Hare Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
We are happy to see all the kids participating nicely in the class. Thank you for bringing your kids regularly to Sunday Gopala class and we are happy to see more new kids. Welcome!!!.
This week,
PRAYERS : We started the class with prayers to understand and apply the knowledge of Lord Krsna in our daily life.
Here are the prayers and the translations listed for all the newcomers.
Guru Prayer:
om ajnana -timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaḿyena
tasmai sri-gurave namah
Translation: I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.
Lord Krsna:
he krsna karunaa-sindho
diina-bandho jagat-pate
gopesa gopikaa-kaanta
raadhaa-kaanta namo'stu te
Translation: O my dear Krsna, You are the friend of the distressed and the source of creation. You are the master of the gopis and the lover of Radharani. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
Radharani:
tapta-kanchana-gaurāńgi
radhe vṛndā vaneśvari
vṛṣabhānu-sute devi
praṇamāmi hari-priye
TRANSLATION: I offer my respects to Rādhārāṇī, whose bodily complexion is like molten gold and who is the Queen 0f Vrindavana. You are the daughter of King Vṛṣabhānu, and You are very dear to Lord Krsna.
SLOKA : Radhika Mataji taught the Bhagavad-Gita Sloka from Chapter 4: verse 10
vita - raga-bhaya-krodha
man-maya mam upasritah
bahavo jnana-tapasa
puta mad-bhavam agatah
TRANSLATION: Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me — and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.
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%204TranscendentalKnowledge/BG4.10.MP3
Bhagavad-Gita Link: If you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit http://vedabase.net/bg/4/10/en
(Note: Please refer to the old posts for all the previously taught slokas and their translations.)
STORY TIME: We heard another pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu where He shows mercy to even worst sinners.
Story of Jagai and Madhai: On the request of Lord Chaitanya, Lord Nityananda went door to door in Navadvipa to preach to everyone to worship Lord Krsna, to chant the holy name and study the teachings of the Lord. Once while preaching, Lord Nityananda came across Jagai and Madhai who were drunkards, meat-eaters and violent criminals. Being very compassionate, Lord Nityananda requested Jagai and Madhai to chant the holy name of Krsna. But Madhai threw a piece of broken pot at Nityananda, which hit Him on the head and caused bleeding. Then Jagai tried to hold Madhai from committing more violence.
When Lord Chaitanya heard about the attack on Lord Nityananda, He rushed to the spot with his Sudarsana Chakra to kill Jagai and Madhai. Seeing the Lord's anger, Lord Nityananda begged Lord Chaitanya not to kill them and said that they have killed demons in other incarnations but now they have come only to save all fallen and worst sinners. Then Lord Chaitanya forgave them on one condition that they should not commit anymore sins and chant the holy name of the Lord. There after, Jagai and Madhai became exalted devotees of the Lord.
Finally, we concluded the class with Narasimha prayer(Please visit the previous post for the prayer) and coloring pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Radhika Mataji
Monika Mataji
Amutha Mataji
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Caitanya Mahaprabhu childhood pastimes - 2
Hare Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing your kids regularly to Sunday Gopala class.
This week,
PRAYERS : We sang prayers to receive the blessings of the Lord.
SLOKA : Radhika Mataji taught the Bhagavad-Gita Sloka from Chapter 4: verse 10
vita - raga-bhaya-krodha
man-maya mam upasritah
bahavo jnana-tapasa
puta mad-bhavam agatah
TRANSLATION: Being freed from attachment, fear and anger, being fully absorbed in Me and taking refuge in Me, many, many persons in the past became purified by knowledge of Me — and thus they all attained transcendental love for Me.
Bhagavad-Gita Link: If you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit http://vedabase.net/bg/4/10/en
(Note: Please refer to the previous posts for the prayers and their translations.)
Game Time: Monika Mataji conducted “ Krsna says” game which all the kids enjoyed very much.
STORY TIME: Radhika Mataji told some of the childhood pastimes of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Brahmana story:
A brahmana who was touring all over the country, traveling from one place of pilgrimage to another, reached Navadvipa and became a guest in the house of Jagannatha Misra. Jagannatha Misra gave him all ingredients for cooking, and the brahmana prepared his food. When the brahmana was offering the food to Lord Visnu in meditation, child Nimai came before him and began to eat it, and because of this the brahmana thought the whole offering had been spoiled. Therefore by the request of Jagannatha Misra he cooked for a second time, but when he was meditating the child again came before him and began to eat the food, again spoiling the offering. By the request of Jagannatha Misra the brahmana cooked for a third time, but for a third time the Lord came before him and began to eat the food, although the child had been locked within a room and everyone was sleeping because it was late at night. Thus, thinking that on that day Lord Visnu was not willing to accept his food and that he was therefore ordained to fast, the brahmana became greatly agitated and cried aloud, Alas: "What has been done! What has been done!" When Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw the brahmana in that agitated state, He told him, "Formerly I was the son of mother Yasoda. At that time also you became a guest in the house of Nanda Maharaj, and I disturbed you in this way. I am very much pleased by your devotion. Therefore I am eating the food you have prepared." Understanding the favor offered to him by the Lord, the brahmana was greatly pleased, and he was overwhelmed with love of Krsna. He was thankful to the Lord, for he felt himself greatly fortunate. Then the Lord asked the brahmana not to disclose the incident to anyone else.
