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This class covers: Instructive narratives from Panchatantra, the Puranas, Hitopadesha, Jain scriptures etc. to teach them some practical wisdom and Hindu etiquette. Use the game ‘Snakes and Ladders’. Learn the general Shlokas used in the Temple Liturgy.
Ages: 6-7 / Grade: 1-2
Download PDF copy of book: CLICK HERE
Teachers:
Mythily Jadhav
Gautam Choudhary
EMAIL teachers: mythilyj@yahoo.com, gautam5547@yahoo.com
Teenage Volunteers:
Aasmi Patil
Aman Agrawal
Arnav Hanmantgad
Homework
Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra (pg 105)
Sahana Vavatu (pg 105)
Morning Prayers (pg 106)
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi
Samudravasane devi
Night Prayer (pg 107)
Prayer asking Bhagavan Forgiveness (pg 107)
Prayer Before Eating (pg 108)
Prayer while taking bath(pg 109)
Thanking bhagvan prayer(pg 109)
Stories
Story 74 - My Atma stays the same even though my body change
Dattätreya said, "My next teacher was moon. The moon shines when light from sun falls on it. Every day, the moon appears to grow in size or it appears to become smaller. But in reality, the moon does not change its size. It always remains the same. But a different portion of the moon is visible to us each day depending on how much sunlight falls on it. When the sunlight falls on the entire surface of the moon, we see a full moon. When no sunlight falls on the moon, we see no moon on that night. But the moon stays the same and it does not grow or become smaller.
From the example of the moon, I learned that even though my body changes with age, my atma that makes it alive does not change. I have the same atma (or soul) inside my body whether I am a baby, a kid, a teenager, a grown up adult, or an old person. And even after die, it is only my body that disappears. My tmã is still there, and it goes and makes a new body alive. I learned that the different parts of my life are like the different phases of moon. And just as the moon does not itself change, my atma always stays the same.
When our clothes become old
and torn, we throw them away and wear new ones. But we do not change, only our clothes do. Hindu Dharma teaches us that in a similar way, our body is like clothing on our soul.
When we die, only our body changes but our soul remains the same, and it just enters another body as if it were wearing new clothing.
Story 75 - Guru Sun: The same Bhagvan is in everyone
One, the Raja of Vijayanagar was returning after worshipping Ganesha and Devi in the hill-top temple in the town of Tiruchi, when he saw Thayumanavar on the roadside lost in meditation. The Raja waited for the saint to come out of his meditation, and thereafter, sought his blessings. Then, calling his attendant, the Raja said, "It is very cold today. I want you to bring the most expensive Kashmiri shawl that we have, and give it as an offering to the saint." The attendant brought the shawl and the Raja reverentially wrapped it around the body of the saint, and then left for his palace.
The next day, as the saint was walking by the market place, he saw an untouchable poor girl trembling with cold. The saint immediately took off his shawl, and wrapped it around the girl saying, "Mother, you need it more than I do." When the
word of this incident reached the Raja, he became very angry and said, "I had given a very precious shawl to the saint with a lot of respect. How dare he re-gift it to someone, and that too, to a miserly poor girl? I want the saint to be produced in front of me in my court so that he can explain his insulting behavior."
When the saint came to the court and was asked to explain his behavior, he said, "King, you gave the shawl to me because you had thought of me as superior to you. Likewise, I gave the shawl to that girl because she is superior to me." The Raja was perplexed. "How can that wretched girl be superior to you" he asked.
The saint replied, "Devi Ma resides in everyone's heart. To me, that girl was none other than the Devi. And therefore, I gave the shawl to her. You should actually feel blessed that you gift has reached none other than the Devi." When the Raja heard this explanation, he greatly repented and fell at the feet of the saint, asking for forgiveness. He realized that Bhagavan resides in the heart of every human being, and therefore we should serve and respect every person as if he were a reflection of Bhagavan.
