Week 1 also know as kimg kkng c9bra7.doc

1. Week 17
Tulasi arati: 10 minutes
Set up the Tulasi stand holding Tulasi in the middle of the room. Keep all
the paraphernalia for worshiping her ready in advance. Lead the kirtan as the
children follow you. Perform the arati offering Tulasi incense, ghee lamp,
and flowers. Make the children offer water to Tulasi and also go around her
three times while singing the song.
Ice- breaker: 15 minutes
When you are seated in a circle, ask them one by one to speak for a minute
on: “What I enjoy doing most in the Krishna club and why I enjoy doing it.”
Kirtana: 15 minutes
If any of the children know to play some musical instruments, you can ask
them to bring it and play as an accompaniment for the kirtana. Involve the
children in kirtana by asking them to clap their hands and to dance some
simple steps. Also ask them to go up to the altar and offer some flowers or an
incense stick which all of them can use for offering to the Lordships.
Story: 30 minutes
Story telling has to be interactive for maximum effect.
This means that you have to ask them questions every now and then so that
they remain alert and learn all the important facts. With this in mind we have
included questions after every few paragraphs . You can read out the text of
every paragraph, explain it in your own words and then ask the questions.
Ask them to raise their hands if they know their answer. No shouting or
screaming out the answers and no speaking out of turn. You have to
emphasize this from the very beginning, so that they learn proper discipline

2. from the very beginning. Also you can encourage the quiet ones to
participate. Speak encouraging and appreciative words especially to the shy
and quiet ones and also to all the others in general. This will make them very
enthusiastic and responsive.
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1
Arjuna punishes Ashwathama
In India about 5,000 years ago, there lived an extraordinary woman named
Queen Draupadi. Draupadi had five husbands, known as the Pandavas. This
kind of marriage was considered unlawful but we will explain later, in this
case,why it is acceptable. The Pandavas are considered as brothers even
though the mother of Yudhistra, Bheema and Arjuna was Kunti, and the
mother of Nakula and Sahadeva was Madri, Kunti’s husband’s second wife.
1)How many years ago did the Pandavas live?
2) Who were the sons of mother Kunti?
3) Who were the sons of mother Madri?
Also, each of the Pandavas had different fathers, powerful demigods, as
stated below:
King Yudhistra was the son of Yamaraja, the Lord of Death
Bheema was the son of Vayu, the Lord of Wind
Arjuna was the son of Indra, the Lord of Heaven
Nakula and Sahadeva were the sons of the twin Ashwini Kumaras, the
Heavenly Physician.
1) Mention the fathers of Yudhishtira, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and
Sahadeva.
Queen Draupadi had five sons, one from each of the Pandavas, and she
lovingly cared for them in every way. At one time, Draupadi and her five

3. teenage warrior sons lived in a military camp at Kurukshetra during a
terrible war.
1)How many sons did Draupadi have?
Prior to the war, which lasted only for eighteen days, relations between the
opposing sides had been declining for more than a decade. The dispute
began in the royal Kuru family whose monarch ruled what was then known
as the world. The royal cousin princes, the Pandavas and Kauravas, had been
quarrelling over the inheritance of the throne, which rightfully belonged to
the Pandavas. To avoid war, the Pandavas offered the Kauravas nearly all
their share of the kingdom to which Duryodhana replied,” We will not even
give you enough land to hold the point of a needle.” The Pandavas were
therefore forced to fight.
1)How many days did the Mahabharatha war last?
2) Why did the war take place?
The historic Kurukshetra battle that followed, which claimed the lives of
many millions of soldiers, involved worldwide participation. Since then the
world has never seen so large and dreadful a war. On the eighteenth day of
the war the Pandavas achieved victory.
1)How many soldiers took part in the war?
2)From where did they come?
3) Who was victorious in the war?
Ashwathama was one of the surviving powerful generals of the Kauravas
army, and he vowed to get revenge at any cost. He was extremely angry at
the way his father, Dronacharya, had been killed in the war by
Dristhadymna, one of the Pandava’s soldier. He thus devised a shameful,
unlawful plan to kill the guarded military camp unnoticed.
1) Why did Ashwattama want to take revenge on the Pandavas?
From one tent to another he desperately searched in the moonlight shadows
for the five Pandavas. When Ashwathama found five persons sleeping in one

