Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17 - Lesson 1

ASSESSMENTS

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What is the connection between worship and our energy levels?

How can we access the different energies (earth, water, fire, air, ākāśa)?

What is each form of worship or sacrifice based on?

What is an Iṣṭa Devatā?

What happens when one follows one’s own inclinations and worships?

Portrait of Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam

ART OF THE DAY

ART OF THE DAY:

ORIGAMI BOOKMARKS: THE 5 ENERGIES

MATERIALS NEEDED:
❖ Squares of paper. Around 6 inches /
15 centimetres is a good size but you
can make your bookmarks a little
larger or smaller if you wish.
❖ Markers, nature stickers, paper
scraps for decoration, colourful
ribbons.
❖ Scissors
❖ Glue
❖ Any book (to see how the origami
bookmark looks on it).

ART OF THE DAY:

ORIGAMI BOOKMARKS: THE 5 ENERGIES

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Tell the students that they will be creating their own origami bookmarks representing the 5 elements.

Lay a square of paper on the table top in a diamond position.

Fold the diamond in half, taking the bottom corner to the top to form a triangle.

With the triangle pointing up, The child can then take the bottom left point up to meet the center point at the top and crease firmly. Glue in place.

Repeat with the right corner. The paper should now be a smaller, folded diamond.

Flip the diamond over.

Taking the top layer of paper only, invite the child to fold the bottom point up to the top point and crease and then unfold.

She will then fold the same point under, tucking it into the pocket formed as she gently squeezes the outer corners.

ART OF THE DAY:

ORIGAMi BOOKMARKS: THE 5 ENERGIES

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Write the element name and one more word that you feel describes it well (you can do the writing in the back).

Decorate the completed bookmark with markers, paper scraps, ribbans or stickers.

Ask the students to share about which energy they connect to most and what is their favorite way of worshipping their Iṣṭa Devatā.

Source: https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/how-to-fold-an-origami-bookmark.html

NFERENCE: Worship can occur at many levels. Arjuna’s question is based upon the three attributes or guṇas. Worship is also dependent on our energy levels.

A portrait of Nithyananda Paramashivam in a meditative pose

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY

ACTIVITY OF THE DAY:

WHAT IS TRUE FOR YOU

MATERIALS NEEDED

Paper

Pencil

Eraser PROCEDURE • Ask the students to write down their convictions, what is true for them in their lives. • Then tell the students to share and ask them to discuss whether everyone should agree on what is true. • Finally, ask them to discuss how to know whether something is true or not, and whether something is authentic or not. INFERENCE Many Masters have followed their inclination when worshipping their favorite deity god, Iṣṭa Devatā. Scriptures never stood in their way of worship. However, these Masters were completely authentic in what they were doing. They had śraddha.

WORKSHOP OF THE DAY

WORKSHOP OF THE DAY:

VAAKYARTHA SADHAS

PROCEDURE: Read the following to the students and then ask them to write a short essay analyzing it in the light of what they learned in this lesson. Once they are done, students can share their answers and engage in a discussion about their understanding about these kinds of worshipping acts. Ensure that the discussion comes to the topic of the importance of having authenticity.

A Small Story:

A saint named Kannappan in Tamil Nadu worshipped Śiva with such intensity that he cut out his eyes and placed them on the Śiva liṅga. Other Masters placed all kinds of material at the altar including raw meat. Rāmakṛṣṇa placed a thread under the nose of Kālī’s deity to check whether She was breathing before he offered Her the ritual food!"

Then read Arjuna’s initial questions to them and ask them to share out loud what they would now answer. “What is the state of people who don’t follow the instructions of the scriptures, the ancient books, and instead worship with śraddha, authenticity according to their own beliefs? Is it rajas, tamas or satva? Are they in a peaceful (sātvic) state, restless (rājasic) state or an ignorant (tāmasic) state?

WORKSHOP OF THE DAY: VAAKYARTHA SADHAS

CONCLUSION:

Each form of worship or sacrifice is based upon one's aptitude and inclination. Each of these is guided by scriptural instructions on how to perform the worship, when and where, etc.