Bhagavad Gita - Book 8, Volume 1

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY

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ACTIVITY OF THE DAY:

PROCEDURE:

Let us narrate a historic incident: Once Vyāsa, the ancient sage of India attended a function. After having a feast at the function, on his way back, he came to a river, which he had to cross in order to reach his ashram, his monastery. He stood before the river and said, ‘If I am sincere in my ekādasi fasting, let this river give way so that I may cross over.’ Ekādasi refers to the eleventh day of the moon’s cycle when normally people fast. The moment Vyāsa uttered those words, the river gave way. Vyāsa crossed it followed by his devotees and they reached the ashram.

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY:

PROCEDURE:

The devotees were astonished and
asked, 'What is this? You enjoyed a
feast just a few hours back. Yet, when
you asked the river to give way on
the condition that you have been
sincere in your ekādasi fast, the river
gave way! How can this be?' Vyāsa
replied, 'When you eat with the
consciousness that you are not the
body, you never feel that you are
touched by food. You never feel that
you are eating, digesting and living.
The body ate; I do not know
anything about it.'

Encourage the children to contemplate on this story

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY:

INFERENCE:

Vyasa was living in out-of-body-
consciousness. Vyāsa says he is fasting
after having eaten a feast because he
does not feel connected to his body.
He does not feel that his body is
related to him. He is untouched. His
inner space is so pure and filled with
bliss, nothing touches him.