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For teacher’s referenceLet the children think hard and teacher may gradually help them come up to the answer- SALT.

SLOKA RECITATION

Let us learn a sloka from the Srimad Bhagavatam which teaches us something about the above theme. Before teaching the present verse, the teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together. Chant the twenty third verse of the 24 Gurus again. Tell the children we will learn the eleventh verse and also understand it. Learn the twenty third verse. (The teacher recites the sloka line by line and makes the children repeat and memorize the sloka)

(Story to be narrated later on in the session.)

SB 10.80.38.vayaà bhåçam tatra mahänilämbubhirnihanyamänä mahur ambu-samplavediço ‘vidanto ‘tha parasparaà vanegåhéta-hastäù paribabhrimäturäù

SYNONYMSvayam—we; bhåçam—thoroughly; tatra—there; mahä—great; anila—by the wind; ambubhiù—and water; nihanyamänäù—beset; muhuù—continuously; ambu-samplave—in the flooding; diçaù—the directions; avidantaù—unable to discern; atha—then; parasparam—each other’s; vane—in the forest; gåhéta—holding; hastäù—hands; paribabhrima—we wandered; äturäù—distressed.

1/3 60 mins 180 mins

Identify the guru• My presence is never recognized but absence is immediately felt.• I never stand out in an assembly.• Without me even the most valuable things seem worthless or useless.

Can you guess who I am?

Let us learn a sloka from the Srimad Bhagavatam which teaches us something about the above theme. Before teaching the present verse, the teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together. Chant the twenty third verse of the 24 Gurus again. Tell the children we will

Learn the twenty third verse. (The teacher recites the sloka line by line and

`

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GURU 23 - SaltTRANSLATIONConstantly besieged by the powerful wind and rain, we lost our way amidst the flooding waters. We simply held each other’s hands and, in great distress, wandered aimlessly about the forest.

LESSONS FROM GURU

2-3 students may be asked to volunteer for an activity. Every child’s right hand should be tied with a stick such that they should not be able to fold their hand. Now place two plates filled with puffed rice and ask them to eat

it. They can only eat with their right hand. Use of the left hand is not permitted. The children if they try to eat on their own will not be able to as they will be not able to bend the right hand and hence can’t reach the mouth. The only way they could is by cooperating with each other

i.e. one person feeding the other and vice-versa. Now ask them what did they learn from this exercise.

fold their hand. Now place two plates filled with puffed rice and ask them to eat

For teacher’s referenceIf they are successful in the activity by practicing the value of cooperation then the teacher may applaud them, appreciate them. When one tries to act independently without taking help from anyone then one may not get the desired result, but when one cooperates we see the result, It’s very satisfying and pleasing. It helps us build stronger friendships and relationships.

tied together to a straight wooden rod such that their hands would not bend. The demons and demigods were sitting in two different groups. The prasadam plate was kept in front of them and they were asked to eat with their hands only, not directly with the mouth. The demons tried eating individually dragging the other

Once Lord Brahma called the demons and demigods for having prasadam. A nice feast was prepared. They sat down in two different groups. Before having prasadam the right hand of every person was tied with the person next to him on the right and the left hand with the person sitting on the left side. Now their hands were

PURANIC STORY - THE DEMONS AND DEMIGODS


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GURU 23 - Saltthere was total chaos and the place was messed up. The demigods on the other hand sat in a circle and each person with their tied hands held the food in their hands and moved their hands in the direction of their neighbour’s mouth and fed him the prasadam, thus they all could eat the wonderful feast and all were very happy and satisfied.

person along but they just could not bend their arms. So they took the food in their hands and tossed it up in the air and opened their mouths to try and eat it. They could throw items like pakodas, etc the rice was spilled all over the place, dal could not be thrown. The ladoos were so big that when they were thrown up it hit them hard on their faces but the ladoos did not break. Ultimately

� When we try to act independently and do not cooperate, simple tasks look seemingly difficult.

� When there is mutual love, unity and cooperation then even seemingly difficult tasks become easy.

What is cooperation ?

Teacher can speak this in her own words.

The meanings for Cooperation are:1. Support2. Team work3. Help

Srila Prabhupada talks about cooperation: “Kåñëa consciousness means full cooperation with Kåñëa, and Kåñëa means

with all his entourage. We should always remember this. Just like when we speak of a tree, it includes the root, the trunk, the branches, the leaves, the flowers-everything. Therefore to love Kåñëa means to love Him along with all His Name, His fame, His qualities, His entourage,

His abode, His devotees, etc.” We have seen the importance of trees in the class before on gratitude or being thankful.

