Hari Om parents,
How are all of you doing? Here is the summary of our last class (1/22/23) -
1. We started our class with 3 OM's & the beginning prayers followed by shlokas for Lord Ganesha, Devi Saraswati and our Gurus.
2. We chanted the first 8 verses of Guru stotram.
3. We did a quick review of what we have learned so far.
4. Story time - Kardama & Devahuti
Kardama is one of the nine mind-born sons of Brahma. He was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. Pleased by the austerity of Kardama muni, Lord Vishnu appeared & blessed him with 2 boons -
A beautiful wife - Soon thereafter, Manu, came to his hermitage and offered Devahuti, his daughter, in marriage to him.Kardama was married to Devahuti, one of the three daughters of Svayambhuvamanu and Satarupa.Devahuti was an ideal wife and served her husband with great devotion.They were blessed with 9 beautiful daughters.
Lord Vishnu himself incarnated as his son - Sage Kapila was born later who taught Sankhya philosophy. At the time of his birth, the devas and Gandharvas showered flowers from heaven.
After completing his duties as a householder, Kardama retired to the forest for austerities after this.
5. Brainstorming - What is Tapas? Tapas means austerity. When we take a vow to do something and live by that vow, we are doing tapas.
6. Story time - Rishi Kapila
The parents of Sage Kapila are Sage Kardama and Devahuti. Kapila soon became a divine teacher and a sage of wonderful merit. One day mother Devahuti went to her son who was so learned and asked him to teach her how to gain freedom from the cycle of birth and death? Kapila looked affectionately at his mother and said, "One must have a pure heart." But, how does one make the heart pure? Kapila said by -
Obeying the rules of life - Listen to the essence of Dharma and bear it in your mind. The essence of Dharma is : whatever is adverse to us, we should not inflict upon others. If I want people to love me, I should love people!
Performing one's duties - Bhagwan wants us to perform our duties. As a student go to school, study well, but morning and night pray to the Lord with love! Thus, to be the best devotee of the Lord.
Seeing work as worship - A small story will help us understand this concept. age Once Narada was devoted to Lord Vishnu. He used to go around the world, chanting his name, "Narayana, Narayana, Narayana…"Once, Sage Narada met Lord Vishnu, "You are dear to me, Narada. I am happy with your devotion."Narada asked "Does that mean I am your greatest devotee?" Vishnu smiled and said, "No."
Narada was now confused, "Is there someone who is a greater devotee than me?""Let's find out," replied the Lord.So the Lord told Narad ji," Go and meet the farmer in the village he is my greatest devotee."It was early in the morning.Narada went to a cottage, where he found a farmer sleeping. As the day broke, the farmer woke up, joined his hands in prayer and said, "Narayana, Narayana."
"Watch this devotee the whole day and then come meet me" said Lord Vishnu.The farmer got ready and left for his field. Narada followed him. The farmer ploughed his land under the hot sun the whole morning."He hasn't taken the Lord's name even once!" thought Narada. The farmer took a break to have lunch. "Narayana, Narayana," he said before eating. After finishing his lunch, the farmer continued to plough the land. The next day, Narada met Lord Vishnu, "So Narada, do you still doubt the farmer is my greatest devotee?"
Narada was hurt, "Lord, the farmer worked the whole day. He took your name only three times – when he got up in the morning, before having his lunch in the afternoon, and before he went to sleep. But I chant your name all the time. Why do you consider him your greatest devotee?"Lord Vishnu smiled, "I'll answer your question in a minute. But can you bring me some oil from Shiva Loka first? Just make sure you don't spill even a drop of oil."
Narada went to Shiva loka, and filled a pot with oil. Placing the pot on his head, he began walking, chanting, "Narayana, Narayana."Then he stopped. "Wait, I must be careful. Lord Vishnu has told me that not even a drop of oil can be spilled."Narada slowly climbed down the hill. All his attention was on the oil pot. At last he reached Lord Vishnu, standing at the foot of the hill. The sun was going down. Narada carefully lowered the pot and offered it to the Lord and then said, "Lord, not a drop of oil was spilled."
"That's good Narada. But tell me, how many times did you take my name?" asked Lord Vishnu."Lord, my attention was on the oil all the time. I could take your name only twice – when I started walking, and after I kept the pot down," said Narada.
Lord Vishnu smiled. Narada realised that while the farmer had taken the Lord's name thrice in the day, he had taken his name only twice! He fell at Lord Vishnu's feet, saying, "Narayana, Narayana."Vishnu blessed Narada. "What is important is the feeling. I can feel that farmer's love for me the same way as I feel your love for me.""And I can feel your love for all your devotees," said Narada.
Thus Narada realised that devotion means love for God. He also realised that God loves everyone equally.
** We did a small fun experiment in class & it was awesome. Please find the pics of kids on WhatsApp.
Chanting God's name again and again - Say your prayers daily. Thank him for all he has given us. Saint Tukaram ji, a great saint of Maharashtra, was spending all his time chanting Lord's name. Once his son was sick and rolling on the floor in pain. Tukaram ji was too engrossed in chanting Bhagwan's name. His wife saw him and was very upset. Suddenly the child threw up and all his pain vanished. Tukaram ji's wife was very surprised as the child became normal and started playing again as if nothing happened. Saint Tukaram knew the glory of Bhagwan.
Trusting God as a Trusted and Beloved friend - Once a teen age boy was detected with cancer and was treated with chemotherapy. He lost all his hair during treatment and was worried how friends would make fun of him when we went back to school.
When he returned home from hospital he was taken aback to see his friends who were there to cheer him and had also shaved their heads. Such friends are rare to find. But we all have one such friend that is God. We just need to connect with him and trust in him.
Seeing the blessed lord in all creatures
Loving God - Loving God is devotion. Surdasa was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. He was blind and needed a stick to walk around. One day he forgot his stick and fell into a pit on the road side. Shri Krishna to help his devotee, came as a ten year old boy, and helped Surdas. He pulled Surdas out of the pit with love and kindness. Surdas ji immediately knew that the 10 year old boy was no other than Lord Krishna himself.
7. Geeta chanting - We chanted the first 5 verses of Chapter 3. Here are the links if the kids want to practice at home.
8. We headed to the prayer hall for Aarti & pledge. This Sunday our grade with the help of Swaranjali students did the Aarti & pledge. Awesome job by the kids.
See you all next Sunday. Also please check the Whatsapp messages regarding Anna danam. This Saturday(Jan 28, 2023) is our grade's turn to do the Anna danam. Please follow the instructions and donate generously.
Regards,
Chitra & Rupa.
