Hands that Help... A Balvikas Venture Swami Speaks
Sankranti’s Significance Sankranti is here, and we all munch endlessly on ellu-bella and sugarcane, but do we really know why we celebrate this beautiful festival? Let’s find out! The day on which the sun begins it journey northwards is referred to as Makara Sankranti. Sankramana means "to commence movement" and hence the name Makara Sankranti is attributed to one of the largest, most auspicious, but varied festivals in the Indian continent. It usually falls in the middle of January. Because of the geography and size of India, this festival is celebrated for innumerable reasons depending on the climate, agricultural environment, cultural background and position in the context of north or south of India.
One of the most important myths is the death of Bhishma Pitamaha in the Mahabharata. Bhishma chose Makar Sankranti day to die. (Bhisma had got a boon from his father that he will only die when he wishes.) It is believed that people who die during Uttarayana merge with the Brahman, thus ending the cycle of rebirth. Legend also has it that Lord Vishnu buried Asuras on this day beneath the Mandara Mountain. It signifies the end of evil and the dawn of right-
“ Remember My words: Start the day with love, fill the day with love, end the day with love. That is the way to God. ” Jan 2008, Vol I, Issue I
Exams are approaching! Things to do People like to send egreetings such as the one above!
☺ Prepare well before hand!
eousness.
☺ Eat and Sleep Well
Another legend is that King Bhageeratha brought Ganges down to the earth on Makara Sankranti day. On this day millions of people take bath in the Ganges. Makara Sankranti is also
☺ Keep calm and revise as many times as possible
☺ Drink plenty of water ☺ Pray for strength of mind and courage to tackle any answer!
Inside this issue:
Activities Women in a village, celebrating the harvest festival
The Mahatma Makes 2 up his Mind Shloka Corner
an important bathing date during Kumbh Mela and Magh Mela. Puranas state that on Makar Sankranti day, Surya visits Lord Shani. In mythology Lord Shani, is the son of Surya.
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In south India and especially the Tamil family, this festival is called Pongal. Pongal is symbolic of sharing the returns of the bounteous crops and business profits with the workforce and villagers.
This festival for some is to give thanks to God. For many this day is symbolic of the New Year, new beginnings...a new life!
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Stories from Around 3 the World Children Speak
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Solutions to Quiz and Crossword
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The Mahatma Makes up his Mind How did it come to be that the Father of Our Nation began to don the clothes that became his trademark? Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi did not always sport the simple dhoti that he wore during the freedom struggle. The story goes that he once visited the town of Madurai, where he stayed with Sri Ramji Kalyanji, at 175-A, West Masi Street. It is said that Gandhiji was deeply affected by the sight of the people in the town, all wearing only a simple towel-like dhoti around their waists, and shivering with the cold. In contrast, he felt that his own turban, kurtas and dhotis were over-
the-top, and clearly removed him from the suffering of the less fortunate. How was he to lead a nation in a fight for freedom if he could not experience what the common man was going through?
strong need to dress in the simplest manner possible. The next morning people were shocked to see his new style of dressing, but he explained to everyone his reasons for the change – a change that he stuck to throughout his life.
And so, the Mahatma Even today at the the Gandhiji’s mode of dress railway station in took a decision overafter his Madurai visit Madurai, there exists a night to wear the board stating the visit of same garments as the Gandhiji and his change of dressing peasants and farmers. It was his wish that he should lead by example style! and in order to do so, he felt the
Activities Clues Across 1 Krishna was the charioteer of? (6) 5 Quality for which Abraham Lincoln was well-known (7) 7 It’s in Swami’s name! Gandhiji practiced this (5) Down 2 One of the sister religions of Hinduism (7) 3 You watch this on TV everyday! (4) 4 Month in which Eshwaramba Day is celebrated (3) 5 ____ Ever, Hurt Never (4) 6 If you don’t succeed, __, __, again! (3)
Take this Quiz and test your general knowledge! 1. Who is the founder of the Amar Chitra Katha series of comics? 2. What’s the name of the hill that Lord Krishna lifted with his little finger?
during a minute’s silence on the 31st of January commemorate? 4. Which leader during the freedom struggle was referred to affectionately as ‘Nethaji’ ?
