Hari Om Parents!
Please find the summary of the last class ( 04/12) below.
Topics of the day: 'Sri Hanuman, The Protector and ' Sri Hanuman, The Powerful'
After reciting the 'opening prayers', Hanuman Dhyana Shlokas and 'Rama nama japa', we chanted the first 25 Caupais of the Chalisa. Please help the kids memorize the shlokas at home.
We then went over the meanings and the supporting commentary for 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th Caupais.
22nd Chaupai : Saba Susha lahaitumhari sarana …
Meaning: All those who seek refuge in you enjoy every kind of happiness,. Why should one be afraid of anything when you are there to protect.
· Chanting Hanumanji's name makes one brave, powerful and fearless. They can accomplish anything.
· By Surrendering oneself to Sri Hanumanji , one can gain all his qualities and enjoy happiness. He will even take us to Lord Rama which is the greatest benefit.
· We then brainstormed what Saran ( Surrender) mean. Surrendering oneself to God means doing everything that pleases him . To show our surrender, we bow down. This is why we bow down after Puja and Aarthi - To show that we surrender to the Lord and live a life that pleases him.
· To demonstrate what true sarana means , we went a story of an innocent boy Malidasa, who used to take his cows to graze in the forest. For the entire day, he would stay in the forest by himself in spite of having the fear of all the wild animals. One day he saw an Brahmin performing his daily rituals and questioned him on the same. The Brahmin replied that he was praying the god and it is difficult for the boy to learn and understand the scriptures. On further questioning about pranayamam, the Brahmin reluctantly answered that one can concentrate and pray better by controlling the breathing. Malidasa accepted the Brahmin as his guru and followed exactly what he said. He closed his nose and stopped breathing to see the God. Although he was about to die due to lack of air, the boy didn't give up. God revealed himself but Malidasa was not convinced. When his guru was unable to see but he was able to see the God clearly, he was convinced and was very happy to see the god come and be with him whenever he desired. When the boy surrendered himself believing that the God will come if he stops breathing, he got God as his protector.
· We also went over another tale where an old grandma taught her grandson "Although Life seems to be unfair and we complain about difficulties, we need to understand that God knows the reasons and that when he puts these things all in his order, they always work out to be something great. We should have trust in him that eventually he will create something wonderful. She demonstrates this by asking the boy to taste all the ingredients of a cake separately - Flour, baking soda etc. While they all taste bad individually, when put in right order in right amounts, they make a delicious cake.
23rd Caupai: Apana teja samharo apai…
Meaning: You alone are capable of controlling your power. All the three worlds tremble when you roar.
· When Hanuman's mighty roar is heard, the three worlds ( Earth, heaven and the lower worlds tremble in fear. His power and strength knows no limits.
· Chanting Hanuman's name transfers the same power and courage to his devotes.
· After burning Lanka, the rakshasas were so terrified that hearing the mere word 'Monkey' frightened them.
24th Caupai: Bhuta pisacha nikata nahim avai…
Meaning: Evil Spirits dare not to go near a person who chants the great warrior's (i.e.) Hanumanji's nama
· Chanting Sri Hanuman's name keeps the ghost sand spirits away
· Children who fear ghosts and who get nightmares should chant Hanumanji's name and recite Hanuman Chalisa
25th Caupai: Nasairoga harai saba pira..
Meaning: All the ailments, diseases and affliction disappear when your name is repeated continuously.
· One who constantly chants Hanumanji's name will be free of all diseases, pains and completely cured.
· The ailments can be Physical or mental ( Vyadhi ad Adhih)
· Vyadhi ( physical disease) can be cured with medicines prescribed by doctors. But when we suffer from germs of anger, jealousy, hatred etc., there are no medicines we can buy from drug stores. Listening to our gurus is the best medicine. For e.g. Asking for forgiveness is the medicine that makes us free from an act of anger.
We wrapped up the class with Closing prayers and headed to the main prayer hall . We watched the 7st grader's perform on the stage a play on Dharma Charriot and significance of each wheel with scenes from Ramayana.
Regards,
Mythili and Madhuri
