Oct 4, 2026 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents,

Reminder: 

Registration for Shloka Classes is now open. Details are posted in the Parents WA group.

Please use the link that was shared with you to sign up for BV Prasad. There is no class on October 11 and October 18, 2026 for Navaratri

Week 4 Update

Shlokas

Om chanting, Sahana vavatu, Vakratunda mahakaya, Saraswati Namastubhyam, Guru Brahma. Maha Mrityunjaya shloka (My Prayers, pg 78). We chanted the first 3 verses of Krishna Ashtakam (Pg 109) and learned the 4th verse of the shloka. A YouTube video for Krishna Ashtakam for correct pronunciation and meaning has been shared in the whatsapp group. Please practice with your children.

Stories of Lord Krishna & The Virtue of Forgiveness

• The Divine Birth & Exchange: We discussed the story of Krishna’s birth and how he was secretly moved to Gokul, exchanged with the newborn daughter of Yashoda and Nandakumar (revered as an incarnation of Goddess Durga/Yogamaya).

• Demons Liberated: We shared the stories of Putana and Trinavarta, discussing how Krishna defeated these forces and ultimately liberated them.

• Core Value — Forgiveness: We tied these stories back to Forgiveness as a central quality that Krishna embodies and values.

Reflection Prompt for Home: We asked the children to introspect before our next class on two questions:

• • What are things in life that are easy to forgive?

  • What are things that feel difficult or impossible to forgive?

2. Avadhuta Gita — Nature as Our Teacher: Air

Continuing our journey through the Avadhuta Gita, we learned about our second teacher from nature: Air.

• Interactive Science Experiments: To help the children understand how air makes its presence felt even though it is invisible, we conducted two hands-on activities:

  • Blowing up balloons to observe air taking up physical space.

  • The Submerged Cup Experiment: We attached a piece of paper to the inside bottom of a cup and submerged the cup upside down straight into water. The kids saw firsthand how the paper stayed completely dry because the air inside the cup held back the water.

• Key Life Lessons from Air:

  • Being True to Yourself: Just like air moves through different environments without changing its pure nature, we should remain true to ourselves regardless of our surroundings.

  • Focus on Goals: Air moves continuously along its path—teaching us to stay focused on our core goals rather than getting swayed by temporary distractions.

  • Living in Moderation: Learning to travel lightly through life and practice balance.

Student Activity Assignment
Students were given an Activity List to write down their personal bucket list—everything they would love to accomplish in their lifetime.

We gathered for Assembly, and house points for the last week Temple Activity were announced. More opportunities for earning house points will be coming up, so be sure to participate.

The session ended with Aarti and Pledge recitation.  

As we get ready to welcome the auspicious festival of Navratri, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a season filled with peace, joy, and spiritual renewal! May our children experience the beauty of our traditions, and we wish this festive season inspires them to cultivate inner strength, kindness, and devotion.

- Rashmi and Aparna

P.S- Supplies needed for every class: My Prayers book, Bala Vihar Handbook, notebook, pencils, coloring supplies all in their Balavihar bag.

Sep 27, 2026 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents,

Reminder: 

Registration for Shloka Classes is now open. Details are posted in the Parents WA group.

Please use the link that was shared with you to sign up for BV Prasad.

Week 3 Update

Shlokas

Om chanting, Sahana vavatu, Vakratunda mahakaya, Saraswati namastubhyam, Guru Brahma. Maha Mrityunjaya shloka (My Prayers, pg 78)

Bhagavad Gita Chanting

This year the children are learning Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita from Swamiji. 

In the first video our Swamiji introduced the chapter and shared the message. The chanting primer video will be shared with you on the Parents WA group.

The lyrics are in the Bala Vihar Handbook for your reference.

Gita Chanting Yagna date is April 17, 2027. Grade 4 is the Bharata group, and will learn verses 1-17 in class.

The BV Houses Inaugural was today. The children learned the story of the Puri Jagannath Mandir in Odisha and saw video of the Rath Yatra celebration.

They then answered questions about what they learned. 

Next, they worked together to build and decorate a Sri Jagannath Rath. Then they took their Rath on a "Yatra" throughout the temple.

