Hare Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and much needed break from the regular routine. Due to school winter break, we couldn't update the blog early.
Prayers & Bhajan: We
offered our prayers to Lord Krsna and respects to all the Vaisnavas.
vāñchā-kalpa-tarubhyaś ca
kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca
patitānāṁ
pāvanebhyo
vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ
Translation: I offer my respectful
obeisances unto all the Vaiṣṇava devotees of the Lord. They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of
compassion for the fallen souls.
Audio
Link: Vaishnava_Pranam
Sloka: We revised Damodarastakam and Bhagavad-Gita sloka (9.14)
[Note: Please refer to the older posts for Damodarastakam and the Bhagavad-Gita sloka audio links]
Story of Ekaadashi:
Another name of Ekaadashi is Hari-vaasara because the main purpose of observing Ekadashi is to please Lord Hari with all of our senses.
Once there was a demon named Mura harassed the demigods in the heavenly planets. Indra and all the demigods were driven away from their heavenly kingdom. So, the demigods requested Lord Hari to help them. Lord Hari hearing their prayers personally went to kill this demon.
He engaged in war with the demon for ten thousand years. Finally the Lord defeated the demon and left for Badrikaasrama and entered a beautiful cave named Hemavati and took rest. But the demon chased the Lord and entered the cave and tried to kill Him when the Lord was resting. At that time a radiant daughter appeared from His body and killed the demon.
When the Lord got up from His rest, He saw the dead demon and the shining goddess standing before Him with folded hands. The Lord was pleased with Goddess and said that she can ask for any benediction she wants. Since she is His spiritual energy and appeared on the day of Ekaadashi, the Lord named her as Ekaadashi.
He gave the benediction that anyone who follows the vow of Ekaadashi will be relieved from all sinful reactions and attain heavenly happiness.
Significance of Vaikunta/Moksada Ekaadashi:
There was a king named Vaikaanasa who ruled the city of Campaka with affection for his citizens. One day, the King had a dream that his father was suffering in the hell. On seeing this, the King couldn't sleep, eat and had no interest in ruling the kingdonm.
He appealed to the learned brahmanas about how to help his father from hell. The brahmanas directed the king towards the asram of Parvata Muni, who is the knower of past, present and future.
After hearing their suggestion, the King along with the brahmanas and his citizens went to see Parvata Muni. After paying his restpects to the sage, the King asked Parvata Muni about how to help his father from hell. When Parvata Muni heard this, he sat down in deep meditation. After a while, he got up from his meditation and said His father did bad things in his previous life and that is why he is suffering now. So, to help him, the king had to observe this Moksada Ekaadashi and donate the credits/piety to his father.
The King along with his wife, children and servants observed Moksada Ekaadashi and donated all its piety to his suffering father. By the influence of this piety the father attained the heavenly planet and blessed his son very much.
By following this Ekaadashi, one is relieved from all sinful reactions.
We concluded the class with an activity about what foods are appropriate on Ekadashi.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Friday, December 28, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Maharaj Ambarish
Hare Krsna!!
Dear Parents,
We would like everyone to mark the date Dec 22nd on your calendars as Santa Claus is coming to our Temple. Every kid can take a picture with Santa and receive a gift. Please bring the kids and your friends and enjoy the holiday season in the Temple.
Prayers & Bhajan: We offered our respects to Lord Krsna and learned Vaisnava Pranama(prayer to devotees.)
vāñchā-kalpa-tarubhyaś ca
kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca
patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo
vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ
Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaiṣṇava devotees of the Lord. They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of compassion for the fallen souls.
Audio Link: Vaishnava_Pranam
Sloka: We learned a new sloka from Bhagavad-Gita(9.14)
satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā
nitya-yuktā upāsate
Translation: Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.
Audio Link: BG 9.14
Story: We heard about Maharaj Ambarish, a great devotee of Lord Krsna.
Maharaj Ambarīsa always engaged his mind in meditating upon the lotus feet of Krsna, his words in describing the glories of the Lord, his hands in cleansing the Lord's temple, and his ears in hearing the words spoken by Krsna or about Krsna. He engaged his eyes in seeing the Deity of Krsna, Krsna's temples and Krsna's places like Mathura and Vrindavan, he engaged his sense of touch in touching the bodies of the Lord's devotees, he engaged his sense of smell in smelling the fragrance of tulasi offered to the Lord, and he engaged his tongue in tasting the Lord's prasadam. He engaged his legs in walking to the holy places and temples of the Lord, his head in bowing down before the Lord, and all his desires in serving the Lord, twenty-four hours a day. Indeed, Maharaj Ambarish never desired anything for his own sense gratification. He engaged all his senses in devotional service, in various engagements related to the Lord.
Once, Maharaja Ambarish observed the vow of Ekadashi for one year by fasting without water. On Dvadashi, there was only a short time after sunrise in which it was auspicious to break his fast. Maharaja Ambarish worshipped Bhagvan and was just about to take grains that had been offered to the Supreme Lord, when Maharishi Durvasa arrived. With great respect, the king invited the sage to jpin him. The maharishi said, "I accept your invitation, but I first need to finish my daily duties. I will go to the bank of Yamuna; please wait until I return." Saying this, the sage went to the Yamuna.
However, Maharishi Durvasa's return was slightly delayed, and the auspicious time was about to pass. After consulting with the brahmanas and his ministers, Maharaja Ambarish took a drop of the water that washed the Supreme Lord's feet in order to protect his fast.
When Maharishi Durvasa returned, he was furious, knowing well that Maharaja Ambarish had broken the fast without him. He pulled a matted lock of hair from his head and transformed it into a fiery demoness called Kritya, who was ready to burn Ambarish to ashes.
However, Maharaja Ambarish simply stood there fearlessly with folded hands. The Sudarshan chakra, the protector of the devotees, immediately appeared and burnt Kritya to ashes. Sudarshan chakra then leapt towards Maharishi Durvasa, who swiftly ran everywhere to save his life.
He even went to Brahmalok and Shivalok, but no one in those places could save him. Wherever he went, he saw the frightening Sudarshan chakra pursuing him. Finally, Maharishi Durvasa came to Narayan in Vaikunthalok and desperately cried out: "Help, save me, protect me!" Bhagvan Shri Narayan said, "I am under the control of My devotees. I am their heart and they are My heart. You should at once return to Ambarish and plead for forgiveness. Sudarshan chakra can be pacified by his prayer only, and not by any other means."
For one full year, the great devotee Ambarish Maharaja remained standing there, waiting for Durvasa and praying for the sage's welfare. Upon returning from Vaikuntha, the perturbed Durvasa begged Maharaja Ambarish for his life. Ambarish Maharaja pacified Sudarshan chakra by offering prayers to him and then satisfied the sage by respectfully presenting him an array of delicious prasadam.
Durvasa Muni became astonished to witness the glories of Maharaja Ambarish and said, "Today I have realised the unprecedented glories of Bhagvan Anantadev's devotees. I greatly offended Ambarish Maharaja, but still he always desires nothing but my welfare. This is only possible for the devotees of the Supreme Lord."
We finally concluded the class with Maharaj Ambarish and Durvasa muni coloring pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Dear Parents,
We would like everyone to mark the date Dec 22nd on your calendars as Santa Claus is coming to our Temple. Every kid can take a picture with Santa and receive a gift. Please bring the kids and your friends and enjoy the holiday season in the Temple.
Prayers & Bhajan: We offered our respects to Lord Krsna and learned Vaisnava Pranama(prayer to devotees.)
vāñchā-kalpa-tarubhyaś ca
kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca
patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo
vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ
Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaiṣṇava devotees of the Lord. They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of compassion for the fallen souls.
Audio Link: Vaishnava_Pranam
Sloka: We learned a new sloka from Bhagavad-Gita(9.14)
satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ
yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ
namasyantaś ca māṁ bhaktyā
nitya-yuktā upāsate
Translation: Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.
Audio Link: BG 9.14
Story: We heard about Maharaj Ambarish, a great devotee of Lord Krsna.
