Hari OM Dear Families,
Here is this week's update.
Week 12 :
29th January 2023 / 9:15 AM
Opening prayers and Shlokas
Slokas: Class began with 3 OMs followed by
"Om Saha Navavatu" (page 8 in My Prayers book)
Om shrI Ganeśaya Namaha, shrI Saraswatyai Namaha, shrI Sat Gurubhyo Namaha.
"Vakratunda Mahakaya" (page 27 in My Prayers book)
"Gurur Brahma" (page 60 in My Prayers book)
"Krishnaya Vasudevaya" (page 105 in My Prayers book)
Today's lesson : Krishna Everywhere
After a brief recap of what we discussed in our previous class,... The kids took turns listing out the many asuras that Krishna has encountered so far. The last asura that Krishna killed was Aghasura. He was only five when he was able to defeat that demon. We went on to discuss how irresistible little Krishna was. We talked about our five senses and how we are attracted to things that look beautiful, smell nice, feel soft or inviting, melodious sounds (like that from a flute---many of our kids are learning to play an instrument and they were super excited to share with the class) and taste yummy. We discussed how we get mesmerized by anything that captivates our senses. When someone has the ability to attract all your senses, they become loved by all. In respect to that, Krishna was and is "Everyone's Darling"! He was so attractive in every way possible.
- He was dear to His parents because He was dutiful and obedient.
- His gopa friends loved Him because of His friendliness and cheerfulness.
- The elders loved Him because He protected them from all danger.
- The gopis loved Him for His beauty and divinity.
- The rishis and sages loved Him because He was "Krishnam Vande Jagat Gurum", the Lord of the universe.
Kaliya Mardanam :
We talked about the various demons or rakshasas Krishna destroyed, and protected his people. Then we started today's story about Kaliya Mardanam.
Lake Madu, a contaminated lake near river Yamuna, was inhabited by Kaliya, a hundred hooded poisonous snake and his family. They lived there for many yugas. The lake had become so poisonous that even birds flying over it died because of the fumes. One day, the gopas and cows unknowingly strayed to Lake Madu. They were all very thirsty, so had water from the lake. Soon, they fell down dead. Krishna immediately climbed a Kadamba tree, and although the remaining gopas pleaded not to, Krishna plunged into the poisonous lake. Kaliya was shocked and angered that someone could dare enter his area and disturb him. He tried to attack Krishna and bite him with his fangs. But Little Krishna was too quick for him. Kaliya then tried to wrap himself around the boy to crush him, but that too didn't work.
The gopas were crying looking at all this. They were very worried about Krishna. Some of them ran to the village to inform Nanda and the other elders. The elders came and saw the horrifying site near the lake and started weeping. Maa Yashoda was inconsolable. After fighting Kaliya for almost an hour, Krishna grew so much in size and was out of Kaliya's grip. He suddenly leaped into the sky and landed on the serpent's hoods. Kaliya was hissing loudly and fire was coming out of his mouth and nostrils. He twisted and twirled to free himself from Krishna. Krishna was dancing joyously on Kaliya's hoods. The devas sang in joy, looking at the beautiful sight and showered flowers from the heavens. Kaliya was not able to bear this anymore. His wives, realizing that Kaliya was going to die soon, prayed to Lord Krishna and begged for forgiveness. Krishna pardoned them and then Kaliya went to live on Ramanaka dvipa with his family. From that day, the waters of lake Madu became pure and sweet.
When Krishna came out, he was adorned with rare gems and jewels and sandal paste. These were gifted to him by Kaliya's wives. The people of Vrindavan embraced Krishna and shed tears of joy.
The people of Vrindavan were exhausted due to the day's events, and so they decided to spend the night on the banks of the lake. While they were sleeping, a fire broke out in the forest. Everyone panicked looking at the raging flames. Krishna protected them once again, by swallowing all the flames with his yogic powers.
