BALABHARATI Samskar for Kids

FEB 2020 MAGHA -PHALGUNA MASA

KARNATAKA
Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujaate, Jaya he
Karnataka Maate! Victory to the Precious
daughter of Bharat Mata, she is our
Karnataka Mata! Come children, let’s know
some fascinating things about the Southern
State of Bharat, Karnataka!
Karnataka was formed on 1st November,
1956. The people of Karnataka are called
Kannadigas. Its official language Kannada
co-exists happily with many local languages
like Tulu, Kodava, Konkani etc. The state
population of 6.5 Cr is lovingly nurtured by
river s like K averi, Krishna and
Tungabhadra etc.
The State has 30 main districts, each one a
bright jewel that adorns Karnataka Mata.
Bengaluru: The Capital of Karnataka, IT
Capital of India. Garden City. Founder- Sri
Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda.
Hampi: Capital of Vijayanagara Empire.
World Capital during 14th Century. Its
ruins are World Heritage Site today.
Mysore: The Capital of Wadiyar Dynasty,
also known as the Cultural Capital of
Karnataka due to its Art, Heritage, Silk and
Sandalwood. Popular for 4 centuries old
tradition of Dasara Festival Celebrations.
Jog Falls- Highest Waterfall in Karnataka.
Channapatna :Wooden Toys craft.
Architecture: Fine work of architecture
marvel is displayed in Udupi, Belur,
Halebid, Pattadakal-Aihole, Badami, Hampi
and Chitradurga to name few.
Interesting facts about Karnataka:
• Number one home to Elephants and
Tigers. "Yakshagaana" and "Dollu
kunitha" are the popular Loka-nrutya of
Karnataka.Carnatic Shastriya Sangeet is
from Karnataka. Mattur is a completely
Sanskrit speaking village of Karnataka.
• Ragi mudde, Maddur vada, Mysore Pak
are famous dishes. This is largest Coffee
producing state in India.
Few Famous Personalities :
• Spirituality: Madhwacharya, Basavanna,
Purandara & Kanaka Dasaru, Akka
Mahadevi , Bravery: Kittur Chennamma,
Onake Obavva, Literature: Kuvempu, Da
Ra Bendre, D.V.Gundappa, Science and
Technology: Sir M Vishweshwaraiah,
CNR Rao, Dr. Shakuntala Devi .
• Art & Music: Pandit Bheemsen Joshi, Dr
Raj Kumar & Sports: Prakash Padukone,
Rahul Dravid, Pankaj Advani, Nisha
millet, Mahesh Bhupati.
Well, this is just a small glimpse into the
vividness of Kar nataka! Victory to
Karnataka and Victory Maa Bharati!

Amrutvachan
Education is the best Wealth among all. As one consumes it
increases. One shares, it expands.
Rishi Agasthya

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 Balabharati - Feb 2020

WHY DO WE DO "PUJA"?
Children, Puja is a unique way of connecting with the divine. The word
Puja means 'to adore' or 'worship'. It is a simple way to cleanse and reset
ourselves to positive being. While in Puja we light lamps, ring bell, offer
flowers, fruits and prasadam with love and devotion. This is done as we
believe that giving is our true nature as a human being. Whatever we get
from this nature, we are offering back to the Divine with love, respect and
gratitude.
During Puja we chant sacred mantras, bhajans,and shlokas. This helps to make our
mind calmer and peaceful. These chants create sacred vibrations to the whole
environment. We feel that we are serving towards something good. When we are happy, we
perform better. Puja is a pleasure to our senses. Puja, though appearing ritualistic, is surely
a great way to discipline ourselves. The positivity attained can carry you through difficult
times. It enhances your goodness. Bowing down in front of the deity reduces your ego and
makes you humble. Puja is a samskara that should be done with sincerity and devotion.
Puja is done in temples, houses, on festivals, on special occasions, events. Puja done
in temples are well organized and are done by Pujaris. They have devoted their entire life
in the service of God and have knowledge of the scriptures. At home any of us can do
puja. The only thing needed is our availability and devotion. So kids let us take some time
every day and sit in front of our Ishta Devata and feel refreshed and energised.

SIR SHANTI SWAROOP BHATNAGAR (1894 – 1955)

A young professor (28 years old) was about to take over as the Head of the Department of
Chemistry in Banaras Hindu University (BHU) from his senior. However, on
witnessing the uneasiness of his senior handing over the charges, the young
professor politely refused and requested his senior to continue by showing all
due respect to him with humble words. He was none other than the Father of
Research Laboratories in India, Sir Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar.
He was born in 1894 in Punjab. He lost his father when he was eight months,
and then brought up by his maternal grandfather. Under his grandfather's guidance he
displayed his scientific temper in his childhood and enjoyed building mechanical toys,
electronic batteries and string telephones. He obtained Doctorate in Science from
University of London. His research contributions in the areas of Magneto-chemistry and
Physical Chemistry were widely recognized. He started establishing various chemical
laboratories across the nation. Hence, he is revered as the Father of Research
Laboratories in India. He was awarded Padma Bhushan and fellowship by Royal
Society.
Apart from being an eminent Scientist and a Collide Chemist, he was a Hindi poet
as well. During his stay at BHU, he composed the Kulgeet or University Song. The
Prestigious Indian award Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Prize for Science and
Technology is awarded every year in his honor for notable and outstanding research in
the field of science.