Homework
Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra (pg 105)
Sahana Vavatu (pg 105)
Morning Prayers (pg 106)
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi
Samudravasane devi
Night Prayer (pg 107)
Prayer asking Bhagavan Forgiveness (pg 107)
Prayer Before Eating (pg 108)
Stories
Story 69: 24 Teachers of Dattatreya
Krishna told story to his cousin about Dattatreya
King Yadu was passing through a forest and saw Dattatreya sitting under a tree. Without any money and only a hut to live in, Dattatreya was still happy. King Yadu asked Dattatreya what is the secret to his happiness. He replied that he does not find faults in others, instead he tries to see the good in the others
Dattatreya claimed he had 24 teachers, but he did not list any rishis or well known people. Rather he listed the things around him like the earth, water, wind, pigeons, snakes and many other things which taught him lessons.
Homework
Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra (pg 105)
Sahana Vavatu (pg 105)
Morning Prayers (pg 106)
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi
Samudravasane devi
Night Prayer (pg 107)
Prayer asking Bhagavan Forgiveness (pg 107)
Prayer Before Eating (pg 108)
Stories
Story 65: Story of Birbal and King Akbar’s Beardl
One morning, somebody pulled on King Akbar’s beard
King Akbar asked people in his palace what the punishment should be for the person who pulled his beard
People said:
He should be killed
He should be sent to jail
He should be beaten up
Birbal response was to give them candy
Kids play pranks
King Akbar laughed. Birbal was right, King Akbar’s grandson was the person who pulled his beard.
Story of Birbal and His Stolen Necklace
Birbal’s necklace was stolen
King imprisoned everyone in Birbal’s apartment. In prison they were not allowed to shave and they all grew beards.
They were all brought to court to be questioned. Birbal said the man who stole the necklace had a straw stuck in his beard.
All the men looked around for who had a straw in their beard, and the guilty man scratched his beard to look for this straw.
The thief was tricked. There was no straw in his beard and by scratching his beard he gave himself away.
Story 66: Brightest Home on Diwali
Krishna announced competition, would award bags of gold to the family whose house was the cleanest and brightest
On Diwali, the King went around to find the brightest home. He came across a home covered with lamps and other lights. He believed this house was the winner, but Krishna brought the king to another house
This house had only one dim lamp. In this house, a teacher was educating poor kids who could not afford many lights in their houses. The King was touched and declared this house as the winner because the gift of knowledge is the brightest light
Homework
QUIZ NEXT WEEK - recite shlokas (with book)
Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra (pg 105)
Sahana Vavatu (pg 105)
Morning Prayers (pg 106)
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi
Samudravasane devi
Night Prayer (pg 107)
Prayer asking Bhagavan Forgiveness (pg 107)
Prayer Before Eating (pg 108)
Stories
Story 62: He Who Forgives is The Greatest of All
Rishis met to decide which form of Bhagavan is the greatest
Rishi went to meet brahma vishnu, shiva
Brahma’s son came home to Brahma, but did not greet him and pay his respects. Brahma got infuriated
Brahma’s son went up a volcano to go see Shiva. Shiva saw him covered in ash and kicked him off the mountain.
Finally, Brahma's son went to see Vishnu, and he kicked Vishnu for no reason. Brahma’s son’s foot broke. Vishnu forgave him
Story 63: Think of Consequences Before Doing Anything
Once upon a time there were four pandits who were childhood friends
3 pandits went on to become educated scholars
The fourth pandit did not go down same educational path, but he was still smart
They all went together to get job at king’s palace, and put their knowledge to use.
On the way there, they saw the bones of lion lying on the ground
First scholar constructed the bones
Second scholar gave blood and flesh to bones
Third scholar gave lion life
Fourth scholar climbed tree, fearing the lion might attack
Lion came back to life and killed the first three scholars. The Fourth scholar survived by using common sense.
Story 64: Do Not Discriminate Against Anyone
Swami Ram Til traveled throughout the US in the early 1900s
One day a white Lady came to see Swami and was seeking help. She lost her son and was struggling to find happiness
Swami brought an African American child to her. He said that if you raise this child as your own, you will find happiness.
The Lady cringed. She asked how can white woman raise black child
Swami said that there is unhappiness throughout the world because people discriminate against others, and that if she raise this child as her own, push past discrimination, she will find happiness.
