Hari OM Dear Families,
Here is this week's update.
Week 18:
14th March 2021 / 9:15AMClass began with opening prayers -3 OMs and followed by SahanAvavatu.
One of the students led the chanting of "Neelambuja shyamala komalaangam".
We continued learning the lines of uttara kandam from Naama Ramayanam
Key to Success
Vibhishana Gita was reviewed starting with the wheels (souraja and dheeraja) of the Vijaya ratha.
Started to learn about the flag- representing satya (truthfulness) and shila (good character). We discussed what constitutes Truthfulness- honesty, and integrity- where the thought, mind and words/action are in line. We also discussed the given homework- the aspects constituting traits of a good character.
We started to learn about the horses- Bala, Viveka, Dama and Parahita.... Strength, discrimination, Self control and caring for others, respectively.
Bala- Inner strength (through self effort, keeping the mind strong)
Bibeka/Viveka- Discrimination- having the power to know and convincingly make judgment
Dama- control over senses and not addicted to it leads to Achieving a goal is made easy
Parahita- Service to others… "Devotion to the people is devotion to the supreme self"
We also started the next chapter the Reins - KShama (Forgiving)
Kshama- Forgiveness- is a quality of a noble person or a hero. A great person wears forgiveness as an ornament. "Kshama veerasya bhooshanaha"
There are 3 levels of forgiveness. 1. Not offended at all (Sant Eknath maharaj story and Mother teresa story)
Kshama- Forgiveness- is a quality of a noble person or a hero. A great person wears forgiveness as an ornament. "Kshama veerasya bhooshanaha"
There are 3 levels of forgiveness. 1. Not offended at all (Sant Eknath maharaj story and Mother teresa story)
2. Feels offended, but forgives and forgets
3. When an offending person apologizes and asks for it.
We will continue the rest in the following class.
Gita Chanting
We started to learn the 31st,32nd and 33rd slokas from this year's topic- Chapter 2 Saankhya Yoga. We followed Swamiji's chanting video and we repeated it.
We followed our gurudev saying the pledge and repeated it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmng1-VCfp0
After which we concluded the session.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmng1-VCfp0
After which we concluded the session.
Our next class is on March 21st.
House Contests:
Slokathon contest coming up on 3/20
Record the kids chanting verses (memorized) of Gita chapter 2 (4 verses at a stretch) and send it to house email to gain points for our Bajrangi Bolt's house.
Art works for art contests- you may submit now until May 1st. Parents are welcome to participate as well. Also, please submit baking contest entry video as well. (It's open now, 3/1 until 4/18, please check weekly eblast for further details)
If the child completes a minimum of 10 pages of likhita japa, please take pics and send it as an attachment/link. The email to be sent is cnjbalaviharhouses@gmail.com
Please feel free to reach out in case you have any questions.
Hari OM
Abhirami Shrinivas and Vidhya Aiyer
Abhirami Shrinivas and Vidhya Aiyer
