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Sloka Recitation: T L L B T A B
Sloka Recitation: T L L B T A B
The theme – Better to be a king by reducing your wants and better to be a beggar…
Maintain body by what comes of its own accord and not be greedy.
SLOKA RECITATION
Let us learn a sloka from the Sri Isopanishad 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 first verse of the 24 Gurus again. Tell the children we will learn
the first verse and also understand it.
Learn the first verse. (The teacher recites the sloka line by line and makes the
children repeat and memorize the sloka)
Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned
by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself,
which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing
well to whom they belong. (Isopanishad 1)
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LESSONS FROM GURU – (RED HELL)
The teacher can explain to the children, the lessons which this Python guru teaches
us. The abbreviation “RED HELL” makes it convenient for us to remember what the
guru wants to teach us.
The teacher can write down on the board the below abbreviation and ask
the children to note it down and learn it.
In this session, after explaining the meaning of RED HELL, the teacher will be able
to narrate a maximum of four stories. The remaining stories can be continued in the
next class.
STORIES
STORY 1 - THE THREE BROTHERS
{GREED CAN DESTROY YOUR UNITY}
The wife of the headman of a village for the oldest never diminished. She
died soon after giving birth to a baby treated all three boys alike and the two
boy. The headman was inconsolable but younger ones never realized they had a
was persuaded by his family and friends stepbrother.
to marry again so that the child When the headman passed away,
would have someone to look after the widow entrusted the responsibilities
him. of the household and the fields to
Fortunately, his second wife the eldest son and he managed them
turned out to be a large-hearted and so well that the family prospered. This
sensible woman who gave the child all made the neighbours envious.
the love and care he would have received One day, one of them told the
from his own mother. In the course of widow’s sons the truth about
the years she presented the headman their eldest brother and advised them
with two more sons, but her affection to drive him away from the house lest
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he should deprive them of their share of The younger sons could not deal with the
their father’s property. situation and one day they said
The boys were shocked at the to their mother: “If our
revelation, and, frightened by elder brother was not
the prospect of losing their share of the bed-ridden, such terrible things
property, decided to murder him. When would not have happened to us.”
they told their mother about what they The widow kept quiet, but in
planned to do, she said to them, “Don’t the dead of the night she again started
bloody your hands, I will get rid of him shouting: “Snake! Snake!”
for you.” Everyone woke up.
That night when everybody was “Where...where did you see it
asleep, she suddenly jumped out of bed mother?” asked the eldest son, weakly.
and started shouting: “Snake! Snake!” “Son, I saw it coming out of
“Where? Where did you see it, your stomach,” replied the
mother?” asked the eldest son, getting woman. “It disappeared into
up from his mat. the darkness.”
“Alas!” said the widow. From that day on the condition of
“I saw it disappearing into the eldest son started improving. Soon
your stomach.” he was able to walk into the courtyard
The young man turned pale. where he saw the new wall. “Who has
From that day on, he lost all appetite for built this!” he thundered. The neighbours
food and would lie on his mat the whole came running and meekly pulled down
day long. Soon he became so weak that the wall.
he could not even sit up on his mat. The following week he went to
The neighbours the family fields and seeing the new
rejoiced and took boundaries shouted, “Who has done
advantage of the this!”
situation. They built a The neighbours trembled in fear
wall across the widow’s and quickly vacated the land they had
courtyard and claimed a part of the grabbed.
house as their own. In the fields they The widow and her three
shifted their boundaries to enclose large sons lived in peace and
portions of the widow’s lands. harmony ever after.
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STORY 2 - THE YOGI’S CLOTH
{GREED CAN ENCOURAGE YOU TO HAVE MORE THAN WHAT YOU NEED}
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``
One day he was thinking like this and satisfied with what you have and
when the old sadhu again passed by. not unnecessarily be greedy for more
The sadhu smiled and remarked, “I can comforts or luxury, because when it
see you are in a pensive mood, so I will comes to wanting things there is no end
tell you again that its better to be happy to it.”