A brahmana who was touring all over the country, traveling from one place of pilgrimage to another, reached Navadvipa and became a guest in the house of Jagannatha Misra. Jagannatha Misra gave him all ingredients for cooking, and the brahmana prepared his food. When the brahmana was offering the food to Lord Visnu in meditation, child Nimai came before him and began to eat it, and because of this the brahmana thought the whole offering had been spoiled. Therefore by the request of Jagannatha Misra he cooked for a second time, but when he was meditating the child again came before him and began to eat the food, again spoiling the offering. By the request of Jagannatha Misra the brahmana cooked for a third time, but for a third time the Lord came before him and began to eat the food, although the child had been locked within a room and everyone was sleeping because it was late at night. Thus, thinking that on that day Lord Visnu was not willing to accept his food and that he was therefore ordained to fast, the brahmana became greatly agitated and cried aloud, Alas: "What has been done! What has been done!" When Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu saw the brahmana in that agitated state, He told him, "Formerly I was the son of mother Yasoda. At that time also you became a guest in the house of Nanda Maharaj, and I disturbed you in this way. I am very much pleased by your devotion. Therefore I am eating the food you have prepared." Understanding the favor offered to him by the Lord, the brahmana was greatly pleased, and he was overwhelmed with love of Krsna. He was thankful to the Lord, for he felt himself greatly fortunate. Then the Lord asked the brahmana not to disclose the incident to anyone else.
Finally, we concluded the class with coloring pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Radhika Mataji
Monika Mataji
Amutha Mataji
Monday, February 20, 2012
Caitanya Mahaprabhu's childhood pastime
Hare Krsna!!!!
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing your kids to Sunday Gopala class. We kindly request all the parents to bring their kids regularly, so that they may grow spiritually strong
PRAYER: One of our youngest student, Advaith led the class with the prayers. It was very nice to see such enthusiasm in our kids to sing to the Lord.
SLOKA: We revised most of the previously taught slokas.
(For links, please refer to the old posts)
STORY TIME: We heard a very nice childhood pastime of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
When Caitanya Mahaprabhu was a child, He was called Nimai and His mom Saci would beautifully decorate Him with gold ornaments. Once, when the Lord was laying outside His house, two thieves saw the Lord with all the gold ornaments and thought to rob Him. So, they took Him on their shoulders giving Him some sweets. The thieves thought that they would carry the child to the forest and then kill Him and take away the ornaments. The Lord, however knew their minds and showed His power so that instead of carrying Him to the forest, they came right back in front of His house. When the theives came before Nimai's house, they saw that everyone was busy searching for the child. So the thieves being afraid to be caught, left Nimai and ran away. Then the child was taken inside the house and given to mother Saci, who was very happy to see Nimai unharmed.
Before concluding the class with coloring activity, we sang Narasimha prayer.
Nrsimha Prayer: Lord Nrsimha is the incarnation of Lord Krsna who appeared to protect his young devotee Prahlada. He appeared as half-man half-lion and killed the envious, atheistic demon, Hiranyakashipu. Devotees pray to Lord Nrsimhadeva for protection.
namas te narasimhaya
prahladahlada-dayine
hiranyakashipor vaksaha
shila-tanka-nakhalaye
I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stonelike chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu.
ito nrisimhah parato nrisimho
yato yato yami tato nrisimhah
bahir nrisimho hrdaye nrisimho
nrisimham adim sharanam prapadye
Lord Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrsimha is there. he is within the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrsimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.
tava kara-kamala vare
nakham adbhuta-shringam
dalita-hiranyakashipu-tanu bhrigam
keshava dhrita-narahari-rupa
jaya jagadisha hare
O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of
half-man, half-lion! All glories to you! Just as one can easily crush a wasp
between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasplike demon
Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on your
beautiful lotus hands.
Please visit this link for the Narasimha prayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMYPhd_IzL4&feature=related
Looking forward to seeing you all in the next class.
Haribol!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Radhika Mataji
Amutha Mataji
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing your kids to Sunday Gopala class. We kindly request all the parents to bring their kids regularly, so that they may grow spiritually strong
PRAYER: One of our youngest student, Advaith led the class with the prayers. It was very nice to see such enthusiasm in our kids to sing to the Lord.
SLOKA: We revised most of the previously taught slokas.
(For links, please refer to the old posts)
STORY TIME: We heard a very nice childhood pastime of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
When Caitanya Mahaprabhu was a child, He was called Nimai and His mom Saci would beautifully decorate Him with gold ornaments. Once, when the Lord was laying outside His house, two thieves saw the Lord with all the gold ornaments and thought to rob Him. So, they took Him on their shoulders giving Him some sweets. The thieves thought that they would carry the child to the forest and then kill Him and take away the ornaments. The Lord, however knew their minds and showed His power so that instead of carrying Him to the forest, they came right back in front of His house. When the theives came before Nimai's house, they saw that everyone was busy searching for the child. So the thieves being afraid to be caught, left Nimai and ran away. Then the child was taken inside the house and given to mother Saci, who was very happy to see Nimai unharmed.
Before concluding the class with coloring activity, we sang Narasimha prayer.
Nrsimha Prayer: Lord Nrsimha is the incarnation of Lord Krsna who appeared to protect his young devotee Prahlada. He appeared as half-man half-lion and killed the envious, atheistic demon, Hiranyakashipu. Devotees pray to Lord Nrsimhadeva for protection.
namas te narasimhaya
prahladahlada-dayine
hiranyakashipor vaksaha
shila-tanka-nakhalaye
I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stonelike chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu.
ito nrisimhah parato nrisimho
yato yato yami tato nrisimhah
bahir nrisimho hrdaye nrisimho
nrisimham adim sharanam prapadye
Lord Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrsimha is there. he is within the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrsimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.
tava kara-kamala vare
nakham adbhuta-shringam
dalita-hiranyakashipu-tanu bhrigam
keshava dhrita-narahari-rupa
jaya jagadisha hare
O Kesava! O Lord of the universe! O Lord Hari, who have assumed the form of
half-man, half-lion! All glories to you! Just as one can easily crush a wasp
between one's fingernails, so in the same way the body of the wasplike demon
Hiranyakasipu has been ripped apart by the wonderful pointed nails on your
beautiful lotus hands.
