Hari OM.
After a long break we had our regular BalaVihar class today. It looked like many of the kids and their families were not badly affected by the storm, Sandy. How Lucky! After Likhita Japa, the class chanted OM and meditated for a few minutes. After opening prayers, we reviewed what we had learnt in the previous class.
We talked about why we learn different names of the Gods that we worship. The kids took turns and recalled one name of Ganesha that each one knew. We discussed the meaning of the names, and how to visually imagine Ganesha when we chant His name. We listed the names of Ganesha, Gowriputra, in Sankashta-naashana stotram and learned the meanings of the names.
After a long break we had our regular BalaVihar class today. It looked like many of the kids and their families were not badly affected by the storm, Sandy. How Lucky! After Likhita Japa, the class chanted OM and meditated for a few minutes. After opening prayers, we reviewed what we had learnt in the previous class.
We talked about why we learn different names of the Gods that we worship. The kids took turns and recalled one name of Ganesha that each one knew. We discussed the meaning of the names, and how to visually imagine Ganesha when we chant His name. We listed the names of Ganesha, Gowriputra, in Sankashta-naashana stotram and learned the meanings of the names.
1. वक्रतुण्डं vakratundam
2. एकदन्तं ekadantam
3. कृष्णपिङ्गाक्षं krishnapingaaksham -
4. गजवक्त्रं gajavaktram
5.लम्बोदरम् lambodaram
6. विकटं vikatam
7. विघ्नराजेन्द्रं vighnaraajendram
8. धूम्रवर्णम् dhoomravarnam
9. भालचन्द्रं bhalachandram
10. विनायकम् vinayakam
11. गणपतिं Ganapatim
12. गजाननम् Gajaananam
We then talked about why during Ganesh Chaturti celebrations, on anantachaturdashi, the ganesha clay idol is taken in a procession to a river and dissolved. Kids shared their own reasoning. Everything that is made up of the five elements, eventually disintegrates back to the five elements. Anything that has a form is mortal, including God in his avataar. Ganesha visarjanam is to remind us of this basic law of nature, circle of life.
We then had an interesting hands-on activity. The kids made their own Ganesha. We mixed turmeric powder with water and made a dough. Each child sculpted their own Ganesha. Prasad uncle led the class with the sixteen-step prayer. After we greeted the Lord, we offered water, seated him on a throne, washed his feet, gave him a bath and new clothes, offered flowers, akshataan, incense, and prayed to Ganesha chanting his names. At the end, we asked Ganesha to forgive any shortcomings or mistakes in our prayer, acknowledging that we do not know the proper way to invite him and bid him farewell.
After the prayer, the children learned to be dispassionate, and not get attached to the idol, each one dissolved their Ganesha in a big bowl of water. Well, they consoled themselves saying they could make their own Ganesha when they go back home :)
With that we concluded our study of Ganesha Symbolism.
Announcement
Fifth Grade students and parents have the opportunity of Satsang with SwamiJi and serving Bhiksha for Swamiji. Email has been sent to parents to sign up for food items. Please remember to sign up as early as possible. After BalaVihar on next sunday, Nov 18th, we will go to the Ashram for the satsang.
We then dismissed after closing prayer. It was so much fun in such a little time :) Can't wait for the next class.
Happy Deepavali to all the kids and their families!
Anjana Aunty & Prasad Uncle