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gold said, “but I am taking this gold.” and all his wealth, all the wealth of the
So then the last boy went high into the demigods is buried here and you have
Himalayas, up to the very top, and still come across it.” “Well, what is this
his wick didn’t drop. Then he saw one wheel?” the boy asked. “This wheel is
man in the distance. So a weapon of Kuvera which protects his
he was calling to him, treasure.” “Oh,” the boy said. “So tell me,
“My dear sir, do you what is going to happen to me?” “What
know of any valuable is going to happen to you,” the man said,
treasure up here? I am “Is the same thing that happened to me.
looking for wealth.” As soon as he said I also came up here looking for treasure.
that, his wick dropped. So he thought, I came up with some friends and met an
“There must be something very valuable old sage, and he gave us ghee wicks. My
here.” Meanwhile the boy had come a friends got copper, silver and gold, but
little closer to the man, and he noticed I wanted to go higher. I came up here,
that the man was standing and the wheel came onto my head.”
in a strange way, he was not “So what can I expect?” the boy asked.
moving, and there was a wheel “Well, this wheel will stay on your head
turning on his head. The middle of the and keep you fixed to this place. You
wheel, the hub was grinding into his will not grow thirsty or hungry, you will
head and causing blood to flow, and this just stay and not be able to move until
man was obviously in great pain. When somebody else comes up here looking
this boy’s wick dropped then that wheel for treasure. Then you will be released,
was suddenly moving from the other and he will get the wheel on his head.”
man’s head onto his head, and the wheel “How long were you here?” the
was turning and he was feeling boy questioned. “Who is the
great pain. He also could not king of India now?” The boy
move any more, the wheel was gave the name of some king,
somehow keeping him in place. and the man replied, “Well
The other man could move again and he when I came up here, Lord
was saying, “Oh, I’m free! Thank God!” Ramachandra was king.” “Oh
The brahmin said, “Please tell me what no!” the boy said. “That was
is going on here! Why am I suddenly two million years ago!” And then the
stuck to this spot? I cannot move and man was going to leave. “No you can’t
this wheel is on my head and it is feeling leave!” the boy said. “Yes, I can leave,
very painful. What is happening?” I’m getting out of here. I’ve suffered so
The other man replied, “You much.” This greedy brahmin was left
have come to the place where up there, and probably he’s still up there
Kuvera keeps his treasure. He’s now. So don’t go up into the Himalayas
the treasurer of the demigods, looking for treasure.
MORAL: This is an illustration how this lusty desire for sense gratification can get
one in great difficulty. This brahmin broke the law and took more than his quota,
so therefore he got into trouble.
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STORY 4 - A BRAHMANA WHO WAS GREEDY AND WOULD GNJOY
HIMSELF, BUT SHOWED THE WORLD THAT HE WAS A BIG RENUNCIATE
{GREED MAKES YOU A HYPOCRITE }
Once there was a brahmana who realised that he had lost everything
pretended in front of everyone that he and he wanted to convert this also into
was very renounced and never enjoyed an opportunity to show his greatness
anything for himself and that he gave and devotion. He immediately started
everything he had to the Lord. chanting “Om Govindaya
One day his wife asked him to Namah, Om Keshavaya
get popcorn to eat in the Namah, Om Narayanaya
night. Namah.” Everyone saw
So the brahmana him and began to appreciate
hid the popcorn in his devotion. Suddenly his
his shawl and got it. son appeared in the scene and
While on the way, asked him, “Father, where is the popcorn
there was a great wind which we were going to enjoy eating.”
and all the popcorn Then everyone realised that this
was blown into the air. Immediately, he brahmana was just a greedy fellow.
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2/2 60 mins 120 mins
The teacher should begin the second session of this Python Guru with the recitation
of slokas first.
SLOKA RECITATION
The teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus
with the children all together.
Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned
by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself,
which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing
well to whom they belong. (Isopanishad 1)
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instead of going to the new pond the stork would what had happened to his unfortunate friends.
carry the fish to a rock and eat it. He quickly dug his claws into the stork’s neck
This went on for a few days and squeezed it till the stork choked and fell on
and then it was the turn of the brave crab. He the ground. The crab then quickly scrambled
sat on the stork’s back for the journey. But back to the pond and told his friends the whole
as they reached the rock, the crab to his horror story.
saw a huge pile of fish bones. He understood The brave crab became the hero of the pond.
