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THE LESSON LEARNT BY THE AVADHUTA BRAHMANA

Story of the pigeon.There was a pigeon that lived in the forest along with his wife. He built a nest within the tree and lived with her. They were completely bound to each other and attracted to each to other by the others glance, bodily features and state of mind. Whatever the she pigeon desired he would faithfully do even at the cost of great difficulty. He could not control his senses in her association. Soon they had a number of children and were very happy raising them with love and affection. One day the two birds went out to find food for the children, at that a hunter trapped the children in his net. On returning the she pigeon caught sight of her own children trapped in the net. She cried out and rushed to them as they too cried out helplessly to her. She also got bound by the ropes of intense material affection and thus she too was trapped in the net. Seeing his own children and wife bound in the net practically on the verge of death, the poor male pigeon’s mind went blank and he himself fell into the hunters net. The hunter carried all of them home and thus all of them lost their lives due to intense attachment.

This human body is so rare and so special, but if one becomes attached to the things one possesses like the pigeon, one is compared to a person who has climbed up to a high place just to fall down again. One should never get excessively attached to anything; otherwise one will have to experience great suffering, just like the foolish pigeon.

The Theme - Excessive attachment to things, always keeps one disturbed.

Experience satisfaction by detachment.

SLOKA RECITATION

Let us learn a sloka from the Srimad Bhagvatam which teaches us something about the above theme. Before teaching the present verse, the teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together. Chant the third verse of the 24 Gurus again. Tell the children we will learn the eleventh verse and also understand it. Learn the third verse. (The teacher recites the sloka line by line and makes the children repeat and memorize the sloka)

1/2 60 mins 120 mins

Let us learn a sloka from the Srimad Bhagvatam which teaches us something

Before teaching the present verse, the teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together. Chant the third verse of the 24 Gurus again. Tell the children we will learn the

Learn the third verse. (The teacher recites the sloka line by line and makes the

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GURU 3 - PigeonBandhanani khalu santi bahuni

Prema rajjukrta bandhanam anyatDarubheda nipuno’pi sadhangriNiskriyo bhavati pankoykoset

There are many a bondage but that of love (lust) is entire different. Love mellow down the beloved. Just as a black bee capable of penetrating through as hard a material as wood; lovingly allows itself to be enclosed in the soft folds of a lotus (maya) & the powerful soul cannot break the material attachment.

LESSONS FROM GURU – (TB PULLS)

The teacher can explain to the children, the lessons which this Pigeon guru teaches us. The abbreviation “TB PULLs” makes it convenient for us to remember what the guru wants to teach us.

The teacher can write down on the board the below abbreviation and ask the children to note it down and learn it.

In this session, after explaining the meaning of TB PULLs, the teacher will be able to narrate a maximum of four stories. The remaining stories can be continued in the next class.

For a spirit soul, Attachment to materialistic pleasures is like TB (disease) against Spiritual nourishment. It makes you feel weak to achieve Spiritual Progress. TB pulls you down.

T – Transfer the Attachment

If this Spiritual Tea (T) is not taken,

B - One becomes Blind to civic sense & other’s welfare.

P - Attachment never Perishes on its own, with time.

U - Attachment for something, Unreliable & Undependable.

L - Source of Extreme Lamentation

L - Love for Lord & His service seems Less important.

S – Stops Steady Advancement.

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SB: 3.25.20prasaìgam ajaraà päçam

ätmanaù kavayo viduùsa eva sädhuñu kåto

mokña-dväram apävåtamTRANSLATIONEvery learned man knows very well that attachment for the material is the greatest entanglement of the spirit soul. But that same attachment, when applied to the self-realized devotees, opens the door of liberation.

A sadistic hunter namely Mrgari was too much attached to his profession of half-killing animals & enjoying accordingly with his wife. Being pained by this, Narada Muni

approached him out of kindness & explained him the sinful reactions, he has to face in future.