4. tent, he immediately beheaded them all. This cowardly act was against the
agreed battle rules and even displeases his evil-minded battle commander,
Duryodhana, who soon discovered that the slain soldiers were not, in fact,
the Pandavas. They were the five teenage sons of the Pandavas.
1) What horrible act did Ashwattama commit?
2) Was Duryodhana pleased with this act?
When Draupadi discovered her five headless sons she screamed, “o my
sons!”. “Ashwathama has mercilessly killed our sons,” said Arjuna, after
painfully observing the horrible massacre. “Draupadi, do no fear. I will find
him, and when I return with his head, your tears will cease,”The furious
Arjuna took up his deadly weapons, mounted his chariot, and began chasing
Ashwathama at full speed.
1) How did Arjuna try to comfort Draupadi?
Arjuna’s chariot driver was Lord Krishna. The Lord had descended to Earth
to deliver saintly followers of the Vedas, to punish Earth’s evil leaders, to
revive obedience to His laws in the Vedas. In fairness to both sides, Krishna
had promised to refrain from fighting and so He merely played a neutral role
and drove Arjuna’s chariot.
1) Who drove Arjuna’s chariot?
2) Why did He not take any one’s side in the war?
3) What was the purpose of His coming to the earth?
After a long chase, Ashwathama noticed that his horses were tired and that
Arjuna was right behind him. The terrified Ashwathama thought. “If I do not
stop Arjuna, he will kill me!” It so happened that Ashwathama’s father
Dronacharya had been an expert military teacher. Although Ashwathama
was unqualified, his father had taught him the secret art of using and atomic
brahmastra weapon.
1) Why did Ashwattama become terrified during the chase?
2) What is Brahmastra?
3) Who taught Ashwattama the art of using the Brahmastra?

5. Ashwathama first touched sanctified water and then invoked a brahmastra
with secret Vedic mantras. He then released his brahmastra and recited
another mantra – directing the weapon to kill Arjuna. Soaring high in the
sky, Ashwathama’s Brahmastra spread is glaring heat in all directions.
Arjuna sensed he was in danger but could not immediately think of a way to
protect himself. Feeling helpless, Arjuna called out, “Krishna, what is this
dangerous glare racing towards me? Where has it come from? I don’t
understand it!”
1) How did Ashwattama release the Brahmastra weapon?
2) How did Arjuna feel that he was in danger?
3) What did Arjuna do?
Krishna said “Arjuna, it’s a brahmastra! Ashwathama fired it at you. Only
another brahmastra can counteract this deadly weapon. Quickly! Counter it
with your brahmastra.NOW!”
1)What did Krishna advise Arjuna?
Arjuna quickly offered his respects to Krishna, touched the sanctified water
chanted secret Vedic mantras, and fired his brahmastra. The collision of
those dreadful weapons created a sun-like circle of fire that began to scorch
the entire planet in this universe.
1)What happened when Arjuna also sent his Brahmastra weapon?
Upon seeing this all-pervasive danger, the administrative demigods became
afraid, thinking that the universe would be annihilated. “Arjuna,” said
Krishna, “withdraw those weapons quickly, before they destroy this entire
universe” Since Arjuna was expert at both launching and withdrawing a
brahmastra with Vedic mantras, he instantly retracted the weapons.
1)Why did Krishna ask Arjuna to take back both their weapons?
Arjuna quickly captured Ashwathama and tied him with ropes.
Remembering his promise to Draupadi and the horrified sight of their five
dead sons, Arjuna became exceedingly angry and his eyes began to ignite

6. like blazing red balls of copper. But then he thought, “I can’t kill him. He is
the son of my beloved guru, Dronacharya!”
1)Why did Arjuna not kill Ashwattama even after catching him?
Krishna understood and agreed with Arjuna’s thoughts. Outwardly,
however, He objected. The Lord wanted to test Arjuna’s sense of duty and
compassion. “Arjuna, why are you hesitating? Ashwathama deserves to be
killed! He murdered your sleeping sons. Not only that, his evil crime
disgusted even his own military commander, the wicked Duryodhana. And
what about your promise to Draupadi? You must kill him!”
1)Did Krishna agree with Arjuna’s decision?
2)What did Krishna ask Arjuna to do to Ashwattama? What reasons did He
give for that?
3) Why did Krishna give such an instruction to Arjuna?
“Krishna, You are right, but killing my guru’s son is like killing my own
guru! His relatives, if I kill him, will suffer. Their suffering is my suffering!
Krishna, I can’t do it. Let’s take him back to Draupadi and the others and
then decide what to do” Arjuna and Krishna thus returned to their military
camp and presented the captured Ashwathama before Draupadi.
1) What reasons did Arjuna give to Krishna for not wanting to kill
Ashwattama?
When Draupadi saw Ashwathama bound with ropes like an animal, she felt
sorry for him. She even honored him, the murderer of her five sons, as if he
were a respectable brahmana.
“Please release him,” she said to Arjuna. “If we kill him, his mother and
relatives will also weep like me. What is the use of causing more sorrow?

