Dharam Shiksha - Class 24

Welcome to yet another recap of our exciting Dharam Class full of invaluable life lessons and learnings.

First of all, we would love to express our gratitude for the impressive attendance last Sunday - Good going kids! Keep up this enthusiasm and eagerness to learn in all the future classes too!

So we started this Dharam Class with a recap of the previously taught Paaths. Then we moved on to explaining the next portion of the Tass Uttrikarnenang Paath - the 13 "aagaar."

Tass Uttrikarnenang Paath - 13 Aagaar

"...Anatth Uus-ienang, Nees-sienang, Khaas-ienang, Chhee-ienang, Jambhai-ienang, Uddu-enang, Vaay-Nisaggenang, Bhamliye, Pitt-Muchhaye, Suhumehing-Ang-Sanchalehing, Suhumehing-Khel-Sanchalehing, Suhumehing-Ditthi-Sanchalehing..."

MEANING:

Anatth - Except the following 13 "exceptions" or "aagaars," I vow to pause all bodily movements...

Uus-ienang - Breathing in

Nees-sienang - Breathing out

Khaas-ienang - Coughing

Chhee-ienang - Sneezing

Jambhai-ienang - Yawning

Uddu-enang - Burping

Vaay-Nisaggenang - Farting

Bhamliye - Feeling dizzy

Pitt-Muchhaye - Puking/Vomiting or falling unconscious

Suhumehing-Ang-Sanchalehing - Minute (sookshma) body movements

Suhumehing-Khel-Sanchalehing - Minute throat-related movements

Suhumehing-Ditthi-Sanchalehing - Minute eye movements

Topic of the Day - PUNYA

We are all aware of the concept of karma. Karma, in simple words, means action. Now our actions can either be good or bad. If they are good, our soul collects "Punya" and if they are bad, our soul collects "Paap."

So basically, Punya means good karma. When we do kind, helpful and selfless actions, we collect Punya. Punya brings happiness, comfort, health and peace not just in this life but in future lives too.

Helping others, being truthful, showing compassion to all living beings and sharing with love are all ways to earn Punya. When our thoughts, words and actions are good and pure, our soul becomes lighter and moves ahead on the Path to Moksha.

9 Types of Punya:

Now, let us talk about the nine types of Punya:

1. Ann-Punya (Giving Food)

When we give food to someone who is hungry—whether it is a person, an animal, or a bird—we earn Ann-Punya.

2. Paan-Punya (Giving Water or Drinks)

When we give water or any drink to someone who is thirsty, we earn Paan-Punya. Water is very precious, and sharing it is a great good deed.

3. Layan-Punya (Giving Shelter)

When we give shelter to someone or protect them from heat, cold, or rain, it is called Layan-Punya.

4. Shayan-Punya (Providing a Place to Rest or Sleep)

When we give a place to rest or sleep to tired people or sadhus/sadhvis, we earn Shayan-Punya.

5. Vastra-Punya (Giving Clothes)

When we give clothes to someone in need or help someone stay warm, we earn Vastra-Punya.

6. Man-Punya (Good Thoughts)

Having good thoughts, forgiving others and wishing happiness for everyone is Man-Punya.

7. Vachan-Punya (Good Speech)

Speaking kindly, politely, truthfully and trying not to hurt others with our words is Vachan-Punya.

8. Kaya-Punya (Good Actions)

Helping others through our actions, like serving, cleaning, or caring for someone is Kaya-Punya.

9. Namaskar-Punya (Respect and Reverence)

Showing respect to parents, elders, teachers, monks, and all living beings is Namaskar-Punya.

Now let us understand the concept of "Punya" even more clearly through the following story...

STORY TIME - Shri Shalibhadra Ji's Punyavaani

Long ago, in the city of Rajgrihi, there lived a man named Shalibhadra. His home was not just a house — it was a huge palace, even grander than the palaces of many kings! It had seven floors, and Shalibhadra lived on the seventh floor with his 32 wives.

Shalibhadra lived a very comfortable life. He spent most of his time eating delicious food, sleeping and enjoying luxuries.

One day, Shalibhadra’s father, Gobhadra, went to listen to the sermon of Bhagwan Mahavir. The sermon touched his heart so deeply that he decided to take deeksha and become a sadhu. When he returned home and shared his decision, Shalibhadra’s mother, Bhadra, also happily agreed.

After Gobhadra took deeksha, all the responsibility of managing the huge household fell on Bhadra - because Shalibhadra was too busy enjoying life!

You may wonder — how was Shalibhadra’s family so rich?

It was because of their Punyavani — the good karma they had earned in their past lives.

A few years after taking deeksha, Gobhadra passed away and was reborn in Devlok as a "Dev". But even in Devlok, he felt very attached to his son. Every single day, he sent 33 boxes to Shalibhadra’s home — one for Shalibhadra and one for each of his 32 wives. These boxes were filled with beautiful clothes, delicious food and precious ornaments.

