Sanskar Gurukul Weekly Update

Class Name: Week# 9: Dec 13, 2015

1. General Assembly We started the GA with three Omkars followed by the Shanti Mantra and Prayer Before Studies, and a review of a lot of the prayers from the Prayer Book.

Then Sridhar Uncle talked about the . The root word for Veda means knowledge. The Vedas are an encyclopedia of knowledge that was passed down verbally from Lord to our . Sage decided to compile it so that future generations could learn from the wisdom and knowledge contained in them. That is why he is also known as Veda Vyasa. His great grand father was Sage Vashista who wrote parts of the Rig Veda, and also a book on Astronomy. As we all know, all the Gurukul classes are named after Sages. We will learn a little bit about our Sages over the next few weeks.

Announcement : Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, Classes resume on 1/3/2016.

2. Class We chanted opening prayers and Gitadhyanam and Chapter 13 Gita Value shloka

We discuss Vasishtha (Sage our class is named after) : Brahama (created the great 7 rishis from his mind) , Vasishtha, , , Vyasa, (5 generations) . Rig Veda also describes Mitravaruna and Urvashi as his parents. Vasishtha had Kamadhenu the divine cow that grants all wishes. He was a Brahma , He is the author of Mandala 7 of the Rig Veda. He is one of the ‘Prajapati’s born to take care of the many worlds. A prajapati is a vedic diety presiding over the creation of life (representative of Brahma). He wrote the Vasishtha siddhanta the earliest treatise on Astronomy (Jyotisha) which was summarized by Varahamihira in 6th century AD

We then discussed Chapter 3 “Vedas and Culture”

For Hindus, the Vedas are the source books for values that we use. The Vedas were classified into four sections by Veda Vyasa. The Rig, Sama, Yajur, and Atharva Vedas. Vedas means the treasures of knowledge. There are six branches of sciences that are taught in the Vedas and four upavedas consisting of medicine, archery, music, and architecture. Vedas contain all aspects of life.

Homework 1. All students read Chapter 3 of Hindu Culture book 2. All students send e-mail to class e-mail address with a list of names of . 3. Sunny Deshwal prepares to lead discussion of Chapter 3 – Vedas and Culture – See below for when discussion of chapters will happen and be prepared. This session will happen on 1/3/2016. Sunny & Pragya to send summary by 1/2/2016 5 PM

Hindu Culture Assignments Chapter Name Date 1. Definition of Culture Rishi Desai 11/15/2015

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Sanskar Gurukul Weekly Update

2. Basics of Culture Raj Mehta 12/06/2015 3. Vedas and Culture Sunny Deshwal 1/3/2016 Pragya Haravu 4. Karma Kanda Sonam Shah 1/10/2016 5. Jnana Kanda Dhawal Bhatt 1/17/2016 6. Need for symbols Sindhura Maale 1/24/2016 7. Installation of idol, Symbolism of Lord Saivarun Maale 1/31/2016 8. Symbolism of Lord Viashnavi M 2/7/2016

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