Please visit this link for the Narasimha prayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMYPhd_IzL4&feature=related
Looking forward to seeing you all in the next class.
Haribol!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Radhika Mataji
Amutha Mataji
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Origin of Radha-kund and Syama kund
Hare Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing your kids regularly to Sunday Gopala class.
This week,
PRAYERS : We sang Guru prayer thanking him for giving us knowledge, Lord Shri Krsna and Srimati Radharani seeking their blessings and guidance to become knowledgeable good devotees of the Lord.
SLOKA : Radhika Mataji taught the Bhagavad-Gita Sloka from Chapter 4: verse 11
ye yatha mam prapadyante
tāms tathaiva bhajāmy aham
mama vartmānu vartante
manusyah partha sarvasah
TRANSLATION : As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Prtha.
Audio Link: http://kids.iskcondesiretree.info/Audio/03_-_Sloka_recitation_by_5_year_old_Samhita/Bhagavad_Gita_108_Important/Ch%204TranscendentalKnowledge/BG4.11.MP3
Bhagavad-Gita Link : If you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit http://vedabase.net/bg/4/11/en
(Note: Please refer to the previous posts for the prayers and their translations.)
Game Time: Monika Mataji conducted “ Krsna says” game which all the kids enjoyed very much.
STORY TIME: We heard the slaying of Aristasura and the origin of Radha-kund and Syama-kund.
Slaying of Aristasura: The demon Aristasura came to Vrindavan in the form of a bull, making the earth tremble with his hooves. Ariṣṭāsura bellowed very harshly and pawed the ground and began to tear up everything with the tips of his horns. When the gopas and gopis saw the demon, they were very terrified. Everyone including the animals cried ‘Krsna, Krsna!’ for help.
When the Supreme Lord saw everyone being scared, He calmed them, saying, "Don't be afraid." He slapped His arms with His palms making a loud sound which angered Aristasura. The Lord then put His arm over the shoulder of a friend and stood facing the demon. The demon charged towards Lord Krsna, but the Supreme Lord Krsna caught Ariṣṭāsura by the horns and threw him back. Aristasura got up breathing hard and sweating, again charged the Lord. As Aristasura attacked, Lord Krsna seized him by the horns and knocked him to the ground with His foot. Finally, He yanked out one of the demon's horns and struck him with it until the demon died.
The demigods honored Lord Krsna by showering flowers upon Him.
Origin of Radha-kund and Syama-Kund:
Radha and other young gopīs said to Lord Krsna that even though Aristasura was a terrible demon, he was a male cow, so now Lord Krsna has to purify Himself by visiting every single holy place.
Lord Krsna said that He would bring all the holy places there and take His bath, so He struck His heel on the ground. There formed a pond and when the supreme Lord called, all the holy places came to the pond. There were ocean of milk, Sindhu, Sona, Tamraparni, Sarasvati, Godavari, Yamuna, Ganga and many others.
After bathing in the holy waters, Lord Hari said to the gopis that they must now purify themselves by taking bath in the holy water. But Radharani said that she is going to create an even more beautiful pond and started digging where Aristsura’s hooves had made a ditch. When Lord Krsna saw that a beautiful pond has been created, he told the gopis that they now have to fill the pond with waters from His pond. But Radharani replied that Krsna’s pond is contaminated by His bath, so they are going to fill their lake with the pure water of Ganga.
Lord Krsna then gestured to the representative of all the holy places. That person rose up out of Krsna’s pond and bowed down to Radharani saying that they came to Krsna’s pond on His order and they would feel satisfied if Radharani would make their wish come true. Hearing this prayer by the representative of all the holy places, Radharani asked them to tell their wish. They told Her that their desire is to come to Radharani’s pond. Smiling, Radharani pleased all the holy places by asking them to come to Her pond.
Lord Hari then said to Radharani that Her pond would be more famous than His and He would come to Radha-kund to take bath and to enjoy His pastimes. He also said that Radha’s pond would be as dear to Him as Radharani
Herself.
Radharani replied that she would also go to bathe in Krsna’s pond and whoever takes bath or stays there would become very dear to Her.
Practical Application:
1. Let’s visit these holy places when we go to India to get the blessings of Srimati Radharani and Shri Krsna.
2. Let’s all develop love for the Supreme Lord by listening to His pastimes and visiting His holy places.
SrimadBhagavatam Book link: Slaying of Arista http://vedabase.net/sb/10/36/en
Finally, we concluded the class with coloring pictures. All the kids were happy to show their colorful pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Radhika Mataji
Monika Mataji
Amutha Mataji
Dear Parents,
Thank you for bringing your kids regularly to Sunday Gopala class.
This week,
PRAYERS : We sang Guru prayer thanking him for giving us knowledge, Lord Shri Krsna and Srimati Radharani seeking their blessings and guidance to become knowledgeable good devotees of the Lord.
SLOKA : Radhika Mataji taught the Bhagavad-Gita Sloka from Chapter 4: verse 11
ye yatha mam prapadyante
tāms tathaiva bhajāmy aham
mama vartmānu vartante
manusyah partha sarvasah
TRANSLATION : As all surrender unto Me, I reward them accordingly. Everyone follows My path in all respects, O son of Prtha.
