Hari OM! Parents,
We started with opening prayers. As Mahasivarathri is on the 28th, all
students took turns to chant Om Namaste Astu Bhagavn...and Tryambakam.
Hopefully all will chant these maha mantras on the day.
Three JCHYKs- 2 seniors and a junior from our own balavihar came into
class to teach the lesson on the Four Purusharthas-the 4 goals or
pursuits of life- Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha.
Dharma- defined in many ways- the essential nature of a thing, like
heat of the sun, the natural order of being.
It covers ashrama dharma , which we have studied before and varna
dharma, which too we have studied.
Swadharma was emphasized on- doing one's duty. That swadharma is
greater than paratantra dharma was also emphasized. He made a clear
distinction between dharma and adharma giving examples from the
Mahabharata. The JCHYK reiterated his learning from the Bhagavad Gita
that Arjuna's swadharma as a kshatriya warrior was to fight the war to
defend his subjects and the kingdom. Related to this, the point that
was raised was that we recognize our guna make up and pick a field of
work that matches it. He also made a point that for Sant Tulsidas,
dharma meant being compassionate.
Kaama- anything that gives pleasure.So all fun filled pursuits fall in
this. We are all familiar with this as everyone desires joy and no one
plans to be miserable.The caveat is to not go overboard as that can
cause misery.
Artha- resources, wealth- It goes hand in hand with Kaama because to
get hold of means of enjoyment, one needs resources. Most of modern
life is about making enough to be able to enjoy. There is nothing
wrong with having fun or making money, but the idea is not to be stuck
here, but to step back and think about the overall meaning and purpose
of life and that too human life.
Moksha-Reflecting on life, a wise person realizes that this cycle of
sorrow and joy seems endless unless something is done to break out of
it. This can continue life after life until the mind turns inwards and
starts spiritual enquiry. This pursuit culminates in moksha-
exemplified in the lives of saints and sages. Freedom from rebirth and
binding desires was emphasized.
The JYCHK'S shared a couple of videos related to Purusharthas and
Moksha. These videos are attached here.
Purusharhas - https://youtu.be/D2t8DsOYh_0
Moksha - https://youtu.be/Rxyyx6kfwhs
We then moved to group zoom to watch grade 7 play and recited the pledge.
Our next Bala Vihar is on March 4th. Brni. Akalkaji from Chinmaya
Ramdoot will be in our class to talk to the students about our
scriptures. Hope the students will not miss this great opportunity.
Please have the children come up with questions.
Shlokathon competition is on March 12th. Last date to register for the
competition is March 4th.
Pranams
Uma and Nirmala