STORY 7
{GREED LIMITS YOUR HABIT AND BECOMES YOUR NATURE}
We’ve all heard of milkmen adding appeared before him. “Behold!”
water to milk. Madho was one such said the deity, “I have given you
man. His customers knew but were another can of milk. You now have
helpless. There was no other milkman double the quantity of milk you got
in the locality. One day as Madho was about to from your cows, this morning.”
start on his rounds in the morning, there was Madho thanked the god profusely and picking
a flash of light and a godly being stood before up the can, started walking. He took a few steps
him. Madho cowered in fright. “Why do you add and stopped. “Yes?” asked the god. “Is there
water to milk, Madho?” asked the god. “I...I...” anything more you want?” “I was wondering,”
stammered Madho. “Speak up!” said the god. said Madho, “If you could...” “Yes! You want
“I-I do it to increase the quantity of milk so that another can of milk?” asked the god, kindly.
I can make more money, Lord,” said Madho “No...No!” protested Madho. “I’m not that
honestly. The god waved his hand and a can of greedy... just give me another can of water.
milk identical to the one Madho was carrying
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A rich person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least. In
the Isopanishad which is one of the 108 upanishads, it is said:
éçäväsyam idam sarvaà
yat kiïca jagatyäà jagat
tena tyaktena bhuïjéthä
mä gådhaù kasya svid dhanam
Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and
owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for
himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things,
knowing well to whom they belong.
Take, for example, our dwelling, which is made of earth, wood, stone, iron, cement
and so many other material things. If we think in terms of Sri Isopanishad, we must
know that we cannot produce any of these building materials ourselves. We can
simply bring them together and transform them into different shapes by our labor.
A laborer cannot claim to be a proprietor of a thing just because he has worked
hard to manufacture it. Similarly one has to take one’s own allotted quota and be
satisfied, not just being too greedy for accumulating more and more. We already
have seen the plight of the crane and the yogi both of whom were greedy for more
and in the process invited misery in their lives. So ultimately one must be satisfied
with what one has and try and lead a simple life with whatever is available.
Seeing a practical example, if we have a very nice pen and we come to school proudly
to display it. We can imagine that our friends will glorify us and ask for the pen. We
think that this will make us happy. But when we reach school, we see another boy
having a better pen. Our reaction is that immediately we want that pen and the new
pen that we have is no longer giving us satisfaction and happiness.
Why? Because we are not learning to thank God for whatever He has provided as
our quota and we always expect more than that.
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scriptural STORIES
OF PYTHON
1. Python man – Prahlada Maharaj
Prahlad was very qualified. He was a king. He was managing armies and
he had a very high education. He was administrating all the affairs of the
stateand was very wealthy, very powerful. But here was a man who was
completely naked, no clothes, his body was full of dirt covered with
grass and leaves and he was lying on the ground on his belly. He was
unemployed and just was laying there for years without moving, he
would not even get up to eat. He would open his mouth and if the
wind blew something in his mouth he would eat and if it did not he would not
eat. Of course, in our modern society today, we would not consider this person a
very productive citizen. But when Prahlad saw him, because he had transcendental
vision, he understood that this man is a very deeply realized saint. ‘It takes one to
know one’ you know its not that everyone who does not work and walks around
naked and lays on the ground is a great saint. Most people that do this are actually
quite useless. How do we know it? We don’t know it. Prahlad knew because he had
that wisdom. But Prahlad who was the king of the universe, humbly bowed,
took the dust from the feet of this great personality and began to inquire
submissively as to what is the goal of life. This is the quality of such great
personalities, the more you know about Krishna the more you realize how
much you do not know. The more you love Krishna and the more you realize
how much Krishna loves you the more you understand that in compassion
to the ocean of love that Krishna is giving me I have no love for him.
2. Takshaka
How Taksaka became Indra’s friend? Once the son of a sage of great divine
splendour named Uttafika was studying under a Guru named Veda. When his
education was complete, the Guru asked him to bring as daksina (fees) the earrings
worn by the Ksatriya wife of the king Pausya. Indra made Taksaka steal the
ornament and created many obstacles on the way. (For details see under
Uttanka). That incident made them mutual friends and gradually Taksaka
became an intimate friend of Indra.