Audio Link: http://kids.iskcondesiretree.info/Audio/03_-_Sloka_recitation_by_5_year_old_Samhita/Bhagavad_Gita_108_Important/Ch%204TranscendentalKnowledge/BG4.11.MP3
Bhagavad-Gita Link : If you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit http://vedabase.net/bg/4/11/en
(Note: Please refer to the previous posts for the prayers and their translations.)
Game Time: Monika Mataji conducted “ Krsna says” game which all the kids enjoyed very much.
STORY TIME: We heard the slaying of Aristasura and the origin of Radha-kund and Syama-kund.
Slaying of Aristasura: The demon Aristasura came to Vrindavan in the form of a bull, making the earth tremble with his hooves. Ariṣṭāsura bellowed very harshly and pawed the ground and began to tear up everything with the tips of his horns. When the gopas and gopis saw the demon, they were very terrified. Everyone including the animals cried ‘Krsna, Krsna!’ for help.
When the Supreme Lord saw everyone being scared, He calmed them, saying, "Don't be afraid." He slapped His arms with His palms making a loud sound which angered Aristasura. The Lord then put His arm over the shoulder of a friend and stood facing the demon. The demon charged towards Lord Krsna, but the Supreme Lord Krsna caught Ariṣṭāsura by the horns and threw him back. Aristasura got up breathing hard and sweating, again charged the Lord. As Aristasura attacked, Lord Krsna seized him by the horns and knocked him to the ground with His foot. Finally, He yanked out one of the demon's horns and struck him with it until the demon died.
The demigods honored Lord Krsna by showering flowers upon Him.
Origin of Radha-kund and Syama-Kund:
Radha and other young gopīs said to Lord Krsna that even though Aristasura was a terrible demon, he was a male cow, so now Lord Krsna has to purify Himself by visiting every single holy place.
Lord Krsna said that He would bring all the holy places there and take His bath, so He struck His heel on the ground. There formed a pond and when the supreme Lord called, all the holy places came to the pond. There were ocean of milk, Sindhu, Sona, Tamraparni, Sarasvati, Godavari, Yamuna, Ganga and many others.
After bathing in the holy waters, Lord Hari said to the gopis that they must now purify themselves by taking bath in the holy water. But Radharani said that she is going to create an even more beautiful pond and started digging where Aristsura’s hooves had made a ditch. When Lord Krsna saw that a beautiful pond has been created, he told the gopis that they now have to fill the pond with waters from His pond. But Radharani replied that Krsna’s pond is contaminated by His bath, so they are going to fill their lake with the pure water of Ganga.
Lord Krsna then gestured to the representative of all the holy places. That person rose up out of Krsna’s pond and bowed down to Radharani saying that they came to Krsna’s pond on His order and they would feel satisfied if Radharani would make their wish come true. Hearing this prayer by the representative of all the holy places, Radharani asked them to tell their wish. They told Her that their desire is to come to Radharani’s pond. Smiling, Radharani pleased all the holy places by asking them to come to Her pond.
Lord Hari then said to Radharani that Her pond would be more famous than His and He would come to Radha-kund to take bath and to enjoy His pastimes. He also said that Radha’s pond would be as dear to Him as Radharani
Herself.
Radharani replied that she would also go to bathe in Krsna’s pond and whoever takes bath or stays there would become very dear to Her.
Practical Application:
1. Let’s visit these holy places when we go to India to get the blessings of Srimati Radharani and Shri Krsna.
2. Let’s all develop love for the Supreme Lord by listening to His pastimes and visiting His holy places.
SrimadBhagavatam Book link: Slaying of Arista http://vedabase.net/sb/10/36/en
Finally, we concluded the class with coloring pictures. All the kids were happy to show their colorful pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Radhika Mataji
Monika Mataji
Amutha Mataji
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Vidyadhara's Deliverance
Hare Krsna!!!
Dear Parents,
We would like to thank Radhika Mataji for helping out in the class. Thank You, Radhika Mataji. We heartily thank all the parents for their sincere efforts and great enthusiasm in bringing the kids to sunday school. Thank You!!
This week,
PRAYERS : We sang Guru prayer thanking him for giving us knowledge, Lord Shri Krsna and Srimati Radharani seeking their blessings and guidance to become knowledgeable good devotees of the Lord.
SLOKA : We learnt the Bhagavad-Gita Sloka from Chapter 10 : verse 8
aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravarte
iti matvaa bhajante maam
budhaa bhaava samanvitaah
TRANSLATION : I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.
Audio Link: http://kids.iskcondesiretree.info/Audio/03_-_Sloka_recitation_by_5_year_old_Samhita/Bhagavad_Gita_108_Important/Ch%2010%20Opulence%20of%20the%20Absolute/BG%2010.8.MP3
Bhagavad-Gita Link : If you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit http://vedabase.net/bg/10/8/en
(Note: Please refer to the previous posts for the prayers and their translations.)
STORY TIME: We heard the liberation of Vidyadhara.
Once Nanda Maharaj and other cowherd men went to Ambikavana to observe siva-ratri, to worship Lord Shiva. Ambikavana was near river saraswati, so Nanda Maharaj and other men took bath in the river and went to worship Shiva and went to sleep on the bank of river Saraswati. That night, from the nearby forest, a big snake came and hungrily began to swallow up Nanda Maharaja. Nanda Maharaj called out to Lord Krsna to save him from the snakc. By the sounds, the cowherd men woke up and began beating the snake with burning logs but the snake would not stop swallowing Maharaj Nanda. Lord Krsna appeared on the scene and put his lotus feet on the snake head and the snake turned into a demigod.
