Nov 2018 - 4th Grade

My Twenty-Four Teachers

Hari Om,

We have been discovering ourselves by guidance of our Teachers. Nature is one of our greatest teachers. It requires a proper attitude, good disciple, humility, from our side to recognize anything or anyone can be our Teacher. My 24 gurus has been adopted from eleventh chapter of Bhagavatam.
In class one starts with riddles, questions and answers, games, and stories.

 A Teacher

1. Listening to a teacher is the recipe for success. Disciple is one who is willing,enthusiastic, humility, has reverence for the goal.
2. We gain knowledge through perception, and inference.

Mother Earth

1. Mother Earth teaches us patience and forgiveness.
2. Trees and mountains teach us to be steadfast in values we hold.
3. Stories what can’t be cured must be endured, forgiveness tale,The Giving Tree.

Air

Teaches us eat only what we need. Attachment is:I + I want.

Fire

1. Teaches us not to hoard
2. To be brilliant. To accept everyone.Not imbibe everybody’s impurities.
3. Tales : Buddha and the Elephant ,He accepts all,Faith,The Greedy Jackal,Discovery of Fire..

The Moon

1. In changing world take advantage of Now.
2. Everything changes with Time except the Lord within.
3. Tale.Mom,make me a gown,This too shall pass.
4. Discussion : Now is the Time. Think : Do not attempt the impossible. Exercise: Gratitude time.

Space/Sky

1. Omnipresence.
2. Tale. Rama, Rama, Everywhere.
3. Brainstorming : Omnipresence.

Water

1. Teaches us to speak sweet,pleasing words.
2. Speech is a gift.Telling lies, exaggerating, forked tongue,using bad language.
3. Tale : You are known by your words.
4. Tale: Echo.
5. Think : catch them before.

The Sun

1. Teaches us to work with full capacity.earn the reward ,save it and give it back to society at the right time.
2. Think: tales of Prince Siddartha,Mohandas Gandhi.
3. Exploration: Namaste.Meaning Bowing to the Lord within you.
4. Mirror,mirror on the wall.
5. Discussion:blaming others and defending ourselves.

Krishna Krishna Everywhere !

Hari Om,

We have been reveling in the glories of Lord Krishna!

We started with Mother Earth praying to Bhagvan Vishu to free Her from the burden of the asuras and Bhagvan’s promise that He’ll be born to Vasudeva and Devaki and cleanse Mother Earth of the sins and sinners.

As we speak and listen to His glory we also enact it in class. Bhagvan’s leela comes alive in class with role play. We also have the ‘Bell message’ (BM) where we pause to discuss and

assimilate values and lessons.

Birth of the Lord

• When are we fearful? Kamsa was the mightiest yet he was filled with fear, consumed by worry.
• Be wary of the company you keep – bad company will always pull you down.
• When we are pure/good that is when virtues (Bhagvan) is born in our heart.

Lord goes to Gokul

• When we carry the Lord in our minds – nothing can stop us – obstacles may come but we will be able to overcome.
• When you love Bhagvan, you have deep longing for Him – He will come to you.

Celebration in Gokul

• Everyone loved Him because He was so pure.
• A happy person is very generous

Kamsa’s evil plans

• In the company of his wicked ministers- Kamsa went back to his evil ways.

Putana

• Represents Ignorance.
• Bhagvan liberates even those who try to harm Him – He is most compassionate.

Trnavarta

• Represents desires – fills our mind with agitations and clouds our mind.

Mischievous Krishna and Balarama

• Lord steals butter – takes away our selfish desires.
• We are not ready to share the fruits of our actions – He teaches us to share.

Lord Krishna eats mud

• Mother Earth is forgiving. Lord eats mud so He can become forgiving like Mother Earth. Connected to Mother Earth from 24 Gurus.

Lord Krishna is tied

• Bhagvan allows Himself to be caught!
• Mother Yashoda could not tie Him – rope was always 2 fingers short !

Fruit Seller

• Lord rewards good deeds

Liberation of Vatsasura

• Represents Selfishness,Possessiveness

Killing of Bakasura

• Baka – Crane – conceited - Represents arrogance

Aghasura

• Represents Sin
• Look where you are going – We often act without thinking. Sin sits with it’s mouth wide open. We say “I wonder what this is” and simply walk in !

With warm wishes,

Gunjjan and Sowmya