Hari Om Parents,
Here is a summary of Balavihar class activities for January 30, 2022.
1. We commenced our class with three OMs followed by the opening prayers.
2. We then recited Ajam Nirvikalpam, and children took turns and recited the stotram a couple of times. We will continue practicing the stotram.
3. Mahabharata:
After a recap of the story so far, we continued with:
Dronacharya and King Drupada story:
§ Both were disciples at the same Gurukul and were good friends. Drupada promised Drona to help him unconditionally in time of need. Drona lived a life of poverty and when he reached Drupada's palace for help after several years, he was insulted and returned empty handed.
§ Drona is angry and decides to take revenge at a suitable later time
§ Time passed by, Dronacharya taught the Pandavas, and as Guru Dakshina desired to defeat King Drupada. After the defeat, Dronacharya took half of the Panchala kingdom and made Ashwatthama the king of that. After the humiliating defeat, Drupada pledged to take revenge on Dronacharya
§ Drupada performs yagna, and is blessed with Draupadi and Drushtadyumna from the sacrificial fire (yagna)
Lesson Learnt: Hatred and vengeance may lead to destruction
Story of the Lakshagraha (wax-palace):
· Duryodhana's growing jealousy for the Pandavas and his elaborate plan to kill the Pandavas deceitfully
§ Duryodhana and Shakuni order Purochana to build the Lakshagraha (wax-palace)
§ Dhritarashtra directs Pandavas and Kunti to attend the festival dedicated to Shiva at Varanavata and stay in the newly built wax-palace built by Purochana
§ Vidura spoke to Kunti/Yudhishtra about the conspiracy hatched by Duryodhana to kill the Pandavas
§ Pandavas decide to be vigilant, and secretly plan to dig a tunnel to escape from the death trap
§ One dark night, Bheema sets the fire to the wax, and the Pandavas escape from the tunnel. When the news of death of Pandavas reached Hastinapura, Dhritarashtra and his son lament (pretend)
4. Gita Chanting:
We reviewed and chanted verses 39 through 48 from Chapter 2 Saankhya Yoga. We followed Swamiji's chanting video and kids took turns reciting it.
We reminded the children to sign up for the Balavihar House Contests. Registration link was shared with them. We also asked them to start thinking about topics/ ideas for our monthly program which is scheduled for May 08, 2022.
Our class ended early at 10:40 AM to attend the 8th graders monthly performance. The Zoom link to the performance was shared with the class, and the children were instructed to attend the assembly with their parents. Class ended with shanti mantra.
Our next class is on February 06th.
Reminders:
§ Please have the My Prayers Book and Balavihar Handbook handy during our Balavihar session.
https://www.chinmayavrindavan.org/balavihar/parents-corner/handbook
§ House Points: Please send your child's individual chanting recordings for earning house points. The recording video link can be shared with geeta@chinmayavrindavan.org with your session, grade.
§ Registration for other house contests including Shlokathon, Art Contests is open. Please check chinmayavrindavan.org/HouseEvents for details.
Pranaam,
Subha and Rekha