April

April 21

Today in class we practiced the full annual presentation, with definitions and recitation. Because of our test next week we spent class revising what we have learned since winter break. We reviewed the 10 Dashavatara of Vishnu, stories of Indra, and stories of Yama.

For Homework:

Keep practicing the nirvana shatakam for our annual day presentation. 

Document with sloka and meaning: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ZrnHDzHWyuZXpC9xNuUGgIi3CBFhQG9Km-1dEfSOrg/edit

Study for test next week!

April 14

Today in class we reviewed what we learned last week with the stories of Indra and Yama. Make sure to review these stories on your own in the book as they may show up on the test. We learned the importance of keeping our mind and senses in check using our intellect or else our “chariot” (body) will go in the wrong direction. We learned about the goldsmith, Narahari, who teaches us the existence of only one Bhagavan and that we pray to the many forms of this Bhagavan. We learned about a story where Narada tries to end the quarrel of which god is better to pray to. After visiting Rama and shiva he determines that neither is greater than the other. We also learned about Ghanatakarna who also teaches that all Bhagavan is just one Bhagavan.

Homework: 

Continue practicing nirvana shantakam

Document with sloka and meaning: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ZrnHDzHWyuZXpC9xNuUGgIi3CBFhQG9Km-1dEfSOrg/edit

April 7

Today in class we continued to practice the nirvana shantakam and reviewed the meaning. Please continue to practice with to improve pronunciations and rhythm. We learned about stories of Indra. One was about Indra and Vitra, where we learned about fighting our internal enemies and realizing that solving problems comes from fighting within us. We learned about Indra and Yavakrita. We also learned about Rishi Chyavana and Princess Sukanya.  We also learned stories about Yama. We discussed the story with Savitri who taught us about using our wits and being selfless. We also discussed the story of Nachiketa.

Homework: 

Continue practicing nirvana shantakam

Document with sloka and meaning: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ZrnHDzHWyuZXpC9xNuUGgIi3CBFhQG9Km-1dEfSOrg/edit

Those who are still responsible for reciting meaning should come in with a revised script ASAP

Class schedule for the rest of the year

4/14     Regular class

4/21     Revision

4/28    Test

5/5       Results

5/12     Annual day practice

5/19     Presentation

March

March 17

Today in class we delved further into the meaning of Nirvana Shatakam. We looked at each word and its meaning.

We learned about Dattatreya and what each of his symbols represent. We learned about his three heads, his six hands and 4 dogs. We discussed the story of Bhagavan Dattatreya and Avadhuta in Srimad Bhagavata purana. This taught us to learn from everything and see there is goodness in everyone.

Homework: 

-keep practicing pronunciations and rhythm of nirvana shatakam

-those who are doing meanings should come to class with an outline

Document with sloka and meaning: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ZrnHDzHWyuZXpC9xNuUGgIi3CBFhQG9Km-1dEfSOrg/edit

March 10

Today in class we spent a majority of the class practicing for our annual presentation. Those who are doing the interpretation should plan to come to class next week with an outline. We then went over the ninth avatar of Vishnu: Buddha. We learned how he was exposed to 4 people who changed his life: an old person, a sick person, a dead person, and a monk. We learned the differences between Hinduism and Buddhism where guidance in Hinduism is from our Ishwara. Then we learned about the tenth avatar of Vishnu: Kalki. This form has not come yet and will be seen when certain signs are present on earth. We learned about the Navagrahas and what each week day represents in terms of planets and what they represent. We learned about Ayyappan who was a reincarnation of shiva. He was tasked by a queen to obtain the milk of a tiger which is why he is depicted riding a tiger. We also learned the importance of the 18 steps he is depicted with. Our test will be on April 28th which will cover everything we have learned from winter break. 

Homework: 

-read about ayyappan on page 131

-keep practicing nirvana shatakam and those who are doing meanings should come to class with an outline

-Neil-verse 1

-Manya-verse 2

-Arshi-verse 3

-Sharvari-verse 4

-Rohan-verse 5

-Charani-verse 6

Document with sloka and meaning: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15ZrnHDzHWyuZXpC9xNuUGgIi3CBFhQG9Km-1dEfSOrg/edit

February

February 18

In class we learned about 2 more avataras. We learned about Rāma Avatāra and Krishna Avatāra. For Rama we learned about all of this Valmiki – Tulsidas