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 Balabharati - Feb 2020

GEET

Meaning of the Geet

The song is all about unity, patriotism and brotherhood. It says that let our nation always
keep blooming with the bond of love and patriotism. Let the echo of love towards nation
always be in the air. Let the sangthan of shakti bind our villages, towns, states and
eventually nation together. Let our punya bhumi (revered motherland) become a source
of knowledge, dharma, spiritualism once again and prosper to regain its past glory.

"Bharat Máta Ki Jai"

Audio of song available in Balabharti App. - Go to Repository and select Geet Audio.

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 Balabharati - Feb 2020

CHILDREN, YOU MUST HAVE SEEN THAT DURING FESTIVALS YOUR MOTHERS MAKE
BEAUTIFUL RANGOLI PATTERNS IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. DON'T YOU FEEL AMAZED
BY THE SYMMETRY IN THE PATTERN? GIVEN BELOW IS ONE SUCH SIMPLE PATTERN.
COMPLETE THE RANGOLI AND COLOR IT LATER. ALSO, CAN YOU COUNT THE TOTAL
NUMBER OF DOTS IN THE BELOW PATTERN.

COUNT THE NUMBER OF DIYAS AND COLOR THEM.

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 Balabharati -Feb 2020

MAZE PUZZLE

Children, do you know that Shivaratri symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati?

MATHS PUZZLE

One day Gopal was looking through the

family album, which had a photo of each
of his parent, each of his grandparents,
all the way upto each of his great-great-
great- grandparents.

Children, can you guess total how many

photos were there in the album?
Also can you tell the separate counts
for parents, grandparents, great grand
parents, great-great grandparents and By observing the number patterns in the
finally great-great-great grandparents above image can you guess the missing
number.

Answers for January month Riddle and Maths Puzzle

Riddles: 1. Shaktism , 2. Meera Bai 3. Smartism 4. Keertan
The missing no. is 20. If we divide
Maths the circle in 4 quarters then for each
Puzzle quarter the difference between nos.
Answers
is 4 i.e. 4+4=8, 13+4=17, 7+4=11 ,
So 16+4=20.

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 Balabharati - Feb 2020

Act of Courage- Gautam Buddha

When Gautam Budhha was a little prince Siddhartha, he saved the life of
a swan, who was injured with an arrow by his cousin Devadatta. When
Devadatta arrogantly claimed the bird, Siddhartha didn't let him take it
and said that the swan belongs to him because he saved and cared for it.
But Devadatta didn't listen to him and continued to fight. Finally they
took the matter to their guru. The guru heard both of them and said that
‘The swan doesn't belong to Devadatta because he has hurt it, and sought
to destroy it. Nobody can own a living being, except the one who loves it.’ So, he gave the
swan to Siddhartha, who looked after the bird till its broken wing was mended, and then
released it back into the river. Showing compassion towards the living beings and fighting
for the right cause is definitely courageous, don't you think so? Children, if you see an
injured living being, who needs immediate help, and nobody seems to offer help, what
would you think? Would you offer help?

FOOD AND HEALTH SERIES - WINTER AND SPRING

Winter is almost getting over and we are entering Spring. We have
moist climate throughout the season which is very suitable for the
multiple growth of bacteria, fungus and virus. This season brings
various changes in our body like frequent throat irritation, increased
hunger, low body temperature along with lowered immunity. So it is
the need of everyone to take care of our body and develop immunity
to fight against infections.

Now as you are more hungry during this season make fruits and vegetables your friends like
pomegranates, papaya and have lots of soups like mix vegetable soups, tomato rasam,
pepper rasam before or during lunch and dinner to keep your stomach filled. Don’t skip
meals, eat mindfully, feel each flavor.

Ingredients for Easy Carrot soup for Winter: 1 bowl of

carrot+1/2 bowl of onion+1/4 inch ginger+1 spoon butter.
Procedure: Boil in a pressure cooker upto 1 whistle, when warm
grind it. Add 1 pinch of pepper powder and salt each.Bowl of
delicious Carrot soup is ready to eat. Enjoy the winter and take care!

Note: The Subscription fees for the magazine for 1 year ( January 2020 to Dec
2020) is Rs 200. Please contact your Balabharati center Palak / Shikshika for
Magazine Subscription.

Due to technical problem you can not use TV/mobile for a day.
What will you do?