Maharaj Ambarīsa always engaged his mind in meditating upon the lotus feet of Krsna, his words in describing the glories of the Lord, his hands in cleansing the Lord's temple, and his ears in hearing the words spoken by Krsna or about Krsna. He engaged his eyes in seeing the Deity of Krsna, Krsna's temples and Krsna's places like Mathura and Vrindavan, he engaged his sense of touch in touching the bodies of the Lord's devotees, he engaged his sense of smell in smelling the fragrance of tulasi offered to the Lord, and he engaged his tongue in tasting the Lord's prasadam. He engaged his legs in walking to the holy places and temples of the Lord, his head in bowing down before the Lord, and all his desires in serving the Lord, twenty-four hours a day. Indeed, Maharaj Ambarish never desired anything for his own sense gratification. He engaged all his senses in devotional service, in various engagements related to the Lord.
Once, Maharaja Ambarish observed the vow of Ekadashi for one year by fasting without water. On Dvadashi, there was only a short time after sunrise in which it was auspicious to break his fast. Maharaja Ambarish worshipped Bhagvan and was just about to take grains that had been offered to the Supreme Lord, when Maharishi Durvasa arrived. With great respect, the king invited the sage to jpin him. The maharishi said, "I accept your invitation, but I first need to finish my daily duties. I will go to the bank of Yamuna; please wait until I return." Saying this, the sage went to the Yamuna.
However, Maharishi Durvasa's return was slightly delayed, and the auspicious time was about to pass. After consulting with the brahmanas and his ministers, Maharaja Ambarish took a drop of the water that washed the Supreme Lord's feet in order to protect his fast.
When Maharishi Durvasa returned, he was furious, knowing well that Maharaja Ambarish had broken the fast without him. He pulled a matted lock of hair from his head and transformed it into a fiery demoness called Kritya, who was ready to burn Ambarish to ashes.
However, Maharaja Ambarish simply stood there fearlessly with folded hands. The Sudarshan chakra, the protector of the devotees, immediately appeared and burnt Kritya to ashes. Sudarshan chakra then leapt towards Maharishi Durvasa, who swiftly ran everywhere to save his life.
He even went to Brahmalok and Shivalok, but no one in those places could save him. Wherever he went, he saw the frightening Sudarshan chakra pursuing him. Finally, Maharishi Durvasa came to Narayan in Vaikunthalok and desperately cried out: "Help, save me, protect me!" Bhagvan Shri Narayan said, "I am under the control of My devotees. I am their heart and they are My heart. You should at once return to Ambarish and plead for forgiveness. Sudarshan chakra can be pacified by his prayer only, and not by any other means."
For one full year, the great devotee Ambarish Maharaja remained standing there, waiting for Durvasa and praying for the sage's welfare. Upon returning from Vaikuntha, the perturbed Durvasa begged Maharaja Ambarish for his life. Ambarish Maharaja pacified Sudarshan chakra by offering prayers to him and then satisfied the sage by respectfully presenting him an array of delicious prasadam.
Durvasa Muni became astonished to witness the glories of Maharaja Ambarish and said, "Today I have realised the unprecedented glories of Bhagvan Anantadev's devotees. I greatly offended Ambarish Maharaja, but still he always desires nothing but my welfare. This is only possible for the devotees of the Supreme Lord."
We finally concluded the class with Maharaj Ambarish and Durvasa muni coloring pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Lifting of Govardhan Hill and King Indra's Prayers
Hare Krsna!!
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing the kids during the holiday season.
Prayers & Bhajan: We offered our respects to Lord Krsna and learnt a new verse in Damodarastakam.
[Note: Please refer to the older posts for lyrics and audio links]
Story: We heard about how and why Lord Krsna lifted Govardhan Hill and how King Indra realized his mistake and begged forgiveness.
When Indra understood that his sacrifice was stopped by Krsna, he became angry. He called for the cloud named Samvartaka to go over Vrndavana and completely destroy the people of Vrndavana and their cows by flooding the whole area.
Ordered by King Indra, all the dangerous clouds appeared above Vrndavana and began to pour water non-stop, with all their strength and power. There was constant lightning and thunder, blowing of severe wind. By continuous rainfall, all of Vrndavan was filled with water and it was accompanied by great winds, and every one began to tremble from severe cold. The people of Vrndavan and their cows prayed to Lord Krsna to protect them from Indra's anger.
Upon hearing their prayer, Krsna understood that this was a show of anger by Indra. To protect His devotees and also to make King Indra understand who is the Supreme Lord, Lord Krsna immediately picked up Govardhana Hill with one hand, exactly as a child picks up a mushroom from the ground. He called the inhabitants of Vrndavana to enter under the umbrella of Govardhana Hill and be safe. All of them entered beneath the great hill and remained there for one week without being disturbed by hunger, thirst or any other discomforts. They were simply astonished to see how Krsna was holding up the mountain with the little finger of His left hand. Seeing this, King Indra immediately called for all the clouds to stop. When the sky became completely cleared of all clouds, there was sunrise and the strong wind stopped. At that time Krsna, known as the lifter of Govardhana Hill said that it was safe for them to leave as the rain has stopped, the flood receded and everything was over. All the men left with their belongings and cows. After they had cleared out, Lord Krsna very slowly replaced Govardhana Hill exactly in the same position as it had been before. Then everyone approached Krsna and embraced Him with great joy. There were showers of flower from the heavenly planets and there was singing and dancing.
When Lord Krsna saved the inhabitants of Vrndavana from the anger of Indra by lifting Govardhana Hill, a surabhi cow from Goloka Vrndavana, as well as King Indra from the heavenly planet, appeared before Him. Indra, the King of heaven, was conscious of his offense before Krsna. So, he immediately fell down at the lotus feet of Krsna. Indra knew about the exalted position of Krsna because Krsna is the master of Indra, but he could not believe that Krsna could come down and live in Vrndavana among the cowherd men. But after this incident, his false pride was destroyed. Being conscious of his subordinate position, he appeared before Krsna with folded hands and began to offer his prayers.
He prayed for forgiveness and understood that as Krsna is the Supreme Father, He has the right to correct him when he makes mistakes. Lord Krsna said that He stopped Indra's Puja just to teach Indra that there is a higher power than him. He forgave Indra and asked him to be careful of false pride and return to the heavenly planet and continue as the ruler of heaven.
Then the transcendental surabhi cow, who also come with Indra to see Krsna, offered her respectful obeisances unto Him and worshiped Him. The surabhi cow offered her thanks and prayers to Krsna for protecting her descendant cows in Vrndavan although Indra tried his best to kill them. So, she bathed Lord Krsna with her milk.
Indra also bathed Krsna by the water of the celestial Ganges through the trunk of his carrier elephant. When Lord Krsna, was pleased with all of them, King Indra took His permission to return to his heavenly kingdom and be a king under the rule of the Supreme Father Shri Krsna.
We finally concluded the class with coloring pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing the kids during the holiday season.
Prayers & Bhajan: We offered our respects to Lord Krsna and learnt a new verse in Damodarastakam.
[Note: Please refer to the older posts for lyrics and audio links]
Story: We heard about how and why Lord Krsna lifted Govardhan Hill and how King Indra realized his mistake and begged forgiveness.
When Indra understood that his sacrifice was stopped by Krsna, he became angry. He called for the cloud named Samvartaka to go over Vrndavana and completely destroy the people of Vrndavana and their cows by flooding the whole area.
Ordered by King Indra, all the dangerous clouds appeared above Vrndavana and began to pour water non-stop, with all their strength and power. There was constant lightning and thunder, blowing of severe wind. By continuous rainfall, all of Vrndavan was filled with water and it was accompanied by great winds, and every one began to tremble from severe cold. The people of Vrndavan and their cows prayed to Lord Krsna to protect them from Indra's anger.
