Sukran and Guru - planets [Presentation in grade 6 on 1.9.14] Me: This week we are celebrating 2 important festivals. One is public and another is regional. Can we recollect them? Ajath: One is Teacher's day and another is Kerala state's Onam. Me: Good! In our nation we do not celebrate mother's day, father's day, friend's day and even this teacher's day is fresh after independence. In western countries the society does not value much the family setup like us. So there is a need for them to value each relation. But in India every day is every relation's day. Anju: How sir? Me: Your mother runs the family all over the day. Your father works and brings the money to run the family. Like them our day to day life is tied with every relation. So our ancestors called the society as ''Vasudeva kudumbam'' - family of Lord with harmony and happiness. Anju: But you have said in our Vedic culture we have depicted Gods and Goddesses as teachers - Guru. Me: Yes, we worship Shiva as Dakshinamoorthy, Devi as Sarawathy, Lord Muruga [Karthik] as Swamy nadha - teacher to Shiva, Krishna as Geethaacharya. This reflects the importance of a Guru in our life. Yes Guru is like the light house to us. One who removes the darkness of ignorance from our mind is called Guru. Ajath: Sir, even we studied three great spiritual tutors of India in History. Me: Please recall their names. Both: Aadhi Shankara, Ramanuja and Mathva. Sukra Deva in Indian sculpturing, Bruhaspathy Me: Yes, they lived in this society and guided people for betterment of life through Vedic lessons. Ajath: Sir, I visited SriPerumbudhur where Ramanujar was born. Me: Good, try to visit Shankara's Kaladi near Cochin in Kerala also. Ajath: Sir, in Udupi I saw Mathva's idol. Me: All these three great aacharyas taught the same concept of Veda but in various ways. Even we respect all devotees of God as Guru. They are Alwars, Nayanmars and many other Gurus. Every year the 10th day of Navarathry is called Vijayadasami and that is our ancient way of celebrating teacher's day. What you all do? Anju: Sir, I visit my art teacher's home with gifts and get her blessings. Devi used to see her dance teacher. On that day we must take blessings from our teachers, coaches. Because the blessings of mother, father and teachers are very important in life. [Children chanted Matha pitha shloka] In this situation can we see 2 important Gurus? Anju: Who are they sir? Me: They are 2 planets - Sukra - Velli or Venus and Jupiter - Bruhaspathy, Viyaazhan or Guru. Ajath: Hoo! Thursday and Friday know sir? Why Thursday alone named as Guru? Me: I will tell you. Venus is the energy of beauty, wealth and luxury. Jupiter is the energy of wisdom within us. Anju: But why you call even Venus as teacher? Me: In our mythology Venus - Sukra is the Guru for asuras and Jupiter is the Guru for all devas. Now can anyone recollect who asuras are and who are devas? Anju: One who enjoys pleasures in good way are devas and one who tries to enjoy the pleasure in ''any'' crooked way is an asura. Me: Yes, when you feel you cannot write an answer in test either you will leave or try to copy. When you think and just leave with the thought ''I will read well and do next time'' it is Jupiter's energy within you making to do that. If you try to copy from a book or others it is Venus energy which pulls you to perform that unacceptable action. From now try to observe yourself. Try to see how far you are under the influence of these 2 energies. Now you can think why Jupiter is titled as ''Guru''. A true Guru cannot make his student to get into ignorance. So do not try to enjoy the luxury or pleasure in crooked way. But do hard work and try to enjoy with the blessings of Guru and God. In Tamil Nadu Venus is specially being worshipped in Kanchanoor and SriRangam. Guru is celebrated in Aalangudi. In all temples we can see Guru as Dakshinamoorthy. On all Thursdays we offer chenna to him.