7. Besides isn’t he the son of the great brahmana, Dronacharya, your military
teacher who taught you the art of mastering celestial weapons? The Vedas
warn that if we offend brahmanas, who are our teacher, the fire of their anger
will burn our family, casting unhappiness upon us all.”
1) What did Draupadi do when she saw Ashwattama?
2) Why did she ask Arjuna to release Ashwattama?
“I agree with Draupadi.” said King Yudhistra. “Her compassion, her
devotion to religious behavior, and her loyalty to Vedic scriptures are
flawless.” Everyone agreed with Queen Draupadi and King Yudhistra except
Bheema. “ I want to kill him,” he said angrily. “this coward murdered our
sleeping sons for no real reason, and without even giving them a chance to
fight.”
1)Who was the only one who did not agree with Draupadi? Why?
Then, with a slight smile,
Lord Krishna said, “The Vedic scriptures state that a relative of a brahmana
cannot be killed; yet if he is an aggressor who suddenly attacks with deadly
weapons, he must be killed. Arjuna, for the satisfaction of Bheema and
Myself, and to uphold your promise to Draupadi, you should kill him.” Lord
Krishna was prompting Arjuna to think of a compassionate solution that
would satisfy everyone.
1) When did Krishna say that a brahmana can be killed?
2) What did Krishna want Arjuna to do?
Understanding Krishna’s mind, Arjuna took up his sharp sword and cut the
jewel and all the hair from Ashwathama’s head. Ashwathama was born with
a beautiful jewel on his forehead and was consequently strong, beautiful, and
famous. But without his jewel and hair, and having lost his famous
reputation, Ashwathama was as good as dead. The Vedic scriptures state,
“For one who has been honored, dishonor is worse than death.” In this way
Ashwathama was killed yet not killed by intelligence of Lord Krishna and

8. Arjuna. After he had been untied and turned loose, Ashwathama wandered
towards the forest like a lost animal.
1) What did Arjuna do to Ashwattama?
2) Why was Ashwattama as good as dead?
Japa :15 minutes
You can make them chant 108 times or one mala together. Before giving
them beads to chant and teaching them to chant together both the Panca
Tattva Mantras, please read the following text to them. After that you can
ask them if they have understood it and need any further explanation before
they start chanting.
Read
Sri Namamrta - The Nectar of the Holy Name
There are nine processes of devotional service: hearing, chanting,
remembering the Lord, offering prayers to Him, worshiping Him, rendering
services to Him, serving His lotus feet, becoming His friend and
surrendering everything unto Him.
Of the nine processes of devotional service, chanting the holy name is the
most important:[Lord Caitanya to Sanatana Gosvami]: " Of the nine
processes of devotional service, the most important is to always chant the
holy name of the Lord. If one does so, avoiding the ten kinds of offenses,
one very easily obtains the most valuable love of Godhead.
Srila Jiva Gosvami Prabhu gives the following directions in his Bhakti-
Sandarbha: “Chanting the holy name is the chief means of attaining love of
Godhead. This chanting or devotional service does not depend on any
paraphernalia, nor on one's having taken birth in a good family. By humility
and meekness one attracts the attention of Krishna. That is the verdict of all

