Dear Parents, Harih Om!
During our last Balavihar class on May 07, 2023, after our opening prayers:
1. We chanted Bhagavad Geeta Dhyanam and Tapovan Shatakam (till verse 6).
2. We recapped about the 35 gems/virtues that we are going to be learning in our next few classes. Bhagwan says in Chapter 12 of Gita that he is showing us these gems so that we can make use of them and be happy. It may be hard for anyone to perfect all these 35 virtues: so, choose the ones that resonates with you, live these virtues and be the darling of Lord Krishna.
3. Gem 1 – Hate None (advesta sarvabhutanam): the idea here is to see everyone as one's own self. When our nose catches cold, we don't cut it off! Similarly, if our finger gets hurt, even though we may be in great discomfort – but we don't punish our finger. Similarly, if we understand that there is God in everyone, we all function because of His presence and that there is no one other than Him - then we will not hate anyone.
4. Gem 2 – Be Friendly; Maitrah – to be friendly to all. Remember that where we need a needle, a sword cannot be used. Friends are made by many acts, and friends are lost often by a single thoughtless act. To have friends, you must be selfless, loving.
5. Gem 3 – Be Compassionate; Karunah. Be compassionate towards needy. Let us all brood less, smile more, and serve all. Kindness pays.
Story – A king had two wives. Older was not happy as the king gave all his attention to his younger wife. So, one day she decided to leave the palace. As she started to walk towards the river, she initially came across a plant that was drying up – who asked for her help. The queen watered the plant and removed all dead leaves. After helping the plant, she started walking again – now she saw a cow who said, "please help me otherwise I will die". Queen cleaned the cow shed, got some grass and water for it. After helping the cow, she started walking again and saw an old saint in a dilapidated hut. She cleaned the hut, cooked food for him and went to the river to drown. There the saint stopped her asked her to look at her reflection – she was transformed into a young and graceful lady. The queen started to go back to the palace happily – enroute the cow gave her milk and the plant her flowers. When she reached the palace, everyone was wonderstruck with her beauty, charm, and grace – king started doting her again and gave her full attention. The younger queen heard her story and decided to go to the river herself so she could become more beautiful. Enroute the plant and cow asked for her help. Instead of helping, she said she could not attend to their silly requests. She saw the old saint asked for his blessing to make her more beautiful. He said everyone gets what they deserve and asked her to take a dip in the river. After the dip the queen became very ugly! Saint said no one can either bless you or curse you. It is your own mind with blesses or curses you. She was not compassionate – was full of jealousy and hatred; hence her own actions and motives made her ugly. Saint advised her to lead a pure life and repent her wrongs. Moral - we should treat everyone with compassion.
6. Gem 4 – Free from attachment (Nirmamah); Without Mineness – be free from "mine" feelings
The more one thinks of an object the more one gets attached to it. The less one thinks of a thing the less one is attached to it. Think more of the Divine to get attached to It; think less of worldly objects to get detached from them. We should live like a broken pot, a pot with holes, so that our mind remains ever empty. "Empty thyself, and I shall fill thee" is the eternal promise.
The children participated in Guru Paduka Pooja and watched the monthly programs.
Thank you!
Inchara, Rekha, and Mekhala (Grade 8 Sunday AM Balavihar teachers)