Upon hearing their prayer, Krsna understood that this was a show of anger by Indra. To protect His devotees and also to make King Indra understand who is the Supreme Lord, Lord Krsna immediately picked up Govardhana Hill with one hand, exactly as a child picks up a mushroom from the ground. He called the inhabitants of Vrndavana to enter under the umbrella of Govardhana Hill and be safe. All of them entered beneath the great hill and remained there for one week without being disturbed by hunger, thirst or any other discomforts. They were simply astonished to see how Krsna was holding up the mountain with the little finger of His left hand. Seeing this, King Indra immediately called for all the clouds to stop. When the sky became completely cleared of all clouds, there was sunrise and the strong wind stopped. At that time Krsna, known as the lifter of Govardhana Hill said that it was safe for them to leave as the rain has stopped, the flood receded and everything was over. All the men left with their belongings and cows. After they had cleared out, Lord Krsna very slowly replaced Govardhana Hill exactly in the same position as it had been before. Then everyone approached Krsna and embraced Him with great joy. There were showers of flower from the heavenly planets and there was singing and dancing.
When Lord Krsna saved the inhabitants of Vrndavana from the anger of Indra by lifting Govardhana Hill, a surabhi cow from Goloka Vrndavana, as well as King Indra from the heavenly planet, appeared before Him. Indra, the King of heaven, was conscious of his offense before Krsna. So, he immediately fell down at the lotus feet of Krsna. Indra knew about the exalted position of Krsna because Krsna is the master of Indra, but he could not believe that Krsna could come down and live in Vrndavana among the cowherd men. But after this incident, his false pride was destroyed. Being conscious of his subordinate position, he appeared before Krsna with folded hands and began to offer his prayers.
He prayed for forgiveness and understood that as Krsna is the Supreme Father, He has the right to correct him when he makes mistakes. Lord Krsna said that He stopped Indra's Puja just to teach Indra that there is a higher power than him. He forgave Indra and asked him to be careful of false pride and return to the heavenly planet and continue as the ruler of heaven.
Then the transcendental surabhi cow, who also come with Indra to see Krsna, offered her respectful obeisances unto Him and worshiped Him. The surabhi cow offered her thanks and prayers to Krsna for protecting her descendant cows in Vrndavan although Indra tried his best to kill them. So, she bathed Lord Krsna with her milk.
Indra also bathed Krsna by the water of the celestial Ganges through the trunk of his carrier elephant. When Lord Krsna, was pleased with all of them, King Indra took His permission to return to his heavenly kingdom and be a king under the rule of the Supreme Father Shri Krsna.
We finally concluded the class with coloring pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Govardhan Puja
Hare Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing the kids to Sunday School. Your enthusiasm and effort keeps us motivated and energetic to teach the class.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the mataji's who help us out during the class. Without your help, we couldn't conduct the class nicely. Our sincere thanks to all of you.
Prayers & Bhajan: Many kids led the prayer ' he krsna'. We still would like to see all the kids actively participating in the class. If the kids hear the prayer songs, bhajan, slokas in the home a few times, we hope that they would be interested in reciting in the class. Parents, please let them hear the audio links for few times (like during bed time or morning prayer time or you could sing to them when giving them a bath or feeding them or just when they are playing.)
Damodarastakam: We learnt the fouth verse of Damodarastakam. We really wish for all kids to sing this prayer to Lord Damodar.
Lyrics for Damodarastakam: http://kksongs.org/songs/n/namamisvaram.html
Audio Link: Damodarastakam
[Note: Please let us know if there is any difficulty in accessing these links.]
Story: We heard the importance of worshiping Govardhan Hill.
One day, Krsna and Balarama saw that the cowherd men were preparing for a sacrifice in order to pacify Indra, the King of heaven, who is responsible for supplying water.
Krsna asked His father about this arrangement for a great sacrifice. He asked about for whom, what purpose, why and how it is performed. His father, Nanda Maharaja, remained silent, thinking that young Krsna would not be able to understand the intricacies of performing the sacrifice.
Again when Krsna insisted to be explained about the sacrifice, Maharaja Nanda said that the ceremonial performance is more or less traditional. Because rainfall is due to the mercy of King Indra and the clouds are his representatives, and because water is so important for their living, they must show some gratitude to the controller of this rainfall, Maharaja Indra.
After hearing this, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in the presence of His father and all the cowherd men of Vrndavana, spoke in such a way as to make heavenly King Indra very angry.
Krsna's appeared especially for the annihilation of the demons and protection of the devotees. Though King Indra was certainly a devotee, not a demon, but because he was so proud of his power, Krsna wanted to teach him a lesson. He first tried to make Indra angry by stopping the Indra Puja, which was arranged by the cowherd men in Vrndavana.
Lord Krsna explained to His father and the cowherd men that even if King Indra gives rain, he pours water on the ocean also, where there is no need of water. So he is pouring water on the ocean or on the land; it does not depend on their worshiping him. He also said that their specific relationship is with Govardhana Hill and Vrndavana forest and therefore requested everyone to begin a sacrifice that will satisfy the local brahmanas and Govardhana Hill, and not Indra.
Since Krsna asked, Nanda Maharaj said that he shall arrange for a separate sacrifice for the local brahmanas and Govardhana Hill. But now, he wanted to execute this sacrifice known as Indra-Puja.
But Krsna urged them not to delay the sacrifice for Govardhana and the local brahmanas. He asked them to use the arrangement and paraphernalia from Indra-yajna and immediately engage it to satisfy Govardhana Hill and the local brahmanas.
He instructed them to prepare very nice foodstuffs from the grains and ghee, and all kinds of milk preparations like sweet rice, sweetballs, sandesh, rashgulla and laddu and invite the learned brahmanas to chant the Vedic mantras and they be given charity like grain, money, gold, cows. The cows should be well decorate and fed well. For all the others, sumptuous prasam should be distributed. After giving nice grasses to the cows, the sacrifice known as Govardhan- Puja should begin immediately.
According to the instruction of Lord Krsna, Nanda Maharaja and the cowherd men called in learned brahmanas and began to worship Govardhana Hill by chanting Vedic hymns and offering prasadam. The inhabitants of Vrndavana assembled together, decorated their cows and gave them grass. Keeping the cows in front, they began to circumambulate Govardhana Hill. The gopis also dressed themselves very luxuriantly and sat in bull-driven carts, chanting the glories of Krsna's pastimes. The brahamanas offered their blessings to the cowherd men and their wives, the gopis.
When everything was complete, Krsna assumed a great transcendental form and declared to the inhabitants of Vrndavana that He was Himself Govardhana Hill in order to convince the devotees that Govardhana Hill and Krsna Himself are identical. Then Krsna began to eat all the food offered there.
In offering obeisances to the huge form of Krsna Himself and Govardhana Hill, Krsna declared that Govardhana Hill has assumed this huge form to favor us by accepting all the offerings.
The identity of Krsna and Govardhana Hill are still honored.
The sacrifice known as Govardhana-puja is observed in the Krsna consciousness movement. Lord Caitanya MahaPrabhu has recommended that since Krsna is worshipable, so His land, Vrndavana and Govardhana Hill, are also worshipable. To confirm this statement, Lord Krsna said that Govardhana Puja is as good as worship of Him. From that day, the Govardhana Puja has been still going on and is known as Annakuta. In all the temples of Vrndavana or outside of Vrndavana, huge quantities of food are prepared in this ceremony and are very sumptuously distributed to the general population.
Following the inauguration of Govardhana Puja, people in Vrndavana still dress nicely and assemble near Govardhana Hill to offer worship and circumambulate the hill, leading their cows all around.
Thus, we all learned more about the importance of Govardhan Puja.
Finally, we concluded the class with coloring picture.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing the kids to Sunday School. Your enthusiasm and effort keeps us motivated and energetic to teach the class.
We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the mataji's who help us out during the class. Without your help, we couldn't conduct the class nicely. Our sincere thanks to all of you.
Prayers & Bhajan: Many kids led the prayer ' he krsna'. We still would like to see all the kids actively participating in the class. If the kids hear the prayer songs, bhajan, slokas in the home a few times, we hope that they would be interested in reciting in the class. Parents, please let them hear the audio links for few times (like during bed time or morning prayer time or you could sing to them when giving them a bath or feeding them or just when they are playing.)
