Hari OM Parents,
Please find the details of 14th May class.
We covered stories of Vamana Avatara, Rishi Chyavana and King Ambarisha after the opening prayers.
Vamana Avatara:
Bali is Grandson of Prahlada and was king of Asuras. He wanted to avenge multiple defeats he faced from Indra. He performed Visvajita yajna, received many weapons and using them he defeated Indra. Indra's mother Aditi prayed to Lord Narayana to help her son Indra. Lord himself was born to Aditi as an adult dwarf, Vamana. Once king Bali was performing Ashwamedha Yajna, and Vamana approached him and requested land measured by three steps. Bali, known for his generosity, agreed to grant the request without realizing Vamana's true identity. He ignored even his guru Shukracharya's warning. Bali said, a word once given can not be taken. However, as soon as Bali made the offering, Vamana began to grow in size, expanding to an enormous form. With his first step, he covered the entire Earth, and with the second step, he enveloped the heavens and entire universe. Having no space left to fulfill his third step, Vamana asked Bali where he should place it. Bali, recognizing the divine nature of Vamana, offered his head for the third step. Vamana then placed his foot on Bali's head, pushing him down to the patala loka. Bali became one of the seven immortals in the world, as his head was purified by the touch of the Lord's feet.
Sukanya made a wrong act playfully, cautiously and innocently. Though scared she told her father the truth.
King Saryati loved her daughter a lot, yet punished her.
To make up for the wrong, Sukanya married the old sage and served him sincerely, and never grumbled. In the end, with Ashwini Kumara's grace Rishi Chyavana became young, and they had a happy life.
We concluded the class with Aarthi, prayer and the Pledge.
Thanks and warm regards,
Aruna and Subbu
Please find the details of 14th May class.
We covered stories of Vamana Avatara, Rishi Chyavana and King Ambarisha after the opening prayers.
Vamana Avatara:
Bali is Grandson of Prahlada and was king of Asuras. He wanted to avenge multiple defeats he faced from Indra. He performed Visvajita yajna, received many weapons and using them he defeated Indra. Indra's mother Aditi prayed to Lord Narayana to help her son Indra. Lord himself was born to Aditi as an adult dwarf, Vamana. Once king Bali was performing Ashwamedha Yajna, and Vamana approached him and requested land measured by three steps. Bali, known for his generosity, agreed to grant the request without realizing Vamana's true identity. He ignored even his guru Shukracharya's warning. Bali said, a word once given can not be taken. However, as soon as Bali made the offering, Vamana began to grow in size, expanding to an enormous form. With his first step, he covered the entire Earth, and with the second step, he enveloped the heavens and entire universe. Having no space left to fulfill his third step, Vamana asked Bali where he should place it. Bali, recognizing the divine nature of Vamana, offered his head for the third step. Vamana then placed his foot on Bali's head, pushing him down to the patala loka. Bali became one of the seven immortals in the world, as his head was purified by the touch of the Lord's feet.
The story of Vamana Avatara symbolizes the victory of good over evil and the restoration of cosmic balance.
"The wise never asks for more than what he needs".
Rishi Chyavana
Once Sukanya, beautiful daughter of King Saryati went to forest along with her friends and while playing in the forest she saw two streaks of light coming from an ant hill. Out of childish curiosity, she picked up a thorn and pierced them with it. Blood started oozing out of them. She went and told her father. They found Rishi Chyavana under the mound of anthill. King begged Rishi for forgiveness and as a compensation gave Sukanya in marriage to Rishi. Sukanya was very sorry for her mistake and lived as an obedient wife taking care of her husband. Chyavana was old, wrinkled and hunched. Once celestial physician Ashwini Kumaras visited Chyavana's ashram, rishi asked them to return his youth and strength. Ashwini Kumaras using their powers made Chyavana a young, strong and handsome man. At the request of Sukanya, Chyavana performed a yagna and offered Soma to Ashwini Kumaras. Indra was angry with this and picked up his Vajra to hurl at the rishi. The RIshi had so much yogic power, that he paralysed the hands of Indra. The Devas pleaded with Chyavana to restore the hands of their King. They promised that henceforth, the Ashwini Kumaras would get their share of the Soma in every sacrifice. Thus both Chyavana and the Ashwini Kumaras fulfilled their promise.
King Saryati loved her daughter a lot, yet punished her.
To make up for the wrong, Sukanya married the old sage and served him sincerely, and never grumbled. In the end, with Ashwini Kumara's grace Rishi Chyavana became young, and they had a happy life.
King Ambarisha
King Ambarisha was a noble king and a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He dedicated himself to lord and offered everything to Lord Vishnu. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Vishnu gave his Sudarshana Chakra to King Ambarisha for his protection. Once King Ambarisha and his wife undertook a special fast called Dvadasi vrata. He practiced strict discipline for one whole year, and at the end of it fasted for 3 days. On the fourth day he was supposed to break his fast. One day, he worshipped Lord Vishnu. Gave many gifts to the poor and needy. He fed everyone and asked permission to eat. At that very moment Rishi Durvasa came and the King invited him to be his guest.
The sage accepted the invitation and went to the river to bathe and perform his daily rites. Rishi was absorbed in his meditation and lost track of time. Ambarisha grew anxious, as the auspicious time to break the fast was approaching. One the advice of gurus and other elders, he took a sip of water and broke the fast. Just then sage Durvasa returned and he was furious. He cursed the king and took a tuft of his hair and created a demon to devour Ambarisha. The Sudarshana chakra sprang up for the protection of the King. It started chasing Durvasa everywhere. Durvasa finally went to Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu said "I am a slave of my devotees. My heart is with them. They cannot live without me, and I cannot live without them. Even I have no power against the weapon which is protecting my devotee. Go to Ambarisha, whom you have offended and he will certainly forgive you". We discussed how we can be a devotee like Ambarisha. How can we use our senses wisely?
We concluded the class with Aarthi, prayer and the Pledge.
Thanks and warm regards,
Aruna and Subbu