King Dasharatha – 

Kausalya (Rama) – Kaikeyi (Bharat) – Sumitra (Lashmana-Shatrughna) - Urmila

Manthara

King Janaki – Sita 

Shabari

Jatayu – Sampati

Sugreev – Baali

Hanuman

Ravana – Mandodari – Indrajit 

Kumbhakarna – Vibhishan – Surpankha

For Krishna we learned about all of this, Birth of Krishna

Father – Vasudeva, Mother – Devaki (daughter of Ugrasena) lived in the city of Mathura

Kamsa – Devaki’s brother

“Cruel Kamsa – the 8th child of Devaki will kill you one day”

Balarama (7th child) born to Rohini living in Gokula (Vrindavan)

Krishna’s birthday – celebrated as Janamashtami

Across Yamuna to Nanda – Yashoda who had a baby girl

“You cruel man, the child who will kill you is living somewhere else

Krishna kills Pootana

Krishna – the Makhan Chor

Yashoda sees the Universe inside Krishna’s mouth

Bhaghvan can come in any form

We also went over all the paragraphs for the annual project

February 11

Today in class we learned about 6 of the 24 DASHAVATARAS. We learned about , Matsya Avatāra, a Fish. Why did Vishnu give Satyavrata the responsibility of build the boat and save him? 2. Kūrma Avatāra, a Tortoise. Why did the Asuras’ not get the Amrit? 3. Varaha Avatāra, a Boar.  What do we learn from Lord Vishnu’s actions? 4. Narasimha Avatāra, a Man-Lion. Why did Prahlād  request Lord Vishnu to forgive his father? 5. Vāmana Avatāra, a midget. What do the 3 steps symbolize? And 6. Parashurāma – The Rama with the Parashu (Axe) .

The homework this week was to learn about where the kumbh mela is held. 

We also have an annual project coming up on May 19th, here is the list of which student is doing which paragraphs and what there meaning is in their own words. Neil-1 Manya-2 Arshi-3 Sharvari-4 Rohan -5 Charani-6

February 4

Today in class we went over our annual presentation where we will recite Nirvana shatakam :

Mano buddhi ahankara chittani naham

Na cha shrotra jihve na cha ghraana netre

Na cha vyoma bhumir na tejo na vayuhu

Chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo’ham

Na cha prana sangyo na vai pancha vayuhu

Na va sapta dhatur na va pancha koshah

Na vak pani padau na chopastha payu

Chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham

Na me dvesha ragau na me lobha mohau

Mado naiva me naiva matsarya bhavaha

Na dharmo na chartho na kamo na mokshaha

Chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham

Na punyamna papam na saukhyam na duhkham

Na mantro na tirtham na vedah na yajnah

Aham bhojanam naiva bhojyam na bhotka

Chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham

Na me mrtyu-r na shanka na me jati bhedaha

Pita naiva me naiva mataa na janmaha

Na bandhur na mitram gurur naiva shisyaha

Chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham

Aham nirvikalpo nirakara rupo

Vibhut vatcha sarvatra sarvendriyanam

Na cha sangatham naiva muktir na meya 

Chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham

Our presentation will be on May 19th.

We learned the story of the matsya avatara who gave the opportunity for satyavrata to save his kingdom.

Kurma avatara: we always have the help of god whenever we do something difficult and how shiva got his blue hue and snake around him.

Varaha avatara: saving others when they are in trouble and Vishnu will always be there

Homework: be ready with the answers the these questions

Why did Vishnu give satya avatara responsibility to build the boat and save him?

Why did the Audra’s not get the Amrit?

What do we learn from lord vishnus actions?

January

January 21

Today in class we had our parent-teacher conferences and went over what we have learned so far and what is to come. The rest of the year we will focus on the Bhagvat Purana, and the stories pertains to the Dashavatara. For our annual project we plan to recite shiva manasa puja and our interpretation of its meaning. More information will be given next class on this.

Homework: None

January 7

Today in class we learned how Vishnu is depicted and what it means. His blue skin represents that he is present everywhere; in the sky, in the water. His Yellow/Orange clothing represents the sun and the earth. We learned What Vishnu holds and what each means focussing on his chakra, his gada, his lotus, and his conch. We also talked about his vehicle, Garuda. We learned how the puranas come about.