QUIZ TIME!
3.
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What does a siren
5. As a baby, she was
found under a Tulsi plant. She would take the garland to be offered to the Lord and put it on herself to test if it was good enough. She later became one of the 12 Azhvar saints. Who are we talking about?
(Answers for Quiz and Crossword on Page 4)
Hands that Help...
Shloka Corner Shloka from the Bhagvadgita
Meaning
Chapter 12, Verse 1
Arjuna said:
Notes
(Bhakti Yoga)
Arjuna uvāca evam satata-yuktā ye bhaktā stvām paryupāsate ye chapy aksharam avyaktam te shām ke yōga vittamah
Oh Lord, which is considered to be more perfect? Those who are constantly properly engaged in serving You, or those who spend the time in worshipping Your unmanifested, unknown form?
Chapter 12 of the Bhagvad Gita is entitled the ‘Path of Devotion’. Here, Lord Krishna talks about the glory of devotion to God. He talks of various spiritual paths that people can follow and how devotees who follow these paths become dear to Him!
Stories from Around the World Once upon a time there lived an old man and his wife. The old man, who had a kind heart, kept a sparrow, which he nurtured with great care. The old woman, however, was badtempered. One day, the sparrow ate her starching paste. Infuriated, she cut off its tongue and set it free. When the old man returned from his daily work, he found his sparrow had flown and asked his wife about it.
She related how she’d punished the bird. Hearing this cruel tale, the old man grieved for his bird, and wandered far and wide in search of his dear pet, calling ‘Mr. Sparrow! Where are you?’
but thank you for your generosity!” He then began his journey back home.
me visit the sparrows. I’ll be back with more riches for the two of us!” The old man obediently gave her directions to the sparrow’s house.
When he got back, his wife scolded him for his long absence and asked what was in the basket. The old man told her all and opened the basket to see what was inside. And there lay a bundle of gold, silver and many precious stones! The old man was touched. But the old woman was angry with him. “You fool! You should have got the other basket too! Let
January 2008, Vol I, Issue I
One fine day the old man found the sparrow. The two exchanged their happiness at meeting again. The sparrow took his friend to his home, where the old man remained as a
When she arrived there, she tried to flatter the sparrow whose tongue she had cut off herself. She spoke sweetly so the sparrow had no choice but to invite her as a guest. When she finally decided to leave, she asked the sparrow for a parting gift. The sparrow gave her two bas-
guest for several days. When the time came for the old man to return to his home, the sparrow gifted him two baskets – one light and one heavy.”I’m old, let me take the light one, Mr. Sparrow,
The Sparrow’s VerdictA Folktale from Japan
kets, one light and the other heavy. Greedily she pounced on the heavy basket, and even before she got home she opened it to see what was inside– a bunch of goblins jumped out and tormented her for the rest of her life. The old man heard of her fate and felt sorry for her, but adopted a son and lived happily ever after!
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Sai Ram! Children Speak is a column of the newsletter meant for the children, by the children...Here’s your chance to voice your thoughts on any matter, either by way of essay, story, article or drawing! Send in your contributions as soon as you can to handsthathelp@gmail.com or by post to‘Hands that Help’, 108/2, Seethalakshmi Apts,8th Main, 19th Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore, 560055.
Solutions to Activities on Page 2 Answers to Quiz: 1.
Anant Pai (Also of the ‘Tinkle’ fame)
2.
Govardhana
3.
Martyr’s day—the day Gan dhiji was killed
4.
Nethaji Subhas Chandra Bose
5.
Goda Devi otherwise known as Aandal
Solution to the Crossword: