Geeta Ashram Youth

Reflections

Throughout these years, the Geeta has directly and indirectly played a major role in our lives. We are indeed blessed to have grown up in the ashram, which has been a pillar of strength to all of us, and we have none other than our Revered Swamiji to thank, who has sent dedicated teachers to us. 

Some of our children of the class would like to share what it means to them to be a child of the ashram.

Hari Om. My Name is Pirya and I have been attending the geeta classes since I was a child. I am a very shy person. The geeta has helped me to overcome my fear and be more confident. For example, I am now more brave to go in front of everyone and talk. It has also made me understand the importance of life such as being a respectful person and appreciating all that we have.

Piryasheni Vijayakumar, 14 years

Hari Om

My name is Kishorre. When I first joined the Geeta class, there was trepidation as I did not know what was it all about. I taught the class was just for one Sunday, the day that I joined.

At Geeta classes, I was taught that if you want to achieve something, you must set your mind on God, Bhagwan. We also need to work hard. This is what both my teachers, Uncle Chandru and Aunty Asha taught me. 

Eventually, I realized the importance of Geeta classes. During my second term exam, I found the papers to be hard. But I chanted the prayers: Vasudeva Sutam Devam Kansa Chaanura Mardanam Devaki Paramaa Nandam Krishnam Vande Jagad Gurum, silently in my heart and I was able to recall the answers automatically.

I was super thrilled when my position in class was number 3. Geeta class has helped me to excel  in my studies and today I am a top student.

Kishorre Sriram, 10 years

 

Hari Om.

Today I’m going to talk about how the Geeta has helped me in my life. When my mother first dragged me here, I thought to myself there goes my Sundays. The tongue twisting verses made me shudder with fear whenever I have to go for these classes. Honestly I was not looking forward for Geeta classes.

There was this day when my grandfather came late to pick me up from school and it was raining heavily. I got worried and I recited one of the bhajans I learnt from the class. To my pleasant surprise, my grandfather was standing in front of me.

That’s when I realized that the bhajans were very powerful. And it is worth while sacrificing my Sundays in front of the television after all.

 

Pretty Shrella, 9 years

 

Hari Om.
My Pranams to all.
I am 8 years old. I have been coming to class since I was 5 years old.

First of all I want to thank my Geeta Ashram teachers, my loving Uncle Chandru and Aunty Asha for guiding me on the proper and correct way to perform my daily prayers. They have also always made sure we have memorised our chapter 12 and practise it at all times.

Starting when I use to come here it was so boring, and I used to be very playful, but Uncle Chandru keeps telling me Arjun listen and stop playing, I used to be scared with his serious looks. But with Uncle Chandru’s guidance made me learn correct pronunciation of mantras and their meanings. Now I can even sing the full Geeta Arti.

Sunday is like another school day for me and my brother because my parents make sure we are in the ashram before 11.30 am for geeta classes.

I enjoy and love coming to Geeta Ashram.

Arjun Sharma, 8 years

 

Hari Om.

I’ve been attending Geeta classes since I was a child. And I’m very blessed to have been one of the lucky ones to have come for these classes here.

You see, the Bhagavad Geeta teaches you how to live life and follow the right path. It’s very upsetting to see that many in today’s world cannot distinguish between right and wrong.

Being a teenager, many would say that we’re too young to know the Geeta. But what many do not know is that all of us who come for Geeta classes every Sunday, learn something new every week.  I might not be as wise to say that I have understood life with the help of the Geeta, but I sure did learn something very valuable from it.

The one thing that I understood from the Geeta is that whatever happened, happened for the good; whatever is happening, is happening for the good; whatever will happen, will also happen for the good. You need not have any regrets for the past. You need not worry for the future. But this too sometimes is very hard to preach. Especially when it comes to exam results. You see, being a teenager in the Asian world, getting a ‘B’ for a subject is considered and asian ‘F’ if you ask me. So you can probably imagine what goes on at home when my results aren’t up to what’s expected.

If you ask me, it’s very very hard not to worry about situations like this, let alone accept it. But I do try my best to think positively and move on with life and do better in the next examinations. When I think about the future, yea, it is scary to think of it. But I know deep down that If I just leave it in God’s hands, I know everything would be alright in the end.

Tanusha Sharma, 15 years 

 

Hari Aum

My first memory of coming to the ashram would be approximately the age of 3. I would sit in a corner and do my colouring/ drawing during the satsang.

I started my first geeta class at the age of 8. I was greeted by Auntie Datin and Auntie Asha. The first question that was posed to me was ‘Would I like to join the geeta competition?’

At the time, I knew nothing about the BG and my religion. All I knew was every Saturday my family and I would get together for a mini havan and I would get to ring the bell during the aarti.

Anyways, during my first class Anjanna didi took me and Divya to the back of the ashram and taught me my first verse… CH 2 VS 7

karpanya-dosopahata-svabhavah

prcchami tvam dharma-sammudha-cetah

yac chreyah syan niscitam bruhi tan me

shishyas te ’ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam

 

We started of reciting like a parrot, not knowing the meaning of the verses. Eventually, once we reach a certain age, it dawns on us. What is the use of reading these verses if we don’t appreciate the meaning?

It is very reassuring to know that in times of need, when there is no one else to turn to, There is always one to turn towards for guidance.

Now, I am able to recite the BG fluently thanks to the geeta classes. Although, I only met Guruji once, I am indeed blessed by his grace because it is by his will that the establishment of this ashram has made me who I am today. Jai Gurudev! Hari Aum Tat Sat!

 

Ummeesh Kumar, 16 years 

 

I am in awe of the Geeta, I have learnt so much from this scripture, and I am still learning. Perhaps as a kid I did not realize this, but as I grew up, I came to understand that it is more than just verses and chapters of good advice. It is a teacher, a mentor and a good friend if I allow it to be. I will always be grateful to my parents for starting me off in those classes and to both the teachers there who have been very patient with all of us. Hari Aum Tat Sat. 

 

Milan Sadhwani, 26 years

Over these 20 years, many of us have gone near and far, yet we always know that we have the teachings of the Geeta with us.

Here are videos of some of our older students who are all over the world! 

Reflection by Luvesh Sadhwani, 18 years 

Reflection by Sasha Belani, 19 years

Reflection by Suraj Bulchand, 21 years