The demigod named Vidyadhara bowed down to Lord Krsna and Lord Krsna asked Vidyadhara, what bad activities he did to get the body of a serpent. So, Vidyadhara explained to Lord Krsna that he was a beautiful demigod in his previous life and while he was traveling in his airplane, he came across a great sage, Angira. As he was so proud of his beauty, he made fun out of Angira Muni's features. Due to this sinful action, Angira Muni cursed him to take the body of the lowly species, snake.
Now, being touched by Lord Krsna's lotus feet, Vidyadhara was freed from all kinds of sinful reaction. He asked Lord Krsna's permission to go home in higher heavenly planets. Lord Krsna gave permission and Vidyadhara circumambulated Lord Krsna to offer obeisances and went to his home. That's how Nanda Maharaj was saved from being swallowed by the big snake.
While Nanda Maharaj and other cowherd men returning home, they kept on recalling the wonderful activities of Lord Krsna. They came to worship Lord Shiva but became more attached to the supreme Lord Krsna.
Practical Application:
1. Always remembering Krsna and never forgetting Krsna will help us in living a peaceful and happy life.
2. We can develop love for Lord Krsna by hearing His pasttimes, chanting His Holy name, singing for Him, and dancing for Him.
3. With pure love for Lord Krsna, we will be able to go to our original home, Lord Krsna's spiritual planet.
Krsna Book link : Liberation of Vidyadhara http://krsnabook.com/ch34.html
Finally, we concluded the class with coloring pictures. All the kids know who they are coloring and they like this activity more.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Amutha
Dear Parents,
We would like to thank Radhika Mataji for helping out in the class. Thank You, Radhika Mataji. We heartily thank all the parents for their sincere efforts and great enthusiasm in bringing the kids to sunday school. Thank You!!
This week,
PRAYERS : We sang Guru prayer thanking him for giving us knowledge, Lord Shri Krsna and Srimati Radharani seeking their blessings and guidance to become knowledgeable good devotees of the Lord.
SLOKA : We learnt the Bhagavad-Gita Sloka from Chapter 10 : verse 8
aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravarte
iti matvaa bhajante maam
budhaa bhaava samanvitaah
TRANSLATION : I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.
Audio Link: http://kids.iskcondesiretree.info/Audio/03_-_Sloka_recitation_by_5_year_old_Samhita/Bhagavad_Gita_108_Important/Ch%2010%20Opulence%20of%20the%20Absolute/BG%2010.8.MP3
Bhagavad-Gita Link : If you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit http://vedabase.net/bg/10/8/en
(Note: Please refer to the previous posts for the prayers and their translations.)
STORY TIME: We heard the liberation of Vidyadhara.
Once Nanda Maharaj and other cowherd men went to Ambikavana to observe siva-ratri, to worship Lord Shiva. Ambikavana was near river saraswati, so Nanda Maharaj and other men took bath in the river and went to worship Shiva and went to sleep on the bank of river Saraswati. That night, from the nearby forest, a big snake came and hungrily began to swallow up Nanda Maharaja. Nanda Maharaj called out to Lord Krsna to save him from the snakc. By the sounds, the cowherd men woke up and began beating the snake with burning logs but the snake would not stop swallowing Maharaj Nanda. Lord Krsna appeared on the scene and put his lotus feet on the snake head and the snake turned into a demigod.
The demigod named Vidyadhara bowed down to Lord Krsna and Lord Krsna asked Vidyadhara, what bad activities he did to get the body of a serpent. So, Vidyadhara explained to Lord Krsna that he was a beautiful demigod in his previous life and while he was traveling in his airplane, he came across a great sage, Angira. As he was so proud of his beauty, he made fun out of Angira Muni's features. Due to this sinful action, Angira Muni cursed him to take the body of the lowly species, snake.
Now, being touched by Lord Krsna's lotus feet, Vidyadhara was freed from all kinds of sinful reaction. He asked Lord Krsna's permission to go home in higher heavenly planets. Lord Krsna gave permission and Vidyadhara circumambulated Lord Krsna to offer obeisances and went to his home. That's how Nanda Maharaj was saved from being swallowed by the big snake.
While Nanda Maharaj and other cowherd men returning home, they kept on recalling the wonderful activities of Lord Krsna. They came to worship Lord Shiva but became more attached to the supreme Lord Krsna.
Practical Application:
1. Always remembering Krsna and never forgetting Krsna will help us in living a peaceful and happy life.
2. We can develop love for Lord Krsna by hearing His pasttimes, chanting His Holy name, singing for Him, and dancing for Him.
3. With pure love for Lord Krsna, we will be able to go to our original home, Lord Krsna's spiritual planet.
Krsna Book link : Liberation of Vidyadhara http://krsnabook.com/ch34.html
Finally, we concluded the class with coloring pictures. All the kids know who they are coloring and they like this activity more.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Amutha
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Dhenukasura and Pralambasura story
Hare Krsna!!
Dear Parents,
We would like to express our most sincere thanks to Monika Mataji for conducting the class on Jan 15 eventhough the Sunday school was cancelled due to weather. She read the story of Pralambasura and engaged the kids with coloring pictures. THANK YOU Monika Mataji.
This week,
PRAYERS: We said the prayers for Lord Shri Krishna, Srimati Radharani and Guru prayer.
