Class Review (Section 1) 12/2/2012

Hari Om,
    We had a nearly full class after the long Thanksgiving break. We started with the usual 3 loud oms and the     n continued with Achutham Kesavam bhajan. Was thrilling to hear all the children sing this melodious song. We then continued learning the Govinda Damodra strotam. We are now learning verses 3 and 4. 


Next came the toughest part of the class. Many children enjoy it but quite a few fear this part of the class. Parents, please help your children with the geeta chapter 13. We have many tools available. Please avail of the link http://www.geetachanting.net

We moved on to the story time. We told the story of salvation of Sudarshan. Following Krishna's twelth  Nand Baba wanted to perform puja for Ambika devi. Nanda and all other Gopas drove their carts with families and reached Ambikavana on a pilgrimage tour. There they took bath in the river Saraswati and with devotion worshiped lord Lord Shiva and Parvati. They also observed day long fast and decided to pass their night on the bank of Saraswati. But that place was inhabited by a huge python. During the night: the python emerged and catches hold of Nand's leg. Nandbaba cried loudly. He cried again: "Kanhaiya, This snake is all set to strangulate me. Save me." Lord touched the python with his feet and instantly, the python vanished. In its place appeared a divine-looking human. He said: "O Lord, I was a Vidyadhar named Sudarshan. I was so much obsessed with my beauty, youth, luxury and comforts that I used to insult others. One day I had derided at the ugly appearance of the sage Angira. So indignantly he cursed me to become a python. But, pleased by my realization of mistake, he had told that when God himself would touch me, I would regain my original appearance." Thereafter, Sudarshan went round the God, worshiped Him and with his permission, departed to his abode.

On another occasion a demon Shankhchur tried to escape away kidnapping some of the Gopis. A stampede resulted among Gopis. Hearing their noise, Krishna ran after the demon. In no time He overtook the demon and killed him by just one blow. He picked up the gem from demon's head and handed it to Balarama.

We then moved on to Akrura story. After Narada muni visits Kamsa and reveals Krishna's whereabouts, Kansa is enraged. He decides to hold a Dhanuryagna and invite the special inhabitants of Vrindavan. He sends Akrura a popular yadava as messenger. Akrura warns Kamsa that all well made plans can go awry. 
  Akrura is eager to see the lord. He is warmly welcomed in Vrindavan. The Nanda and Krishna welcome this invitation from Kamsa. Plans are made to set out the following day. 
When Krishna leaves Vrindavan, he leaves behind the gopis and his mother Yashoda maiya. The simple folks are dejected to Krishna leave their village. But with exemplary devotion, they all attain the lord's side.

We had closing prayers in the auditorium, We may be having a quiz next week. See you all next week. 

pranam