Dec 16, 2012 - Section 2

Class started with a prayer to bring peace to the victims of the Connecticut tragedy, chanting eleven times the  “Maha Mrityunjaya mantra” - Triyambakam Yajamahe…. , followed by the meaning of the mantra.

This was followed by guided meditation during which we silently chanted Om Namah Shivayah.

Regular prayer was followed by learning another verse of Geeta Dhyanam.

To prepare for the 2013 Geeta Chanting Competition (in April ’13) we taught verse 4 of chapter 13 of the Holy Geeta, followed by translation of the first four verses.

The class continued the study of Lord Vishnu.

The children were presented a book on Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam (Thousand Names of Vishnu).  Each one placed a dab of turmeric paste on the inside title page of their copy. It was explained that turmeric is considered auspicious in Hindu culture. We shared our expectation that students would use and cherish the book forever.

 The book contains the sloka verses in Samskrut (Devnagri) and English script, along with transliteration (pronunciation guide), translation and detailed meaning.

Some students shared their homework results – to bring pictures of Bhagwan Vishnu. There were questions on the different depictions of Vishnuji and Lakshmiji in different versions of the picture.

We completed our study of Sri Vishnu Dhyana sloka (Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam….) from the Vishnu Sahasranamam (The Thousand Names of Sri Vishnu). Children shoudl have teh meaning written down in their notebooks.

Next class we shall start learning the first 100 names from the Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam

Children were informed of the upcoming class play during the annual day in June 2013. It shall be a 10-15 minute play, in a game show format based on Vishnu Sahasranamam.  Students were given a few pointers and asked to come up with some ideas for the play.

We concluded the class with closing prayers.

Blessings,

Kasturi Uncle and Sangita Aunty

Dec 16, 2012 - Section 1

Hari OM.
We started our bala vihar class with the Likhita Japa: OM parama̅tmane namaḥ. The class then meditated for a few minutes. We sang our opening prayers, followed by the dhyana shlokam and first two verses of Vishnu Sahasranamam. Four children had memorized the dhyana shlokam already, and one among them had memorized the first verse as well. We listened to these kids chant from their memory and gave them a round of applause. We are pleased to have such dedicated students in our class.

To review the second SVS verse, we played the Seven Little Words game and solved the names of Vishnu we had learned in our previous class. It is a rewarding experience to watch the kids look up their notes for the meaning of the names, and guess the tiles correctly. The children guessed the longest name in a few seconds: mukta̅na̅m parama̅ gatiḥ.

We recalled the forms of Lord Vishnu that we have explored so far and the symbolism behind his blue body, resting posture on ananta/a̅di seSha, Goddess Lakshmi at his feet, milky ocean, conch, mace, discus, lotus, etc.

We then moved on to discuss the symbolism of his Yellow clothes. We recalled how Ganesha is pictured to be wearing shukla ambaram; similarly Vishnu or Krishna is depicted to be wearing pita ambaram, yellow clothes. We discussed what yellow color could signify. Children shared that the yellow color indicates the brilliance and radiance of sun, gold, etc.  It is to show that Lord Vishnu is brilliant and radiant. We then talked about earth, how anything buried under earth gets a yellow hue, how mud when burned in fire gives out yellow sparks. The physical representation of Lord Vishnu is showing that the infinite lord when clothed in earthly robes, helps us contemplate on his glory in a form that our mind and intellect can comprehend.

Prasad Uncle recommended an app for i-devices called Little alchemy. Game Assignment: Download Little Alchemy free app and check it out before our next class.

We then discussed about the ornate crown that adorns Vishnu's head and how the crown symbolizes that he is the sole proprietor and the Lord of the entire universe. We listened to a beautiful story of a vishnu devotee who wanted to wear the Lord's crown for a few minutes and write the future of his son. The story reassured that the Lord loves us all equally, in His vision we are all adorable children.

With that we concluded our symbolism lessons on Vishnu.

We then continued our study of SVS and learned the third verse of SVS.

yogo yogavidāṁ netā pradhānapuruṣeśvaraḥ |

         nārasiṁhavapuḥ śrīmān keśavaḥ puruṣottamaḥ || 3 ||

18. Yogaḥ: One attainable through Yoga.
19. Yogavidāṁ netā: The master or goal of Yogis, those who are established in Yoga.
20. Pradhāna-puruṣeśvaraḥ: The master of pradhana/Prakriti/nature and Purusha/Jiva/Spirit/Soul.
21. Nārasiṁha-vapuḥ: One with the body of a man and a lion combined.
22. Śrimān: One in whose chest/heart the goddess Shri/Lakshmi always dwells or resides.
23. Keśavaḥ: One whose Kesa or locks are beautiful.
24. Puruṣottamaḥ: The greatest among all Purushas.

We had bulk ordered copies of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam/naamaavali for all the children, as they have been so enthusiastic about learning this hymn. It is a chinmaya publication that costs $4.00 per copy. Please Click Here to find out more about this book.
Parents: Please pay $4 to one of the Grade 5 teachers when you drop your child in the next class, if your child wants to own a copy of this book.