Terrified Mrgari begged Narada Muni for solution. Narada asked him to break his bow. Mrgari was astonished to hear this instruction

as he was too much attached to his occupation, which cannot be possible without the precious bow. But Narada Muni assured him of maintenance of the family. With faith in Narada Muni, he broke his bow & accepted Narada Muni as his Spiritual master to follow his instructions of leading a saintly devotional life. After some period, Narada Muni visited Mrgari along with his friend sage Parvata and greatly satisfied to see the exemplified saintly nature of Mrgari. Earlier, Mrgari was stubbornly attached to a cruel profession for his maintenance but then he just transferred his attachment from that to Narada Muni, which is the key for great transformation in his life.

Muni for solution. Narada asked him to break his bow. Mrgari was

from that to Narada Muni, which is the key for great transformation in his

STORIES

STORY 1 - TRANSFORMATION IN MRGARI BY NARADA’S GRACE

{TRANSFER THE ATTACHMENT}

When Duryodhan was born, Vyasdev seeing the ill omens realised that this son was going to create havoc in the world. Therefore he advised

Dhrtarashtra to abandon this son in the forest. Because if he is not raised by a king, then without

kingly power the damage that he will be able to do will be minimum. Therefore Vyasdeva had suggested abandoning him. But Dhrtarastra always wanted to be a

king. But since he was blind he could not do so. Thus he wanted to fulfill his desire through his

STORY 2 - DHRTARASTRA MEANS ONE WHO IS ATTACHED TO KINGDOM AND FAMILY

{BY EXCESSIVE ATTACHMENT, ONE BECOMES BLIND TO CIVIC SENSE & OTHERS WELFARE}

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GURU 3 - Pigeonson. He wanted his sense gratification at the cost of damage and distress to the entire world. Even after all his sons were killed and no chance for having the kingdom, he still continued staying at the Pandavas

palace, even after being the cause of the bitter fight. Because he was still attached to the facilities and convenience of the palace, he did not want to loose it, even if it means being ready to tolerate insults and shame.

STORY 3 {ATTACHMENT NEVER PERISHES ON ITS OWN BY TIME}

Once Narada Muni met a man called Kailas who was so much attached to sense enjoyment.

Narada Muni wanted to help him to take up to spiritual life. But he was not interested. He

told Narada Muni that give me ten years time, I will earn sufficient money and settle my family and

come back and travel with you. In ten years he was the most prosperous person in his town. Narada Muni came to him and asked him to come with him and travel. Kailas told him, “Now I have enough money and a good wife and nice children, but how can I leave these young children uncared for? Give me ten more years.” Then Narada Muni came back after ten more years and asked him to come along. By now Kailas was quite old and his wife had died. Narada Muni called him to come with him. Kailas said that “Now, I have fulfilled my duties of household life, my children have become prosperous. But they are young and are enjoying the pleasures of life; they have no sense of responsibility. They might

just squander their wealth, for which I have taken so much effort to earn. So let me

stay here for a few more years till they become more responsible. Then I shall come with you to your ashram. After many more years Narada Muni returns to his disciple. A big dog was guarding at the gate. He recognized it, it was Kailas. He went into the house to learn that Kailas had died a few years back. He was so much attached to his family and house that he took birth as a dog in house to guard his house and wealth. Now Narada asked Kailas to come back with him. But still dog-Kailas said, “My children are now in the peak of their prosperity, but they have several jealous enemies. In a few years, they will be free from fear and worry. Then I will come to

your ashram.” Ten more years passed. Narada Muni returned to Kailas’s house. The dog too had died. Narada Muni saw that

Kailas had now become a snake and was guarding the safe in the house. Narada Muni went and called the grandsons of Kailas and told them that there is a snake in the house. And he asked them to beat up the snake and bring it to him. The grandsons beat up the snake badly

Once Narada Muni met a man

Narada Muni wanted to help him to take up to spiritual life. But he was not interested. He

told Narada Muni that give me ten years time, I will earn sufficient money and settle my family and

just squander their wealth,

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Once upon a time a Sage wanted to travel without the austerity of

walking. He saw people would easily climb up and down the

mountain sitting on the horse’s back. So he expressed his desire to have a

horse. He was very much attached to this desire of his. So he repeatedly used to say, “He Ram! Ghodi di lado!” (O lord please give me a horse). His desire was finally

