Hari Om Parents,
We began with the Opening Prayers. We continued to learn to chant Bhagavad Gita chapter 2 verses, Swamiji's video – Verses 26, 27 & 28 was shown. We continued with chanting of Shiva Panchakshari Stotram.
Initially we reviewed with students what they have learnt in previous classes by playing a virtual jeopardy! We hope they enjoyed it.
True prayer is not begging. It is an invocation, a prarthana, a powerful tool to discover God. We should have faith in God, approach Him with humility and surrender to Him. Prayer is not beggary nor it should be done with fear. Sage Narada states devotion as Supreme Love towards God. By sincere and regular prayer we can cleanse our mind, which is plagued with so many negative values – divinize it – and invoke the divinity within ourselves. There are different forms of prayers - rituals, chanting, singing bhajans, temple prayers, japa etc. – it does not matter what type of prayer we do; as long as our mind is with God. These acts of prayers will gradually help us to surrender our ego and pride and will ultimately let us discover the supreme Brahman.
Great Declarations: The Mahavakyas
There are four Mahavakyas found in our Vedas. These Mahavakyas are bold statements; they are concise and forcefully expressive (in language). All the four great sayings ultimately lead to the insight or understanding that the individual self, Jiva, which appears as a separate existence, is in essence, Atman which is part and manifestation of the whole Brahman.
Short video clip on Mahavakyas by Dr. Janki Santoke was shown -
Prajanam Brahman – Consciousness is Brahman – Aitareyopanishad (Rig Veda)
When a qualified student approaches a Guru with humility asking his guidance; the Guru then starts teaching the student about Brahma Vidya. This first mahavakya is taught to the student, which gives a general definition about Brahman. The Consciousness that we see in all the various beings and things in the world is nothing but Brahman – Consciousness is the common substratum for all that exists. Student is left to contemplate on this teaching. He has to live what he understood to make the knowledge his own.
Tat Tvam Asi – That Thou Art – Chandogya Upanishad (Sama Veda)
This is the second mahavakya. Student having lived according to the first instruction comes back to the teacher where he is given next instruction – Tat Tvam Asi! That Brahman that you contemplated upon is not somewhere above the clouds but is the very Self within you. It shows the oneness between the infinite Brahman and the Atma within. This is considered an upadesa vakya or instructional statement. Student understands intellectually, but has no such experience. Hence he again retires to contemplate and meditate.
Ayam Atma Brahman – This Self is Brahman – Mandukyopanishad (Atharva Veda)
This is the third mahavakya – which states that the inner Self within us is the Infinite Brahman. This is the experience of the student after deep meditation. This is considered as abhyasa vakya. Student after gaining this experience returns to the teacher.
Aham Brahmasmi – I am Brahman – Brhadaranya Upanishad (Yajur Veda).
This is the fourth mahavakya. When Guru asks the student he roars – That "I am Brahman" – this is anubhava vakya.
Just as our understanding of things pertaining to world evolve as we become more mature and intellectually refined; so also the understanding of the spiritual sadhaka evolves in his/her journey as depicted in the mahavakyas. We discussed we the students some examples – initially a child might think waves alone to be the ocean; later he understands that all wave are just part of the ocean – most of which is not seen by us on the surface; ultimately he realize that all the waves, bubbles, foam and motionless depth of ocean is nothing but water alone! It is all H2O.
We need to change our focus to be able to appreciate the presence of Divinity all around us. Usually our focus is on the superficial stuff – for example – while watching a movie we are completely engrossed in the picture not remembering the motionless screen behind; when we read a book focus is on the letters but we forget to recognize the background page; we notice the moving clouds but do not appreciate the space; we may see a painting but forget the background canvas .. etc. In the same way we get caught up in the names and forms of the world and not appreciate the presence of God, without Whom nothing will exists.
Later we all had the pleasure to attend the monthly program done by 5th Graders – who did a wonderful job show casing teaching of various Saints and Sages of India. Our 9th grade monthly program is slated for 4/18/21 – we are working with students during class preparing for the program – we will very likely need one or two brief practice sessions on saturdays – stay tuned!
Pranam,
Rukmani Sriram
Devender Akula