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 Balabharati - Feb 2020

FESTIVAL ALANKAR: SHIVRATRI WALL HANGING / TORAN

The festivals of Bharat manifest the vibrant and dynamic culture of our county.The prosperity
of Bharatiya culture and heritage makes its festivals more interesting and inspiring.
Celebrating them harmoniously enables us to rekindle the bond of joy and togetherness.
However all these elements can be cherished even more with a beautiful backdrop of
handmade festival alankars. These festival alankars can be made with simple materials and in
easy steps, by all family members to give a personal touch to each festival in a creative way.

Materials required: Thin cardboard (can be used boxes also), shiny papers in gold, silver,
black, blue and brown colours, thread, glue, scissors, decorative materials like kundan,
multicolor bindi etc.
Step1: MOON : Draw an outline of moon over the cardboard and cut it.  Using glue paste
silver paper over the moon shape.

Step 2:  Similarly prepare shapes of  lingam, Om , bells, and  thrishulas over the cardboard.
 Paste colour papers as shown in the picture.

Step 3: Stick lingam and Om pictures on the moon and hang the remaining pictures using
thread as shown.

Step 4: You can creatively decorate the objects.  Now Shivaratri hanging is ready to be hung
on the wall. By adding many more trishuls, the same can be made to look like a TORAN also.
Real bells can also inserted in-between the trishuls.

In the craft book for children that was released during

Balasangama, there are two alankar ideas suitable for this festival,
namely, paper cup damru and moon key chain. Few more alankar
ideas that can be tried out are 1) Trishul from pipe cleaners, 2)
Thumb impression tiger print coasters, 3) Lingam from paper
mache or shilpkari clay

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 Balabharati - Feb 2020

IMMORTAL FRIENDSHIP
Children, all of us know that in this present time we have hundreds of friends,
both online and offline. But it is very difficult to find one true friend who always
stands by us. So let us remember a touching tale of lord Krishna and Sudama and
resolve to make one lasting friendship in our life.
Krishna and Sudama studied together at Acharya Sandipani's hermitage. In
those days, students had to go to the Guru's ashram (Gurukul) and stay there till
their studies were completed. Sudama was from a poor brahmin family however
Krishna came from a royal family. But this difference in social status did not come
in the way of their friendship. The two were inseparable all the way through the
tenure of their schooling.
After finishing their studies, they lost touch for several years. Krishna moved to Dwarka and became
the king of great repute. Sudama stayed as a humble and poor villager. He spent all his time in
teaching moral duties and spirituality.
Once with tearful eyes, his wife told him, "It doesn't matter if we are hungry but we should at least be
able to feed the children enough." On hearing this Sudama felt very sad and said, "What can be done?
We can't ask for favors from anybody."
Sudama's wife replied, "You talk of Krishna so often. You have been saying that you have a deep
bond of friendship with him. He is the King of Dwarka, so why don't you go to him? There won't be
any need to ask for anything there."
Though initially reluctant, Sudama finally agreed to go. He remembered that 'avalakki' (poha) is
Krishna's favourite and decided to give this as a gift.
On seeing Dwarka, Sudama was amazed. The entire town was built with gold and the people were
very well-off. The palace guard smirked on seeing Sudama's attire. However, he hesitantly went &
informed Krishna of his arrival. On hearing Sudama's name, Krishna immediately stood up & ran to
meet him. Everyone was surprised on seeing such a great King running bare-footed to meet his poor
friend.
Krishna was delighted and welcomed Sudama with great respect. He even washed his feet with
sandalwood paste and warm water.
They recalled their childhood days at Acharya Sandipani's hermitage. Seeing Krishna's wealth,
Sudama felt ashamed of the 'avalakki' that he had brought and tried to hide the bundle but Krishna
snatched it from him. While enjoying the snack Krishna said, "I have never tasted such sweetness in
anything else."
Later, they sat to have their meal which was served in gold plates. Sudama felt sad as he remembered
his hungry children at home. He stayed at the palace for two days but couldn't prepare himself to ask
Krishna for any favors.
On the way back, Sudama wondered, "What shall I say when my wife asks me what I've brought
back?" As Sudama approached home, he could not find his hut. Instead, his wife came out from a
magnificent palace and dressed in elegant clothes. She told Sudama, "Look at Krishna's might, we
have been rid of our poverty. Krishna has ended all our miseries." Sudama recollected Krishna's pure
love & his eyes filled up with tears of joy.
So children, Krishna and Sudama's friendship was not bounded by their social status. Therefore
today, even after thousands of years, it is still remembered all over the world.

Subhashita Audio available in Balabharati

Mobile APP under RESOURCES Section

A friend is one whose association results in mutual bonding, whose presence is pleasing to one's eyes
and heart, who stands by you in both good and bad circumstances.However it is hard to find such a
friend.

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