Point to think : River Yamuna is also called Kalindi. Kalindi represents the consciousness in us, where Kaliya, the ego also lives.
The consciousness when infested with "I" and "My", become the poisonous waters of egoism. When "me" and "mine" are removed from our lives (our hearts become pure), the waters become nectar and nourishing.The removal of ego is not an easy task. When the Lord enters our heart, the Kaalindi, and dances on the ever-spreading hoods of "I and mine" to rid them of the poisons of selfishness, only then, we come to know God, Krishna, our darling.While there may be rough waves on the surface of the ocean, there is less and less movement as we go beneath the waves until there is total calm and tranquility in the depth of the ocean. The ocean remains unaffected whether the waters dry up in the summer or if a myriad river flows into it during the monsoon.
The class was shown an image of a river meeting the ocean as well as a cross section of a similar scene. We then discussed the science behind freshwater and saltwater meeting each other. Just as an ocean does not swell up when a river flows into it nor does it dry up, so also an ascetic should not be elated when desired objects are gained, nor should be depressed upon losing them. Ocean is always the same; in the rainy season it does not get flooded nor does it dry up in summer. It does not get flooded when rivers merge into it.
We learn from the ocean to have "samattva buddhihi". It mean equal mindedness; that is to keep cool under all circumstances.
Do Not Get Elated With Good News, Nor Depressed With Bad News.
The Day When All Went Wrong
We discussed a story about a boy's day. We talked about what we would've done if we had been in that boy's situation.
One day at school…
The teacher got a call, stepped out of the classroom.
Kids began to misbehave.
Tossed around a shoe.
It landed on your desk
You tossed it off your desk.
It landed on your teacher.
You got in trouble.
Punished and embarrassed
On Top Of What Happened In School… You went home and found your pet fish dead!
Your friend was to come and spend the vacation with you; you got an email that he won't come because his father lost his job and the airfare will be an unnecessary expense!
The day was just not going well and it was not really your fault; things just happened!
On days like this, it's almost impossible to keep your composure.
If you laughed it off and kept your cool, staying calm and being patient, that's equal mindedness or having samattva buddhih!
The power of saying that you are "sorry" stands for valuing the relationships! Saying sorry not that you are wrong and the other person is right, but because you value your relationship more than your ego!
A wise man is ever tranquil. The ocean never overflows its boundaries because of the inflow of rivers or rains so too, the man of enlightenment never transgresses his own tranquility.
Lord Rama will be the crown prince was a sudden announcement from the King of Ayodhya. Within a few hours after the announcement of the coronation, Prince Rama was summoned to go to the forest for fourteen years. Rama was neither overjoyed about becoming the king nor was he angry or depressed about exile.
Tranquil Ekanatha Maharaja
We then discussed a short story about sant Ekanatha. One freezing cold morning, the king approached his guru and asked him what he should do. The guru simply told him to go to the river, take a bath and fetch some water for him. The guru's only catch was that the king must NOT be touched by anyone. When the king came out of the river with the water, a young man accidently bumped into him. Some mischievous kids were watching this incident from behind a tree. They saw that the king went back to the river, took another freezing bath and brought water back with him. The kids took turns and touched the king and thought it to be a funny game until the parents found out what the kids were upto. They were furious and made the kids go and apologize to the king. Ekanathaji said, "Children, it is not your fault. You did according to your nature, and I did according to mine. There is no question of you asking for forgiveness or me giving forgiveness!"Ekanatha Maharaja, took another bath in the river, filled the pot with water and took it to his guru and apologized for the delay. He never brought up what the kids did, but the guru knew exactly what happened.
Like Ekanatha Maharaja, let us gain equanimity of mind.
Gita Time- today we learned verses 17 and 18, given along is the youtube link for practice.
Verses 17-18 Ch.3 BG - YouTube
Please encourage the kids to practice.
Aarti and Pledge - We concluded the class with Aarti and Pledge in the temple hall.