Damodarastakam: We learnt the fouth verse of Damodarastakam. We really wish for all kids to sing this prayer to Lord Damodar.
Lyrics for Damodarastakam: http://kksongs.org/songs/n/namamisvaram.html
Audio Link: Damodarastakam
[Note: Please let us know if there is any difficulty in accessing these links.]
Story: We heard the importance of worshiping Govardhan Hill.
One day, Krsna and Balarama saw that the cowherd men were preparing for a sacrifice in order to pacify Indra, the King of heaven, who is responsible for supplying water.
Krsna asked His father about this arrangement for a great sacrifice. He asked about for whom, what purpose, why and how it is performed. His father, Nanda Maharaja, remained silent, thinking that young Krsna would not be able to understand the intricacies of performing the sacrifice.
Again when Krsna insisted to be explained about the sacrifice, Maharaja Nanda said that the ceremonial performance is more or less traditional. Because rainfall is due to the mercy of King Indra and the clouds are his representatives, and because water is so important for their living, they must show some gratitude to the controller of this rainfall, Maharaja Indra.
After hearing this, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in the presence of His father and all the cowherd men of Vrndavana, spoke in such a way as to make heavenly King Indra very angry.
Krsna's appeared especially for the annihilation of the demons and protection of the devotees. Though King Indra was certainly a devotee, not a demon, but because he was so proud of his power, Krsna wanted to teach him a lesson. He first tried to make Indra angry by stopping the Indra Puja, which was arranged by the cowherd men in Vrndavana.
Lord Krsna explained to His father and the cowherd men that even if King Indra gives rain, he pours water on the ocean also, where there is no need of water. So he is pouring water on the ocean or on the land; it does not depend on their worshiping him. He also said that their specific relationship is with Govardhana Hill and Vrndavana forest and therefore requested everyone to begin a sacrifice that will satisfy the local brahmanas and Govardhana Hill, and not Indra.
Since Krsna asked, Nanda Maharaj said that he shall arrange for a separate sacrifice for the local brahmanas and Govardhana Hill. But now, he wanted to execute this sacrifice known as Indra-Puja.
But Krsna urged them not to delay the sacrifice for Govardhana and the local brahmanas. He asked them to use the arrangement and paraphernalia from Indra-yajna and immediately engage it to satisfy Govardhana Hill and the local brahmanas.
He instructed them to prepare very nice foodstuffs from the grains and ghee, and all kinds of milk preparations like sweet rice, sweetballs, sandesh, rashgulla and laddu and invite the learned brahmanas to chant the Vedic mantras and they be given charity like grain, money, gold, cows. The cows should be well decorate and fed well. For all the others, sumptuous prasam should be distributed. After giving nice grasses to the cows, the sacrifice known as Govardhan- Puja should begin immediately.
According to the instruction of Lord Krsna, Nanda Maharaja and the cowherd men called in learned brahmanas and began to worship Govardhana Hill by chanting Vedic hymns and offering prasadam. The inhabitants of Vrndavana assembled together, decorated their cows and gave them grass. Keeping the cows in front, they began to circumambulate Govardhana Hill. The gopis also dressed themselves very luxuriantly and sat in bull-driven carts, chanting the glories of Krsna's pastimes. The brahamanas offered their blessings to the cowherd men and their wives, the gopis.
When everything was complete, Krsna assumed a great transcendental form and declared to the inhabitants of Vrndavana that He was Himself Govardhana Hill in order to convince the devotees that Govardhana Hill and Krsna Himself are identical. Then Krsna began to eat all the food offered there.
In offering obeisances to the huge form of Krsna Himself and Govardhana Hill, Krsna declared that Govardhana Hill has assumed this huge form to favor us by accepting all the offerings.
The identity of Krsna and Govardhana Hill are still honored.
The sacrifice known as Govardhana-puja is observed in the Krsna consciousness movement. Lord Caitanya MahaPrabhu has recommended that since Krsna is worshipable, so His land, Vrndavana and Govardhana Hill, are also worshipable. To confirm this statement, Lord Krsna said that Govardhana Puja is as good as worship of Him. From that day, the Govardhana Puja has been still going on and is known as Annakuta. In all the temples of Vrndavana or outside of Vrndavana, huge quantities of food are prepared in this ceremony and are very sumptuously distributed to the general population.
Following the inauguration of Govardhana Puja, people in Vrndavana still dress nicely and assemble near Govardhana Hill to offer worship and circumambulate the hill, leading their cows all around.
Thus, we all learned more about the importance of Govardhan Puja.
Finally, we concluded the class with coloring picture.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Deliverance of Nalakuvara and Manigriva
Hare Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
Please let the kids hear the Damodarastakam few times and they will be able to sing in the class very nicely. Thank you for helping us.
This week,
Prayers & Bhajans: Kids are enthusiastically leading the prayer in the class.
Damodarastakam: We learnt the third verse of the Damodarastakam from Radhika Mataji
Kartik month is the favorite month of Lord Krsna and He performed Damodar(one whose belly is bound by ropes) lila during Kartik month. So, we should all take a little time to sing Damodar Astakam and light a ghee lamp for Lord Krsna and He will be immensely pleased.
Lyrics for Damodarastakam: http://kksongs.org/songs/n/namamisvaram.html
Audio Link: Damodarastakam
Story time: The two great demigods, Nalakuvara and Manigriva, were sons of the treasurer of the demigods, Kuvera, who was a great devotee of Lord Siva. Nalakuvara and Manigriva being the sons of a rich man were very spoiled.
Once they entered a garden of Lord Siva in the region of Kailash to play in the lake.
While they were enjoying themselves in the water, all of a sudden Narada, the great sage, happened to pass that way. Nalakuvara and Manigriva could not even see that he was passing.
Narada was compassionate and wanted to save them from their fallen life.
Narada therefore thought that the best punishment for them was to make them immovable living entities, or trees. Although the brothers would be punished to become trees, they continued to keep their memory to be able to know why they were being punished.
Sage Narada contemplated that the two demigods should remain as twin Arjuna trees for one hundred years, in the time of the demigods, in the courtyard of Nanda Maharaj, and after that they would be fortunate enough to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead, face to face.
Although the child Krsna was bound up to the wooden mortar, He began to proceed towards the twin Arjuna trees in order to fulfill the prophecy of His great devotee Narada.
Lord Krsna was able to pass through the passage, but, the large wooden mortar stuck horizontally between the trees. Taking advantage of this, Lord Krsna began to pull the rope which was tied to the mortar. As soon as He pulled, with great strength, the two trees, with all branches and limbs, fell down immediately with a great sound. Out of the broken, fallen trees came two great personalities, shining like blazing fire. The two purified bodies immediately came before child Krsna and bowed down to offer their respects and prayers.
Their prayer was to be always engaged in Lord Krsna's transcendental loving service by speaking only about His glories and hearing about His transcendental activities. Their hands and other limbs be engaged in His service and their minds always be concentrated at His lotus feet and their heads always bowed down before the Lordship.
Krsna still bound to the mortar smiled and said that since they developed ecstastic love for Him, they will go to their father's residence in the heavenly planet and by doing devotional service they will be liberated after this life.
After this, the demigods circumambulated the Lord many times and bowed down before Him again and again, and left. The Lord remained bound up with ropes to the grinding mortar.
When the twin arjuna trees fell to the ground, making a sound like the falling of thunderbolts, all the inhabitants of Gokula, including Nanda Maharaja, immediately came to the spot. They were very much astonished to see how the two great trees had suddenly fallen. Because they could find no reason for their falling down, they were puzzled. When they saw child Krsna bound up to the wooden mortar by the ropes of Yasoda, they began to think that it must have been caused by some demon. But, the small children who were playing there informed the men that the trees fell due to Krsna's pulling the wooden mortar with the ropes to which He was bound. When the trees fell down, two very dazzling men came out of the trees, and they talked to Krsna and disappeared.