STORY 5{SOURCE OF EXTREME LAMENTATION}

Once upon a time a

walking. He saw people

Once a guru had many disciples. One of them was very attached to family and parents. Even after

receiving advice from his guru he was not willing to understand. So the guru told him one plan, he asked him to go home and fall down dead. He did so, after that all the family started crying. The guru came back, and asked what had happened. They replied that, “our son is dead, my husband is dead” Guru said, “ I can bring him back to life on one condition, one of you must be ready to give up your life. Since all of you love him so much I know you will certainly give it”. He first went to the father. On being asked the

father said “you are a learned man. You know Bhagavad gita says dehino smin yatha

dehe…. So what has happened has happened. Now I have so many things to do. I want to play with my grandchildren. So I can’t.” So the guru went to next to the

mother. The mother said, “Oh I am ardhangini of my husband. If I go, who will take care of him?” Then

the guru went to the brother. He replied, “If my old parents are not willing to give their life, do you think I will give mine?” Then he went to the wife who said, “I am so young and I got married only 6 months ago. I will go back to my father and get married to another man.” Upon hearing this, the dead man suddenly sprung up and started running to the forest. He realized that in this world everyone is concerned only about their own enjoyment. What is the use of this attachment?

STORY 4 - ATTACHMENT TO FAMILY

{ATTACHMENT FOR SOMETHING, UNRELIABLE & UNDEPENDABLE}

receiving advice from his guru he was receiving advice from his guru he was

GURU 3 - Pigeonand brought the half dead snake to Narada Muni. Narada Muni then spoke to snake-Kailas. He said that no one has been able to give up the attachments to family so easily. Don’t think that as time

passes you can become detached. Get detached from sense objects and take up the practice of devotional service. That will save you from the repetition of birth and death.

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GURU 3 - Pigeonfulfilled when one of his visitors who owned a stable of horses wanted to give away a she horse who was pregnant and would not run any more. So he gladly accepted and sat on her and started on his journey. Along the way the horse delivered her baby and she would not budge from the place. He waited for a week but then thought of an idea.

He carried the pony over his shoulders and due to the attachment of her child the mother horse also started walking. He was relishing his brilliance, but a few steps taken and he was completely exhausted. His attachment for comforts ultimately caused him more lamentation and misery as it was something that was unreliable and undependable.

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The teacher should begin the second session of this Pigeon Guru with the recitation of slokas first.

SLOKA RECITATION

The teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus with the children all together.

Chant the second verse of the 24 Gurus again.

Bandhanani khalu santi bahuniPrema rajjukrta bandhanam anyat

Darubheda nipuno’pi sadhangriNiskriyo bhavati pankoykoset

There are many a bondage but that of love (lust) is entire different. Love mellow down the beloved. Just as a black bee capable of penetrating through as hard a material as wood; lovingly allows itself to be enclosed in the soft folds of a lotus (maya) & the powerful soul cannot break the material attachment.

LESSONS FROM GURU – (TB PULLS)

The teacher can revise the previous four lessons, which were learnt in the last session. In this session the teacher can complete the remaining three lessons and complete the theme TB PULLs.

T – Transfer the Attachment

If this Spiritual Tea (T) is not taken,

B - One becomes Blind to civic sense & other’s welfare.

P - Attachment never Perishes on its own, with time.

U - Attachment for something, Unreliable & Undependable.

L - Source of Extreme Lamentation

L - Love for Lord & His service seems Less important.

S – Stops Steady Advancement

GURU 3 - Pigeon2/2 60 mins 120 mins

L - Source of Extreme

T –

B - One becomes

P - Attachment never

U - Attachment for something,

L - Love for Lord & His service seems

S –

The teacher should begin the class by chanting all the verses of the 24 Gurus

Chant the second verse of the 24 Gurus again.

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GURU 3 - PigeonSTORY 6 - CITRAKETU’S ATTACHMENT FOR HIS SON

{SOURCE OF EXTREME LAMENTATION} Citraketu Maharaj was desperate to have a son. Angira Muni tried to explain to him the philosophy of Krishna consciousness that material life will always be troublesome. The very thing that you think will give you happiness will be the cause of your suffering. But since he did not understand this, Angira Muni decided to teach him with

a practical experience. He gave him the benediction of a son whose name will be Harsha Shoka. Which means he will be

the source of both his happiness as well as his sorrow. So Harsha Shoka was born and he gave a lot of happiness to Citraketu till one day the co-wives of the mother poisoned him.