We then chanted Chapter 13 Gita verses 1-3. We discussed the meaning of verse 3.

Homework: We handed out a word match puzzle and a craft project template summarizing symbolism of Lord Vishnu to all the kids. Kids, hope you have fun with both the activities. If you have any questions or doubts, please feel free to email your teachers at 5thgradecmtc@gmail.com

Happy Holidays. Waiting to see you all rested and recharged, with renewed enthusiasm on January 6th.
Anjana Aunty & Prasad Uncle

Dec 9, 2012 - Section 1

Hari OM.
We had almost full attendance today and a new addition to our class! Kids assembled in a cheerful and playful spirit :) OM Chanting and meditation got us calm, still and focussed. Opening prayers were loud, clear and melodious.

Kids took turns and recapped what they had learned about Vishnu so far in the prior classes. We then moved on to learn more about Vishnu symbolism.

Milky Ocean

Today we discussed why Vishnu is shown to be resting on AdisheSha floating in the milky ocean. The first connection kids made to the milky ocean was the Milky Way. It represents that His abode is in the milky ocean, the milky way. We had learned in the last class that when mind is introverted, one can realize the blissful Vishnu resting in one's heart. Extending that analogy, the milky ocean symbolizes the virtues, values or beliefs that are near to one's heart. 

We then recalled samudra manthanam, or the churning of the milky ocean. When we introspect ourselves, or, so to speak, churn our thoughts, undesirable thoughts or impurities often surface first, just as the haalaahal poison emerged when the devas and asuras churned. But if we are persistent, with divine grace, the divine and refreshing values shall manifest, just as the many goodies followed by Amruth, the divine nectar were obtained.

We then discussed the properties of milk and concluded that all things related to milk were refreshing or nutritious or nourishing. Milky ocean is thus reminding us to practice values that refresh and nourish ourselves and those around us.

We narrated the story of Abraham Lincoln and a wounded soldier during Civil War. We talked about Ramana Maharishi and his exemplary behaviour in day-to-day activities. 
Moral: Any unselfish good deed that one does always brings back joy, contentment and happiness to the doer. The time it takes to experience its fruits/results might vary, some quicker than the others, nevertheless one reaps what one sows.

Conch, Mace, Discus and the Lotus Flower

We then discussed what Vishnu holds in his four hands, when he is pictured to be standing on a lotus flower. 
Conch: Signals or reminds to do one's duty/dharma
Every one has a duty. We discussed the duties of a student, a teacher, a president,   etc.
Mace: The mace gives a nudge to get back on track, when one strays from due-course, forgetful of his/her duties.
Discus: The discus puts an end to the time given to the being, if none of the warnings and consequences have any effect, and one is being harmful to the society.
We discussed that this always does not mean death. It symbolizes that the time given in a particular role shall come to an end. With the example roles we had taken, it could mean that a student gets detention from school, teacher loses the job, or the president shall not be re-elected for another term.
Lotus: Sweet reward, for those who stayed on course, diligently doing their duties.

We then talked about the lotus flower, and why it is a symbol of self-realization.

Game: Seven Little Words

We played the Seven Little Words game with names of Vishnu that we had learned in the last class. The clue for the word was the meaning of the name. We were pleasantly surprised to see that kids could pick the tile with the correct transliteration letters and knew the meaning of each name!! 

After solving the word puzzle, kids chanted the first verse and moved on to learn the second verse from SVS.

pūtātmā paramātmā ca muktānāṁ paramā gatiḥ |

avyayaḥ puruṣaḥ sākṣī kṣetrajñō'kṣara eva ca || 2 ||

10. pūtātmā: Pure Self, One whose nature is purity
11. paramātmā: Supreme Self, He who is the supreme one and the Atman
12. muktānāṁ paramā gatiḥ: The ultimate/supreme goal of the those seeking liberation
13. avyayaḥ: Changeless
14. puruṣaḥ: One who always exists
15. sākṣī: One who witnesses everything, Omniscient
16. kṣetrajñaḥ: The knower of the field or body
17. akṣaraḥ: Eternal, Indestructible, He who is without destruction

We dispersed with closing prayers.

Kids, practice chanting the verses. 
Parents, enjoy listening to your kids chanting these verses. 

Blessings,
Anjana Aunty & Prasad Uncle

Dec 2, 2012 - Section 2

Hari OM.
We started the class with OM and meditation. Once we got composed, the class sang the opening prayers. Kids enjoyed chanting the Ganesha shlokam - praNamya shirasA Devam. We reviewed the first verse from Chapter 13 of Gita and learned to chant verses 2 & 3.

We reviewed the symbolism of Goddess LakShmi and the virtues she bestows. Having learned this, we revisited the significance of the festival nava-raatri, with a fresh perspective. It is wonderful to know that our festivals have so much meaning and they symbolize our diligent effort to learn and practice values that take us closer to self-realization or God-realization.

