Dear parents,
We had yet another action packed session this week. It is a pleasure to work with such energetic children who always bring an interesting perspective to life!
Opening prayers: Om Sahana Vavatu
Vakratunda Mahakaaya
Saraswathi Namastubhyam
Guru Brahma Gurur VishnuH
Neelambuja Shyamala Komalaangam (Rama Shloka)
Quote for the day: Happiness depends upon what you give not what you get.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapeter 18 verses 41- 42 (available in the handbook)
Story: Narada and Vishwamohini - an excerpt from Tulsi Ramayan - a prelude to Ramayana
Game: Obstacle Course
Ending Shloka: Om Purnamadah
Aarati and Pledge : Temple (It's our grade's turn to lead the Aarati and pledge next class
Next Balavihar class: 9/28/18
We started the class with a small discussion on the Quote of the day and went around asking everyone what the words meant to them. We got a lot of interesting responses, some deeply spiritual and some goofy ones too :-) Shanthi shared a beautiful story about giving. Followed by this was the Gita broadcast. Swamiji spoke briefly about the importance of chanting Bhagavad Gita. Please speak to your children to learn what they gathered from listening to Swamiji. After Gita chanting, we said the story of Narada and Vishwamohini. The story highlights how pride enslaved even the great sage Narada one time. We should be alert to not get consumed by our pride. We then played a game of Obstacle course. We had a volunteer who was blindfolded and they had to cross the room through a path of obstacles without touching any of the obstacles. Their classmates would guide them with one/two word clues to help them achieve this. The game emphasizes the importance of trust and listening to good advice and following the path of righteousness. We ended the class with closing shlokas and went for Aarati to the temple. It is our class' turn to lead Aarati next class. Please ask the children to wear Indian clothes. Our class belongs to Bajrangi Bolts house and our color is yellow. It will be wonderful if the kids wear their house colors next class to show their House Spirit! The character from Ramayana that we will analyze in the next class is Vishwamitra. If the kids have their Ramayana books, please encourage them to read Vishwamitra's story from it. It will be helpful to discuss in class. We look forward to another interesting class on Friday, September 28th.
