Beginning prayers
· 'om' chanting - 3 times
· 'om' chanting - 3 times
· Meditation
· sahanaavavatu
· gurustotram verses - none
Gitaa chanting
· bhagavadgItaa 12th adhyaaya 1 - 10 shlokas
Story time
· dhruva
Chanting/Songs
· none
Quiet time
· none
Game time
· none
Ending prayers and pledge
· pUrNamadaH pUrNamidam
· chinmaya aarati
· om jaya jagadIsha hare
· pledge
Rashmi Aunty and Indira Aunty:
We had a lot of fun this week, because we had some new things on the agenda.
We started the class with our regular meditation and prayers. After the gItaa chanting, we spoke about the upcoming program we will be presenting in the new year! In the next balavihar, our class will be on stage, doing a presentation in the auditorium! It is regarding the harvest festival sankraanti/pongal/lori celebrated generally on January 14th. We are learning the lines for that. Parents, do talk to your children for more details. You will also hear more regarding the practice sessions, etc. from us via email.
We heard the story of dhruva. He was a young 5 yr old boy who was discouraged by his step mother (suruchi) from sitting on his father's (uttaanapaada's) lap. Disheartened, when he approached his mother (sunIti), she consoled him and explained that it was only Lord viShNu who could grant him all his wishes. So, at that tender age, he left to the forest, in his quest of Lord viShnu. On the way, he met maharShi naarada who gave him the 'om namo bhagavate vaasudevaaya' beeja mantra to chant upon. After rigorous penance, he had the darshanam of Lord viShNu. He was blessed with the ultimate knowledge and was given the 'dhruva padavi', (being the north star or pole star), which would lead mankind for a very long time. But before attaining that position, he would rule the kingdom happily for a very long time. On his return from the forest, after the penance, he was warmly welcomed by everyone, including his step mother, who had repented for her mistake. We learnt how dhruva would not give up on his goal, inspite of all the hardships he encountered!
We then dispersed with our ending prayers. Until we meet you next time, keep practicing and look out for our email regarding further updates about our practice.
Happy holidays everyone!
________________________________________________
We started the class with our regular meditation and prayers. After the gItaa chanting, we spoke about the upcoming program we will be presenting in the new year! In the next balavihar, our class will be on stage, doing a presentation in the auditorium! It is regarding the harvest festival sankraanti/pongal/lori celebrated generally on January 14th. We are learning the lines for that. Parents, do talk to your children for more details. You will also hear more regarding the practice sessions, etc. from us via email.
We heard the story of dhruva. He was a young 5 yr old boy who was discouraged by his step mother (suruchi) from sitting on his father's (uttaanapaada's) lap. Disheartened, when he approached his mother (sunIti), she consoled him and explained that it was only Lord viShNu who could grant him all his wishes. So, at that tender age, he left to the forest, in his quest of Lord viShnu. On the way, he met maharShi naarada who gave him the 'om namo bhagavate vaasudevaaya' beeja mantra to chant upon. After rigorous penance, he had the darshanam of Lord viShNu. He was blessed with the ultimate knowledge and was given the 'dhruva padavi', (being the north star or pole star), which would lead mankind for a very long time. But before attaining that position, he would rule the kingdom happily for a very long time. On his return from the forest, after the penance, he was warmly welcomed by everyone, including his step mother, who had repented for her mistake. We learnt how dhruva would not give up on his goal, inspite of all the hardships he encountered!
We then dispersed with our ending prayers. Until we meet you next time, keep practicing and look out for our email regarding further updates about our practice.
Happy holidays everyone!
________________________________________________
Alka Aunty and Prasad Uncle:
We started the class with 5 minutes meditation.
After regular prayers we discussed about Sankranthi festival. We learned that Sankranthi festival is a harvest festival and called "Lori" in Punjab / North India. We also learned that as the Sun enters Makara rashi, it is also called "Makara Sankranthi".
Rashmi aunty taught us the Sankranthi sloka that 3rd grade will be reciting on January 8th in the auditorium.
We started the story of Dhruva, the tapas he did, and how Lord Vishnu blessed him.
Happy holidays to all.