“Kåñëa consciousness means full cooperation with Kåñëa, and Kåñëa means with all his entourage. We should always remember this. Just like when we speak of a tree, it includes the root, the trunk, the branches, the leaves, the flowers-everything. Therefore to love Kåñëa means to love Him along with all His Name, His fame, His qualities, His entourage,

His abode, His devotees, etc.”

What is cooperation ?

“Kåñëa consciousness means full cooperation with Kåñëa, and Kåñëa means

Lessons

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GURU 23 - SaltSTORIES ON COOPERATION

STORY 1 - LORD SHIVA’S FAMILY

In Lord Shiva’s family the purpose is one to serve Lord Shiva. Even though the rat is the food of the snake. The snake is the food of the peacock and

peacock is food of the tiger, they still continue to stay in the same

place. Rat is the vehicle of Lord Ganesha, the snake is

always present on Lord Shiva’s neck, and peacock is the vehicle for Kartikeya the other son of Lord Shiva while goddess Parvati always moves on a tiger. Thus we see how inspite of one being food for the other how they cooperatively live for the higher purpose of serving Lord Shiva.

still continue to stay in the same

Story of cooperation from sciptures. Krsna and Sudama. When they went to collect wood for their teacher and it started raining. An excerpt from the Krishna Book -Kåñëa continued to talk with His brähmaëa friend: “My dear friend, I think you remember our activities during the days when we were living as students. You may remember that once we went to collect fuel from the forest on the order of the guru’s wife. While collecting the dried wood, we entered the dense forest and by chance became lost. There was an unexpected dust storm and then clouds and lightning in the sky and the explosive sound of thunder. Then sunset came, and we were lost in the dark jungle. After this, there was severe rainfall; the whole ground was overflooded with water, and we could not trace out the way to return to our guru’s

äçrama. You may remember that heavy rainfall—it was not actually rainfall but a sort of devastation. On account of the dust storm and the heavy rain, we began to feel greatly pained, and in whichever direction we turned we were bewildered. In that distressed condition, we took each other’s hand and tried to find our

way out. We passed the whole night in that way, and early in the morning, when our absence became known to our gurudeva, he sent his other disciples to search us out. He also came with them, and when they reached us in the jungle they found us very much distressed.With great compassion our gurudeva said, “My

dear boys, it is very wonderful that you have suffered so much trouble for me. Everyone likes to take care of his body as the first consideration, but you are so good and faithful to your guru that without caring for bodily comforts you

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have taken so much trouble for me. I am glad to see that bona fide students like you will undergo any kind of trouble for the satisfaction of the spiritual master. That is the way for a bona fide disciple to become free from his debt to the spiritual master. It is the duty of the disciple to dedicate his life to the service of the spiritual master. My dear best of the twice-born, I am greatly pleased by

your acts, and I bless you: May all your desires and ambitions be fulfilled. May the understanding of the Vedas which you have learned from me always continue to remain within your memory, so that at every moment you can remember the teachings of the Vedas and quote their instructions without difficulty. Thus you will never be disappointed in this life or the next.”

1. Collecting the woods from the forest.a. Holding each other’s hands – indicates commitment to friendship. b. Holding the bundle of sticks – indicates commitment to Guru and Guru’s mission. c. Both went hand in hand.

2. They experienced blessings and pleased their guru. This gave competence for success in future.

Lessons

Recap the session 1 in brief.

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GURU 23- Salt

2/3 60 mins 180 minsThe teacher should begin the second session of this Salt Guru with the recitation

of slokas first.

SLOKA RECITATION

The teacher should continue the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together. Chant the twenty third verse of the 24 Gurus again. If time permits revise one more sloka.

SB 10.80.38vayaà bhåçam tatra mahänilämbubhirnihanyamänä mahur ambu-samplavediço ‘vidanto ‘tha parasparaà vanegåhéta-hastäù paribabhrimäturäù


TRANSLATIONConstantly besieged by the powerful wind and rain, we lost our way amidst the flooding waters. We simply held each other’s hands and, in great distress, wandered aimlessly about the forest.