We are very proud of the children for their amazing teamwork. They enjoyed the activity very much! Jai Jagannath!

The session ended with Pledge recitation.  

- Rashmi and Aparna

Sep 20, 2026 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents,

Week 2 Update

Shlokas

Om chanting, Sahana vavatu, Vakratunda mahakaya, Saraswati namastubhyam, Guru Brahma.

The children learned Maha Mrityunjaya shloka (My Prayers, pg 78), and  Verse 2 of the Krishnashtakam.(My Prayers pg 109).

 

This week, our 4th graders officially began our journey into the Krishna Lila! Here is a recap of the concepts, stories, and values we explored together in class:

1. Preparing Our Hearts: The Limbs of Vishnu
Before diving into Krishna's story, we talked about how to stay grounded, positive, and wise during challenging times (navigating Kaliyuga). We discussed the Limbs of Bhagwan Vishnu—the core virtues and practices that help us build a strong character and see the Divine in everyday life:

Core Values: Truthfulness, discipline, faith, patience (forbearance), and kindness.

Daily Practices: Sacred learning (Vedas), self-control (austerity), daily worship (Puja), and respect for all living things (including cows).

2. Mother Earth & The Cosmic Promise
We opened Krishna’s story with Mother Earth, who felt overwhelmed by the negativity and wrongdoing in the world. She went to Lord Brahma for help, leading to Lord Vishnu’s promise: He would be born to Devaki and Vasudeva to restore balance, protect the good, and cleanse the Earth.

3. Wisdom from Nature: The 24 Teachers
Drawing from the Srimad Bhagavatam (11th Canto), we shared the story of King Yadu and Sage Dattatreya. When asked how he stayed so consistently peaceful and happy, Sage Dattatreya explained that he learned life lessons from 24 different "teachers" found in nature.

We talked about the value of having guidance (a Guru) and focused on our very first teacher: Earth. The children learned that Mother Earth teaches us three big virtues:

• Endurance (standing strong through tough times)
• Generosity (giving without expecting anything back
• Forgiveness (holding no grudges)

Reminder: Please send the My Prayers Book, the 2026-27 Bala Vihar Handbook, a composition book, sharpened pencils, coloring supplies and their blue likhita japa notebook in their BV bag to every class. The suggested "Bala Bhagavatam" book is available at the Ashram bookstore. Your child can refer to it if they are absent and can enjoy doing the activities.

The session ended with Aarti and Pledge recitation in the Prayer Hall.

- Rashmi and Aparna

Sep 13, 2026 - Grade 4 (Sunday PM)

Hari Om Parents,

We enjoyed meeting some of you and getting to know your child today. 

The class started with an ice-breaker where they introduced themselves and shared their summer break experiences with us.

Week 1 Update

Shlokas

Om chanting, Sahana vavatu, Vakratunda mahakaya, Saraswati namastubhyam, Guru Brahma.

The children learned Maha Mrityunjaya shloka (My Prayers, pg 78), and  Verse 1 of the Krishnashtakam.(My Prayers pg 109).

 

The children took turns to recap Bhagavatham stories from Grade 3. Each of them narrated the stories of the "Avataras of Bhagawan Vishnu". 

We were very happy to see that few kids were able to recall all of them in detail! We reminded them that Bhagawan takes Avatara to uphold Dharma and protect the good on Earth.

Next we asked the question - what do you see in Bhagawan after listening to His stories? The children answered - kindness, bravery, compassion, forgiving, protector, etc.

We will begin the Krishna Lila and Avadhutha Gita curriculum in the next class.

Reminder: Please send the My Prayers Book, the 2026-27 Bala Vihar Handbook, a composition book, sharpened pencils, coloring supplies and their blue likhita japa notebook in their BV bag to every class. The suggested "Bala Bhagavatam" book is available at the Ashram bookstore. Your child can refer to it if they are absent and can enjoy doing the activities.

The session ended with Aarti and Pledge recitation in the Prayer Hall.

- Rashmi and Aparna

Welcome to Gr 4 - Sunday PM Session

Please look out for regular updates from 

the teachers 

soon after the session starts.