Nanda Maharaja began to smile, hearing about the extraordinary abilities of his son. He came forward and untied the knot to free his wonderful child. After being freed by Nanda Maharaja, Krsna was taken away to the courtyard of the house by the elderly gopis and they began to clap, praising His wonderful activities. Krsna clapped along with them, just like an ordinary child.
We concluded the class with coloring pictures of Krsna and the demigods, Nalakuvara and Manigriva.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Dear Parents,
Please let the kids hear the Damodarastakam few times and they will be able to sing in the class very nicely. Thank you for helping us.
This week,
Prayers & Bhajans: Kids are enthusiastically leading the prayer in the class.
Damodarastakam: We learnt the third verse of the Damodarastakam from Radhika Mataji
Kartik month is the favorite month of Lord Krsna and He performed Damodar(one whose belly is bound by ropes) lila during Kartik month. So, we should all take a little time to sing Damodar Astakam and light a ghee lamp for Lord Krsna and He will be immensely pleased.
Lyrics for Damodarastakam: http://kksongs.org/songs/n/namamisvaram.html
Audio Link: Damodarastakam
Story time: The two great demigods, Nalakuvara and Manigriva, were sons of the treasurer of the demigods, Kuvera, who was a great devotee of Lord Siva. Nalakuvara and Manigriva being the sons of a rich man were very spoiled.
Once they entered a garden of Lord Siva in the region of Kailash to play in the lake.
While they were enjoying themselves in the water, all of a sudden Narada, the great sage, happened to pass that way. Nalakuvara and Manigriva could not even see that he was passing.
Narada was compassionate and wanted to save them from their fallen life.
Narada therefore thought that the best punishment for them was to make them immovable living entities, or trees. Although the brothers would be punished to become trees, they continued to keep their memory to be able to know why they were being punished.
Sage Narada contemplated that the two demigods should remain as twin Arjuna trees for one hundred years, in the time of the demigods, in the courtyard of Nanda Maharaj, and after that they would be fortunate enough to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead, face to face.
Although the child Krsna was bound up to the wooden mortar, He began to proceed towards the twin Arjuna trees in order to fulfill the prophecy of His great devotee Narada.
Lord Krsna was able to pass through the passage, but, the large wooden mortar stuck horizontally between the trees. Taking advantage of this, Lord Krsna began to pull the rope which was tied to the mortar. As soon as He pulled, with great strength, the two trees, with all branches and limbs, fell down immediately with a great sound. Out of the broken, fallen trees came two great personalities, shining like blazing fire. The two purified bodies immediately came before child Krsna and bowed down to offer their respects and prayers.
Their prayer was to be always engaged in Lord Krsna's transcendental loving service by speaking only about His glories and hearing about His transcendental activities. Their hands and other limbs be engaged in His service and their minds always be concentrated at His lotus feet and their heads always bowed down before the Lordship.
Krsna still bound to the mortar smiled and said that since they developed ecstastic love for Him, they will go to their father's residence in the heavenly planet and by doing devotional service they will be liberated after this life.
After this, the demigods circumambulated the Lord many times and bowed down before Him again and again, and left. The Lord remained bound up with ropes to the grinding mortar.
When the twin arjuna trees fell to the ground, making a sound like the falling of thunderbolts, all the inhabitants of Gokula, including Nanda Maharaja, immediately came to the spot. They were very much astonished to see how the two great trees had suddenly fallen. Because they could find no reason for their falling down, they were puzzled. When they saw child Krsna bound up to the wooden mortar by the ropes of Yasoda, they began to think that it must have been caused by some demon. But, the small children who were playing there informed the men that the trees fell due to Krsna's pulling the wooden mortar with the ropes to which He was bound. When the trees fell down, two very dazzling men came out of the trees, and they talked to Krsna and disappeared.
Nanda Maharaja began to smile, hearing about the extraordinary abilities of his son. He came forward and untied the knot to free his wonderful child. After being freed by Nanda Maharaja, Krsna was taken away to the courtyard of the house by the elderly gopis and they began to clap, praising His wonderful activities. Krsna clapped along with them, just like an ordinary child.
We concluded the class with coloring pictures of Krsna and the demigods, Nalakuvara and Manigriva.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Lord Damodar
Hare Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
Please let the kids hear the Damodarastakam few times and they will be able to sing in the class very nicely. Thank you for helping us.
This week,
Prayers & Bhajans: Many kids led " he krsna " prayer very nicely.
Damodarastakam: We learnt the second verse of the Damodarastakam.
Kartik month is the favorite month of Lord Krsna and He performed Damodar(one whose belly is bound by ropes) lila during Kartik month. So, we should all take a little time to sing Damodar Astakam and light a ghee lamp for Lord Krsna and He will be immensely pleased.
Lyrics for Damodarastakam: http://kksongs.org/songs/n/namamisvaram.html
Audio Link: Damodarastakam
Story Time: We heard the story why Lord Krsna is called Damodar.
Once when Mother Yashoda was churning butter singing songs about the little Krsna. Krsna woke up and was hungry. While Mother Yashoda was feeding Him, the milk on the stove was boiling over. So, Mother Yashoda put Krsna down for a little while to turn off the stove. Krsna was very angry with Mother Yashoda for leaving Him in the middle of the feeding. So, He ate the butter from the butter pot, broke it and ran away from the room for fear of punishment.
After turning off the stove, Mother Yashoda came into the room and saw what Krsna has done. Wanting to teach Him a lesson, Mother Yashoda went in search of Him with a stick in her hand and found Him standing on an upended wooden mortar, stealing and eating more butter from the butterpots hanging from the ceiling and feeding it to the monkeys as well. As soon as Krsna saw Mother Yashoda with the stick in her hand, He ran away as quickly as His little feet could carry Him.
Mother Yashoda ran very hard to catch Him but He could not be caught until He wishes to be caught. Seeing His mother hard labor, Lord Krsna decided to let Mother Yashoda catch him. After getting caught, He was rubbing His eyes in crying by seeing the stick and Mother Yashoda threw away the stick not to frighten Him. She still wanted to stop Him from his mischief, so she decided to tie Him up with the wooden mortar. She brought a rope from the house and tried to tie Krsna but the rope was 2 inches short. So, she brought more ropes from the house and kept on trying with connecting all ropes but still the rope was always 2 inches short no matter how long the rope was.
By this time, Mother Yashoda was really tired and she kept on trying to tie Krsna who could not be tied unless He lets it to happen. Lord Krsna, seeing the sincere effort of Mother Yashoda and how tired she was, decided to let Mother Yashoda tie Him up. After He decided, Mother Yashoda was able to tie Him up. That is why Lord Krsna is called Lord Damodar - one whose belly is bound by ropes.
From this story, we could understand that Lord Krsna could only be bound by love for Him.
We concluded the class with the coloring picture of Mother Yashoda tying a rope around Lord Krsna.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Dear Parents,
Please let the kids hear the Damodarastakam few times and they will be able to sing in the class very nicely. Thank you for helping us.
This week,
Prayers & Bhajans: Many kids led " he krsna " prayer very nicely.
Damodarastakam: We learnt the second verse of the Damodarastakam.
Kartik month is the favorite month of Lord Krsna and He performed Damodar(one whose belly is bound by ropes) lila during Kartik month. So, we should all take a little time to sing Damodar Astakam and light a ghee lamp for Lord Krsna and He will be immensely pleased.
Lyrics for Damodarastakam: http://kksongs.org/songs/n/namamisvaram.html
Audio Link: Damodarastakam
Story Time: We heard the story why Lord Krsna is called Damodar.
Once when Mother Yashoda was churning butter singing songs about the little Krsna. Krsna woke up and was hungry. While Mother Yashoda was feeding Him, the milk on the stove was boiling over. So, Mother Yashoda put Krsna down for a little while to turn off the stove. Krsna was very angry with Mother Yashoda for leaving Him in the middle of the feeding. So, He ate the butter from the butter pot, broke it and ran away from the room for fear of punishment.