Homework
Practice Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra (pg 105)
Sahana Vavatu (pg 105)
Morning Prayers (pg 106)
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi
Samudravasane devi
Night Prayer (107)
Stories
Story 44: Help Whenever You Can
One day Ravana kidnapped Devi Sita and took her to his kingdom, Lanka.Ram and his men went to go save Sita, but Lanka was across a giant sea, so Ram’s men began lifting large rocks to make a bridge. There was also a Squirrel was helping by lifting little pebbles. The workers thought the squirrel was a nuisance and tried to get rid of it. When Ram heard of the squirrel, he intervened on the side of the squirrel. He said the squirrel even though he was only lifting small pebbles was making a big difference because the little pebbles are stuffed between the large rocks to keep the bridge together.
Story 45: Ant and Pigeon
Once upon a time there was a pigeon and an ant
The ant got caught in water and could not swim, so the Pigeon saved ant by throwing down leaf for him to float on
Later, the ant paid back the favor by by biting a hunter who was trying to shoot the pigeon
Story 46: Be Gentle With Others
One day Sun and Wind were competing to see who was better
The wind tried to blow shawl off traveler, but the traveler held on to it
The Sun warmed the earth, and the traveler took off the shawl to cool down
The Wind’s force did not get the job done, it was the Sun’s gentleness
Story 48: Greedy Person Loses Everything
Once upon a time there was a poor Old lady who lived by a pond. Suddenly, a golden swan fell into the pond. The Swan felt bad for the old lady and promised to give her one golden feather from its body every day to sell. After a few days the old lady became rich. The old lady began to wonder why take only one feather when she can take all the feathers from the Swan. Blinded by greed, the Woman took all feathers from the swan's body, but then they all turned into normal feathers. The swan ran away to another pond and grew back feathers of gold. The lady was left with no golden feathers, and no more swan to help her.
Homework
Practice Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra (pg 105)
Sahana Vavatu (pg 105)
Morning Prayers (pg 106)
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi
Samudravasane devi
Night Prayer (107) - New
Stories
Story 39: Speak the Truth Always; The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Once upon a time there was a shepherd boy whos job was to watch over sheep
The Boy felt bored, so he played a trick. He cried wolf, and the villagers came running worried for the sheep. The villagers saw no wolf and returned back to their lives
The boy kept playing this trick, crying wolf, and eventually the villagers stopped believing him.
One day a wolf actually came and the boy cried wolf. No villager came and all the sheep died
Story 40: Say it Nicely
Story 41: Help Each Other; Secret of Success
One day, the Asuras were tired of being bested by the Devas, so they complained to Lord Brahma that he always takes the Devas side, thats why they always win
Lord Brahma tested Devas and Asuras
Gave them Ladoos and told them to eat without bending elbow or backs
Asuras struggled and got mad
Devas fed each other so everyone got to eat laddoos
Story 42: Unity is Strength
Story 43: Everyone has some Good and Useful Qualities
Once upon a time there was a turtle, crow, mouse, and deer who were good friends, all unique in their skills
Suddenly, they realized the deer was missing. The crow went searching for the deer and found it trapped in a hunter’s net. The mouse chewed net freeing the deer.
Unfortunately, the hunter came, and all the animals escaped except the slow turtle. The hunter captured the turtle and tied him up in a bag
To save his friend, the deer came out of bush to bait the hunter. The hunter chased the deer for a long time and they ran far away.
With the hunter gone, the mouse was able to chew the bag and free the turtle
Eventually, the hunter got tired of chasing the quick deer, and all the friends were able to escape
Homework
Practice Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra (pg 105)
Sahana Vavatu (pg 105)
Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi (pg 106)
Stories
Story 30: Pick And Clean Your Dishes After Eating
Once upon a time, Yudishtar was to be crowned king of India. To celebrate his coronation, there was a feast.