From that day onwards Uttafika waited for an opportunity to take vengeance on
Taksaka. It was at that time that Janamejaya, son of Pariksit, became the king.
Janamejaya was only eleven years old when he became king and he was not then
aware of the details of the death of his father. Uttafika went to him and told him
how Taksaka killed his father. Janamejaya became furious and asked him how to
wreak vengeance on him. Uttanhka suggested the performance of a Sarpasastra
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to which all the serpents should be attracted by mantras and burnt
to death there. The young king agreed and Uttafika with other rsis
commenced the Sarpasatra.
One by one all the serpents came and fell into the sacrificial fire but
Taksaka was not to be found. Where is Taksaka? This question was
heard from many lips. Taksaka was specially invoked by Uttahka. Taksaka could
not bear the power of Uttafika and he ran and prostrated before Indra. Indra not
only did give refuge but gave him half of his seat in the throne and Taksaka sat on
it fully confident of security. Uttanhka was enraged, when after repeated calls by
mantra, Taksaka did not appear and so he sat in meditation for some time to know
the cause. He then saw Taksaka sitting on the throne of Indra and the sight threw
him into fury and he invoked Taksaka, Indra and the throne and all. Lo! In an
instant Indra, Taksaka, the throne arid all started moving towards the sacrificial fire!
Within seconds all would have been burnt to death but for the timely intervention
of a brahmin boy named Astika, son of the sage Jaratkaru.
Taksaka by instructions from Indra was living in the forest of Khandava, and when
that was burnt by Agni, it was Indra who saved Taksaka from the fire. (See under
Khandavadaha).
Takshaka
“Takshaka is a Naga prince too with his once capital city in his own name still there,
Taksha-shila or Takshakavati. His kingdom was annexed by Kuru Princes, and lay
waste as jungle in the Khandavas, as they did not develop it, nor cared for his people.
The Nagas are a proud people, with great culture, with their own music, painting,
sculpture, artifacts, war-machines, war-codes and literature. When so neglected
and overpowered, they withdrew out of the main stream of civilization,
and came to be ‘tribals’, ‘jungle men’, and their standards fell. Added to it,
from Nahusha to Dhritarashtra, all rulers of the kuru race have insulted
their women and forced them to prostitution, producing a large tribe of
men and women bearing allegiance by blood to their progenitors. Takshaka cannot
forget all these, without a proper share in the Kuru empire as rulers, a share in the
civilizational spheres and due recognition in all fields of culture. Even Bhishma
could not respond. So these Nagas wait in lurch for their time. One of Krsna’s
ancestors through Devaki was a Naga; one of Arjuna’s through Kunti was a Naga
and his wife Ulupi is a Naga princess.
3. Nagastra – Karna
On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, in the afternoon time and the
seventeenth day of the war, Arjuna was nearing Karna and was firing
arrows at him which were piercing into his body. At that time Karna
suddenly heard a voice “Use me. I am also marking my time. Arjuna is
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not only your enemy but mine as well.” Another voice was heard from close, Karna
looked around but could not find anyone. He thought it must some fantasy. But no!
Casually as he drew an arrow from his quiver it had a serpent’s face and was slighter
longer and thinner than any other arrows he possessed.
Karna could not remember the circumstances as to how
it came to join his armoury. The missile was powerful
emitting poison and shining with aglow. Yes the voice had indeed come from the
missile. Karna could not belelive at first but again a voice spoke
“Use me” This time Karna replied “speak as to why I must use you and what is your
urgency?”