After turning off the stove, Mother Yashoda came into the room and saw what Krsna has done. Wanting to teach Him a lesson, Mother Yashoda went in search of Him with a stick in her hand and found Him standing on an upended wooden mortar, stealing and eating more butter from the butterpots hanging from the ceiling and feeding it to the monkeys as well. As soon as Krsna saw Mother Yashoda with the stick in her hand, He ran away as quickly as His little feet could carry Him.
Mother Yashoda ran very hard to catch Him but He could not be caught until He wishes to be caught. Seeing His mother hard labor, Lord Krsna decided to let Mother Yashoda catch him. After getting caught, He was rubbing His eyes in crying by seeing the stick and Mother Yashoda threw away the stick not to frighten Him. She still wanted to stop Him from his mischief, so she decided to tie Him up with the wooden mortar. She brought a rope from the house and tried to tie Krsna but the rope was 2 inches short. So, she brought more ropes from the house and kept on trying with connecting all ropes but still the rope was always 2 inches short no matter how long the rope was.
By this time, Mother Yashoda was really tired and she kept on trying to tie Krsna who could not be tied unless He lets it to happen. Lord Krsna, seeing the sincere effort of Mother Yashoda and how tired she was, decided to let Mother Yashoda tie Him up. After He decided, Mother Yashoda was able to tie Him up. That is why Lord Krsna is called Lord Damodar - one whose belly is bound by ropes.
From this story, we could understand that Lord Krsna could only be bound by love for Him.
We concluded the class with the coloring picture of Mother Yashoda tying a rope around Lord Krsna.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Damodarastakam
Hare Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
We miss many of our kids in the Sunday class. Thank you to all the parents for bringing the children.
This week,
Prayers & Bhajans: Kids sang " he krsna " prayer and "Jaya Radha " bhajan very nicely. We will learn Damodarastakam during this month and start new prayers and sloka next month.
The beautiful Damodarastakam prayers are traditionally sung during the auspicious month of Kartik. It is accompanied by lighting and offering lamps to the Lord. These 8 verses describe the unique pastimes of Lord Damodara. The month of Kartik is also known as Damodara. Damodara is a name of Krishna which refers to His childhood pastimes of getting into trouble and being bound by his mother. In the month of Kartika one should worship Lord Damodara and daily recite the prayer known as Damodarastaka, which has been spoken by the sage Satyavrata and which attracts Lord Damodara.
Lyrics for Damodarastakam: http://kksongs.org/songs/n/namamisvaram.html
Audio Link: Damodarastakam
Sloka Time: Many kids recited "raja vidya raja guhyam" sloka very nicely. We appreciate the efforts of the parents to teach the kids. Thank You!!!
Story Time: Radhika Mataji narrated some of the butter stealing pasttimes of Lord Sri Krsna.
Lord Krsna and Madhumangal would dress up as tax collectors and order the gopi's to give butter as tax.
Once, Krsna along with his friends stole butter from Mother Prabhavathy and she caught him red-handed and took him by his hand to Mother Yashoda to teach Krsna a lesson. When she went to Mother Yashoda, Krsna turned himself into Mother Prabhavathy's son Chandra and Mother Yashoda told her not to be hard on Chandra. Mother Prabhavathy was totally confused and when she took her son back home, he turned into Krsna. Krsna said that she, Mother Prabhavathy makes the best butter and He would always come to eat it.
Krsna does all these pasttimes to attract his devotees.
We concluded the class with Krsna coloring pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Dear Parents,
We miss many of our kids in the Sunday class. Thank you to all the parents for bringing the children.
This week,
Prayers & Bhajans: Kids sang " he krsna " prayer and "Jaya Radha " bhajan very nicely. We will learn Damodarastakam during this month and start new prayers and sloka next month.
The beautiful Damodarastakam prayers are traditionally sung during the auspicious month of Kartik. It is accompanied by lighting and offering lamps to the Lord. These 8 verses describe the unique pastimes of Lord Damodara. The month of Kartik is also known as Damodara. Damodara is a name of Krishna which refers to His childhood pastimes of getting into trouble and being bound by his mother. In the month of Kartika one should worship Lord Damodara and daily recite the prayer known as Damodarastaka, which has been spoken by the sage Satyavrata and which attracts Lord Damodara.
Lyrics for Damodarastakam: http://kksongs.org/songs/n/namamisvaram.html
Sloka Time: Many kids recited "raja vidya raja guhyam" sloka very nicely. We appreciate the efforts of the parents to teach the kids. Thank You!!!
Story Time: Radhika Mataji narrated some of the butter stealing pasttimes of Lord Sri Krsna.
Lord Krsna and Madhumangal would dress up as tax collectors and order the gopi's to give butter as tax.
Once, Krsna along with his friends stole butter from Mother Prabhavathy and she caught him red-handed and took him by his hand to Mother Yashoda to teach Krsna a lesson. When she went to Mother Yashoda, Krsna turned himself into Mother Prabhavathy's son Chandra and Mother Yashoda told her not to be hard on Chandra. Mother Prabhavathy was totally confused and when she took her son back home, he turned into Krsna. Krsna said that she, Mother Prabhavathy makes the best butter and He would always come to eat it.
Krsna does all these pasttimes to attract his devotees.
We concluded the class with Krsna coloring pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Most important Treasure
Hare Krsna!!
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing your kids to Sunday school for their spiritual advancement. We were so happy to see many kids voluntarily coming forward to recite sloka and sing the bhajan.
This week,
Prayers & Bhajans: We offered our humble prayers to Lord Sri Krsna and we sang the Jaya Radha Madhav bhajan.
[Note: Please refer to the old posts for the prayer and bhajan lyrics and audio links.]
Sloka: We revised all the slokas and learned BG (9:2)
[Note: Please refer to the old posts for the sloka lyrics and audio links.]
Story time: We read "A magical touch-stone" book.
Gopi was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and never worked in his life. His wife Laxmi got angry with her husband, over not having enough to eat, live. So, she sent him out of the house to work and bring money. As he never worked, he didn't know what to do. So, he again prayed to Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva asked him to go to Vrndavan and meet the saint Sanatana Goswami.
Gopi journeyed to Vrndavan and offered his respects to Sanatana Goswami and asked to help him. Sanatana Goswami sent Gopi to the back of his house to find a magical stone, which would turn anything into gold, in his trash. Gopi thanked him after finding the magical stone and went back to his wife and became very wealthy.
One day, his wife had a doubt how could one keep a magical touch stone in their trash and wondered what other big treasure the saint had in his home. So, she again sent Gopi to ask the saint for the more important treasure in his house. Gopi went to Sanatana Goswami's house and asked for it. The Saint then asked him to throw away the magical touch-stone and gave him the most wonderful, important treasure which is the holy name of the Lord.
"Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare"
Chanting the holy name, Gopi went back to his home and told his wife about the most important treasure, the saint had given him. Realizing the truth, his wife also joined her husband in chanting the holy name of the Lord and lived happily.
We concluded the class with Krsna coloring picture.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing your kids to Sunday school for their spiritual advancement. We were so happy to see many kids voluntarily coming forward to recite sloka and sing the bhajan.
This week,
Prayers & Bhajans: We offered our humble prayers to Lord Sri Krsna and we sang the Jaya Radha Madhav bhajan.
[Note: Please refer to the old posts for the prayer and bhajan lyrics and audio links.]
Sloka: We revised all the slokas and learned BG (9:2)
[Note: Please refer to the old posts for the sloka lyrics and audio links.]
Story time: We read "A magical touch-stone" book.
Gopi was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva and never worked in his life. His wife Laxmi got angry with her husband, over not having enough to eat, live. So, she sent him out of the house to work and bring money. As he never worked, he didn't know what to do. So, he again prayed to Lord Shiva and Lord Shiva asked him to go to Vrndavan and meet the saint Sanatana Goswami.
Gopi journeyed to Vrndavan and offered his respects to Sanatana Goswami and asked to help him. Sanatana Goswami sent Gopi to the back of his house to find a magical stone, which would turn anything into gold, in his trash. Gopi thanked him after finding the magical stone and went back to his wife and became very wealthy.