King Pareekshit received a 7 day curse and recited the puranas in 7 parts, during those 7 days describing the 10 most popularity ones. We also learned many other stories relating to Vishnu including:

King prithu - value of taking care of earth along with other duties

Rantnideva - lived a very modest life, taught importance of sharing with others

Harishchandra - very honest king that ended up losing everything, had to go to extreme measures to survive, teaches us to have integrity and to be true to ourselves

Dhruva- works to support parents and show he can be a good King, becomes the North Star after he dies, teaches us to be meditative and steadfast always

Gajendra Moksha - elephant King who had lots of pride, is tested by bhagavan as an alligator who attacks him, teaches us to control our pride and desire

Homework: Read page 78-79 on Rishi Bhrigu and King Ambarisha

November

November 19

Today in class we first recapped about Ganesha and his stories. We then moved on to covering his brother, Karttikeya. We learned about Alagumuttu Pulavar and his devotion to Kartikeya. We learned about Devi Saraswati taking form of a human as Avvaiyar, and her story with Karttikeya. She was able to teach many wise things to many

Homework:

For next class pick 5 of Avvaiyar’s teachings (Page 62) to try and implement and discuss for next class.

November 12

Today in class we learned some stories with Ganesha. We first looked at the story of Ganesha and Kubera, and how Kubera learned to control his ego. We then learned about the story of Ganesha and Kartikeya, where where we learned the importance of our parents. We looked at the story of Ganesha and the cat, learning the importance of treating everything like god.

Homework: read page 55

November 5

Today in class we reviewed about shiva. Check on last weeks lesson for that info. We learned about Ganesha, we learned what is body parts signify. Large Ears - Listen more, Small Mouth - Talk less, One Tusk - Retain good throw away bad, Modaka - Rewards of Sadhana, Mouse - Desire, unless under control can cause havoc; you ride the desire and keep it under control and don't allow it to take you for a ride, Prasada - The whole world is at your feet and for your asking, Large Stomach - Peacefully digest all good and bad in life, Trunk - High Efficiency and adaptability, Blessings - Blesses and protects on spiritual path to supreme, Small Eyes - Concentrate, and Big Head - Think Big.  The important dates to remember are Nov 27th - Thanksgiving break, Dec 04 - Test review, and Dec 11 - test 1. The test will be one chapters 1-6. The homework this weak is to read the stories about Ganesha. 

October

October 22

Dharma 5 the Puranas 

Today in class we learned about Devi- Parvati. We learned that she is the mother of the universe. We also learned that Bhagvan is both male and female. We learned that Sati and Shiva got married, but because Sati’s parents didn’t invite them to a family gathering Sati prayed and asked to be together with Shiva in a different world. Once Sati did this Shiva got sad. Sati was reborn as Parvati, and always wanted to marry Shiva so they ended up getting married. We learned that Durga - Shakti is the goddess with 10 hands. In the hands there are different objects, those are: Sword (Yama)-Knowledge/Intellect Chakra (Vishnu)-Righteousness, Club (Kubera)-Loyalty/Love, Conch (Varun)-Happiness, Trident*(Shiva)-Courage, Bow/Arrow (Vayu)-Energy, Flame (Agni)-Knowledge,Lotus (Brahma) -Spiritual , Thunderbolt (Indra) -Determination, Snake. (Shiva) -Intellect

We learned that Kali is a ferocious devil and shiva had to lay under her feet to calm her down.

This week's homework is to read pages 48-50

October 1

Today in class we learned about Saraswati. Saraswati is the goddess of education. And how she shed light on the darkness that was created by Brahma. Saraswati has a pet swan just like Brahma, she sits on a lotus and has a Veena and Japamala in her hands and Vedas on a lotus nest to her. The swan means: Purity - ability to make good choices (conscience). The Veena means: Speech, music, arts, beauty. Japamala means: Power & energy of letters (faith & devotion). The lotus means: Creation & ability to remain pure in a world full of evil. And the vedas means: Knowledge & wisdom. We also learned that Saraswati is also worshiped in Japan and Myanmar. We learned that we should value education and be a giver of our knowledge. We revised what we learned from last about Brahma. We revised that he is the god of creation, his 4 heads, and the vedas.

This week’s homework is to memorize the Saraswati Shloka.

September

September 24

Today in class we started off by revising what we did last week starting with the meaning of AUM. Then we moved to discussing what our Ishta Devata is, or what our favorite form of bhagavan we like to do puja for. We spent some time discussing some differences between Hinduism and other religions. We then focused on Brahma and what he represents. We learned about the story of how he got his 4 heads and what they represent. We also got to learn what his 4 arms and what each item he holds represent. Next class we will get to know about saraswati.