Jan 26th - Symbolism of Nataraja, Quiz Show Discussion

This week, we started the class with chanting of the 'Shiva Panchakshari Sthotram' and re-visiting the various names and symbolism of Lord Shiva, that were covered during the previous week.

Symbolism of Nataraja

• Lord Nataraja literally means 'King of Dance', and depicts Shiva doing the cosmic dance. He is shown standing on the Asura 'Mulayaka' and is a symbolism of Shiva crushing everything that is evil and wicked, like the Asura. 
• In one of his right hands he holds the 'Damaru', which is 'Nada Brahma' or Sound of Creation. In one of his left hands he holds fire, that stands for Destruction. This is to say that Creation and Destruction is a cycle and goes hand in hand.
•  One of his other right hands is the 'Abhaya Hasta' or the hand that bestows blessings upon us. The other left hand is the 'Gaja Hasta', which is positioned like the trunk of an Elephant. This symbolizes discrimination. The elephant trunk is known to pick up objects as big as a truck and also as minute as a needle!

A bronze statue of Lord Nataraja on the stage before any dance performance is a very common sight. He is first worshiped before any performing art.

Geetha Chanting - Children should memorize chapter 14 up to the 12th verse.

QUIZ Show on February 9th

We are having our 5th grade quiz show on Feb 9th, based on what they've studied in the class. The kids who were present picked up their 'Roles' from random chits. Parents must have received email communications regarding this event. February 2nd is the final rehearsal for the show, so make sure all participating kids attend Balavihar without fail. 

HariOM!!!

Jan 12 - Symbolism of Lord Shiva

The 5th grade BV class met today after a LONG winter break. So the kids needed some memory refreshing....After our morning prayers and quiet meditation, we did a quick recap of the 'Dwadasa Jyothirlingas' and recited the 'Jyothirlinga Sthothra' by Adi Shankaracharya.

Symbolism of Lord Shiva

Gangadhara - Lord Shiva has Mother Ganga trapped in his matted hair. This is really 'Gnana Ganga' or the flow of Knowledge from the teacher to the disciple. Water on the head keeps the head cool. This is for us to remember that we should not be hot headed or ill tempered, but always try to maintain a calm mind and a cool temperament.
We discussed the story of how Bhagiratha's tapas to Brahmaji made Mother Ganga come down to the Earth from the heavens, to wash away the sins of his ancestors, whose ashes were strewn in 'Patala'. Since the Earth would not be able to withstand the force with which Mother Ganga would descend from the heavens, Bhagiratha prayed to Lord Shiva to sustain her. Lord Shiva contained her in his locks and let her down in 7 gentle streams. This way Bhagiratha's wish was fulfilled and Mother Ganga also came to be known as 'Bhagirathi'.

Sashidhara - The Crescent Moon on his head symbolizes Life, Nourishment and Health.
Neelakanta - The Blue Necked One - Symbolizes Poison and hence Death.

Lord Shiva bears the moon that symbolizes life and also holds poison ('Halahala') in his throat. Though these two are opposite aspects, still the face of the Lord is always serene, composed and calm. This symbolizes that though our life has both pain/sorrow, success/failure, honor/dishonor we should maintain an equipoise and calmness just like Lord Shiva.

Nagendra Haaraya - A Snake Garland. The snake spitting poison and fear stands for a mind that has negative thoughts and hence leads to negative words/actions. Lord Shiva has the snake around his neck and has become an ornament for him. We learn from this that we have to control our mind and negative tendencies and attain the calmness that the Lord's face emanates.

Trilochana - One with Three Eyes - The two eyes stand for Love and Justice and the third eye in the center is the eye of Wisdom and Knowledge. When Lord Shiva opens his third eye he burns down ignorance and hence brings forth Knowledge.

Shiva Panchakshari Stotram

We recited the Panchakshari Stotram, composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. This is based on the Moolamantra of Lord Shiva “Namashivaya”. Each stanza starts with one of the five syllables, Na, Ma, Shi, Va, and Ya.

[Please refer to the "My Prayers" book for the lyrics of this Stotram, they can also listen to this on youtube]

Geeta Chanting - We recited Chapter 14 of the Geeta. Kids should memorize atleast the first 10 verses.

                                   ***  WE WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY SANKARANTI  ***