LESSONS FROM GURU

The teacher should continue the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together. Chant the twenty third verse of the 24 Gurus again. If time permits revise one

EXAMPLE 1 - EQUAL IN COMPOSITION

NaCl is the chemical formula for Salt. Interestingly both these chemicals when they combine in equal proportion, salt is formed. Some chemicals like hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water but they are not in even proportion. In the case of salt both sodium and chlorides have to be present in equal proportions. So cooperation is seen in salt right from the beginning.


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Salt does not stand out. but dissolves so Cooperation means

creating a scene that's best for everything and everyone

STORY 1 - PRTHU MAHARAJ AND KING INDRA

In a particular section in the fourth canto, we find two people. One is is Prthu Maharaj who is selflessly serving all the citizen and is trying to please God so that the Lord would bestow auspiciousness for everyone’s enlightenment and then we have Indra the universal champion who has the record of the most yajnas of this type and who is very proud because he worked very hard. It’s very difficult to do these yajnas and he worked hard all his life to get that record and Prthu Maharaj was about to surpass him.Prthu Maharaj was told by a superior authority that let Indra have the record otherwise he is creating too much problem. So Prthu Maharaj accepted it and because he accepted it, he didn’t do the yajna, Visnu came. Visnu was more pleased that he didn’t do the yajna than if he did. Because not doing the yajna was a higher yajna than doing yajna because the purpose of yajna is to please Krishna and ultimately Krishna wants cooperation. The guru and Krishna would rather see the devotees cooperating, he is

more pleased with you if you cooperate because its creating a scene that’s best for everything and everyone. He is more pleased with that, then if you excel. And

in your attempt to excel, become famous and become great you bring out the worst in others. You bring out a selfish competitive environment where instead of trying to lift each other up you are trying to push each other down, you are hoping the worst for each other or may be not the worst

you are hoping not the best for each other. You may not be hoping that your competitor falls down and goes to hell but you are hoping that he doesn’t do as good as me. Krishna came down and He didn’t praise Indra who had the record, He praised Prthu for not breaking the record because Prthu exhibited detachment, Prthu Maharaj exhibited focus on the higher principle of what pleased Krishna and in this sense what pleased Krishna was cooperation.

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GURU 23- SaltIn cooperation both sides cooperate. Both sides take a humble position.

STORY 2 - AN INDUSTRIALIST FAMILY

In an industrialist family there were two partners, they shared everything-their profits, technology, workspace etc. It is normally unusual today for any partnership to last for a very long time but this partnership had lasted for more than three four decades. That is a pretty long time. So one often wonders or asks them the question as to what is the secret of their partnership lasting and flourishing for so long.

So their answer was that the way they have got along so well is both of them are always trying to give credit to the other one. One is giving credit and glory to him and he is giving credit to you and It’s mutual there is no competition. That’s the way there is love and unity. And they said about each other that, “He is more than a brother to me, I have so many brothers but he is more than a brother for me.”

Cooperation means being detached or doing what is pleasing to the

Lord.

took the humble detached position even though Indra didn’t and it created a cooperative atmosphere. Indra has this

ego, Ok that’s Krishna’s business to lift Govardhan hill later on and smash his ego, it’s not my business to smash his ego. And Prthu Maharaj is not taking the role of God, He is saktyavesha avatar. He is thinking of the whole picture, it’s not good for him to make these aparadhs,

it’s not good for the world that all this

Now in this particular story cooperation is being challenged, Indra doesn’t want to cooperate, he doesn’t want to give anything, he is willing to give any type of glory and respect to Prthu as long as it doesn’t infringe upon his superior position. And knowing that his superior position was inevitably going to be defeated, he started doing all sorts of sabotaging activities. But how was cooperation in this. Prthu Maharaj

STORY 3 - PRTHU MAHARAJ’S DETACHMENT.


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And Visnu comes and glorifies, blesses and empowers Prthu Maharaj. And He is quite ashamed of Indra, the great record holder.

irreligion is being spread, so ok let him have his egoistic position. I was going to punish him, I defeated him so many times but he won’t give up so I’ll take the humble position, for cooperation sake.

Cooperation enables one to achieve the impossible.

