Hari OM Dear Families,
Here is this week's update.
Week 4:
16th October 2022 / 9:15 AM
Opening prayers and Shlokas
Slokas: Class began with 3 OMs followed by
Om Saha Navavatu
Vakratunda, Saraswatyai Namastubhyam, Gurur Brahma
Saints of India - our lesson
We did a quick recap of Adi Sankarachrayaji and Swami Sivananda
Today's lesson- Samarth Ramdas Swami
We continued with our study of the Saints of India. This week was Samarth Ramdas Swami. His birth name was Narain and he was born in Jamb, Maharashtra in 1608. He was a big devotee of Lord Ram and Hanuman. Lord Ram came and gave him his new name Ramdas. Ramdas liked doing meditation and religious study, and at the age of 12 arrangements were made for his marriage but he ran away. Ramdas was an Advait and a Bhakta in one. He loved all religions, but his main goal was to spread Hindu religion. Ramdas was Shivaji Maharaj's guru, who placed the sandals of his guru on the throne and acted as a regent of the kingdom under the orders and guidance of his guru. Samarth Ramdas built temples of Hanuman in towns and cities to tell the importance of exercise and taught us to get together and fight the enemy. He highlighted warrior's role in society. Samarth Ramdas has many study centers across the country and understood the importance of the role of women and encouraged them to participate in religious work. He generally preferred to live in the forest to do better meditation. His important instructions were, Do not think much of your bodily wants, Have satsang with devotees, Keep the image of Lord Rama in your heart, Repeat the image of Lord Rama always, Remove anger and ego, See Lord Rama in all creatures and finally Lova all. He passed away at the age of 73.
We also had a presentation by Arjun on Saint Ramdas. This was beautifully presented.
Gita Chanting -VS 3 & 4
Please continue to practice at home.
Likitha Japa time- Kids now have their own house color 'Arjuna's arrow' likitha japa notebook.
Happy Diwali!!!
PS- No class on 10/23/22.
Next class on 10/30/22
Hari OM
Best regards
Indira and Raji
