3/15/15

We started our session with OM chanting 3 times. Then we proceeded to our regular slokas starting with Gajananam. Kids all did a wonderful job, repeating and chanting together. The kids randomly recollected all names of Ganesa and all did a great job. Followed by Saraswathy slokam- The Goddess blesses us with Knowledge. She holds a veena, a book and a mala in Her hands and Sits on a Lotus flower and having swan as Her vehicle. Kids repeated and chanted the sloka together.

We then chanted the Guru slokam. We repeated the verse a couple times and later on did a group chant. We also revisited what we learned in previous classes on the Hindu Trinity Gods- Brahma the creator, Vishnu the protector and Siva the destroyer of the bad forces.

We then went on to chant the Siva slokam, Sivam Sivakaram. We repeated loud and clear a few times. We also learned Siva's matted locks has river Ganga and kids spotted like a fountain in the pictures.

We later on chanted by repeating the Parvathy Mata slokam- Sarva Mangala Mangalye.. We learned Parvathy mata is the giver of the energy for all of us. Energy is called Sakthi. Parvathy mata's other name is Sakthi.

We had a potty break and then the snack time.

We had a group discussion on Siva's 2 things on His matted locks- River Ganga and the Moon.

Our coloring activity for the day is Lord Siva, where kids were asked to draw crescent shaped Moon on his Head.

Story time- How Lord Siva gained the name Neelakanta. The churning of the milky ocean by the Devas and the Asuras with the help of the Divine snake Vaasugi, as the churning happened Vaasugi spit some poison, Lord Siva took that and put in His mouth. Parvathy mata stopped the poison in His throat and thus the neck (kanta) became all blue (Neela) hence the name Neelakanta- the one with the blue neck.

In the coming class we will see from where Siva gets the Moon which adorns His matted locks.

We concluded with the closing verses and 2 stickers as rewards for all kids' excellent participation and enthusiasm.

Reminders include a water bottle, some crayons and hand sanitizer.

Next session on the 22nd. (3/22)

Hari OM

Rajesh and Vidhya

Madhuram.