Krishna was selected as chief guest who would place crown on king
When the crowning ceremony began, Krishna was nowhere to be found. The people were surprised to see Krishna cleaning dishes
Even Krishna, a form of god and chief guest chosen to crown the king of India, was not above cleaning dishes. Nobody is above doing these tasks
Story 31: Share With Others
One day there was a Rishi doing yoga beside a lake. Suddenly, he saw a shining chariot fly down from the sky in which king came down and started eating garbage
The Rishi was shocked and questioned the king as to why he was eating garbage. The King replied that when he was king he did lots of charity, but he never shared any food because he loved food. When he died, god Brahma took him to heaven for all his charity, but as punishment for not sharing food, he could only eat garbage from the earth
This teaches us that the things we share with others will come back to us later in life and after life
Story 32: Do Not Hurt Anyone (Ahimsa/Non-Violence)
One day Ganesha was outside enjoying nature and came across a cat. He wanted to dance with the cat, so he picked up the cats front two paws and started dancing with him
Whenever he would let go of his hands, the cat would go back down on all four legs and stop dancing. Angry at the cat who wouldn't dance, Ganesha scratched the cat.
When Ganesha went home, he saw his mother Parvathi, scratched and wounded. The lesson of this story is that whenever you hurt others, it will come back to you in some shape or form
Story 33: Show Extra Love For Weak People
Story 34: Be Kind To Animals
One day prince Siddarth saw a Swan get shot and fall from the sky
The hunter who shot the bird tried to claim the Swan
Siddarth claimed the bird since he saved the birds life
Siddarth would go on to take care of the bird and become known as Buddha, a form of Vishnu
Homework
Find out who Shankaracharya is. Ask your parents or search it up.
Practice Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra (pg 105)
Sahana Vavatu
New - Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi (pg 106)
Stories
Story 26: Keep Trying. Do Not Give Up Easily
700 years ago there was a child named Vadraja
Vadraja was not very smart, never understood anything in school, and his classmates teased him for it
One day he went to the well and he noticed that there were many deep marks in the stone made by the rope used to draw buckets of water from the well
The hard stone was able to erode from a soft rope after many days of the well being used, showing Vadraja that after being persistent success is possible
Vadraja started studying hard, working hard, and after a few years he became a great scholar
Story 27: Even Bhagwan Will Not Help You If You Do Not Want To Study
Tapodat was a learned man who had studied lots of book
His son did not studied, believed it was a waste of time, time is better used playing around
One day Tapodat kicked his son out of his house
Tapodat asked Bhagavan to give him knowledge from all books so he would not have to study
Bhagavan came down in human form to teach Tapodat a lesson
Tapodat’s son saw Bhagavan in human form throwing sand into river trying to make bridge
Tapodat approached him and asked him why he thinks he will be able to build a bridge from simply throwing sand into the river. Bhagavan respond with a question, why do you think you can become smart by simply praying to Bhagavan and not studying
You cannot become intelligent simply by praying, you have to study.
Story 28: Eat Well Before Going To School
One day, Bhuddha found a Farmer in a village who was able to understand his teachings
When villagers found out Buddha was coming, they all rushed to greet him, but the farmer was busy working
After work, the farmer went home to eat only to learn his cow had disappeared.
He searched for the cow before meeting Buddha knowing he could not afford to lose his cow.
During his search, he happened to pass Buddha’s hut. When Buddha came out, he told the farmer to eat first, then he will find his cow behind their hut
After eating, Buddha taught the farmer all his teachings, and the farmer understood it all
Finally after eating and learning, the Farmer found his cow
Story 29: Do Not Waste Food
Once upon a time, the Pandavas were in exile and they struggled to find food. Fortunately, Draupadi had a bowl that could feed as many people as possible until she ate.
One day a sage came, but Draupadi had already eaten
Scared that the sage would curse her and the pandavas, Draupadi started praying to krishna for help
Krishna came down and surprisingly asked Draupadi to feed him as well
With only one grain of rice left, Krishna ate it and suddenly the sage and others were filled
Homework
Find out who Shankaracharya is. Ask your parents or search it up.