We then discussed about Goddess Saraswati and many interesting facts. We reviewed the Trinity and the goddess, or, devi counterpart associated with them. Goddess saraswati holds a japa-mala and book in her rear hands and is depicted as playing a musical instrument, veena, with her other two hands. We discussed the significance of knowledge, self-knowledge and how meditation is crucial in the process of self-knowledge.

Kids had fun working on their word search activity, and discovered words that pertain to Goddesses, forbearance and Ganesha.

With closing prayers, the class dispersed to the auditorium for aarti and pledge.

Parents! Please encourage the kids to chant the prayers and shlokas that they have learned, at home.

Blessings,
Sangita Aunty

Dec 2, 2012 - Section 1

Hari OM.
We started the class with a special Likhita Japa - ॐ  विष्णवे नमः
We chanted OM and meditated for a few minutes.

We sang our opening prayers including the dhyana shloka that we had learned in the previous class describing Lord Vishnu.

Few kids had researched and shared their findings on: "Why the Sky is blue?" As blue is a color that represents infinity, no beginning or end, limit-less, we could very well understand why Vishnu, the one who pervades everywhere, is represented in blue color. That led us right to the discussions on the symbolism of Shri Vishnu.

AdisheSha

In the last class we had learned that Vishnu is depicted to be resting on a Thousand-headed snake/serpent, known as ananta or AdisheSha. Today we put on our inquisitive fifth-grader hat on, and asked what would resting on a snake imply? We discussed what a snake usually symbolizes in mythology, recollected few other symbols with a snake, and a few interesting facts about snakes: how they renew their skin, how they can be venomous, how they get charmed with music, etc.

In order to strike a victim, a cobra lifts up to a third of its upper body, fans out its rib bones to make a hood, hood/head facing outwards or away from its tail, and then strikes the victim with its fangs, acting like hypothermal needles, injecting neuro-toxins in the victim. If however the head is facing inwards and towards its tail, the cobra cannot strike the victim with its venom. Its predator, mongoose, hence attacks the cobra from behind! How interesting!

We now looked at the picture of Shri Vishnu carefully and noticed that the hoods/heads of AdisheSha are in-fact facing inwards or towards the tail/body! Harmless! We then made a connection with a human mind, when absorbed in objects around it, it is indeed capable of spreading its venom around, in the form of anger, jealousy, hatred, revenge, etc. On the other-hand, if it is turned inwards, it is harmless, and even more, it is capable of discovering the blissful, Shri Vishnu resting in its bosom!

No wonder in Bala Vihar we meditate, turning our mind inwards.  If we sincerely strive eliminating all other thoughts, one fine day, in our heart, we are going to realize the blissful, glorious, Shri Vishnu!

We discussed that sheSha in sanskrit, means the rest, or, what is left over. Thus it can also symbolize that Vishnu always remains. He is not limited or bound by time, he is beyond time, hence the Lord of the past, present, and future.

Yoga nidra
We then talked about the significance of the restful posture in which Shri Vishnu is depicted. We discussed that in order to project a movie, a white, still screen in the background is required. Similarly, Lord Vishnu is being the still substratum in which the cosmic universal drama of creation/sustenance/dissolution is being played. 

We narrated a story of a painter and a farmer. An artist is focussed, completely absorbed, in order to create master-pieces. The moral was one could be silently creating wonders, while being still!

First verse of shri viShNu sahasranAmam
The class learned the first verse of Vishnu sahasranamam, understanding what each name of the lord meant. We were thrilled to hear the melodious fifth graders chant the glorious names or Shri Vishnu, in chorus, in harmony!

viśvaṁ viṣṇurvaṣaṭkārō bhūtabhavyabhavatprabhuḥ |
bhūtakṛdbhūtabhṛdbhāvō bhūtātmā bhūtabhāvanaḥ || 1 ||

1: viśvaṁ: Universe or the Cause of Universe

2. viṣṇuḥ: All pervading, one who is everywhere 

3: vaṣaṭkāraḥ: One who controls and directs, For whom offerings are sacrificed in yajnas
4: bhūta-bhavya-bhavat-prabhuḥ: The Master of all things past, future, and present

5: bhūta-krit: The creator of all beings

6 : bhūta-bhṛt: The supporter of all beings

7: bhāvaḥ:  Pure Existence, He who exists always, independent of anything else
8: bhūtātmā: The soul of all beings

9: bhūta-bhāvanaḥ: One who nourishes and nurtures all beings

Parents, please encourage your children to chant the shlokas they have learned when the family prays at home or at temples. Ask them what each name of the lord signifies in the first verse, you will be in for a pleasant surprise.

Well, Gita chanting was a breeze, after chanting SVS. We have learned to chant verses 1 and 2 of chapter 13, so far. 

We were running late for the assembly at the auditorium, amidst all the fun and excitement we were having in our class. With concluding prayers, we dispersed, eagerly awaiting to reconvene on Dec 9th.

namaste.
Section 1 Teachers