October 15, 2017

Hari Om, Parents

Kudos to the children who did a good job with the '5 take aways' from the last class. After reviewing, we moved on to learn other components of the Dharma Chariot. Satya (Truthfulness) and Sila (Good character) are the flags of the Dharma Chariot. The chariots of war in India had two flags - the main flag above called Dhvaja and below it was another smaller flag called pataka. As long as the flags were seen on the chariot, they were a sign of victory and safety of the warrior. 

Truthfulness 1] means being factually accurate and forthright 2] is when a person gives his word and fulfills it. King Dasaratha keeping the promise given to his wife Kaikeyi, even though he could not bear to see his dearest son go to the forest, is a classic example of truthfulness - keeping one's word. We all know the story of the boy who cried wolf, which depicts the result of lying even though it was only to have fun. The famous story of George Washington and the Cherry Tree demonstrates how the young George could not tell a lie, and how he owned up to it.

Good character implies good conduct, integrity and modesty. Rama is a great example for good character. One day he was told that he was going to be the king, and the next day he was asked to go to the forest for 14 years, which he gladly accepted, and responded sweetly to his mom that his father had given him the kingdom of the forest ! THIS is called GOOD CHARACTER. The question is how can we develop such good conduct ? The answer is contained in the story of 'the power of Satsanga'. Once Narada asked Lord Narayana what the results of being in the company of good people were, for which the Lord asked him to go to a certain tree and ask a baby parrot newly hatched on that tree. When Narada asked the question, the baby parrot died. Narada went back to the Lord, narrated what had happened and asked him for the answer for his question. Lord Narayana then asked him to go to a certain stable where a new calf had been born. The calf also died after seeing Narada and hearing the question. The same thing happened to a newly born foal also. Narada not wanting to have anymore beings killed, asked Lord Narayana about all these deaths, and the answer to his question. The lord asked Narada to ask the same question to the newly born Prince of the Kingdom, and that he would have his answer. With much reluctance and concern, Narada did the same to which the baby prince answered that it was because of the divine association with him that the parrot got reborn as calf and so and so forth, and thanked Narada for the few minutes of the association and 'Punya' that he got. That's how good company inspires us to have good thoughts, good thoughts prompt us to do good actions, and good actions develop good habits and good character. Good actions give positive good results and they make us happy resulting in good destiny. 

We also shared another story of Seva Ram, a rich, generous, kind man who always helped the needy people. He had a beautiful horse that many wanted to get but he would not part with it. Mool chand is one of those who wanted to get the horse, and plotted a scheme to steal it from Seva Ram. He disguised himself as a sick old man, and was lying down on the road that Seva Ram usually took on his horse. Seeing the "sick old man", Seva Ram dismounted from his horse, and offered to take him to a hospital. Once seated on the horse, Mool Chand turned around to Seva Ram, and called him a fool and said that he did all this so he could steal the horse from Seva Ram. A shocked Seva Ram said that Mool Chand could have his horse but requested him not to tell this episode to anybody as he was afraid that people won't trust anyone nor help anyone in need. Mool Chand got his lesson, and gave the reins of the horse back to Seva Ram, and turned back homewards. The lesson here is noble actions change the wicked and multiplies. 

Also remember that a strong wall is made up of strong bricks - and so is our character. To have a good character, we must make repeated right choice of thoughts and action.

We followed this with the values from Bhagavad Gita - Ahimsa, with stories of Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mahavira, MLK Jr., etc., 

Today we started learning Sanyasa Suktam, which is one of the prescribed Slokas for this year. Sanyasa Suktam, a part of mahAnArAyaNopaniShad is chanted while welcoming or paying respect to Sanyasis. The Mahanarayana Upanishad is an ancient Sanskrit text and is one of the minor Upanishads of Hindusim. We will continue to learn, and will recite at the upcoming Swamiji Visit.

न कर्मणा न प्रजया धनेन त्यागेनैके अमृतत्व-मानशुः ।
परेण नाकं निहितं गुहायां विभ्राज-देतद्यतयो विशन्ति ॥ १२-३-४॥

वेदन्तविज्ञान-सुनिश्चितार्थाः सन्यास-योगाद्यतय-श्शुद्धसत्त्वाः ।
ते ब्रह्मलोके तु परान्तकाले परामृतात्परिमुच्यन्ति सर्वे ॥ १२-३-५॥

दह्रं विपापं परमेऽश्मभूतं यत्पुण्डरीकं पुरमध्यसंस्थम्।
तत्रापि दह्रं गगनं विशोक-स्तस्मिन् यदन्तस्त-दुपासितव्यम् ॥ १२-३-६॥

यो वेदादौ स्वरः प्रोक्तो वेदान्ते च प्रतिष्ठितः ।
तस्य प्रकृति-लीनस्य यः परस्स महेश्वरः ॥ १२-३-७॥

na karmaNA na prajayA dhanena tyAgenaike amRRitatva-mAnashuH |
pareNa nAkaM nihitaM guhAyAM vibhrAja-detadyatayo vishanti ||

vedantavij~nAna-sunishchitArthAH sanyAsa-yogAdyataya-shshuddhasattvAH |
te brahmaloke tu parAntakAle parAmRRitAtparimuchyanti sarve ||

dahraM vipApaM parame.ashmabhUtaM yatpuNDarIkaM puramadhyasaMstham|
tatrApi dahraM gaganaM vishoka-stasmin yadantasta-dupAsitavyam ||

yo vedAdau svaraH prokto vedAnte cha pratiShThitaH |
tasya prakRRiti-lInasya yaH parassa maheshvaraH ||

Translation

Neither by actions, nor by (acquiring) progeny and wealth, but by renunciation alone is immortality attained. (That Supreme State ) is far beyond the highest heaven, and the sages perceive it,hidden in the cave of the heart, shining brilliantly therein.

(Those) sages, who have a clear understanding of the principles of Vedanta,who have purified themselves by means of the yoga of renunciation,and who are (thus) established in the state of supreme beatitude,are totally liberated in Brahman at the time of dissolution of the body.

Located in the center of the city of the body is the subtle lotus of theheart, pure and untainted, which is the abode of the supreme. Meditate on the supreme being residing in that inner expanse, which is subtle and free from sorrow.

The which is described as the primal sound (om) in the beginning of the vedas, has been fully established as the supreme truth at the end of the Vedas ( the Upanishads) . The one who realizes that Supreme Principle is beyond the pale of those totally immersed in physical realities. Indeed, He is none other than the supreme Lord !

Reminders:

• Please mark your calendar for Thanksgiving Luncheon on Nov 19th. More details will follow.
• Please ensure that your child carries a note book, and a folder with Pens/Pencils, along with Slokathon, and 'Values in Bhagavad Gita' Manual.  Taking notes during the class is highly encouraged.
  
• Please share this email and blog with your child. Have added the available children's email ids above. In case you want yours to be added, please forward. Thanks!
• Homework: 
• Children are asked to pre-read the lessons in the 'Values from Bhagavad Gita' Manual. (Amaanitvam,  Adambhitvam and Ahimsa were covered so far) and attempt the questions.  KSanti will be covered next class.
• Kids are doing good with taking notes, and bringing in the '5 take aways from the class'. This year's lesson homework exercises require them to reflect on what they learnt in the class, do some introspection, and complete the homework. Please encourage them to attempt the questions. 

Happy Deepavali / New Year to you all! 

Have a happy, healthy, prosperous and blissful time!

See you next class - Sunday Oct 29, 2017.

With Om & Prem,

Vijayam Class Teachers