Gajendra Moksha
We decided to change up the story format for this class. A combination of some animation and digital images were shared on the screen as a video. The video was paused multiple times during the narration for interaction, questions, actions and chanting.
The story started with an image of an elephant's face. The kids were asked if they can identify the animal. They all said, "an elephant". The elephant was introduced as "Gajendra". The kids were asked what expression was on his face. They said, "happy". The kids were then asked to show us a happy face. All the kids' happy faces showed up on our screens:) Then we discussed the characteristics of an elephant. The animation of the elephant continued and Gajendra was happily thumping around in the Trikuta forest. The kids were asked to thump around like an elephant. They all happily did so. As Gajendra was thumping around, a ton of leaves fell down onto him, and the kids thought that was funny. The kids were asked if their thumping caused any rumbling in their house...they all said no!
The story continued with the introduction on Gajendra's family. He had a wife and a lot of kids. They were one "BIG" happy family. Gajendra had a lot of friends as well. In the image of Gajendra with his friends, he was wearing a crown. The kids were asked what it means if someone is wearing a crown. A few responded by saying that they were a princess or a king! Yes, that was when they realized that Gajendra was the king of the elephants.
One day, King Gajendra along with his family and friends were enjoying each other's company and having food. We discussed what elephants like to eat and that they are pure vegetarians. The animation showed Gajendra eating nuts and berries and him showering himself with his food. The kids were asked if they play with their food...they all said NO! As the elephants were done eating, the sun was bright and they were all thirsty, hot and getting exhausted. King Gajendra had an idea. He decided to take everyone to his favorite lake for a drink and to cool off. An image of a crystal clear lake with flowers were shown on the screen. The kids were asked to identify the flowers in the lake. A few said, "lily/lotus"!
As the group of elephants approached the lake, the kids were asked if they knew what a group of elephants were called. One responded by saying, "family":) Then they were told that they were referred to as a herd. An animation of a heard of elephants enjoying the cool water was shown on the screen. The elephants quenched their thirst and swam around. The had no clue that they were disturbing the peaceful waters of the animal that was residing in the lake.
All the elephants were done playing in the lake and moved on to the banks, but King Gajendra wanted to spend more time enjoying the water. The rest of the herd enjoyed watching their king. Then suddenly, the irritated and annoyed crocodile, Makara slowly emerged from inside the water. The animals on the banks were horrified and could see Makara slowly move closer to Gajendra. All of Gajendra's splashing around, made Makara angry and with a swift motion, he latched on to one of Gajendra's legs. The elephant king cried out in pain as he started bleeding from the bite. An image of that scene was shown on the screen. The strong elephant king used all his might to try to set himself free, but the more he tried the deeper Makara's teeth sunk into Gajendra's leg.
Gajendra was in immense pain and was getting very tired. He had no clue what to do, then decided to surrender to Lord Vishnu. An image of Lord Vishnu was shown on the screen. We discussed what He is holding in his 4 hands (Conch shell/ Shank, Chakra, Gadha and Lotus). Gajendra in pain, closed his eyes, pictured Lord Vishnu and began chanting, "Om Namo Narayana". The kids were asked to try chanting like Gajendra. They all started to do so. We all chanted together. As Gajendra was chanting, he slowly opened his eyes and within reach of his trunk, he saw a lotus and picked it with his trunk and continued to chant. The kids were asked what flower Lord Vishnu is holding, they said a lotus. Then we discussed that he likes lotus flowers and Gajendra picked one for the Lord to please Him.
Lord Vishnu, up in Heaven, heard the cries of pain, along with the love and devotion of Gajendra and immediately mounted his vanhana. The kids were asked if they knew who Lord Vishnu's car was. A few said a bird/eagle. Then they were told that Garuda is Lord Vishnu's ride. He was instantly transported to the Trikuta forest. Gajendra was still holding up the lotus that he had picked. Lord Vishnu tossed his Sudarshana Chakra at Makara and made him release his grasp. King Gajendra was finally free, thanks to his sincere devotion to Lord Vishnu.
Lord Vishnu shows up when we really need his help and when we show sincere devotion. The kids were asked to chant, "Om Namo Narayana" several more times. Then an image of Lord Vishnu was shown on the screen :).
We concluded class with Om Purnamadha (page 15 in My Prayers book)
Pranaam,
Keerthi and Pramila
