Hari OM Dear Families,
Happy New Year!!
Our class began with an opening prayer.
Shlokas:
We all chanted OM 3 times followed by shlokas
"Om Saha Navavatu" (page 8 in My Prayers book)
"Vakratunda Mahakaya" (page 27 in My Prayers book)
"Saraswati namastubhyam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
"Guru Brahma" (page 61 in My Prayers book)
"Buddhir balam" (page 152 in My Prayers book)
Guru Stotram: We have learnt up to VS 8
Story time:
Tale: Dhruva
King Uttaanpaada, the first son of Manu had two wives, Suniti and Suruchi. Suniti's son was Dhruva and Suruchi's son was Uttama. Suruchi was very beautiful and so the king liked her more. But she was terribly possessive that she would not even let the King meet Suniti and her son, Dhruva.
One day, Suruchi was sitting, laughing and chatting with the king and her son Uttama was playing on his father's lap. Just then Dhruva walked in the room and he too wanted to sit on his father's lap and wanted to play with him. But the king fearing Suruchi did not pay attention to Dhruva. Suruchi then turned on to the boy and started taunting him. She told him he may be the king's son but to win his favor he should take birth in her womb. Then she added he should go and do tapas so that at least in his next birth he may be born in her womb. Upon hearing all these words, Dhruva became very sad and looked up to his father but his father did not do or say anything to console him. Dhruva ran to his mother and cried uncontrollably. His mother hugged him and tried to console him. She told him not to be angry with his step mother rather should be grateful for telling the great truth that through tapas, prayer, and the grace of Narayana, everything is possible.
Dhruva, then asked his mother where he could find Narayana. His mother told Sri Narayana removes the miseries and fulfills the desires of those who take refuge in him. But He is not easily attainable. After years of intense devotion and tapas only one can realize Him as He is seated deep within our own hearts.
Dhruva thought over his mother's words and that night sneaked out of the palace and went into the deep forest. He spend many days and night without food, water and rest. Narada, heard the cries of the little boy and advised him to go back where he belongs and that the path he is treading on is really difficult. But the boy did not want to retreat from his desire and told Narada Ji that he is not going back without seeing the Lord. Upon talking to the boy, Narada understood that Dhruva was a sincere seeker and then taught him japa and showed him how to meditate. He gave him the sacred mantra "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and asked him to meditate constantly.
During the first few days meditation was hard then found the ultimate joy in it. He took terrible fasts, sipped water and breathed only once in a while. After months he lost all his consciousness from the outer world and went into deeper meditation. He stopped all the movements of his body and stood posed on the big toe of one foot. His penance was so strong that the three worlds began to rock. The Lord, now had to go and meet His devotee, mounted His Garuda and gracefully landed in front of Dhruva. Slowly Dhruva opened his eyes and was dazzled by the presence of the Divine Lord. Dhruva prostrated but was so struck that he could not utter a word. Dhruva didn't ask for anything but only asked the Lord that his mind should always revel in Him. The Lord agreed and gave him a permanent unchanging place in the celestial sky and be called "Dhruva Nakshatra". Then the Lord asked him to go back to his father and rule the kingdom. With this blessing the Lord disappeared.
Obeying the Lord, Dhruva went back to his kingdom and soon succeeded his father as the king. He ruled as a wise and noble ruler for many years.
Game: Stand on One Foot
We tried to stand on one leg to understand how difficult it was for Dhruva to stand on one toe for many days. We asked them to practice it at home. Standing on one foot with single pointed concentration also helps us improve our nervous system.
Tale: The Legend of the Dipper
We told them a sub story about a little girl to show them the moral that we all can be like Dhruva and the girl by serving and caring for others. Please ask them to retell the story and what they understood from it.
Kids also heard more stories- Mind/Genie and take of Monkeys. Please ask the kids to narrate at home.
Moral:
We must be firm & disciplined like Dhruva.
Likhita Japa
Writing names of God.
Gita Chanting: Chp 15
Concluded Chp 15.
**Important Note for Parents**
Notebooks- 2 count
Likhita Japa books that were provided in BV.
Sharpened Pencil(s) & Eraser.
We kindly ask all children to please bring colors (crayons or colored pencils) every session.
My prayer book to Bala Vihar every session.
Please bring the children to balavihar a few minutes before 9.15 am. We want to promptly start by 9.15 am. Please make sure the student is not late and may come at the latest by 9.20 and not later than that.
Next class is on 1/18/2025.
