Hari Om! Parents,
We started class with starting prayers followed by the students
chanting Bhadram karne bhih...
For meditation, we practiced Dr. Chopra's abundance meditation and
asked ourselves what I am grateful for. After the mediation the
students listed what they were grateful for in their lives
Our topic for the week was Upasana. The students brought their Pooja
thali and we learned the steps to do Pooja on their Ishta devata.
Pujya Gurudev says look at the ideal behind the idol. We learned about
some of the ideals different deities represent in our Hindu Culture
and how we can imbibe them in our lives.
Upsana helps to curb the restless nature of our mind.
Avahana ("invocation"). The deity is invited to the ceremony from the heart.
Asana. The deity is offered a seat.
Padya. The deity's feet are symbolically washed.
Water is offered for washing the head and body
Arghya. Water is offered so the deity may wash its mouth.
Snana or abhisekha. Water is offered for symbolic bathing.
Vastra ("clothing"). Here a cloth may be wrapped around the image and
ornaments affixed to it.
Upaveeda or Mangalsutra. Putting on the sacred thread.
Anulepana or gandha. Perfumes and ointments are applied to the image.
Sandalwood paste or kumkum is applied.
Pushpa. Flowers are offered before the image, or garlands draped
around its neck.
Dhupa. Incense is burned before the image.
Jyot or Aarti. A burning lamp is waved in front of the image.
Naivedya. Foods such as cooked rice, fruit, clarified butter, sugar,
and betel leaf are offered.
Namaskara or pranama. The worshipper and family bow or prostrate
themselves before the image to offer homage.
Parikrama or Pradakshina. Circumambulation around the deity.
Our next Balavihar class is on April 22nd
Pranams
Uma and Nirmala