Hari Om Parents!
Please find the summary of the last class ( 05/03) below.
Topics of the day: 'Sri Hanuman, The Beacon of Light and Sri Hanuman, the Skillful
After reciting the 'opening prayers', Hanuman Dhyana Shlokas and 'Rama nama japa', we chanted the first 27 Caupais of the Chalisa. Please help the kids memorize the shlokas at home.
Since majority of the kid were absent last class9 due to spring break), we reviewed the topics again quickly this time before going to the new topics.
We then went over the meanings and the supporting commentary for, 26th and 27th Caupais.
26th Chaupai : Sankata tem Hanumana Chudavai …
Meaning: Sri Hanuman helps those who worship him with sincerity and faith ( i.e. by thought, action, speech and prayers) in overcoming difficulties.
· We reviewed the story "God Dwell in all Beings" to emphasize again the fact that being kind to all living beings is also an offering of worship to the god. Please refer to the details of the story in the summary email of the last class sent ( April 26th)
· We then talked about the omnipresence of God with help of another story "God is Everywhere". In this story, a young boy, Gopal heard from his father that "never forget God is everywhere" . Days have passed and their village suffered from terrible famine and his family had nothing to eat. Late on night, when Gopal's father snuck into a neighboring village's farm, he was tempted to steal few bushels of corn for his hungry family. He ordered Gopal to stay alert and let him know if he sees someone. Just when the father was about to cut the corn, Gopal said- Daddy Stop! When father asked if someone was watching, Gopal replied 'yes'. He added "GOD is watching us. You told me that God is everywhere and he sees all of our actions". Ashamed of himself for thinking of stealing, the father thanked Gopal for saving him from doing a terrible action.
· We then concluded the story with an inference that God is everywhere and whatever we do, think or say, we must do with an attitude of worship.
· To demonstrate what sincere faith and belief ( that Tulasidas refers to in this Chaupai), we went over another tale " It is the Lord's wish" : This is a story of a king who had a very loyal minister who has true belief in GOD and always says" It is the Lord's wish. Everything that happens , happens for the Best" . Once the King and the Minister get separated form rest of their crew in a wild forest. Minister stay positive saying " It's lord's wish". In the darkness of the forest, the King trips and breaks one of his fingers. The minister without getting disturbed says that everything that happens, happens for the best. King was furious but stayed quiet. They reached a well hoping to quench their thirst but it had no water. Even at that time, the minister says that it happened for the best. The angry king pushed the minister into the well. Enraged, the king walked away and was captured by a tribe of Cannibals who offer human sacrifices. Right before killing the king, they realized that he had a broken finger and did not think he was complete to offer as a sacrifice and let him loose. Then the king remembered the minister saying" Everything happens, happens for the best" . He ran to the well and pulled the minister up. He apologized and said that he understands his comment about " everything that happens, happens for good". He was curious about what good happened to the minister who suffered in the well bitten by all insects. The minister then told him that, if he was with the king, the cannibals would have offered him as sacrifice instead of the king. We wrapped up the story with discussing the importance of having faith in GOD
27th Caupai: Saba para Rama tapasvi raja…
Meaning: You carried out all the missions of Lord Rama, who is a supreme Yogi ruling over everyone.
· Sri Rama trusted Hanmanji to carry out all his missions because of his skill and discipline. Hanuman ji lived by many Vows.
· We discussed the word 'Tapasvi' from the Chaupai and what the true meaning is. 'Tapas' means Vows and one who has taken many vows and lives by them is 'tapasvi'. Thsi disciple makes them a noble personality.
· In the context of living the life of a Tapasvi, we discussed the life of our Pujya Guruji 'Swami Chinmayananda' who lived a life of discipline. We touched briefly on his story and his life style but will go in detail in the next class.
We had to wrap up the class early for Gurudev's paduka puja event. It was quite a sight to see all the kids ( K to 12) doing the paduka puja with discipline. Pictures from the vent were shared in the parent's whatsapp group.
Regards,
Mythili and Madhuri
