Sanskar Gurukul Weekly Update
Class Name: Vasishtha
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 Vedas. The root word for Veda means knowledge. The Vedas are
an encyclopedia of knowledge that was passed down verbally from Lord Brahma to our Rishis. Sage
Vyasa 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, Shakti, Parashara, Vyasa, Shuka (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 Rishi, 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 Arjuna.
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
1. Definition of Culture
Sanskar Academy
Name
Rishi Desai
Date
11/15/2015
1
Sanskar Gurukul Weekly Update
2. Basics of Culture
3. Vedas and Culture
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Karma Kanda
Jnana Kanda
Need for symbols
Installation of idol, Symbolism of Lord Vishnu
Symbolism of Lord Shiva
Sanskar Academy
Raj Mehta
Sunny Deshwal
Pragya Haravu
Sonam Shah
Dhawal Bhatt
Sindhura Maale
Saivarun Maale
Viashnavi M
12/06/2015
1/3/2016
1/10/2016
1/17/2016
1/24/2016
1/31/2016
2/7/2016
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