Practice Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra (pg 105)
Sahana Vavatu
New - Karagare Vasate Lakshmi (pg 106)
Stories
Story 22: Do Not Make Friends With Evil People
Once upon a time there was a Crocodile and Monkey who became friends
One day the Crocodile’s wife asked crocodile to get the Monkey’s heart for her
The Crocodile took the monkey, but filled with guilt, confessed his intentions
The Monkey tricked the crocodile, saying that he left his heart in a tree
The Crocodile brought Monkey to the tree and Monkey escape
The Monkey learned not to make friends with evil people, like the crocodile
Story 23: The Company of Bad People Brings Trouble
Once upon a time there was a Crow and a Quail who were good friends
One day a Merchant was bringing yogurt to nearby town to sell
The Crow wanted to steal some yogurt, but the honest Quail advised him not to and took no part in stealing
The Crow stole yogurt by quickly flying down, taking yogurt, and flying back up. He did this many times
The Merchant sees yogurt on Crow’s beak, and he threw a stone at the Crow
The Crow dodged the stone, but the stone hit the Quail instead
Story 24: Pay Attention to Your Study
The education of Arjun and his classmates was almost finished, Arjun by now was a great Archer
Dhronacharya gave a test to his students - shoot eye of bird by looking at the reflection on water
Dhronacharya asked all the students what they observed while looking at the target
All the studnets described things surrounding the target such as nature, people, and other things, as a result Dhronacharya told them to step back and not shoot.
Arjun only saw the eye of the bird, Dhronacharya told him to take aim, and he hit the target
Story 25: Go to the Goal in Small Steps, Do One Thing at a Time
Once upon a time there was a famous and successful Emperor Shivaji
One day, while at war, Shivaji became stranded in the jungle, hungry and tired
He ran into a Lady who thought he was a soldier. The lady quickly served him steaming hot food. He ate so fast that he burned himself
Lady told him he was a fool like Shivaji
Lady gave him advice: eat the cool edges of food bite by bite instead of taking large bites out of the center. Shivaji should attack small forts one by one instead of trying to attack the center of the enemy’s army. Then Shivaji can take down the enemy once they are weakened
Homework
Find out who Shankaracharya is. Ask your parents or search it up.
Practice Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra
Sahana Vavatu
Stories
Story 19: Respect Your Classmates, Do Not Tease Them
Shankaracharya was considered great saint who attracted many disciples to study under him
Totaka was a dull student who rarely spoke and never seemed to understand the teachings, but Shankaracharya would never stop teaching him
Totaka came late to class one day and the other students asked Shankaracharya to not delay class and stop teaching Totaka. Shankaracharya refused and waited for Totaka
When Totaka arrived, Shankaracharya told Totaka to recite everything he has learned as punishment for being late. He went on to recite all the teaching of Shankaracharya
Story 20: Do Not Let Others Bully You
Snake bit a Rishi
Poison did not affect Rishi as he worships Bhagvan
People started picking on the snake because he no longer bit people
Being nice to others does not mean you can let people be mean to you
The snake went on to be nice to people, but scare of those who meant harm
Story 21: Take Care of Your Friends
Krishna and Sudhama were childhood friends
Krishna = rich, powerful
Sudhama = poor
Sudhama’s wife asked Sudhama to ask his friend Krishna for help
Sudhama did not want to go empty handed, so he brought what he could afford. Poha: Krishna’s favorite
When Krishna learned Sudhama was outside his kingdom he ran out of his room and embraced his childhood friend
They ate dinner, talked, and caught up. Sudhama never asked Krishna for anything
when Sudhama went home, in place of his house was a mansion and his family walked out well dressed and well fed
while Sudhama was gone, Krishna told his people to build Sudhama a mansion and help his family out
Student Homework
Practice Gayatri Mantra and Sahana Vavatu at home
Parent Homework
Quiz your student about the stories we learned today
Make sure they practice their Shlokas
Stories
Story 13: Our Body is very valuable
There was a poor man who believed he did not have much worth
A person approached the poor man and offered him:
$1,000 for his right hand
$10,000 for his leg
