Jan 4th Class Happenings

Hari Om,

Our guest blogger this week is Abhimanyu.  We covered the pooja vidhi in the class for this week and formed four groups and went over why and how pooja is performed. The Sodasaupacrara puja is the sixteen step puja, explained by Swami Tejomayanandaji. Here are the materials required: 

§  Plates

§  A small turmeric ball

§  Kumkum

§  Candanam

§  Yellow rice

§  Flowers

§  A bell

§  A lamp

§  Matchbox (or lighter)

§  Incense

§  Plastic spoons

§  Bhoga

We welcome God first (in the form of a prayer) and offer a place for them to sit (take a pinch of yellow rice and offer at the feet of the Lord).  In the 3^rd step, we wash the feet of the Lord (take spoonful of water to wash his feet). In step number 4, we wash the Lord’s hands (take spoonful of water to wash his hands). Next, we offer water to the Lord (take spoonful of water and offer at his feet). After that, we offer water for our guest to take a bath (sprinkle water or rice over the Lord). In the 7^th step, we are supposed to traditionally give Bhagavan (a mix of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar)*. We do this so that we can be forgiven. Now, offer your favorite clothing to the Lord*. In step number 9, offer some ashes to the Lord*.  Then, offer sandalwood paste and take rice grains to offer to the Lord. In the 12^th step, we place a flower garland on the Lord. After this offer the incense (light it) and give light to the Lord (light the lamp). On the 15^th step, we offer him what we have cooked* and chant 5 mantras. Finally, offer arathi to the Lord (hold the plate with lamp and turn clockwise while singing a mantra. After this, give the Lord your anger, naughty words, and jealousy. This is an important step because the Lord will turn all the bad things into good things. Lastly, we ask for forgiveness of the Lord and turn clockwise with folded hands three times). After all of this, conclude with the closing prayer.

We also would like to remind you that the seva project to prepare 100 lunch bags for TASK (Trenton Area Soup Kitchen) by 6th and 7th graders is next week. We still have a few slots for sign up. We will send the sign up link via email. Please do sign up.

A friendly reminder that there is class tomorrow (Jan 19th) and the 7th graders have Yoga. Please do not forget to get your yoga mats.

Regards,
BBNJ Vijayam Teachers.