumb, never use to play with anyone. Brahmin requested Shankara's help to cure.
  • Shankara asked the boy who are you? And why are you behaving like a lifeless? At that time, boy opened up and spoke about Spiritual Wisdom – knowledge of great spiritual wisdom.
  • At that time Shankara told Brahmin that, he is not an ordinary boy, asked his permission to send him with him.
  • Shankara named him Hastamalaka (knowledge of atman was in him like Amalaka fruit).

Hari Om

CMTC - Sunday PM Balavihar - Grade 5 - Sevak and Sevika.

 

Harish and Priya

 

 

 

 

By at
Labels: