This is a combined blog update for the two previous balavihar sessions.
The 9th March class was the day of day light saving. So we had a lazy bunch in class! Everyone was in a lethargic mood and wanted to do more of the story time than anything else, and so I gave in! The next class, I had a bunch of hyper kids! So, I guess the sessions evened out :)
In Ramayana, we traced the footsteps of Rama and Lakshmana to the banks of the river Pampa where they met Shabari, who was holding on to life for a glimpse of Lord Rama. She had such devotion towards him that she collected the ber fruit to offer him, but bit and tasted each fruit before offering it, to ensure that he got only the sweetest and the best of fruits. This upset Lakshmana, but Rama only saw her good intentions and explained to Lakshmana that so great was her love for him that she wanted only the best for him.
The moral we learnt hear was that God accepts whatever we offer him with the best of intentions. This led to a general discussion of how God does not expect money, sacrifices or any grand gestures and will accept anything that we are able to offer with a true heart. This led to an interesting discussion of the various forms we think of God when we pray. Vivaan mentioned that he thinks of his mother when he prays, Saanvi thinks of her parents, Sanjana thinks of Lord Krishna, Athreya imagines God is black with traces of other colors while Vedant feels the sun represents God as it gives light and energy.
Then we read about how Rama & Lakshmana met Hanuman, the minister of Sugreeva, the Vanara king in exile. We read the story of Bali and Sugreeva and the misunderstanding that crept between the brothers leading to Bali ousting Sugreeva from the kingdom of Kishkinda, sending Sugreeva into hiding. He took refuge in the mountains as Bali was cursed by a saint and hence could not enter the mountains. Rama promised to help Sugreeva get back his kingdom and in return, Sugreeva assured that he would extend help in their search for Sita, whom the Vanaras had seen being kidnapped by Ravana, and had found a pile of jewellery that she threw to leave a trail.
When Sugreeva went to challenge Bali, Rama hid behind a tree and waited to attack Bali, but the brothers looked so similar that he got confused! So Rama asked Sugreeva to wear a flower garland so as to distinguish him from Bali. Then Rama shot an arrow at Bali. Before dying, Bali expressed his disappointment saying he had no personal issues with Rama, so he should not have shot him, but Rama explained that his actions towards his brother were wrong and so it was his responsibility to ensure that the right thing was done. This made Bali realize his mistake and he apologized to Sugreeva and gave him back his kingdom and then died. Then Sugreeva once again became the king of Kishkinda and led a life of celebrations and enjoyment while Rama and Lakshmana waited in the mountains for the help they were promised. When Hanuman, the minister, reminded Sugreeva of his promise to Rama, Sugreeva immediately apologized to Rama for the delay and offered the services of his Vanara sena towards the search of Sita.
Here, we contrasted the way the two sets of brothers - Rama & Bharata on the one hand and Bali and Sugreeva on the other - reacted to certain situations, one of trust and love and the other of mistrust and misunderstandings.
For the activity, we traced footprints of Rama and Lakshmana to the banks of the river Pampa and Kishkinda. The kids were given a sheet for writing the next level of Sanskrit alphabets as well as a coloring sheet from the Ramayana. Those who have not completed these in class, please complete then as a part of homework.
Next, I became the student and the kids proceeded to teach me the Chinmaya Mission Pledge as a way to help them memorize the same. I am proud to say that these kids are all set to lead the pledge whenever they are asked to.
We revised the first verse of the fourteenth chapter of the Bhagvad Gita and learnt the second verse.
We ended the class with the concluding prayers Om Poornamadah (pg-20) and Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha (pg-19).
See you at the next class and please be sure to bring your folders.
The classes ran through the usual gamut of attendance followed by the Dhyaana Shloka - Om Sahanavavatu (pg 9) and the daily prayers (Karaagre Vasate, Vakratunda, Saraswati Namastubhyam, Bramhaarpanam, Shubham Karoti, Kara Charana - pages 14-17 of the My Prayer Book) as well as the Guru Sthothram (pg 85-86).