When Citraketu lost his child, he began to lament more than the time when

he had no child. This is the nature of attachment for material things. When you don’t have it you hanker for it and when you have it something happens that you lose it and again lament for it.

STORY 7 {LOVE FOR LORD & HIS SERVICE SEEMS LESS IMPORTANT}

Once upon a time a man was living with his parents and after he got married he separated from his parents and lived abroad. His mother would repeatedly

call him as she was attached to him. But he was now very attached to his wife and would not come to even see

his mother once in a year. After some years her mother called him up saying that father was very ill and may leave his body anytime. But he kept delaying citing various reasons and ultimately could not reach for his father’s funeral. After some years he received a call from his wife who had gone to India to serve her mother in law that he should come soon but again he delayed. Just after that he got the news of his wife leaving this world. Now he was completely shaken

and the justification about children’s education and everything else could not stop him anymore. He decided to shift base to his native country. He came and purchased a 3 bed room-hall-kitchen flat. His children refused to stay in India so they returned back. Ultimately he was all alone and a thought struck him as to how he had unduly wasted his time being attached to trivial things like wealth, property and so on. He was thinking how his father had a flat too though it would have been small but it served the same purpose. Now after he had slogged for years all he got was a few more financial benefits maybe but the cost of it was too high for him to pay - The separation of his loved ones. Thus attachment for anything is not good. It ultimately leads to extreme lamentation.

Angira Muni decided to teach him with

was born and he gave a lot of

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A HUMOUROUS STORY TO SUPPORT THE ABOVE...

STORY 9 - EVERY MAN IS TOO ATTACHED

Once Birbal and Akbar were doing sikhara rounds, learning about the condition in the country and were dressed in civilian clothing. On their way, they saw a wife and husband arguing. At one point, the wife, who was considerably shorter than her large husband, slapped his face while the man tolerated it and stood there, listening to

the chastisements of his irate wife.“Birbal,” asked Akbar, “Why does he just stand there and take such abuse?”

Birbal replied, “Sir, this is because every man is too much attached to his wife.”“I don’t believe this!” Akbar scoffed. “Prove it.”“Very well, Sir. Let us gather all the married men in the country and conduct a survey.”So all the married men in Akbar’s kingdom were brought to the courtyard of the palace. Birbal addressed them, “My dear fellows, the great emperor Akbar wants to know how many of you follow the commands of your wives. All

STORY 8 - DASRATH MAHARAJ’S ATTACHMENT FOR KAIKEYI

{LOVE FOR LORD & HIS SERVICE SEEMS LESS IMPORTANT}

Keikeyi was the wife of Dasaratha Maharaj. Due to bad association, Keikeyi wanted her son Bharath to

be crowned the king and wanted Lord Rama to be banished to the forest. She did not even consider that she was being ruthless to Lord Rama and also all the citizens of Ayodhya. Dasarath did not approve of Keikeyi’s decision at all and he wanted Lord Rama to rule.

But Dasarath was so much attached to his wife that he ordered Lord Rama his dear most son to go to the forest. Because he was attached to

his wife and could not go against what she desired, Lord Rama had to undergo lot of hardship for the next 14 years.

Sri Vaishnava Acaryas comment that because Lord Rama had to undergo

so much hardship due to Dasarath Maharaj, therefore Dasarath did not return to the spiritual world at the

time of death, but instead he went to heavens. But even worst punishment than going to heaven was that Lord Rama was not present to perform his last rites. Even though he was the father of Lord Rama, still he was not fortunate enough to have Lord Rama perform last rites for him. Instead

an insignificant vulture like Jatayu was fortunate enough to have Lord Rama perform his last rites.

“I don’t believe this!” Akbar scoffed.

