Hari OM Parents,
Please find the details of yesterday's class.
Prayer time:
We started the class by chanting OM 3 times followed by morning prayers- "Sahanaavathu". We continued practicing Guru Stotram, verses 1, 2, 3, and 4. Then learnt verse 5. Children took turns to say verses 1 through 5. Please have kids practice the first 5 verses by reading the stotra from the My Prayers book. You can also refer to this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IcTvswcTFs
Bhajan Time:
Aruna ji taught the kids the Bhajan "Bolo Bolo Sab Mil Bolo Om Namah Shivaya". It is the house song for "Arjuna Arrows". Kids enjoyed clapping and singing the Bhajan at various speeds. You can find the Bhajan here, kids can practice the Bhajan at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWoI4KgDzS8
Bhagavatham Time:
We did a quick recap of the previous story of Parikshit's curse and continued to listen to new stories. Kids were very eager to hear the stories.
Varaaha Avataar
First, we talked about the cycle of day and night and the seasons. We then talked about how the world also exists in the creation phase and the rest phase, called pralaya, and this is a cycle as well. Varaha avatara story starts in the pralaya time, just before new creation starts. Lord Brahma is born from the navel of Lord Vishnu and is responsible for creation on the earth. Lord Brahma creates Manu and Satarupa and gives them the task of helping with creation on the earth.
But the earth is hidden under the oceans of the Pralaya. Lord Vishnu emerges as a Boar, or Varaha Avatara, finds the earth and retrieves her to orbit safely. As he is doing this, the demon Hiranyaksha tries to take possession of the earth. He is defeated and killed by the Lord in the Varaha avatar.
We discussed how God can assume different forms as per the necessity. Each one of us, including plants, animals and insects have come with a purpose, and each one of us must do what we have come here to do.
Likhita Japa:
Kids started their Likhita Japa writing. They chose the mantra of their choice and wrote them up to 25 times, focusing on the god and reciting while writing. They can continue write at home as much as they can.
House Inaugural:
All students assembled in the temple hall for House Inaugural. Most kids had dressed up in their house colors. Grade 3 kids belong to Ajuna Arrows house. All houses were welcomed with drum rolls, flags and slogans. We started with singing of house bhajans.
Next was the contest. There were 4 houses, and they had to compete to win points. Each house was further divided into 4 groups and each group was given a zig saw puzzle to solve. Puzzles covered pictures of Samarth Ramdas and Shivaji, Markandeya Rishi, Meerabai and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. House leads also had to arrange jumbled up sentences into a short story about one of the puzzle. This was a timed activity. There was lot of excitement and buzz to complete the activity quickly and win most points. Arjuna Arrows team won the second place with 490 points. Kids did an amazing job, and it was all about teamwork and helping each other.
We concluded the class with the Pledge.
See you all next week!
Thanks and warm regards,
Aruna and Subbu