STORY 4 - THE ELEPHANT AND THE SPARROWTwo sparrows, husband and wife, built a nest on a banyan tree where the female sparrow laid eggs. One

afternoon a wild elephant came to the tree seeking shelter from the sun. Unable to bear the heat, the tusker suddenly went berserk and snapped a big branch of the tree, crushing the sparrow’s eggs in the nest. The sparrow pair somehow escaped the fury of the elephant but the wife began crying for her eggs. A woodpecker, a close friend of the sparrow, heard her crying and moved by her grief asked her, “Why are you crying, my friend? Wise men do not grieve what is lost or what is dead or what is past. That is the difference between a learned person and an unlettered man.”The female sparrow said, “The wicked elephant has destroyed my offspring. If you are a true friend of mine suggest a way to kill him. In my view, he who harms a person in trouble or he who ridicules a person in sorrow deserves to be punished and he who punishes such a person has no rebirth.” “What you say is right,” said the woodpecker. “He is a friend who comes

to your aid when you are in need. Everyone tries to be friendly when you are prospering. You will see how resourceful I am. I have a friend who is a fly. With his help we can kill the elephant.” Taking the female sparrow with him, the woodpecker called on the fly and told him, “This is my dearest friend. A wild elephant has squashed her eggs. You must somehow find a way to kill that elephant. We need your help.” The fly said, “I have a friend who is a frog. Let us go to him and seek his help also.” The female sparrow, the woodpecker and the fly went to the frog and narrated the entire story of the sparrow’s grief. The frog said, “What is an elephant before a united crowd like us? Do as I tell you. O’ fly, go to the elephant when the sun is high in the sky and hum a sweet

tune into his ears. When he closes his eyes in ecstasy, the woodpecker will scoop his eyes out. He becomes blind and

thirsty and will look for water. I will go to a quicksand and begin croaking there. Thinking that there is water, the

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GURU 23 - Saltelephant will come there and sink into the quicksand and die.” All the four played out their roles according to the frog’s plan and caused the death of the elephant.” At the end of the story, the female pheasant told her husband, “That is how together the four friends killed the elephant.” Impressed by his wife’s wisdom, the husband said, “Okay, we will call our

friends and with their help crush the Sea.’ As their friends, the cranes, the peacocks, the cuckoos and other birds, gathered, the male pheasant told them the story of how the Sea had killed their offspring and how necessary it was to drain him out.

It enhances the taste of all other things.

Prior to the 18th century, the church had a great influence over Europe, especially the catholic monasteries where the monks performed austerities. But the monasteries dwindled as time went on, and gradually they became historic sites. One such monastery was inhabited by

an order of monks, who had previously consisted of many branches, but now only one monastery remained, with only five monks living there, and all of them were over seventy years

old. The abbot was worried that the order would be lost, so he was trying to make recruits, but all his efforts were going in vain. The monastery was situated on the edge of a forest, and people used to come there to picnic. In the forest was a hut which was visited by a rabbi. They all knew the rabbi, and also they knew the times when he visited the hut. So one time when the abbot came, the abbot thought to go and visit him. “Maybe he can give me some advice about how to save the order.” So the abbot went there

and when he arrived he and the rabbi embraced. They were glad to see each other, and they began to discuss deep spiritual topics. So he was just about to leave when he remembered the purpose of his visit. “Can you give me any advice about how to save the order?” So the rabbi said, “Well to tell the truth, I also have the same problem. No one is interested in coming to the synagogue. I can’t really help you.” So the abbot was just about to leave when the rabbi said to him, “I do know one thing, however. One of you is the new messiah.” This cryptic answer confused the rabbi and he returned to the monastery. He related his meeting with the rabbi to all the other monks, and told them of the cryptic answer he had received. From then on, all of the monks began to think, “I wonder which one of us is the new messiah? Maybe it’s Brother Frederick, he’s so strong willed. Or maybe it’s Brother Peter, he’s very shy

STORY 5 - THE MONKS AND THE RABBI

other monks, and told them of the cryptic answer he had received. From then on, all of the monks began to think,

it’s Brother Frederick, he’s so strong willed. Or maybe it’s Brother Peter, he’s very shy