One day, his wife had a doubt how could one keep a magical touch stone in their trash and wondered what other big treasure the saint had in his home. So, she again sent Gopi to ask the saint for the more important treasure in his house. Gopi went to Sanatana Goswami's house and asked for it. The Saint then asked him to throw away the magical touch-stone and gave him the most wonderful, important treasure which is the holy name of the Lord.
"Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare"
Chanting the holy name, Gopi went back to his home and told his wife about the most important treasure, the saint had given him. Realizing the truth, his wife also joined her husband in chanting the holy name of the Lord and lived happily.
We concluded the class with Krsna coloring picture.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Narad Muni's Past Life
Hare Krishna!!!
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing the kids and your support in their enthusiasm. We would like all the kids to learn their slokas and recite in the next class. We really appreciate your help.
Prayers & Bhajans:
We learned 'Jaya Radha Madhav ' bhajan. Parents, please let the kids hear the audio of the bhajan a few times and they will be able to sing in the class.
Audio link for the bhajan : Jaya Radha Madhava
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing the kids and your support in their enthusiasm. We would like all the kids to learn their slokas and recite in the next class. We really appreciate your help.
Prayers & Bhajans:
We learned 'Jaya Radha Madhav ' bhajan. Parents, please let the kids hear the audio of the bhajan a few times and they will be able to sing in the class.
Audio link for the bhajan : Jaya Radha Madhava
jaya rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī
gopī-jana-vallabhagiri-vara-dhārī
yaśodā-nandana braja-jana-rañjana
yāmuna-tīra-vana-cārī
gopī-jana-vallabhagiri-vara-dhārī
yaśodā-nandana braja-jana-rañjana
yāmuna-tīra-vana-cārī
Sloka: We started learning a new sloka BG (9:2)
raja-vidya raja-guhyam
pavitram idam uttamam
pratyaksaavagamam dharmyam
su-sukham kartum avyayam
Audio Link : BGSloka9.2
Bhagavad-Gita
Link:If
you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit
http://vedabase.com/en/bg/9/2
[Note:
Please refer to the old posts for the previous slokas and
stories.]
Story: We heard the previous life of Narada Muni and how he came to be a transcendental space man.
In his previous life, Narada Muni was the son of a maidservant working in a brahmana's house. Narada was a five year old boy. Once in the rainy season, several sages of Lord Vishnu asked and received shelter from the brahmana's house. Narada's mother was assigned to take care of their needs during the four months they stayed. Narada would also help his mother by delivering their food to them and clean their rooms.
Whenever the sages discussed the past times of Lord Krsna, Narada would eagerly hear and wanted to hear more. Once, when he was taking away the sages leftover foods(prasadam that had been offered to Lord Vishnu), Narada asked them if he could eat them. The sages agreed and Narada ate their leftovers and all his karmic punishments had been erased. At the end of the rainy sesaon, the holy men left to other holy places.
When Narada's mother died of a snake bite, he left the brahmin's house to become a sincere devotee of the Lord. He passed through many cities, towns, forests, hills and mountains. After awhile, he felt thirsty and hungry and he soon came upon a lake and after bathing in it and drinking the water, he felt refreshed. He sat under the large banyan tree near the lake and meditated upon the Lord(Supersoul) in his heart.
Narada immediately saw Lord Krsna in his heart and was filled with tremendous happiness. But, the Lord immediately disappeared from his heart leaving him with extreme grief.
Seeing Narada's grief, the Lord said that Narada would not be able to see him for the rest of his life. It was because Narada was incomplete in his devotional service and he would be able to see him when he became completely pure. So, from then on Narada remembered and chanted the Lord's name and glories and at the end of his life, he became a complete pure devotee. The Lord then awarded him a transcendental spiritual body full of knowledge and bliss.
By the grace of Lord Krsna, Narada travels everywhere without restriction both in the material and spiritual worlds performing devotional service to the Lord. Wherever Narada travels, he always sings God's glories and plays devotional music on his vina. It was given to him by Lord Krsna himself.
Narada's message to all of us are. Chant his holy name and become completely free form all anxieties and miseries of this material world.
" Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare"
We concluded the class with Narada Muni's coloring picture.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the class.
Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha Mataji
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
The Brahmin and the Cobbler
Hare Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
We are happy that many kids reciting the sloka with great interest and enthusiasm. We would like all the kids in our class to know the sloka and Parents, please help the kids learn their slokas. Also, during bedtime, you can ask them to recite the story that they have heard this week.
We are happy that many kids reciting the sloka with great interest and enthusiasm. We would like all the kids in our class to know the sloka and Parents, please help the kids learn their slokas. Also, during bedtime, you can ask them to recite the story that they have heard this week.
This week,
PRAYERS & BHAJANS: We started the class with prayers to Lord Krsna and we are
still learning Jaya Radha Madhava bhajan.
jaya rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī
gopī-jana-vallabhagiri-vara-dhārī
gopī-jana-vallabhagiri-vara-dhārī
yaśodā-nandana braja-jana-rañjana
yāmuna-tīra-vana-cārī
yāmuna-tīra-vana-cārī
Audio Link: Jaya Radha Madhava Bhajan
SLOKA: We revised the previously taught sloka BG(8:6)
Bhagavad-Gita Link:If you would like to know more about this verse
and its purport, please visit http://vedabase.com/en/bg/8/6
[Note: Please refer to the old
posts for the previous slokas and stories.]
STORY: Radhika Mataji narrated
The Brahmin and the Cobbler story very nicely.
Narada Muni traveled all over the universe
singing the glories of Lord Krishna. On one such journey to earth, he met a
brahmin priest.
The brahmin was a proud man. He had just finished his daily rituals when Narada Muni met him. He said to Narada Muni, "Namaste, Oh Naradaji". Narad Muni blessed him saying,"May your life be successful." "Oh Brahmin". The arrogant brahmin asked Narada Muni , "since you travel all over the universe, will you be visiting Vaikuntha soon? If so, will you please ask Lord Narayana when I will join Him there? I am sure it will be soon. But I just want to make sure".
The brahmin was a proud man. He had just finished his daily rituals when Narada Muni met him. He said to Narada Muni, "Namaste, Oh Naradaji". Narad Muni blessed him saying,"May your life be successful." "Oh Brahmin". The arrogant brahmin asked Narada Muni , "since you travel all over the universe, will you be visiting Vaikuntha soon? If so, will you please ask Lord Narayana when I will join Him there? I am sure it will be soon. But I just want to make sure".
Narada Muni agreed that he
would ask Lord Narayana.
As Narada proceeded, he met a
cobbler who was sitting under a tree mending shoes, and the cobbler bowed down
to Narada Muni's feet and similarly asked , “Oh! Narada Ji! Are you going to
see God? Will you please inquire from Him when I'll be able to see Him?”
Narada Muni said he would
definitely ask the Lord when next he sees Him.
Then Narada Muni went to
Vaikunta and met Lord Narayana and mentioned about the wishes of the Brahmin
and the Cobbler. Lord Narayana then told Narada Muni that the Brahmin will
return to Him only after one hundred lifetimes while the Cobbler will see Him
at the end of this present life.
Narada Muni was surprised
because the Brahmin is supposed to be elevated than the lowly cobbler who mends
shoes from the skin of dead animals. Lord Narayana understood what was going on
in Narada Muni's mind and addressed him, "When you meet them they will ask
you, what was I (Lord Narayana) doing when you met me. Tell them I was
threading an elephant through the eye of a needle".
When Narada Muni
returned to earth and met the Brahmin, he told him that Lord Narayana said hw
would have to wait a hundred lifetimes before he went to Vaikunta. It was
unbelievable for the Brahamin that he had to wait hundred lifetimes before
returning to Vaikunta. He said, " I don't believe this. I am a brahmana
and know all the vedas and do my rituals everyday without fail and you say I
have to wait hundred lifetimes." But, did you even meet him and What was
He doing?” “ Narada Muni answered that Lord Narayana was passing an elephant
through the eye of the needle,” . “What, How ridiculous! Is it possible to pass
an elephant through the eye of the needle and this shows that you did not see
him", the Brahmin replied.
