Hari Om Parents,
November 20, 2022 - Class Updates
- Kids wrote Likhita japa for the first five minutes.
- We started off the class with the chanting of OM three times and opening prayer (Dhyana shloka - Om Saha Navavatu)
- On the event of upcoming Thanksgiving holiday,
- Kids shared what they are thankful for.
- Kids listened to the story about the challenge put forth by Lord Vishnu for the feast that Devas and Asuras got invited to. Lord Vishnu put forth the condition that Devas and Asuras should not bend their elbows to eat the food. Asuras could not eat the food and were angry, whereas Devas ate food and were happy. Please ask your children how Devas were able to eat without bending their elbows!
- Mahabharata
- Continuation of Adi parva
- Kunti returned to Hastinapura with the Pandavas.
- The Kauravas and the Pandavas were growing up together. The Kauravas had hatred for the Pandavas. Because of that, Duryodhana and his brothers plotted an evil plan to get rid of Bhima.
- Bhima loves food! Kauravas took advantage of that weakness and added poison to Bhima's food.
- Bhima felt drowsy after eating the poisoned food.
- Kauravas tied up Bhima and threw him in the lake.
- Snakes in the lake bit Bhima and the poison in his body got negated.
- Bhima was alive!
- Story of Dronacharya and Drupada
- The father of Dronacharya was Sage Bharadwaja.
- Drupada was the prince of the Panchala kingdom.
- Both Dronacharya and Drupada were students of Bharadwaja.
- Drona and Drupada were friends. Drupada mentioned that once he grew up and became a king, he would share half of the kingdom with his friend Drona.
- Drona and Drupada finished their studies and went their separate ways.
- Drona and Drupada grew up.
- Drona married Kripi and had a son named Ashwathama. It is said that the child cried like a horse and hence got named Ashwathama (AshvaH in Sanskrit means horse).
- Drona and his family were poor and he was not able to feed Ashwathama.
- Due to the advice from Kripi, Drona went to meet Drupada for help. Drupada had become the king of Panchala.
- But Drupada failed to acknowledge his friendship with Drona and insulted Drona.
- Drona got angry and took a vow that he will train his disciples to capture Drupada.
- Drona came to the kingdom of Hastinapura.
- The Pandavas and Kauravas lost their ball in a well while playing outside.
- Drona helped them get the ball with his archery skills.
- Bheeshma was informed about this incident. Bheeshma made Dronacharya the guru of the Kauravas and Pandavas.
- The kids were given the "match the correct clues" activity.
- Story of a Saint - Samartha Ramadas
- Samartha Ramadas was born in Maharashtra in 1608.
- He left home when he was 12 years old.
- He went to Nashik and meditated on the banks of the Godavari river.
- He was a great devotee of Hanuman and Lord Rama. We discussed that this year's Balavihar theme is Bhakti (devotion).
- After getting alms, he always offered it to Lord Rama and then took it as prasad.
- His Rama mantra - Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram.
- His famous works are Dasbodh and Manache Shlok.
- It is said that he was the guru of Shivaji Maharaj.
- Values to be learned from him - loving all.
- Kids reviewed and practiced the verses 1 to 3 of Bhagavad Gita chapter 3.
- Kids practiced the Bhagavad Gita chanting using the video - Verses 5 and 6 of Chapter 3
- Aarati and pledge in the Temple Hall
- During one of the upcoming classes, fifth grade will be leading the aarati and pledge. Please make them practice by listening to the playlist.
There is no Balavihar class next Sunday, November 27th. We will meet on December 4th. Happy Thanksgiving!
Please reach out to us if you have any questions. Thanks.
Regards,
Roopa, Ramee and Rameshwari