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and humble, always willing to lend a hand.” And then they began to think. “It couldn’t be me, could it? I mean, God, would have to be pretty hard up to pick me as the new messiah.” So, thinking like this, the monks all began to act very nicely towards one another, as they didn’t want to commit any offence if one of their Godbrothers might be the new messiah. And they also began to act in a very dignified way themselves, just in case they themselves were the new messiah. And the people who came and picnicked by the monastery at the edge of the forest also began to come and pray in the monastery. They noticed

a change of mood in the monastery, that the monks were acting very reverentially towards their Godbrothers, and that they

seemed to have a very nice relationship. The people also noticed that the monks themselves also appeared very dignified, and seemed to be emanating an aura. The people noticed this distinct change, and sometimes they would talk with

the monks. One man decided that he wanted to experience what the monks were experiencing, so he joined up. His friend came along to see what he was up to, and he also

joined. In this way the monastery built up again.

would have to be pretty hard up to pick me as the new messiah.” So, thinking like this, the monks all began to act very nicely towards one another, as they didn’t want to commit any offence if one of their Godbrothers might be the new messiah. And they

seemed to have a very nice relationship. The people also noticed that the monks themselves also appeared

the monks. One man decided that he wanted to experience what the monks were experiencing, so he joined up. His friend came along to

MORAL - Cooperation is enhancing the wealth of good qualities in others.If we can act nicely toward each other cooperating with each other and behave nicely ourselves, then people will become attracted.

Cooperation is identifying one’s strength, setting aside weaknesses

and working as a team.

STORY 6 - MERCEDES AND BENZ

so they both got together and setting their differences aside they decided to work together and the result was that they started manufacturing world class

vehicles with the state of the art technology and it was marketed in such a way that it became a very world class and popular

brand in the field of cars. It is still known for its class. It has a class of its own. So cooperation got them success, name and fame.

Mercedes Benz the car manufactures we see now rolling out cars which have carved out a niche segment in the market among the elite. It was not that they started from the top. To start of with a man named Mercedes was expert in technology and know how in regards to knowledge and production aspect, but he was not good in marketing and sales. There was a another person named Benz who was very good in marketing,

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GURU 23- SaltCooperation is teamwork

EXAMPLE 2 - COOPERATION REQUIRED AT EVERY LEVEL

In the corporate companies usually in team building there is an interesting sutra that is followed. There are four levels. Performance is of prime importance in every company. But in order to achieve the goal or keep the performance optimum the four steps are as follows.1. Forming2. Norming3. Storming4. Performing.Here too, the principle of cooperation is evident in the sense that right from t first stage where a group has to be formed to the last stage where the final product or performance is tested the success depends on how well knit the unit is or how well have the group members cooperated in achieving this task.

STORY 7- HARE AND TORTOISE - SHOW PPT

Part 1 –Tortoise wins.Moral – Slow and steady wins the race.

Part 2 – Hare wins Moral – fast and reliable is much more efficient.

Part 3 – They cooperate to break the record time in the race.Moral – Together one can achieve unbelievable things.

landed on the soil of the enemy territory. He was arrested and jailed for 6 yrs. Later after being released he married and was leading the life of a civilian. One day he had gone to a restaurant to dine. A man came up to him, “ Are you

Charles Plumb?”

It was his 76th flight and now he was shooting bombs. The war was on. Suddenly his plane was shot down. He just had some seconds to react within which he decided to jump down. He jumped out opening a parachute. Unfortunately for him he

STORY 8 - THE FIGHTER PILOT


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You cannot clap with only one hand. Both hands are required.

Pride comes before a downfall - Cooperate and serve .

Don’t judge others - lest you be judged

STORY 9 - THE PARABLE OF THE TWO SCREWS

Once upon a time there were two screws fastening a vital part of a gasoline engine. One of the screws was haughty and

proud of it’s shining head. The second screw was quiet, intent only on doing its job to the best of its ability. One day a speck of rust appeared on the head of the second screw. Filled with vain pride of its own beauty, the first screw began to laugh at the second. “Your head is tarnished,” the first said to the second. “Look at you. Your perfect luster is gone.” The second screw said nothing. Instead, it concentrated on what it was doing. “How ugly you have become,” the first screw chortled, “and how beautiful I have remained.” Then it began to laugh so hard at the second screw that it failed to notice that it was working itself loose.

