Hari om everyone,
We started with a brief meditation, followed by chanting the Bhagavadgeeta. We chanted verses 39 - 72 from 'BG chapter 2'.
We did a quick review of what was discussed in the last class. Here, we reiterated that the caste system (the correct word is 'varNa', actually) is not exclusive to Indian society but seen everywhere. An important thing to note here is that the very word 'caste' is an imported word! The word 'casta' is of Portuguese origin and it literally means 'type' (as in type-cast), implying that something is repeatedly put in a certain category.
But the varNa of Indian society was NOT based on birth. Just as a doctor's son is NOT a doctor, a lawyer's daughter is NOT a lawyer, etc., varNa was based on every individual's work/disposition. Hence the varNa system was VERY fluid rather than a rigid practice of the society. These were prescribed so each of them know their specific varNa dharma.
Here, we discussed Sage Vishwamitra who was born a kShatriya but became a brahmaNa due to his actions. Similarly, Ratnaakara was born a hunter (shudra) and became Vaalmiiki (brahmaNa). King Janaka was a kShaatra-brahamaNa as he ruled the kingdom yet lived the life of an ascetic!
These were a few of the questions along with the answers given by the students in our interactive segment -
- When I'm driving, I'm able to go fast because I have _______ that I can apply brakes when I want!
- Ans: faith, self-control, skills, confidence, trust
- I pray to Raama because I have _______ towards Him.
- Ans: devotion, respect, faith, mainly devotion!
- I have a 'holey' (with holes :) boat! It would be smart of me to empty the water in the boat with a bucket or fix the holes so I don't have to work tirelessly to stay afloat?
- Ans: Of course 'fix the holes'!
These questions were asked to connect what Krishna was teaching Arjuna. Arjuna had asked 'how do I learn about my true nature? The unlimited power you said I am, how do I realize that?'
Krishna answered, 'you need to have 3 attributes to gain Self-knowledge. They are faith, devotion and self-control'!
How can these relate to gaining knowledge? I have faith that the earth in front of me is not going to collapse when I take the next step! Hence I am able to walk with confidence. I have to extend this faith into all aspects of life!
To understand better about faith and devotion, we learned the story of sage Durvaasa, Krishna and the overflowing river Yamuna. Although Krishna's wives couldn't understand how Krishna is a 'nitya brahmachaari (never married)' or Sage Durvasa is a 'nitya upavaasi (never ate)', they had faith in their words and followed as instructed. Later they understood the true meaning of these words - marriage or eating here was not a physical description. These words were referring to whether their minds were attached to their beloveds or their food respectively! They had no doer-ship and hence, they were untainted by the problems/pleasures of life.
This picture was used to understand self-control better.
The holes in this 'holey' boat represent our sense organs through which our self-control leaks! Is it better to keep emptying the water in the boat or fix the holes! Of course, fixing the holes is a better solution.
How do we fix the leaks to gain self-control? By dropping the 'e' (ego) in 'holey' to become 'holy' :).
For ex.,
- when I have made a sankalpam (firm decision) to do upavaasam (fasting) my self-control leaks through my sense organs when I see, smell or even 'think' about food! If I yield, my self-control is lost.
- I decide to do a project. Someone texts me to go outside or play a video game.
When I yield to the whims and fancies of my mind, I would be losing my resolve as well as my faith in myself. I would be undermining my trust in myself and losing my credibility with myself!
So, how do I deal with this?
We connected with a small physics lesson here -
Similarly, my mind CAN NOT hold two thoughts at the same time! To get the better of my temptation, the easiest way is to distract the mind towards something higher. This makes my faith in myself grow!
Our mind is like a monkey jumping from one branch to another. That's why, in RaamaayaNa too, Raama took the help of monkeys. Monkeys, who had faith and devotion toward Raama. Only then, they were able to focus and attain victory in doing Raama's work!!
Hence, restraint over the monkey mind is essential!
We finished the class by reviewing chapter 4 with the below flowchart.
NOTE: We have a fun class next week. We will be meeting in person, at the ashram, for the next Bala Vihar. We will also have satsang and pizza with our Swamiji. This is specifically for JCHYK classes only! We will meet in the breakout room (in front of the kitchen) at 9:15. We should be done around 12:30.
We are very excited to see you all in person! We will send a google form for headcount by Friday so that we have enough pizza for all. Please be sure to reply to that.
For those of you who are attending from other states, we will log in to our regular Zoom room. We will include you in all the activities as much as possible (except pizza of course :). We will miss seeing you though.
See you soon at the ashram.
Regards,
Rashmi and Raghav.