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BalGopal - Lesson#1 - Om Ajnana Timirandhasya

Shloka

oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena
tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ

I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.

Who am I? → I am a spirit soul (driver).

Materials you will need

One toy car (preferably a big one in which a child can sit). Some cards. One card with the word BODY and other with SOUL written on it. These can be plain A4 papers with a string attached to it so that the card with BODY can be put on the Car and the card with SOUL can be put in one child's neck.

Key teaching points

Idea is to teach children that the body is like the Car and Soul is the Driver. There is a CLEAR difference between the two. Through activities you can teach them the below points:

  • I am a Spirit Soul or Atma which is the Driver. Also Krishna tells us that the Soul or Atma never dies or gets old or diseased.
  • My Body is like the Car. Driver sits inside the Car and drives it. Similarly Soul or Atma sits inside the Body and drives it.
  • Car and Driver are two different things - they are not one and the same.

Details

  • Keep the car alone and ask the children "Will the car be able to move itself?". Did it ever happen that you wake up one morning and find that your Bicycle you parked in the parking lot travelled in the lift and came to your home by itself? Or your Dad's car went out in the middle of the night for a ride for some fun? 
  • Now ask one child to sit inside and say "Let's go to school". Car should move. Teacher calls “Driver in!” → car moves; “Driver out!” → car freeze.

  • Debrief: “The body only moves because the soul is inside.”


Start/Stop Game

  • One child = car (hands like wheels), one = driver (hand on shoulder).

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W2: Whose am I? → I belong to Krishna (Owner + Power).

  • “This driver and car belong to Krishna. He gives the car (body) and the power (life, breath)—like fuel/electricity.”

  • Call & response: “I am Krishna’s. He gives me life and power.”

W3: Where am I? → In the material world (the parking lot/school trip).

  • “Right now we’re not in Krishna’s home; we’re in the material world—like a parking lot or a school trip. It’s temporary.”

  • “The goal isn’t to drive in circles; it’s to use Krishna’s car for Krishna’s work and then go back to Krishna’s home.”

+ G: Guru → GPS & Headlights.

  • Show phone. “Even with car and fuel, we can get lost. Guru is Krishna’s GPS/headlights—he opens our eyes and shows the route back to Krishna.”

  • Tie back to shloka: “That’s what this verse means.”

2-Minute Activity (locks in “Where am I?” & purpose)

  • Tape a simple “road” on the floor (or draw on board): Parking Lot → Truth → Kindness → Chanting → Krishna’s Home.

  • Give 3–4 “mission cards” (Speak kindly / Share prasadam / Help at home / Chant 5 names).

  • Pick one child as Guru-GPS to read directions: “Turn left to Kindness… go straight to Truth…”

  • Close: “We’re in the parking lot now, doing Krishna’s errands with Guru-GPS, then heading home to Krishna.”

One-liners the kids can remember

  1. Who am I? I am the soul, the driver.

  2. Whose am I? I am Krishna’s—He gives my car and power.

  3. Where am I? In the material world (parking lot/school trip).

  4. What’s the goal? Do Krishna’s work now, then go back to Krishna.

  5. How to not get lost? Guru is the GPS/headlights.

Mnemonic: 3W + G = GO (back to Krishna).

Small cautions (for clarity with kids)

  • Say “material world = temporary place like a parking lot/school trip,” not “bad place.”

  • Keep “Krishna wants us back” warm and positive (no fear/doom).

  • Emphasize service now (kindness, truth, chanting) so “going back” feels connected to daily life.

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