Finally it dropped off the engine and plunged into a small pool of dirty oil below. With the first screw no longer holding up its end of the load, the second was faced with doing the work of two. Meanwhile the first screw, now covered with grimy oil, wailed and lamented. “Just look at me! I’m dirty and filthy and all my beauty is gone. By laughing at the blemish on my friend the second screw, I worked myself loose and fell into the muck. Now I’m doomed.” Now, it just so happened that a short time later the owner of the engine started it up. He immediately noticed that something didn’t sound right -- the engine was running rough. When he checked, he instantly saw that one of the two screws holding the vital part was missing. “Ah ha!” the owner

of dirty oil below. With the first

slogging in office for hours, earning money for you (the child) is packing the child’s parachute.Mother cooking at 5 am in the morning, preparing your lunch and breakfast for you, caring for your needs is teamwork.So one should value such contributions and thank them and reciprocate to value teamwork.

He was surprised as to how he knew his name. The man reminded him of the war and said, “I was the one in charge of testing, checking and packing your parachute.” It hit him very hard. He was very grateful to the man. The man left. Later, Charles Plumb went on to become a very inspirational speaker. He always used this story everywhere to highlight the quality and importance of teamwork. Eg – A father travelling in local trains,

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GURU 23- Saltsaid. “One of the screws must have worked itself loose and fell to the ground, but I don’t see it. Maybe it fell into that puddle of

old oil.” The owner reached into the oil and found the missing screw. “Look at you,” the owner said. “You’re all covered with grime and oil. How ugly you are. But I will fix that right away.” The owner reached for a nearby rag and wiped all the oil and grime off the first screw until it shone even brighter than before. Then he replaced it on the part. Before he turned away, he noticed a little speck of tarnish on the head of the second screw. With the second rag, he wiped the head clean

and bright. Then the owner walked away. Finally the engine was started. The two screws, now equally beautiful, held the part tight. “Forgive me, my friend,” the first screw said to the second. “In my vanity, I was so busy laughing at your blemish that I did not notice that I was working myself loose.” “And what have you learned?” the second screw quietly asked. “I learned not to judge others because I have my own sins to deal with.” “Then,” the second screw said, “I forgive you.” “Thank you, my friend. And rest assured, my vanity will remain forever at the bottom of that dirty puddle of oil.”

“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”

Lesson

Call out one student from the classroom. Keep ten books on ten different benches of the classroom. An empty school bag in which all these books have to be put into is available in the office (Seva sthan.). Now ask the chi ld to collect all the books, put it in the bag, close the bag and give it to the teacher. The time taken by the child will be marked. Now ask

one more student from the class to help the first person with this activity. Mark the time taken now both doing the activity together. Ask them what the children learnt from this activity.

the teacher. The time taken by the child will be marked. Now ask

have to be put into is available in the office (Seva sthan.). Now ask the to collect all the books, put it in the bag, close the bag and give it to the teacher. The time taken by the child will be marked. Now ask

one more student from the class to help the first person with

For teacher’s reference

The teacher may point out the time taken by the child to complete the task when he did it alone and the time taken when his friend was also involved in it. Obviously the time taken when both of them were involved will be lesser. Now explain to them that when we help each other in our work it means we are cooperating.


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SLOKA RECITATION

The teacher should continue the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together. Chant the twenty third verse of the 24 Gurus again. If time permits revise one more sloka.

SB 10.80.38vayaà bhåçam tatra mahänilämbubhirnihanyamänä mahur ambu-samplavediço ‘vidanto ‘tha parasparaà vanegåhéta-hastäù paribabhrimäturäù


TRANSLATIONConstantly besieged by the powerful wind and rain, we lost our way amidst the flooding waters. We simply held each other’s hands and, in great distress, wandered aimlessly about the forest.

3/3 60 mins 180 mins

The teacher should continue the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together. Chant the twenty third verse of the 24 Gurus again. If time permits revise one

Some activities with conclusions

A bundle of sticks. Items required.1. Twigs of a tree or sticks around 30 in number. 2. A rope to tie them together.

Ask 2-3 children to come and volunteer for this activity. Give them each a twig and ask to break it into two. The twig should be such that that they may easily be able to break it.Now take all the sticks or twigs, tie them tightly together. Ask the child to try and break it into half. He cannot. Pass it to the rest of the class and ask if anyone of them can break them.

A bundle of sticks. A bundle of sticks. A bundle of sticks. A bundle of sticks. A bundle of sticks. A bundle of sticks.

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GURU 23- SaltFor teacher’s reference

1. Video of the buffalo and the lions. Tell them that the buffalo was helpless and dying, but his friends

came to help him putting their lives in danger. A lion is the king of the jungle. He is very powerful. But we see that when the buffalos are united and want to save the life of their friend even the lions are afraid when they come near them in a group.

