Hari Om Parents,
Below was covered in the class this week.
Shloka Chanting:
We started the class with our opening prayers. Class began learning Mahalakshmi Ashtakam. We chanted 2 verses of this. Please refer to page 40 in My Prayers book.
Gita Chanting:
We will be learning Chapter 5 chanting of Bhagavad Gita this year. Class chanted the first verse this week.
Lesson:
India - Our Land:
In this section, covered the following points with the help of this presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bVqPYzqcqQWDcQEtRbKwmAZaHpVTotvWPBMUQo7WENM/edit?usp=sharing
Started with ice breaker questions:
Why is India called MotherLand or Bharat Mata
India's Facts
India's Borders
India's Geographic Regions
India's States and Union Territories
India has 28 states and seven Union Territories
India vs. USA - A Comparison
Sacred Rivers of India
Story of Mother Ganga
Ten Scientific Reasons Why Mother Ganga is The Sacred River
The Sacred Himalayas
Pilgrim Places in the Himalayas
Mountains of India
India's Islands
Class activity topic - What is Needed to Climb Mount Everest?
It was inspiring to see students so eager to learn about India. Since this topic is usually not covered in their regular curriculum, many students had limited prior knowledge, yet they remained attentive and engaged, enthusiastically attempting to answer various questions. While some were already familiar with India's states, neighboring countries, and comparisons between India and the U.S., much of the other material was new to them. Nonetheless, they actively participated in discussions and Q&A sessions.
During the class activity, we explored what it takes to climb Mount Everest. Initially, many students assumed that the ascent could be completed in about a week and were surprised to learn it actually takes over two months and can cost more than $100,000 to $200,000, depending on the mountaineer's needs and level of luxury. Though students were aware that climbers need a Sherpa guide, special gear, and ladders, they were surprised to learn about the necessity of oxygen tanks and the process of acclimatization through base camps.
Mahabharata:
We continued our revision of Mahabharata. After 16 years of wait time, Ganaga Devi returns their son Devavrata to King Shantanu. Devavrata is now well versed in Vedas, Kingship and is a mighty warrior. Santanu is delighted to have Devavrata as the heir of the kingdom.
After a few years King Shantanu fell in love with Satyavati, the daughter of chief of fishermen but was taken aback by her father's conditions on marrying her. Devavrata discovers his fathers' grief and approaches Satayati's father and takes three vows - 1) Renounce the right as heir of the kingdom 2) Remain as a bachelor 3) Protect the throne of Hastinapura. As he undertook the most difficult vows, he was known as Bhishma from then. King Shantanu was deeply moved by his son's sacrifice and granted him a boon of "Iccha Mrityu".
Satyavati and Shantanu had 2 sons, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. Chitrangada dies in the battle and Vichitravirya becomes the king. Bhishma arranges for the marriage of Vichitravirya to Ambika and Ambalika, the daughters of king of Kashi. Their sister, Amba leaves the court with a vow of vengeance against Bhishma. Vichitravirya died of sickness leaving no heir to the kingdom. Satyavati narrates her story to Vyasa, her son and asks for help. With the boons of Vyasa, three sons were born to Ambika, Ambalika and a servant maid. They were called Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura. Dhritarashtra and Pandu were great warriors but Pandu became the king because Dhritarashtra was born blind.
Dhritarashtra gets married to Gandhari and Pandu gets married to Kunti and Madri. Pandu accrues a curse and retreats to forest to live a life of tapasvi along with his wives. Kunti with her special boon gets three children Yudhishthira, Bhima and Arjuna and Madri is blessed with Nakula and Sahadeva.
Gandhari had one hundred sons and a daughter by the boon of Lord Shiva. As soon as Duryodhana was born, inauspicious signs were seen everywhere which predicted the destruction of the whole Kaurava race. Dhritarashtra was advised to abandon Duryodhna but he was very much attached to the first born and did not pay attention to any warnings.
Announcements:
There is no Balavihar next week. Wish you all a very Happy Diwali!! Join us for Diwali pooja on Friday Nov 1st and Annakut celebrations on Nov 2nd.
Thankyou
Sirisha and Sachin
