Hari OM,

We had all students in our class but for one. We started with review of the Dyana Sloka meaning we discussed in the last class - "Shantakaram Bhujagasayanam..." We discussed the meaning again and how various artists or people can visualize or create a mental form for Vishnu based on the Dyana Sloka. The kids recited "Sri Rama Rama Ramethi..." and we reiterated the importance of this Sloka. Today we had more participation on the prayer log front (Diya joining) with Isha continuing the lead. We reviewed the five names of Vishnu and their meanings that each student had written from home this week. This is the third week we are reviewing Vishnu names. Some of the names we saw today are Damodhara (one who has a string around the waist), Shreeman, Vasudeva, Dravina pradha, Hrishikesha, Dhruva. We also saw a story on some names (Dravina pradha, Dhruva) and that how the meanings of names are at various levels from literal to more deeper philosophical. By now, each student would have known 15 names of their own and some more names from the other students and the names we discussed in the class.

We discussed Gita Jayanthi, the background on Gita and Vishnu Sahara nama. We are planning to complete the topic on Vishnu by next week. We encourage kids to listen to Vishnu Sahasra namam. We would like Kids to have listened to the Sahasranama atleast once by next week, write five more names of Vishnu and practice the attached Gita Jayanthi Quiz questions. Next week, we will review and have a quiz on the names of Vishnu as well.

Please continue the prayer log with Guru Stothram, Sri rama rama. See you all next week.  We have asked the kids to look at the blog as well so they can remember what went on in the class and what they need to do before coming to the class. Please talk to your kids about the class and the homework they need to do.

BBNJ family has been planning lot of family activities in Feb, March and April. You will hear more about these in separate emails as well as our upcoming classes. The first class in Feb, we are planning for a field trip to the VRAJ temple http://www.vraj.org/. Our year-end Samskriti is being moved to June 18th, the Saturday in our Cranbury ashram.