Hari Om Parents,
We started our class with Likhita Japa, opening prayers and 3 OMs. We reviewed Ganesha, Saraswati, Karagre, Brahmarpanam… mantras.
Kids learned a new Mantra to do every morning before getting out of bed.
Samudra vasane devi
Parvata-stana-mandale,
Visnu-Patni Namastubhyam
Pada-sparsam ksamasva me
CHINMAYA PLEDGE-
We are now learning the meaning of the Pledge.
WE SERVE AS AN ARMY, COURAGEOUS AND DISCIPLINED
What is an Arrmy? It is people coming together for the common good. We are the Chinmaya Army, coming together to learn about God and our scriptures. Kids made a hat and went to the temple hall as the Chinmaya Army.
SERVICE- We went over how teachers, police officers, firemen, doctors, dentist all serve people.
COURAGEOUS- We gave examples such as kids coming up on stage for storytelling takes courage.
DISCIPLINED- We went over how waking up, going to school, coming to Chinmaya Mission all takes discipline.
STORY ABOUT SERVICE
Kids watched beautiful story of Pundalik and Lord Vitthal
Pundalik used to not be kind or helpful to his aging parents. One day, seeing devotes of Vishnu singing, something touched his heart. Lord Vishnu came to him in his dreams and asked him to serve his aging parents. From that day on, he washed his parents feet, brought food to them, and took care of their needs. One day, Lord Vishnu knocks on the door to bless him, but he tells the Lord that he is in the middle of serving food to his parents. Pundalik gave Lord Vishnu to stand on a brick, thus known as Lord Vittal. Lord Vishnu was pleased to see children respecting and serving their parents.
EVER READY TO FIGHT AGAINST ALL LOW TENDENCIES AND FALSE VALUES
LOW TENDENCIES- we discussed this equates to our bad habits. We asked kids to differentiate good and bad habits, such as brushing teeth, keeping our rooms clean, fighting with friends, biting nails, not sitting still, playing video games.
FALSE VALUES- we went over all of the good values that we have already learned this year, such as cleanliness, kindness, love, truth, working hard. Kids saw examples of helping parents in garden, holding doors, sharing with friends, giving seat to an elderly are all good values.
STORY ABOUT FALSE VALUES- BEING PROUD
Kids watched a short clip on the jackal and the lion. The jackal came to the lion and asked if he could serve him. The jackal wanted the food scraps that the lion would catch. The jackal became bigger and stronger. Jackal told the lion that today he will go kill an elephant. The elephant easily killed the jackal. The jackal was too proud and convinced that he can succeed when he should have realized that he was just not capable.
We assembled in the temple hall and chanted Chapter 15, in preparation for May 9th.
Next class is Friday, April 10th. Have a wonderful spring break.
Pranams,
Anuradha and Kavita