SLOKA: We started learning a new BG sloka from Chapter 10 : verse 8
aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravarte
iti matvaa bhajante maam
budhaa bhaava samanvitaah
TRANSLATION : I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.
Audio Link: http://kids.iskcondesiretree.info/Audio/03_-_Sloka_recitation_by_5_year_old_Samhita/Bhagavad_Gita_108_Important/Ch%2010%20Opulence%20of%20the%20Absolute/BG%2010.8.MP3
Bhagavad-Gita Link : If you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit http://vedabase.net/bg/10/8/en
(Note: Please refer to the previous posts for the prayers and their translations.)
STORY TIME: We heard Pralambasura story one more time.
Pralambasura:
One day Lord Krsna, Lord Balaram and their friends were dancing, singing and playing when a demon named Pralamba wanted to kill Lord Balaram came to play with them, disguised as a cowherd boy. The Supreme Lord Krsna saw through the disguise, but He treated him as a friend, even as He thought of how to kill the demon. Lord Krsna and Balaram divided the boys into two groups and said that the losers would have to carry the winners on their shoulders. So, when the cowherd boys on Balaram's party won, Lord Krsna and another boy in His party carried them on their shoulders. Pralambāsura took Lord Balaram on his back and began to walk away very fast and far. But Balaram became as heavy as a Mountain and Pralambasura was unable to carry Lord Balaram. Pralambasura, then turned to his real, huge demoniac form and Lord Balaram struck a hard blow on the demon's head with His fist. This blow shattered Pralambāsura's head and he fell dead upon the ground. When all the cowherd boys saw Lord Balaram return, they happily hugged and congratulated Him and the demigods showered garlands of flowers from the heavens.
Dhenukasura :
When Lord Balaram and Lord Krsna became six years old, their father gave them cows to tend. Along with their cowherd friends, they wandered all over Vrindavan forest herding the cows. One day, when they were wandering in Vrindavan, Lord Krsna glorified Lord Balaram by telling that the trees are bowing their heads at Lord Balaram’s lotus feet offering their fruits and flowers, the bees are worshiping and chanting Lord Balaram’s glories, the peacocks are dancing before Him out of joy and the doe are pleasing Him with affectionate glances. The earth became most fortunate, because Lord Balaram walked and touched and saw them with His merciful glance. Thus they enjoyed tending the cows in the beautiful Vrindavan forest on the banks of the river Yamuna below Govardhan Hill.
Once, Sridama along with Subala and other cowherd friends said to all powerful Lord Balaram and Killer of the demons, Lord Krsna that there is a very great forest nearby named Talavan filled with rows of palm trees. In that Tālavana forest, there are many trees with ripe fruits and many fruits are lying on the ground. But all these fruits are guarded by the powerful demon Dhenuka in the form of a donkey. He has many friends who are also donkeys and also as powerful as him. Everyone is afraid of this demon Dhenuka becuase he has eaten men alive, and even the birds are afraid to fly there. The cowhered boy friends loved the smell of this fruit and wanted to taste. They asked Lord Krsna and Balaram whether they can go to Talavan forest and get those fruits.
Lord Krsna and Balaram wanting to please their friends, went to Tālavana along with them. Lord Balaram entered the forest first and began shaking the trees forcefully causing the fruits to fall to the ground. Hearing the sound of the falling fruits, the demon Dhenuka ran forward to attack, making the earth and trees tremble. The powerful demon braying loudly kicked the chest of Lord Balarama. He tried to kick Lord Balaram again with his hind legs, but Lord Balaram caught Dhenuka by his hooves, whirled him with His one hand and threw him into the top of a palm tree. When the dead demon landed in the treetop, the tree began shaking and broke and fell on the nearby tree and it fell on the other tree causing fruits to fall.
The other demons were very angry when they saw Dhenukasura’s death, and they all immediately ran to attack Lord Krsna and Balaram. But, Lord Krsna and Balaram easily caught them one after another by their hind legs and threw them all into the top of the palm trees. Since the demon Dhenuka was killed, all the people of Vrindavan were able to go to the Talavan forest and get the fruits of the palm trees. Also, the cows grazed freely upon the grass in the Talavan forest.
When Lord Krsna and Balarama returned home, their mothers bathed, massaged and dressed them in beautifuldresses and gave them delicious food to eat and finally laid them down in bed and they slept happily.
Krsna book link:
Killing of demon Pralambasura : http://krsnabook.com/ch18.html
Killing of Dhenukasura http://krsnabook.com/ch15.html
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Amutha
Dear Parents,
We would like to express our most sincere thanks to Monika Mataji for conducting the class on Jan 15 eventhough the Sunday school was cancelled due to weather. She read the story of Pralambasura and engaged the kids with coloring pictures. THANK YOU Monika Mataji.
This week,
PRAYERS: We said the prayers for Lord Shri Krishna, Srimati Radharani and Guru prayer.
SLOKA: We started learning a new BG sloka from Chapter 10 : verse 8
aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravarte
iti matvaa bhajante maam
budhaa bhaava samanvitaah
TRANSLATION : I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.
Audio Link: http://kids.iskcondesiretree.info/Audio/03_-_Sloka_recitation_by_5_year_old_Samhita/Bhagavad_Gita_108_Important/Ch%2010%20Opulence%20of%20the%20Absolute/BG%2010.8.MP3
Bhagavad-Gita Link : If you would like to know more about this verse and its purport, please visit http://vedabase.net/bg/10/8/en
(Note: Please refer to the previous posts for the prayers and their translations.)
STORY TIME: We heard Pralambasura story one more time.