The poor man refused, he would not give any parts of his body for any sum of money
Lesson: The poor man is not truly poor. Bhagavan gave him a healthy body that he can use to be successful
Story 14: Parents are as Important as Bhagavan
There was a man named Kundalika who lived with his wife and old parents
His parents asked him to take them to the Holy City Varanasi
Kundalika refused saying he had no time
The Parents started walking by foot, without food, money, or their son’s help
Kundalika felt bad and set out on horseback to find his parents
He found them, took them to Varanasi, and returned home together
From there on out Kundalika devoted himself to his parents
Bhagavan visited Kundalika and asked for help. Kundulika said he would help later as he was helping his father
Krishna was impressed by Kundulika’s devotion to his parents and gave him a boon
Lesson: Worship your parents and treat them the same as Bhagavan
Story 15: Parents are the Most Important People in the World
Bhagavan Shiva and Devi Parvathi told their children Ganesha and Karthikeya race around the world; whoever wins will get a mango
Karthikeya started flying around the world on his peacock
Ganesha walked around his parents three times because they are his world
Ganesha won the contest and got the mango
Story 16: Love and Respect your Brothers and Sisters
King Dusherath of Ayodhya grew old and had to make one of his sons king
Queen Kaushaliya - son Rama
Kaikeyi son - Bharath
Two other brothers Lakshmana and Shatrughna
King Dushrath made Ram king
Kaikaiy, wanting her son to be king, forced Dusherath to send Ram to the forest
Sita and Lakshmana accompanied Ram in his exile
Kaikeyi’s son Bharath was out of town and was unaware of his parents actions; When he learned what happened he was infuriated at his parents
He went to the forest to get Ram to return, but Ram refused
Bharath asked Ram for his sandals and placed them on the throne of Ayodhya in respecting him as the true king
Bharath ruled as Ram’s regent until Ram returned
Lesson: care for your siblings the way Bharath and Lakshmana cared for Ram
Shlokas
Gayatri Mantra
New - Sahana Vavatu
Student Homework
Practice Gayatri Mantra and Sahana Vavatu at home
Parent Homework
Quiz your student about the stories we learned today
Make sure they practice their Shlokas
Parents, kids are allowed to bring snacks to class as we make time at the end to eat, but make sure it is not a big distraction.
Stories
Story 9
Goldsmith Narahari was a Devotee of Shiva
Rich Merchant went to Narahari to make gold waistband for Vishnu Murthi
Narahari accepted the Rich Merchant’s request on one condition… when measuring the Vishnu Murti he would go blindfolded
When he was blindfolded he felt the tigerskin of Shiva, but when he took off the blindfold it was Vishnu
Shiva and Vishnu are one
Story 10: Bhagavan is inside the Beautiful and Also in Ugly
King of Kalinga (Odessa) constructed grand temple
He requested the sculptors of Kalinga to create a beautiful sculpture of Vishnu for a money reward on it
One sculptor came forward with two conditions: he will work for 30 days with all the doors shut
The King grew impatient, and after 21 days in he opened mandir to find an ugly unfinished murti of vishnu
The King was furious at the sculptor
The Sculptor teaches The King a lesson: Bhagvan is inside the ugly murti just like god is in all other beautiful murtis
Later, the King learned and saw the sculpture as the beautiful murti of Bhagvan Vishnu
Story 11: Bhagavan Can Visit Us In Any Form
There was a Woman selling fruit
Krishna loves fruit, but he had no money, so he offered some grains
The Fruit seller, thankful for Krishnas honesty, allowed Krishna to take as many fruits as his hands could hold
The Fruit seller went home to find that the rest of her fruit transformed into diamonds
She realized that the boy was actually Bhagvan
Lesson: God can visit us in many forms, so we should be kind to all visitors and animals we come across.
Story 12: Bhagavan Helps those
Pandit Priest was very poor and fell sick frequently, but instead of working he prayed to god
He began to blame god for his misfortunes
God wanted to teach him a lesson and took form of a sick Jackal and approached Pandit
The Pandit realized that there are people and animals out there in worse condition than him
From that day on he swore to work hard everyday, and eventually he became successful and healthy
Hello everyone, today was just an introductory class, and we hope you are all excited to kickoff this school year. Your only homework is to show up next Sunday ready to learn!