The missile revealed that its head was of Ashwasena, whose body was reduced to
ashes in the fire of Khandava forest. It was Takshaka, who had grafted the head of
ashwasena on a missile of poison for revenge on Arjuna, who was the cause of the
devastating fire in which Takshaka lost his wife, daughter- in – law, all others taking
refuge in the forest against the enemies. The missile had sought protection in Karna’s
quiver waiting for the right moment for revenge. Karna felt it was a good omen and
without further delay he yoked it to his bow and aimed it at Arjuna’s throat. Shalya
looked back and warned him in loud, firm words. He said the missile is alright but
aim is risky. He told him to aim a little lower at probably Arjuna’s heart
and said that by doing so he was sure to kill his enemy. He explained that
as it was aimed at his throat , there is Sri Krishna on the opposite side, so
he will do something by which your arrow might miss Arjuna completely or at the
most hit his helmet. So if he fires at the heart then even if he lowers the chariot by
some trick, it will at least cut his throat. Karna rebuked him saying how could dare
to challenge His aim. He further said that now that he has taken aim, he would not
take it back and alter it as an arrow coming out from his quiver and aimed at an
enemy could never be altered. His confidence was such that he would not take back
a arrow aimed from his quiver. So this resulted in exchange of words between Karna
and Shalya. Finally Karna released the arrow and as expected Krishna sitting on the
seat as a charioteer, he applied great force on the right toe as he drove and made
the chariot sink into the earth by a few inches. The ground was already a mire with
incessant flow of blood, and the horses stumbled for a second and sat on their fore
knees, further downing the position of Arjuna’s seat, without throwing him out.
The chariot sank substantially into the earth by a foot or two, so that what was now
available as aim for the missile was the long crown of Arjuna once gifted by Indra and
hence one of his names was Kiritee. The missile hit that empty crown with
a thunderous force, and took it away to a distance leaving Arjuna fuming as
it was an insult. The missile not only carried it away but also burnt it in the
skies. It was as if a star got burst in the skies or two stars out of their orbits dashed
against each other, and the sight blinded all below on the earth. Krishna embraced
and congratulated him. Arjuna was perplexed. Krishna explained how he was saved
from losing his head to the nagastra fired by Karna. This missile was made to kill
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Arjuna, and he had not been taught how to intercept or counter it. So Krishna had
to adopt these means to save him. Meanwhile Karna and Shalya exchanged a few
words again. A miracle happened just then! The missile hissed back in a terrific
rush towards Karna, and everybody thought it was backfiring at
him in disappointment and disgust. But it came to the ears of the
hero and pleaded “You did not aim me well. Doesn’t matter Use me
again and aim this time at the enemy’s chest”. Karna was sad and
adamant. He did not want to use any missile once it left its quiver
again. He said he shall not allow him to take shelter in his quiver
again. The missile spoke up saying that he was Ashwasena. This head was once on
the shoulders of Takshaka’s son who died in the khandava fire. He repeatedly asked
Karna to use him promising victory. Karna would have none of it. The missile then
said Karna will regret this decision of his and disappeared with a terrible hiss.
The rest as we know how Karna died on the battlefield his wheel getting stuck and
he could not invoke any divine weapons due to the curse of his guru.
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5. Shiva and poison
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, appearing in His incarnation as
a tortoise, dove deep into the ocean to carry Mandara Mountain on His
back. At first the churning of the ocean produced kälaküöa poison. Everyone feared
this poison, but Lord Çiva satisfied them by drinking it.
With the understanding that when the nectar was generated from the churning
they would share it equally, the demigods and the
demons brought Väsuki to be used as the rope for
the churning rod. By the expert arrangement of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demons held the
snake near the mouth, whereas the demigods held the
tail of the great snake. Then, with great endeavor, they
began pulling the snake in both directions. Because
the churning rod, Mandara Mountain, was very heavy
and was not held by any support in the water, it sank into the ocean, and in this way
the prowess of both the demons and the demigods was vanquished. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead then appeared in the form of a tortoise and supported
Mandara Mountain on His back. Then the churning resumed with great force. As
a result of the churning, a huge amount of poison was produced. The
prajäpatis, seeing no one else to save them, approached Lord Çiva and
offered him prayers full of truth. Lord Çiva is called Äçutoña because he
is very pleased if one is a devotee. Therefore he easily agreed to drink
all the poison generated by the churning. The goddess Durgä, Bhaväné,
the wife of Lord Çiva, was not at all disturbed when Lord Çiva agreed to drink the
poison, for she knew Lord Çiva’s prowess. Indeed, she expressed her pleasure at this
agreement. Then Lord Çiva gathered the devastating poison, which was everywhere.
He took it in his hand and drank it. After he drank the poison, his neck became
bluish. A small quantity of the poison dropped from his hands to the ground, and
it is because of this poison that there are poisonous snakes, scorpions, toxic plants
and other poisonous things in this world.
Conclusion
A brief recap of the guru
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