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.
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
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
