Dear Parents!
Harih Om!
The following material was taught to your child during Balavihar class on Sunday, April 11,2021
1.Beginning Prayers
2.Tapovan Shatakam: We have taught four verses of Tapovan Shatakam. The following children took the lead and chanted one verse from this beautiful prayer:
Verse 1: Kush and Dhruvi
Verse 2: Nimeesh and Nivedha
Verse 3: Vinay and Anshu
Verse 4: Gahan
3.We continued with the discussion of the third cardinal principle of Sanatana Dharma: - Satyam. We spent some time re-iterating the other two principles namely Brahmacharya and Ahimsa.
Satyam implies living our life such that we develop intellectual convictions and then continue to act in harmony with them. All of us have three instruments: Body, Mind and Intellect. Out of these three only the Intellect is capable of discerning what is right and what is wrong. If we do not have a strong mind, then we compromise on these values and lead a dual life and one of dishonesty. There should be coherence between our values and our actions. Once we identify an ideal, we must live up to that ideal despite all challenges that may come our way. When we observe the life of highly successful people one of the important traits that seems to be common in them is integrity, which can be understood as truthfulness at all levels of activity: at the physical, mental, and intellectual levels. A person of integrity is strong, resilient, and ready to face all challenges life throws at him/her. A person of integrity is loved, accepted, respected, and befriended by all. People seek the company of such a person. Integrity is a desirable asset for any person in any field. Our values determine our thoughts which in turn determine our actions. This eventually leads to development of a personality that is full of poise. Only such people are evolvers. Most of the people in this world are adapters who compromise at every turn and struggle to adjust to different and varied challenges in life. Such people are slaves to their habits. Only a person of integrity will have power over his habits and happenings. Hence integrity is an essential secret of all remarkably successful people.
Some of the questions that are worth pondering are:
Example A. You go to a friend's place and accidentally break something, and no one sees you and no one knows about it. What will you do?
Example B. Teacher gives you test results back and you realized that she did not score properly and gave you more points than you deserve. What will you do?
Example C. A friend of yours is stealing small items from various stores, what will you do? Why?
Example D. You are invited to a party by a group of students' after-school; you know your parents do not approve of this group of students. What would you do?
Most children would consider compromising a little and not telling the whole truth. There are numerous dangers inherent in speaking half-truths!
4.The story of the empty pot – Once upon a time there was a King who did not have an heir for his throne. He called all his subjects, handed out seeds to them and told them whoever could grow the healthiest plant from the seeds would become the future King. The subjects were given six months. After six months all the subjects brought pots with beautiful plants. Only one young man came with an empty pot. The king looked at all the beautiful plants and at the empty pot. Other people jeered and made fun at the young man with the empty pot. The King asked the young man why his pot was empty. The boy said he had watered, put fertilizer and took great care of the seed but unfortunately it did not sprout. The King was pleased with the young man and crowned him as King. The King had given all of them roasted seeds that could not sprout; only the young man in spite followed the directions and did not lie. He was a person of Integrity and he won while the others lied and compromised with their principles. We need Satyam for victory. Satyam Eva Jayate. Truth alone prevails.
5.Conclusion: When we say something, do something else and think something yet another thing then we have a split personality. Person with a split personality cannot succeed in life. Everyone will realize that person is not genuine and will avoid them. This person will develop inner agitation and tension. Instead, when we adhere to Satyam, we will develop an integrated personality, wherein our thoughts, words and actions will be aligned.
We are busy making plans for our upcoming class play based on Dharma and values learnt via the Mahabharatha. Look out for more details!
Thank you!
Sitaram Kuchibhotla
and Mekhala Girish (Grade 8 Sunday AM teachers)