9. the Vedas. Therefore if one becomes very humble and meek, he can easily
attain the lotus feet of Krishna in this age of Kali.
That is the fulfillment of all great sacrifices, penances and austerities because
when one achieves ecstatic love of Godhead, he attains the complete
perfection of life. Therefore whatever one does in devotional service must be
accompanied with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord."Sri Caitanya
Caritamrta Antya lila 4.70-71
Tell them to chant one round of japa together. Tell them how they should
chant loudly and listen to the words and should also plead with Krishna to
make them better devotees. Tell them to chant in a prayerful mood. Hand
over the beads to them. Make them repeat the Guru pranam mantra and Sri
Panca tattva mantra. Then begin to chant loudly and quickly the Hare
Krishna Maha mantra together on the beads.
If they feel restless to keep sitting down chant, you may permit them to also
walk and chant. At the end of the session, inquire from those who have
started chanting at home daily about how their chanting has been. You can
also ask the others if they would like to start chanting also at home.
Slokas: 20 minutes
Children have good memory power and learn the slokas easily too. But you
must make it interesting for them to learn and most important they should
have some understanding of the meaning. It is good to have a drawing
describing the sloka. We have attached these drawings in the CD enclosed.
Keep the drawing ready for this sloka. Put it up on the board.
First read out the sloka and the translation to them and then read out the
explanation. Then with the help of the drawing , explain it once again in

10. your own words what you just read out. You can ask them if they have
understood it and if they have any doubts or questions about it.
Only after this you teach them to repeat the words and then whole sentences
of the sloka. Make them repeat it many times. If they are old enough to copy
it on their own, they can do so in their note-books. Otherwise, you can ask
each of the older children to write down in one of the smaller kid's note-
book. If they are all young and unable to write, you can make photo copies
of the slokas and file it for them.So that their parents can help them to
memorize them at home. Every week, if you recite the previous week's
slokas as well, they will learn it by heart it very quickly.
Slokas: 15 minutes
Bhagavad-gita Text 7.15
Na mam duskrtino mudhah
Prapadyante naradhamah
Mayayapahrta janan
Asuram bhavam asritah
Translation
Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind,
whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic
nature of demons do not surrender unto Me.
Explanation
We learned in the last verse that if we surrender to Krishna we can rise
above all illusion. So why don’t all the intelligent people take shelter of
Krishna? Actually truly intelligent people, who are called acharyas, do
surrender to Krishna. But others, no matter how wonderful they may seem,
are described here as grossly foolish, lowest of mankind, those whose
knowledge is covered, and atheists.

11. Grossly foolish people live practically like animals. They work hard for a
little food, shelter, and family life. They don’t think much about the purpose
of life.
People who are lowest among mankind can mean uncivilized people. In the
modern age many people seem civilized because they have books and
machines, but are living lives like savages in a jungle and not following any
rules of real religion are considered uncivilized.
People whose knowledge is stolen by illusion may appear to have much
education and intelligence, but they may be interested in studying only the
material world. If they do study scriptures like the Bhagavad-gita, they twist
the meaning.
The last group who do not surrender to Krishna are called the atheists. An
atheist is someone who does not accept that God exists. Someone can also
be called an atheist if he or she says that God exists but He is not a person,
or He cannot come into the material world.
Questions:
1) Who are the truly intelligent people? What do they do? Why do they do
it?
2) What is the nature of grossly foolish people?
3) Who are called uncivilized and lowest among mankind?
4) What happens to people whose knowledge is stolen by illusion?
5) Who is an atheist?
Activity:15 minutes
Continue with the activity of the previous week:
Craft-work- Making book marks and greeting cards

12. You can buy some chart paper and some color felt pens, and some
decorative items like sequins, glitter etc for sticking on to the cards. Get
some pictures of Krishna/ Lord Chaitanya or Their associates. You can scan
and take photocopies of the paintings from books. Then you have a wide
choice of photos to stick(for example, the different pastimes of Krishna).
Also get some peacock feathers if possible. It is more economical to buy in
bulk and share the cost. So you can request the parents to pay for the cost.
Use the scissors to cut the cards yourself for them and then help them to
stick the pictures and decorative items on the card and to write appropriate
words like the Hare Krishna Mahamantra in the book-mark, and for the
greetings appropriate wishes for birthdays and anniversaries along with the
message: Please chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare
Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare .
Home-work:
You can hand out the coloring sheet for them to complete at home. Request
them to write their names on the sheet, to file it and bring it to class next
week.You can return the sheets which you have put up on the notice board to
them.
Prasadam: 15 minutes
Children look forward to eating the prasadam at the end of the class,
however simple it may be. Ask them to think of Krishna while eating the
Prasadam and to thank him for tasting it first and giving them back the
remnants.

13. You can play some music or play some devotional DVD movie for them. As
they leave the class, speak to each one of them and wish them goodbye.
T