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GURU 3 - Pigeonthose who obey their wives’ instructions move to the other side of the courtyard.”Immediately there was a huge exodus of men to the other side of the courtyard.Only one man remained where he stood. Akbar expressed his relief at this. “At least there is one man who does not obey his wife like a fool.”

Birbal called the man over and questioned him. “When I called for all those who

obey their wife’s command to move to the other side of the courtyard, why did you not move?”“Because my wife told me to

stay away from crowds,” the man replied.Akbar expressed his relief at

STORY 6 - ATTACHMENT STOPS STEADY ADVANCEMENT

Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Sarasvati Thakura explains this story...Once a group of villagers desired to attend a marriage ceremony

in a neighboring village, which is on the other side of Ganges. Since the marriage was scheduled in morning, they reached the banks of Ganges the previous night &

boarded a boat in fine cloths with so many nice gifts, jewelry etc. The boatmen were

paddling so fast to increase the joy of this marriage party. Throughout the night, they were so enthusiastic in dreaming & discussing about the grand event, they were going to attend. Cool breezes over Ganges added to their delight. The night passed & when they were about to get down to reach marriage location, they

were astonished to find themselves on the same banks, where they got in. They lamented greatly for their foolishness to see that the anchor of the boat was not removed.

Though the marriage party was situated on RIGHT Boat paddling so FAST for so much DURATION, the advancement they made was zero, because of their ignorance in removing the knot/anchor to the banks. Similarly if a person is too much attached to his materialistic possessions or habits, his spiritual advancement will be minimal irrespective of his hard labor. In other words, mere external engagement doesn’t bring internal nourishment unless efforts are put to cut the knots.

banks of Ganges the previous night &

Previous week select a group and tell them to perform this drama.Perform drama of Narada Muni and Kailas.

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HOW IS IT RELEVANT IN MY LIFE?

kim ätmanänena jahäti yo ‘ntataùkià riktha-häraiù svajanäkhya-dasyubhiù

kià jäyayä saàsåti-hetu-bhütayämartyasya gehaiù kim ihäyuño vyayaù

What is the use of the material body, which automatically leaves its owner at the end of life? And what is the use of all one’s family members, who are actually plunderers taking away money that is useful for the service of the Lord in spiritual opulence? What is the use of a wife? She is only the source of increasing material conditions. And what is the use of family, home, country and comMunity? Attachment for them merely wastes the valuable energy of one’s lifetime.

PURPORTThe Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, advises, sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekaà çaraëaà vraja: “Give up all other varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me.” The common man does not appreciate such a statement by the Supreme Personality of Godhead because he thinks that during his lifetime his family, society, country, body and relatives are everything. Why should one give up any one of them and take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? But from the behaviour of great personalities like Prahläda Mahäräja and Bali Mahäräja we understand that surrendering to the Lord is the right action for an intelligent person. Prahläda Mahäräja took shelter of Viñëu against the will of his father. Similarly, Bali Mahäräja took shelter of Vämanadeva against the will of his spiritual master, Çukräcärya, and all the leading demons. People may be surprised that devotees like Prahläda Mahäräja and Bali Mahäräja could seek shelter of the side of the enemy, giving up the natural affinity for family, hearth and home. In this connection, Bali Mahäräja explains that the body, which is the center of all material activities, is also a foreign element. Even though we want to keep the body fit and helpful to our activities, the body cannot continue eternally. Although I am the soul, which is eternal, after using the body for some time I have to accept another body (tathä dehäntara-präptiù [Bg. 2.13]), according to the laws of nature, unless I render some service with the body for advancement in devotional service. One should not use the body for any other purpose. One must know that if he uses the body for any other purpose he is simply

Video of penguin’s attachment for family.Now teacher may ask the children to relate this video and the theme story i.e the pigeon

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GURU 3 - Pigeonwasting time, for as soon as the time is ripe, the soul will automatically leave the body.We are very interested in society, friendship and love, but what are they? Those in the garb of friends and relatives merely plunder the hard-earned money of the bewildered soul.

RevisionRecap the entire session of pigeon and the sloka also.

Now that we have seen how attachment to anything is not very good try and honestly think for a few minutes some things you may be attached to and write down at least one thing you like to detach yourself from.