One day, a trader from Nepal came to Rajgrihi to sell jewel-encrusted quilts. They were so costly that no one could afford them. Finally, the trader went to the palace of Queen Chelna. The Queen liked the quilts very much and asked the King to buy one.

But when the King heard the price — 1,25,000 gold coins for one quilt — he refused, saying it was far too expensive!

When Bhadra, Shalibhadra’s mother, heard about this, she smiled and thought, I can easily buy them!

She called the Nepalese trader and asked him how many quilts he had.

The trader replied, “I have 16 quilts.”

Bhadra said, “I have 32 daughters-in-law, so I need 32 quilts.”

But the trader explained that making such quilts took a very long time, so it was impossible to get more.

Bhadra calmly said, “No problem. I will buy all 16 quilts. I will cut each quilt into half and give one half to each of my daughters-in-law.”

Now here comes the most surprising part...

Shalibhadra’s wives were so used to wearing clothes sent from Devlok that their skin had become extremely soft and delicate. When they used those expensive jewel-encrusted quilts, their skin developed rashes!

So what did they do?

The next morning, after taking their bath, they used those quilts to wipe their feet... and then threw them into the trash!

Can you imagine that?

When the palace cleaner saw such precious quilts in the trash, she quietly took them away. Later, she went to Queen Chelna’s palace, carrying one of the quilts. The Queen immediately recognized it.

She asked the cleaner where she had found it.

The cleaner narrated the entire story and added, “I have 32 such pieces.”

Queen Chelna was shocked. She went and told the King everything. But the King was not jealous at all. Instead, he became curious and decided to visit the person who was so wealthy.

When the King reached Shalibhadra’s house, he was amazed. He kept climbing one floor after another, admiring the palace. Suddenly, a ring slipped from his finger and fell down.

As the King bent to look for it, Bhadra appeared. She greeted the King respectfully and asked what he was searching for. When she heard about the lost ring, she ordered a servant to bring a large plate filled with precious rings and said, “Please choose any ring you like.”

Such was their wealth!

Now you might be wondering — what good deed did Shalibhadra do to deserve all this?

To understand this better - let us go back to his previous birth...

In his last life, Shalibhadra was a small boy named Sangam. His mother Dhanya was extremely poor. They could barely manage two meals a day.

They went to a village where people owned livestock like cows and goats. Every day, Sangam would take the animals out to graze and bring them back in the evening. This was how they earned their living.

One day, during a festival, everyone in the village was making a sweet dish called kheer. Seeing this, little Sangam asked his mother to make kheer too.

His mother said sadly, “We can barely afford food. How can I make kheer?”

But Sangam kept insisting. Finally, his mother became helpless and slapped him. Sangam started crying loudly.

Hearing the noise, some neighboring women came and asked what had happened. When they learned the reason, they felt compassion and decided to help.

They gave Dhanya rice, milk, and sugar so she could make kheer.

Dhanya prepared the kheer and kept it in a big vessel to cool down. Then she went outside to fetch water. Sangam sat beside the vessel, eagerly waiting.

Just then, a Sadhuji passed by. He had been fasting for an entire month and had come for gochari to break his fast.

The moment Sangam saw Sadhuji, his bhaav became extremely pure.

He decided, I will give half of this kheer to Guruji.

But as he poured the kheer, his heart was so full of devotion that he poured all of it into Sadhuji’s bowl.

Even after giving away everything, Sangam felt no regret at all. Instead, his heart felt full of happiness and peace.

When his mother returned, she saw Sangam licking the remaining kheer from the vessel. She smiled and said, “I have a little more. Let me give it to you.”

Sangam happily ate the remaining kheer. But just then, his ayushya karma ended, and he passed away.

Because of his pure intention, selfless giving and devotion, Sangam earned immense Punya — and was reborn as Shalibhadra, one of the richest men in Rajgrihi!

That, dear children, is the true power of Punya. 🌸

FUN TIME - PASSING THE PARCEL GAME

We concluded this session with a fun "Passing The Parcel" game. Every child who got out was asked to name any one "punya" that he/she would do.

We also gave the children cute piggy banks and cozy woollen caps!

The kids are encouraged to drop a little money into their piggy banks and later donate it for Jeev Daya, and to share the woollen caps with people who need them the most in this chilly weather.

Through this joyful activity, children don’t just learn about Punya — they get to feel the happiness of doing good deeds with their own hands and hearts! 💖✨

A QUICK RECAP - Quiz Time

Now let us test how many of you REALLY paid attention to the story of Shalibhadra Ji! Below are two quizzes (one for kids below 8 years of age, and one for the rest) specially curated based on the story dictated above.

So come on, it's time to find out how much you remember!

For kids below 8 years: https://www.educaplay.com/learning-resources/27447050-the_power_of_punya_shalibhadra_s_tale.html

For kids above 8 years: https://www.educaplay.com/learning-resources/27446950-shalibhadra_and_the_power_of_punya.html