Pralambasura:
One day Lord Krsna, Lord Balaram and their friends were dancing, singing and playing when a demon named Pralamba wanted to kill Lord Balaram came to play with them, disguised as a cowherd boy. The Supreme Lord Krsna saw through the disguise, but He treated him as a friend, even as He thought of how to kill the demon. Lord Krsna and Balaram divided the boys into two groups and said that the losers would have to carry the winners on their shoulders. So, when the cowherd boys on Balaram's party won, Lord Krsna and another boy in His party carried them on their shoulders. Pralambāsura took Lord Balaram on his back and began to walk away very fast and far. But Balaram became as heavy as a Mountain and Pralambasura was unable to carry Lord Balaram. Pralambasura, then turned to his real, huge demoniac form and Lord Balaram struck a hard blow on the demon's head with His fist. This blow shattered Pralambāsura's head and he fell dead upon the ground. When all the cowherd boys saw Lord Balaram return, they happily hugged and congratulated Him and the demigods showered garlands of flowers from the heavens.
Dhenukasura :
When Lord Balaram and Lord Krsna became six years old, their father gave them cows to tend. Along with their cowherd friends, they wandered all over Vrindavan forest herding the cows. One day, when they were wandering in Vrindavan, Lord Krsna glorified Lord Balaram by telling that the trees are bowing their heads at Lord Balaram’s lotus feet offering their fruits and flowers, the bees are worshiping and chanting Lord Balaram’s glories, the peacocks are dancing before Him out of joy and the doe are pleasing Him with affectionate glances. The earth became most fortunate, because Lord Balaram walked and touched and saw them with His merciful glance. Thus they enjoyed tending the cows in the beautiful Vrindavan forest on the banks of the river Yamuna below Govardhan Hill.
Once, Sridama along with Subala and other cowherd friends said to all powerful Lord Balaram and Killer of the demons, Lord Krsna that there is a very great forest nearby named Talavan filled with rows of palm trees. In that Tālavana forest, there are many trees with ripe fruits and many fruits are lying on the ground. But all these fruits are guarded by the powerful demon Dhenuka in the form of a donkey. He has many friends who are also donkeys and also as powerful as him. Everyone is afraid of this demon Dhenuka becuase he has eaten men alive, and even the birds are afraid to fly there. The cowhered boy friends loved the smell of this fruit and wanted to taste. They asked Lord Krsna and Balaram whether they can go to Talavan forest and get those fruits.
Lord Krsna and Balaram wanting to please their friends, went to Tālavana along with them. Lord Balaram entered the forest first and began shaking the trees forcefully causing the fruits to fall to the ground. Hearing the sound of the falling fruits, the demon Dhenuka ran forward to attack, making the earth and trees tremble. The powerful demon braying loudly kicked the chest of Lord Balarama. He tried to kick Lord Balaram again with his hind legs, but Lord Balaram caught Dhenuka by his hooves, whirled him with His one hand and threw him into the top of a palm tree. When the dead demon landed in the treetop, the tree began shaking and broke and fell on the nearby tree and it fell on the other tree causing fruits to fall.
The other demons were very angry when they saw Dhenukasura’s death, and they all immediately ran to attack Lord Krsna and Balaram. But, Lord Krsna and Balaram easily caught them one after another by their hind legs and threw them all into the top of the palm trees. Since the demon Dhenuka was killed, all the people of Vrindavan were able to go to the Talavan forest and get the fruits of the palm trees. Also, the cows grazed freely upon the grass in the Talavan forest.
When Lord Krsna and Balarama returned home, their mothers bathed, massaged and dressed them in beautifuldresses and gave them delicious food to eat and finally laid them down in bed and they slept happily.
Krsna book link:
Killing of demon Pralambasura : http://krsnabook.com/ch18.html
Killing of Dhenukasura http://krsnabook.com/ch15.html
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Amutha
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Gajendra Story
Hare Krishna!!!
Dear Parents,
We had most of our old students back. Welcome Back. Many kids wanted to lead the prayers and it was so nice to see such enthusiasm in them. We appreciate the parents effort in teaching them and bringing them to Sunday school.
This week,
PRAYERS: We said the prayers for Lord Shri Krishna and Srimati Radharani.
SLOKA: We revised the previously taught slokas and learnt the BG sloka (Chapter 9: Verse 26)
(Note: Please refer to the previous posts for the prayers and their translations.)
STORY TIME:
Gajendra Story: In the midst of the ocean of milk, there is a very high and beautiful mountain known as Trikūṭa. Once the chief of the elephants, along with female elephants, went to enjoy bathing in that lake, and they disturbed the inhabitants of the water. Because of this, the chief crocodile in that water, who was very powerful, immediately attacked the elephant's leg. Thus, a great fight started between the elephant and the crocodile. This fight continued for one thousand years. Neither the elephant nor the crocodile died, but since they were in the water, the elephant gradually became weak whereas the power of the crocodile increased more and more. Then the elephant, being helpless and seeing that no one could help him, prayed to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The King of the elephants remembered a prayer that he had learned in his previous life and began to chant it to himself. First he offered his respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and because of his awkward position in having been attacked by the crocodile, he wasn't able to recite prayers nicely. However, he tried his best to chant the mantra as nicely as he could.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, seated on Garuḍa, personally appeared before him. Gajendra, by lifting his trunk, he immediately took a lotus flower in his trunk, and with great difficulty due to his painful condition, he said the following words: "O my Lord, Narayana, master of the universe, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You." and the Lord immediately pulled him from the water along with the crocodile who had captured his leg. Then the Lord killed the crocodile with his disc and thus rescued Gajendra.