2. Video of two children playing and fighting.

Lessons • Unity in strength • United we stand like the buffaloes or divided we fall like the children fighting with each other.

STORY 1 - STRIKE BY HANDS, LEGS AND BELLY

Srila Prabhupada tells a story, “There is a story, Udarendriyäëäm in the Hitopadeça written by Viñëuçarma. There, there was strike. All the hands legs eyes, they observed strike, that “This belly, the stomach is eating only, and we are working. So we shall not work. We shall not work, stop working. So they stopped working, and after few days, all of them became weak because they were not feeding

the stomach. Then they arranged another conference. “Why we are becoming weak?” Then the fault was found out that because we are not giving to eat to the stomach. So all then agreed, “Well, let the stomach eat, and let us work.” So this is the nature’s arrangement. The stomach will simply eat and the hands and legs and eyes, they must work.”

we shall not work. We shall not

STORY 2 - THE EFFORT IN MAKING A FLOWER VASE

A beautiful flower vase can be shown to the children. The teacher can ask the children, “Isn`t this flower vase looking beautiful?” Now she can show how the flower vase is made, there are so many flowers. First somebody has to go and buy these flowers

from the shop in Dadar. They have to buy a flower vase, oasis. The oasis has to be soaked in water. Then we have

to cut the flowers, put them in the vase. Put the leaves in the

vase. So much effort is taken to make one flower vase and

2-3 people are required.

A beautiful flower vase can be shown to the children. The teacher can ask the children, “Isn`t this flower vase looking beautiful?” Now she can

so many flowers. First somebody has to go and buy these flowers

from the shop in Dadar. They have to buy a flower vase, oasis. The oasis has to be soaked in water. Then we have

to cut the flowers, put them in the vase. Put the leaves in the

vase. So much effort is taken

2-3


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Tell them the vase is more beautiful as there is a lot of variety, so many leaves and colors of flowers come together and are properly placed in this vase which adds more beauty to the room. Children are just like flowers. Compare the children to the beauty of the flowers and say that just as all these flowers put together collectively look so beautiful, similarly these flowers in the form of children are also very special. Every person is loved by Krishna, so we should not fight and always be sharing and loving each other.

Show the children a single rose or any single flower; also keep a beautiful flower vase next to it... Ask them which one they like more or which one is more beautiful.

CONCLUDE WITH THE STORY OF PRACETAS EXPLAINING THE IMPORTANCE OF HELPING EACH OTHER AND BEING

UNITED.

Project the picture of Lord Visnu giving darsana to the Pracetas being very pleased with their austerities.


This is the story of ten brothers who did severe penances or tapasya. They went under water and sat there for ten thousand years. All the time they were praying to Lord Visnu. By chanting and repeating the mantras given by Lord Çiva, they were able to please Lord Viñëu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. After ten thousand years Lord Visnu was very pleased and he very kindly came before them to give them his darsana. They got the beautiful darsana of the Lord just as we have every day in the temple morning (7.45 singing “Govindam adi purusam”). So we can see the same darsana which the Lord gave to them in this painting.

Project the picture of the Lord and ask the children to describe the Lords beauty.

GURU 23 - Salt

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GURU 23- SaltThe Lord was very beautiful

1) He was wearing a yellow dhoti.2) His neck was decorated with the jewel known as Kaustubha-maëi. The Lord’s body was so bright that the darkness all around disappeared.3) His head had a golden helmet and He wore golden ornaments.4) The Lord was surrounded by demigods, great sages and other friends. These were all engaged in His service. Garuòa, the carrier of the Lord, glorified the Lord with Vedic hymns or prayers by flapping his wings.5) He had eight arms.6) His neck had a beautiful garland which reached to his kneesThen the Lord spoke to the Pracetas and said that because they all offered prayers together for so long He was very happy with them.

The teacher can ask one student who volunteers to clap.After that, tell him to now clap with one hand.


• Just like we require both the hands to clap and why we clap. If someone does something nice we clap to make him happy. • Similarly for Krishna clapping means that we be friends with all and not fight for any glass or toy like the children in the video. That does not make Krishna happy. • So we must be helping our friends, not fighting with them or getting angry, crying. We must play with each other happily and also pray to Lord Nimai Nitai that he give us his love and blessings.

Video of love and cooperation

Recap the session 3 in brief.

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