Hari Om Parents,
We began our class with 3 OMs and the following shlokas.
1. "Om Saha Navavatu" (page 8 in My Prayers book)
2."Vakrathunda Mahakaya" (page 27 in My Prayers book)
3. "Saraswathi Namasthubhyam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
4. "Karagre Vasate" (page 11 in My Prayers book)
5. "Samudhra Vasane" (page 11 in My Prayers book)
6. "Shubam Karoti" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
7. "Gurur Brahma" (page 60 in My Prayers book)
8. "Brahmarpanam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
9. "Krishnaya Vasudevaya" (page 105 in My Prayers book)
10. "Sri Rama Rama" (page 129 in My Prayers book)
11. "Budhir Balam" (page 152 in My Prayers book)
12. "Kara Charana" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
Today's lesson :
Rasa Lila -
It was a full moon night in autumn. The night's fresh coolness replaced the day's heat and every flower and every blade of grass in the forest shimmered in the heavenly moonlight. The Yamuna flowed murmuring gently, a gentle breeze wafted over the dale, carrying with it the fragrance of jasmine and wild flowers. It was a night of peace, harmony and exquisite beauty. Krishna was enchanted by his surroundings. He sat down alone on the banks of River Yamuna and started playing the flute. The air resounded with the divine melody.The lilting notes floated into Vrindavan, into the hushed houses of the Gopis.All the gopis were engaged in some chores at that time.But they could not ignore this divine call. Lost in Krishna's magic flute, the Gopis stopped what they were doing and ran out.They rushed to the banks of the holy Yamuna.They were running, almost racing each other. Krishna tells them to go back home, but they pray to him "all wise people in the world constantly find bliss in you, who are the eternal self in all. You are the fountain of bliss for your devotees. Please don't send us away." Krishna and the Gopis danced together under the full moon.There has never been another raasa lila like this. It represents the ultimate in bliss, love and surrender. It is such a profound celebration that even the greatest of the rishis and yogis wish they could get just a glimpse of it. On the blessed night of Rasa lila, after much music, dancing and laughter, Krishna began to notice that each gopi was starting to act a little haughty. Each gopi was behaving as if Krishna belonged only to her. Krishna knew he had to teach them a lesson. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared!The Gopis searched for him everywhere. Not finding him, they started to sob.They even said they were sorry for what they had done. But there was no reply. There was no sign of Krishna.When the gopis spoke with each other, they realized how selfish they were. They thought :"Krishna is mine and only mine! He loves me the most" They were very sorry for their arrogance and begged for forgiveness. They now had only one thought-"RETURN TO US KRISHNA!"Krishna saw that the gopis had learnt their lesson.He returned as fast as he had disappeared.The Gopis' love for Krishna was the most pure and unselfish.Their devotion and surrender was complete. Krishna and the gopis started their rasa dance again.Even the Gods from the heavens came to watch this divine celebration of the Lord with his devotees. They played musical instruments and were delighted.The Gopis' love was pure and simple and their minds were always fixed on the Lord.
We then discussed about Krishna's flute. A flute player walks into a bamboo grove, cuts a length of bamboo, and makes holes in it. Seven for the musical notes, and one which he blows through. Does the flute play music by itself? Music emerges only when the breath of the flute player flows through the flute and his fingers manipulate the holes. Whether the song makes people happy, or run away is not the fault of the flute. The flute is a mere instrument. The seven holes in the flute represent our mind, intellect and the five senses. The Divine flute player plays his song through our actions, emotions and thoughts. But our ego makes us think that we are doing everything.
We talked about the pure, selfless devotion of the Gopis. Just like the compass always points to the north, their minds are also always towards Krishna. Is it possible that we can also always think about God? How can our minds also be focused on Krishna all the time ?
As an example of how we can think of God at different times of the day, we discussed the following shlokas and explained the meaning and significance of each.
Krishna was now twelve years old.
Nanda had taken a vow that when Krishna turns twelve, he would offer a special worship to the family's idol of worship,
Goddess Ambika. Along with neighbors, friends and family, Nanda went to the temple of the Goddess with gifts of milk, curd, butter and sweets.
Nanda devotedly performed the sacred ritual in all its beauty. He fed all the Mahatmas.
By the time the puja was over it had become dark. So they decided to spend the night in the temple courtyard.
Nanda and his followers lay down to rest. Suddenly, the party was woken by a disturbed shout from Nanda.They lit their torches and saw that
Nanda's foot was in the mouth of an unimaginably huge python.
They beat the snake with sticks, but still the snake did not leave it's hold. Nanda cried out, "I am caught, Krishna! Krishna! This big serpent caught me. I surrender to you…Please save me." Krishna rushed to his father's rescue. He touched the back of the snake with his foot.
At once, the ugly python turned into a handsome and shining Vidyadhara. He bowed down to Krishna.
Krishna asked him who he was. He replied, "My name is Sudarshana. I am a celestial magician. Out of arrogance I disturbed Sage Angira, and he cursed me to become a python, and said that I would be released from the curse only with the touch of Lord Krishna. "
Offering deep prostrations, Sudarshana mounted his chariot and sped away to the Deva loka.
Here we had a short discussion about how we should control our senses and mind. Sudarshana had no control over his mind and hence got into trouble. We should always guard our senses and make sure we always do the right things. Examples, not eating too much candy, eating good food. Not watching too much TV. It's important to first finish homework and only then watch TV for sometime.
Just like fire and water are essential for life, but can create havoc if uncontrolled, like wildfires or floods, Our mind, intellect and senses are very powerful, but have to be in control to achieve good results.
On the occasion of Shri Ram Navami, we did a short activity of a jigsaw puzzle to reveal the picture of Lord Shri Ram. We then spent a few minutes doing the Likhita Japa, writing "Jai Shri Ram" .
Govinda Damodara Sthotram - We learnt the fourth verse today.
Aarthi and Pledge - We concluded today's class with aarthi and pledge.
There is no Balavihar next week. We will see the kids back in class on April 24th.
Have a lovely spring break!
Pranaam,
Neelima & Keerthi