February 3rd, 2013
Meditation Time:
Our class started with chanting Om and five minutes of quiet time in meditation. We did our opening prayer "sahanaavavathu".
Guru Stotram:
We practised the entire strotram. The kids are very good in it.
Bhajan:
We practised the entire "Raadhey Raadhey" Bhajan.
Bhagavad Gita:
Today we did upto the 13th verse. We made them chant in two groups today. The kids did a pretty good job but needed more confidence and strength. Please keep practising at home. There is an online learning tool at http://www.
Bhaagvatam Time:
Today during story time, we heard the story of Puranjana. This story was told by sage Naarad to Praachinabarhi, who used to spent lot of his time in performing rituals and sacrifices. Naarad Ji told Praachinabarhi that there is a much higher goal to attain in life. One should try to reach that Ultimate Reality. To make him understand more, Naarad Ji told him the story of king Puranjana. He had a very close friend named Avijnaata, who always used to try to keep his friend on the right track. But Puranjana always ignored him and his advises. He was always in search of a place to live where he could satisfy all his desires. Finally, he came across a beautiful city with 9 gates and there he found a beautiful princess. He married the princess and stayed in the city. He started getting so much attached to his wife that he started loosing all his freedom and thus ended up spending his life as a slave of his wife. After many years, his wife died and Puranjana could not bear the loss and died sadly thinking about her. In the next birth, he was born as a girl who got married to a king and got attached to him. After some years, her husband died and she could not bear the loss. At that time, the old friend Avijnaata came to him and reminded him of the mistakes he was committing and how he was constantly getting caught in the web of maya. Then Naarad Ji explained to Praachinabarhi that Puranjana respresents the Self (aatma) and his friend, Avinjnaata is none other than the Lord Himself. The city of 9 gates represents the human body with 9 organs and the wife Puranjana was attached to represents the intellect. The Self united with the intellect forgets his own true Divine nature and becomes filled with ignorance and pride. We always come across these kind of situations in real life. Whenever we are going to do something wrong, an inner voice from within tells us not to do. But, we don't listen to Him. We should try to have some quiet time with the Lord so that we can hear him.
Likhita Japa:
We did our Likhita Japa, "Shree Krishnam Sharanam Mama"
Aarati and Pledge:
We wound up the class with the Aarati and Pledge in class. See you all next week. Until then keep practicing !!
Thanks,
Pushkala Aunty and Deepthy Aunty
