Author: Harsh Mendiratta

One of most versatile words in the Indian scriptures is Sanyam (संयम). It has several meanings that fit in myriad of contexts: self-control, restraints, forbearance, abstinence, moderation, sobriety, temperance, chastity and so on. While all of these meanings have deep significance, for this month’s assignment, we will focus on Self-Control.  We will explore the meaning of Sanyam (self-control), benefits of […]

Last in the series of articles we are covering this year is Speak No Evil. We’ll extend that to Do No Evil where “do” means action (कर्म). When we hear the term action (कर्म), generally we think of physical activities only. Because we seldom carry out physical activity with wicked intentions, we may conclude that this month’s lesson doesn’t really […]

Continuing on the theme we started last month, ‘Hear no Evil’ (बुरा ना सुनो) is the topic of this month. “What is hearing?” “How do we hear?” “What is evil?” “Is evil some other person who is always contriving to do others harm?” “Is it someone or something up close and personal?” these are some of the questions kids will […]

“See No Evil” is one of the lessons we have been hearing since our childhood. But, are we truly shunning the evil? What does “see” in “see no evil” mean? Why should we avoid “seeing” evil in others? Without a proper understanding of these points, “see no evil” also becomes, like several other Hindu teachings, an abstract wisdom that doesn’t […]

Namaste, Like previous years, in the month of December, instead of a new assignment, we review our year-long learning. The theme for this year is continuation of the last year topic, Human Characteristics as prescribed in the Hinduism. And if the kids’ candid narrations are any hint, they are not only learning new traits but also trying to apply the […]

As we spoke on the last Hawan, as part of this month assignment, kids will focus on and write about real life examples of the topic we covered last month: Respect. Based on what kids shared, it’s clear that they built a fine theoretical understanding of the topic. However, without internalizing the concept, they may not be able to benefit […]

As soon we hear the word Respect, immediately, in subconscious mind, an image of a respected person, mostly our parents, elders, and/or teachers, arises. Some may also visualize some prior scene of a respectful person offering reverence to a person/God. There is something spiritual in the sheer act of respect that not only impacts the person being respected and the […]

Growing up in a Hindu family, there’s hardly anyone who hasn’t heard about ‘vrat’, a ritual in which a person observes fast on auspicious day(s). However, rarely do we know or appreciate the other – more spiritual – meaning of the word vrat: resolution/vow.  Vrat is a promise to do (or not do) something. A vrat could be made to […]

To achieve a commendable goal or acquire a worthy talent, be it at mental, physical or spiritual level, one needs to uninterruptedly practice for a long time. All three are must have ingredients for success: 1) practice, 2) without interruption, and 3) for long period. Absence of even one of them is bound to deprive the aspirant of the wished-for […]

No assignment because of the group’s annual function – just fun 🙂