Hari Om! Parents,
Happy New Year to all the families celebrating it this week.
This week we started our class with the beginning prayers, followed by learning to chant the Vedic Prayer
Bhadram Karne bhih..
We told the essence of the meaning of this prayer which is essentially:
See good, hear good and speak good
Our curriculum for this week was on the different Ashramas and the Ashrama Dharmas..
It was so heartening to see some of the children remember it as we had mentioned in previous classes
This week our focus was on the Grishta Ashrama
Taught Grishta Ashrama should focus on curbing our lower tendencies and focus on following our dharma
Discussed hospitality in Hindu Culture
Told the story of Shabari
Discussed how our culture has designed the 4 Ashramas for us to grow spiritually
Discussed that Grihasta Ashram is the perfect Ashrama to practice Karma Yoga and do Seva
Under this we discussed the attitude of gratitude which is termed as “Yajnas’. Discussed the meaning of Yagnas, as expressing appreciation to everything we see and use around us
Described the five Pancha Maha yagnas in our culture:
Devayajnah- Offering and showing our gratitude to the gods, like Vayu, Agni, Varuna….
Pitryajnah- Offering oblations and remembering our fore fathers
Bhutayajnah- Feeding animals, birds, taking good care of our pets..
Manushyayajnah- Worship and respecting guests and the poor..
Brahma or Rishiyajnh.. Study of the scriptures and respecting the learned
Discussed we can lead a happy life and be freed from our sins if we practice the Yajnas
Also discussed the topic of devotion
Told stories from the Bhagavatam and Mahabharat:
Draupadi and Rishi Durvasa- Draupadi’s devotion to Lord Krishna. How she is able to feed the Rishi and his Shishyas when there was no food during their exile in the forest
Told Story of Gajendra Moksha. King Indradrumna who was cursed to be the elephant Gajendra and his devotion to Shri Krishna. How he is freed from his curse and became one with the Lord
Told the story of Kuchela (Sudama) and Shri Krishna
Concluded, Devotion to the lord and offering prayers and a simple thing like a flower can bring us closer to the lord
Announcements:
Register for Slokathon. Event is on April 20th
Pranams
Nirmala and Purnima