Narada then went to see the cobbler and told him that he would be returning to
Vaikunta at the end of this life time. The cobbler was very happy and said that
the Lord is so merciful that he will take me back at the end of this life.
Then, he asked Narada Muni about the Lord and what was He doing?. Narada Muni replied that He
was passing an elephant through the eye of the needle.
The cobbler began to weep.
“Oh! My Lord is so wonderful, He can do anything.” Narada Muni was surprised to
hear the cobbler's words and asked him, “Do you really believe that the Lord
can pass an elephant through the eye of a needle?”. The cobbler said, “Of
course I do.” “How is that?” Narada asked. The cobbler answered, “I am sitting
under this banyan tree, and you can see that so many fruits are falling daily,
each fruit have seeds in it and in each seed there is a banyan tree like this
one. If the Lord can put a big tree like this within a small seed, then why it
is difficult to accept that the Lord is passing an elephant through the eye of
a needle?''
Now, seeing the difference
between the proud faithless Brahmin and the humble cobbler with his complete faith,
Narada Muni understood the judgement of Lord Narayana.
We concluded the class with the
Narada, the Brahmin and the Cobbler coloring pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all
of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Amutha Mataji
Radhika Mataji
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Radharani's Pearl Story
Hare
Krsna!!!
Dear
Parents,
Many kids recited the "anta kale" sloka last week very nicely. Thanks to parents for encouraging their child to learn the sloka. Please let the kids hear the audio of the sloka and bhajan for few times and this will help them to recite in the class. We are eagerly waiting for the next class so we could hear many more kids reciting the sloka.
Many kids recited the "anta kale" sloka last week very nicely. Thanks to parents for encouraging their child to learn the sloka. Please let the kids hear the audio of the sloka and bhajan for few times and this will help them to recite in the class. We are eagerly waiting for the next class so we could hear many more kids reciting the sloka.
This week,
Prayers
& Bhajans:
We started the class with
prayers to Lord Krsna and we learned few lines of Jaya Radha Madhava bhajan.
jaya rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī
gopī-jana-vallabha giri-vara-dhārī
gopī-jana-vallabha giri-vara-dhārī
yaśodā-nandana braja-jana-rañjana
yāmuna-tīra-vana-cārī
yāmuna-tīra-vana-cārī
Audio Link: Jaya Radha Madhava Bhajan
SLOKA :
We started learning a new sloka
BG(8:6)
Audio
Link:
BGSloka8.6
Bhagavad-Gita
Link:
If
you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit
http://vedabase.com/en/bg/8/6
STORY : Radhika Mataji narrated Radharani's pearl story very nicely.
Once, the gopis came to a place (Malyahari Kunda) to celebrate a festival. Krishna came to the pond and saw gopis sitting near water stringing pearls into necklaces.
Krishna asked them, " My dear gopis, please give me some pearls to decorate my favorite cows Harini and Harshini. They should also look good for the festival. But the gopis said "No, no, you can't have our pearls".
Krishna says " Please, give me some pearls, I'm not asking much".
Lalitha said "we don't have even one pearl suitable for your cows".
Krishna thought ' How can I get some pearls to decorate my thousands of cows?' So He went to Mother Yasoda and asked, 'Mother, please give me some of your pearls. I want to plant them in the garden.'
She laughed gently and said,' Krishna, my darling boy, you can't grow a garden of pearls. Everyone knows that pearls come from oysters.'
'Please, Mother, I will make a very nice garden of pearl plants. After all, I've watched the gardeners plant seeds in Father's fields and later harvest many vegetables, fruits and flowers.'
Mother Yasoda thought for a while and finally said with a smile,' All right, Krishna, my naughty boy, here are some pearls. But I can't understand why I always give You what you want.'
Krishna went with his friend Madhumangala to find a spot on the bank of the river Yamuna to plant pearls. When they picked a spot clear of trees, bushed and ready for planting, the boys pushed the beautiful pearls beneath the soil, one by one. Krishna then asked Madhumangala to get some milk from gopis to pour it for the pearl garden instead of water. Then Madhumangala went to gopis and asked them "Please give me some milk for Krishna's pearls garden' they laughed at his request. Then Krishna asked him to go to Mather Yasoda to get milk. Mather Yasoda gave some milk to him.
After a few days, some small shoots grew. Krishna called the gopis to come and see His work. When they saw the garden, the gopis laughed and told Krishna, They're not pearl creepers! They're just thorn shoots!'
After few days the delicate shoots soon turned into healthy, fragrant creepers. And amazingly, these
vines began growing the biggest, most beautiful pearls.
After seeing these pearls, the gopis wanted some of these pearls. But Krishna didn't give them even one pearl. So they want to grow a bigger pearl garden than Krishna's. So each of them went home and collected all the pearls they could find. Then all the gopis came together and planed the pearls in a field. They watered the pearl garden 3 times a day with milk, Ghee and butter. But not even one pearl tree grew, just thorn trees grew. Krishna then went with his friends and laughed at gopis. To tease them he decorated the cows, buffalo, goats, sheep and monkeys with the pearl necklace. But Krishna did not give the gopis even one pearl.
The gopis thinking that their elders would punish them for taking all the pearls from home, they asked Krishna to give some pearls for that they would pay pot of Gold. But Krishna refused to give. Gopis disappointed and left that place. After that Krishna made nice necklaces and kept them in the boxes with the gopis name on the boxes. Krishna gave the fist box to Radharani and then sent a box with pearl necklace to each of the gopis. In return, Radharani sent Krishna some scented garlands, betel nut, and some delicious food that she personally cooked.
We concluded the class with Radharani's coloring picture.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Gopala Class Teachers
Amutha Mataji
Radhika Mataji
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Ajamila -Part 2
Hare
Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
We were so happy to see all the kids and their enthusiasm. Many kids very nicely recited the sloka.
This week,
PRAYERS : We started the class with prayers to Lord Krsna.
PRAYERS : We started the class with prayers to Lord Krsna.
he
krsna karunaa-sindho diina-bandho jagat-pate
gopesa gopikaa-kaanta raadhaa-kaanta namo'stu te
SLOKA TIME: We revised the last week sloka BG(8:5)
anta-kāle ca mām eva
gopesa gopikaa-kaanta raadhaa-kaanta namo'stu te
SLOKA TIME: We revised the last week sloka BG(8:5)
yāti nāsty atra saḿśayaḥ
Audio
Link:
Please let the kids hear
the sloka for few times and they can recite very easily in the class http://kids.iskcondesiretree.info/Audio/03_-_Sloka_recitation_by_5_year_old_Samhita/Bhagavad_Gita_108_Important/Ch%208%20Attaining%20the%20Supreme/BG%208.5.MP3Bhagavad-Gita Link: If you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit http://vedabase.com/en/bg/8/5
STORY TIME: We continued the story of Ajamila from last week.
When Ajamila called for his son "Narayana..Narayana..."helplessly without any other motive, four Vishnudutas came and ordered the Yamadutas to stop. But the Yamadutas said that Ajamila did not follow values in his life and they need to take him to their King Yamaraj.
Smiling, the Vishnudutas said that since Ajamila called out one of God's names- Narayana, he had been excused. The Yamadutas were completely confused and went to their King, Yamaraj, who explained to his servants that he himself is a servant of Lord Vishnu and in the future they should not go near a person, if they call out one of Lord's names like Ajamila.
Ajamila realized that Vishnudutas had saved him, he bowed his head at the Vishnuduta's feet. Then, just as he was about to say something to the Vishnudutas, they suddenly disappeared.
Ajamila understood why he was so fortunate, why he named his son Narayana. Its all because of devotional service that he performed in his young age. Then Ajamila, went to a Vishnu temple in Hardwar and practiced bhakti.
After some time, as Ajamila sat chanting God's holy name on the bank of Ganges river, he again saw the four Vishnudutas in their golden airplane. Then, Ajamila happily went with them to Vaikunta.
We
concluded the class with the coloring of Ajamila and Vishnudutas picture.
Looking
forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Amutha Mataji
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)