We practiced the bhajans Rama Naama Thaarakam (pg 211), Atma Nivasi Ram (pg 209-210) and Radhe Radhe (pg-169). Once again a reminder that the bhajans and shlokas will be better memorized with regular practice.
The 9th March class was the day of day light saving. So we had a lazy bunch in class! Everyone was in a lethargic mood and wanted to do more of the story time than anything else, and so I gave in! The next class, I had a bunch of hyper kids! So, I guess the sessions evened out :)
In Ramayana, we traced the footsteps of Rama and Lakshmana to the banks of the river Pampa where they met Shabari, who was holding on to life for a glimpse of Lord Rama. She had such devotion towards him that she collected the ber fruit to offer him, but bit and tasted each fruit before offering it, to ensure that he got only the sweetest and the best of fruits. This upset Lakshmana, but Rama only saw her good intentions and explained to Lakshmana that so great was her love for him that she wanted only the best for him.
The moral we learnt hear was that God accepts whatever we offer him with the best of intentions. This led to a general discussion of how God does not expect money, sacrifices or any grand gestures and will accept anything that we are able to offer with a true heart. This led to an interesting discussion of the various forms we think of God when we pray. Vivaan mentioned that he thinks of his mother when he prays, Saanvi thinks of her parents, Sanjana thinks of Lord Krishna, Athreya imagines God is black with traces of other colors while Vedant feels the sun represents God as it gives light and energy.
Then we read about how Rama & Lakshmana met Hanuman, the minister of Sugreeva, the Vanara king in exile. We read the story of Bali and Sugreeva and the misunderstanding that crept between the brothers leading to Bali ousting Sugreeva from the kingdom of Kishkinda, sending Sugreeva into hiding. He took refuge in the mountains as Bali was cursed by a saint and hence could not enter the mountains. Rama promised to help Sugreeva get back his kingdom and in return, Sugreeva assured that he would extend help in their search for Sita, whom the Vanaras had seen being kidnapped by Ravana, and had found a pile of jewellery that she threw to leave a trail.
When Sugreeva went to challenge Bali, Rama hid behind a tree and waited to attack Bali, but the brothers looked so similar that he got confused! So Rama asked Sugreeva to wear a flower garland so as to distinguish him from Bali. Then Rama shot an arrow at Bali. Before dying, Bali expressed his disappointment saying he had no personal issues with Rama, so he should not have shot him, but Rama explained that his actions towards his brother were wrong and so it was his responsibility to ensure that the right thing was done. This made Bali realize his mistake and he apologized to Sugreeva and gave him back his kingdom and then died. Then Sugreeva once again became the king of Kishkinda and led a life of celebrations and enjoyment while Rama and Lakshmana waited in the mountains for the help they were promised. When Hanuman, the minister, reminded Sugreeva of his promise to Rama, Sugreeva immediately apologized to Rama for the delay and offered the services of his Vanara sena towards the search of Sita.
Here, we contrasted the way the two sets of brothers - Rama & Bharata on the one hand and Bali and Sugreeva on the other - reacted to certain situations, one of trust and love and the other of mistrust and misunderstandings.
For the activity, we traced footprints of Rama and Lakshmana to the banks of the river Pampa and Kishkinda. The kids were given a sheet for writing the next level of Sanskrit alphabets as well as a coloring sheet from the Ramayana. Those who have not completed these in class, please complete then as a part of homework.
Next, I became the student and the kids proceeded to teach me the Chinmaya Mission Pledge as a way to help them memorize the same. I am proud to say that these kids are all set to lead the pledge whenever they are asked to.
We revised the first verse of the fourteenth chapter of the Bhagvad Gita and learnt the second verse.
We ended the class with the concluding prayers Om Poornamadah (pg-20) and Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha (pg-19).
See you at the next class and please be sure to bring your folders.
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