Who was Gajendra?
Gajendra, in his previous birth, had been a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu. His name was Indradyumna, and he was the King of the Tāmila country. He went to the hills to meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead in silence. Agastya Ṛṣi, along with many disciples, once approached King Indradyumna's āśrama, but because the King was meditating on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he could not receive Agastya Ṛṣi properly. Thus the ṛṣi became very angry and cursed the King to become a dull elephant. In accordance with this curse, the King was born as an elephant, and he forgot all about his previous activities in devotional service. Nonetheless, in his birth as an elephant, when he was dangerously attacked by the crocodile, he remembered his past life in devotional service and remembered a prayer he had learned in that life. Because of this prayer, he again received the mercy of the Lord. Thus he was immediately delivered, and he got the same bodily features as the Lord, being dressed in yellow garments and possessing four hands.
Who was the Crocodile?
There was a king on the Gandharva planet whose name was Hūhū. Once this King Hūhū was playing with his wife in the water, and while playing around he pulled the leg of Devala Ṛṣi, who was also taking a bath in the water. Upon this, the sage became very angry and immediately cursed him to become a crocodile. King Hūhū was very sorry when cursed in that way and he begged pardon from the sage, who in compassion gave him the benediction that he would be freed when Gajendra was delivered by the Personality of Godhead. Thus the crocodile was delivered when killed by Nārāyaṇa
Srimad-Bhagavatam link to Gajendra story(Canto 8 : chapters 2, 3 and 4) http://vedabase.net/sb/8/en
Practical Application:
1. Disrespect to our elders or mischief will certainly cause us trouble.
2. No one can help us in dangerous/troublesome situation except Lord Krishna.
3. Everyone can go to Vaikunta if we develop love for Lord Krishna.
4. It is stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam, simply hearing this Gajendra story, one is unaffected by the contamination of Kali-yuga, and one never sees bad dreams.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Amutha
Dear Parents,
We had most of our old students back. Welcome Back. Many kids wanted to lead the prayers and it was so nice to see such enthusiasm in them. We appreciate the parents effort in teaching them and bringing them to Sunday school.
This week,
PRAYERS: We said the prayers for Lord Shri Krishna and Srimati Radharani.
SLOKA: We revised the previously taught slokas and learnt the BG sloka (Chapter 9: Verse 26)
(Note: Please refer to the previous posts for the prayers and their translations.)
STORY TIME:
Gajendra Story: In the midst of the ocean of milk, there is a very high and beautiful mountain known as Trikūṭa. Once the chief of the elephants, along with female elephants, went to enjoy bathing in that lake, and they disturbed the inhabitants of the water. Because of this, the chief crocodile in that water, who was very powerful, immediately attacked the elephant's leg. Thus, a great fight started between the elephant and the crocodile. This fight continued for one thousand years. Neither the elephant nor the crocodile died, but since they were in the water, the elephant gradually became weak whereas the power of the crocodile increased more and more. Then the elephant, being helpless and seeing that no one could help him, prayed to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The King of the elephants remembered a prayer that he had learned in his previous life and began to chant it to himself. First he offered his respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and because of his awkward position in having been attacked by the crocodile, he wasn't able to recite prayers nicely. However, he tried his best to chant the mantra as nicely as he could.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, seated on Garuḍa, personally appeared before him. Gajendra, by lifting his trunk, he immediately took a lotus flower in his trunk, and with great difficulty due to his painful condition, he said the following words: "O my Lord, Narayana, master of the universe, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You." and the Lord immediately pulled him from the water along with the crocodile who had captured his leg. Then the Lord killed the crocodile with his disc and thus rescued Gajendra.
Who was Gajendra?
Gajendra, in his previous birth, had been a great devotee of Lord Viṣṇu. His name was Indradyumna, and he was the King of the Tāmila country. He went to the hills to meditate upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead in silence. Agastya Ṛṣi, along with many disciples, once approached King Indradyumna's āśrama, but because the King was meditating on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he could not receive Agastya Ṛṣi properly. Thus the ṛṣi became very angry and cursed the King to become a dull elephant. In accordance with this curse, the King was born as an elephant, and he forgot all about his previous activities in devotional service. Nonetheless, in his birth as an elephant, when he was dangerously attacked by the crocodile, he remembered his past life in devotional service and remembered a prayer he had learned in that life. Because of this prayer, he again received the mercy of the Lord. Thus he was immediately delivered, and he got the same bodily features as the Lord, being dressed in yellow garments and possessing four hands.
Who was the Crocodile?
There was a king on the Gandharva planet whose name was Hūhū. Once this King Hūhū was playing with his wife in the water, and while playing around he pulled the leg of Devala Ṛṣi, who was also taking a bath in the water. Upon this, the sage became very angry and immediately cursed him to become a crocodile. King Hūhū was very sorry when cursed in that way and he begged pardon from the sage, who in compassion gave him the benediction that he would be freed when Gajendra was delivered by the Personality of Godhead. Thus the crocodile was delivered when killed by Nārāyaṇa
Srimad-Bhagavatam link to Gajendra story(Canto 8 : chapters 2, 3 and 4) http://vedabase.net/sb/8/en
Practical Application:
1. Disrespect to our elders or mischief will certainly cause us trouble.
2. No one can help us in dangerous/troublesome situation except Lord Krishna.
3. Everyone can go to Vaikunta if we develop love for Lord Krishna.
4. It is stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam, simply hearing this Gajendra story, one is unaffected by the contamination of Kali-yuga, and one never sees bad dreams.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Namapriya Mataji
Amutha
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