Bal Gopal - Lesson#2

Syllabus

Srila Prabhupada Pranati

nama om vishnu-padaya krishna-preshthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta-svamin iti namine

I offer my respectful obeisances unto His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is very dear to Lord Krishna, having taken shelter at His lotus feet.

namas te sarasvate deve gaura-vani-pracarine
nirvisesha-sunyavadi-pascatya-desa-tarine

Our respectful obeisances are unto you, O spiritukindly preaching the message of Lord Caitanyadeva and delivering the Western countries, which are filled with impersonalism and voidism.

• Teachers can refer to BTG article on Srila Prabhupada Pranati before hand to clearly understand the meaning of SP Pranati mantra.

Sit down and get going

• Sit in a circle with children.
• Simple breathing exercise: "Let's take three deep breaths together to prepare our hearts and minds".
• Brief explanation: "Today we'll learn a special prayer to honor our spiritual teacher, Srila Prabhupada".
• But before we do that let us recap what we learnt last class.

Recap of last session (Bal Gopal #1)

• Children - can anyone tell what we discussed last Sunday? 
• What were the main points?

  • Who am I? I’m the soul (driver).

  • Whose am I? I am Krishna’s (He owns the car/body and gives power/breath).

  • Where am I? On Krishna’s school trip (this world is temporary) to do Krishna’s missions and then go back to Krishna.

  • Guru: Turns on the light, shows Krishna, and marks the safe path.

• Who is our Guru? How do we show our respect to to him?
  • Srila Prabhupada is our Guru and we show our respect by bowing down before his deity/photo and chanting "Om Ajnana Timirandhasya.."
  • Our teacher(s) are also our Gurus and we show respect by bowing down to them and chanting "Om Ajnana Timirandhasya.."
• Does any remember the whole Om Ajnana Timirandhasya mantra? Give chance if anyone wants to. Appreciate. Even if some are able to remember one line and chant, appreciate that.

Story time "Messenger of the Supreme Lord" - A Story About Srila Prabhupada

Once upon a time, in India, there lived a very kind and wise grandfather named Srila Prabhupada. His heart was always full of joy because he loved Krishna so much!

But Srila Prabhupada noticed something: many people in the world did not know about Krishna’s love. And he wanted everyone—every child, every mother, every father—to feel the happiness of loving Krishna.

So one day, even though he was already quite old, he made a very brave decision.
He said, “I will go to a faraway land and tell people about Krishna!”

Imagine this: with only a little bag, a few rupees in his pocket, and a trunk of books, he stepped onto a huge ship. The ship sailed across the ocean, rocking and rolling in the waves. Srila Prabhupada had never been to America before. He didn’t know anyone there. But he was not afraid, because he carried the most precious treasure—stories and songs about Krishna.

When he reached New York, he went to the park. He sat under a tree, closed his eyes, and began to sing:
“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare...” 🎵

His voice was so peaceful, so full of love, that people stopped to listen. Some sat down next to him. Some clapped their hands. Some even tried to sing along!

Soon, those people became his students. They learned how to chant, how to love Krishna, and how to live happy, simple lives.

And then—like a traveler spreading light—Srila Prabhupada went to many countries, many cities. He wrote books, built beautiful temples, and taught thousands of people that the greatest happiness comes from loving Krishna.

🌍 Because of his love and courage, today children and parents all around the world sing the Hare Krishna mantra and read his books.

Just like we say “thank you” to our parents and teachers, we also say “thank you” to Srila Prabhupada for bringing Krishna’s love to us. We do this by offering a special prayer to him.

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💡 Discussion Questions for Children

1. What made Srila Prabhupada so special?

2. Why do you think he traveled so far away from his home?

3. How can we show respect to our teachers, just like people respected Srila Prabhupada?

✅ strengths of this story

• Simple language – easy words, short sentences, no complicated details.

• Adventure feel – “big ship,” “across the ocean,” “sang under trees,” makes it exciting.

• Hero element – children love a hero who is brave and kind. Srila Prabhupada is shown as both.

• Relatable gratitude – linking to “saying thank you” to parents and teachers makes the prayer natural to them.

✅ Here are storytelling tips with actions and voice changes so your children stay fully engaged

1. Introduce Srila Prabhupada

📖 Line: “Once upon a time, in India, there lived a very kind and wise grandfather named Srila Prabhupada.”
👉 Action: Smile warmly, spread your arms as if welcoming a grandfather. Use a gentle, loving voice.

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2. His Brave Decision

📖 Line: “One day, even though he was already quite old, he made a very brave decision.”
👉 Action: Stand tall, make a strong face, put your hand on your heart. Use a firm, determined tone.

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3. Boarding the Ship

📖 Line: “With only a little bag, a few rupees, and a trunk of books, he stepped onto a huge ship...”
👉 Action: Pretend to carry a heavy trunk. Then rock your body side to side like waves. Lower your voice to sound mysterious, “rocking and rolling in the waves...”

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4. Singing in the Park

📖 Line: “He sat under a tree and began to sing: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna...”
👉 Action: Close your eyes, fold your hands, and softly chant. Then gesture with your hands like you’re inviting children to join in. (Encourage them to chant one line with you!)

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5. People Listening

📖 Line: “His voice was so peaceful and loving, people stopped to listen...”
👉 Action: Cup your ear, look around like you’re surprised people are coming closer. Smile widely as if friends are gathering.

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6. Traveling the World

📖 Line: “Srila Prabhupada went to many countries, many cities...”
👉 Action: Pretend to hold a globe or flap your arms like an airplane. Use an excited, adventurous tone.

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7. Conclusion – Gratitude

📖 Line: “Just like we say ‘thank you’ to our parents and teachers, we also say ‘thank you’ to Srila Prabhupada...”
👉 Action: Fold your hands in namaste. Invite the children to join you. Smile softly and bow your head.

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🎤 Voice Tips

• Soft and gentle for prayers and chanting.

• Loud and excited when describing his travels.

• Slow and serious when describing the big ship and ocean waves.

Craft

Paper Boat Craft – “Prabhupada’s Journey”

Materials

• 1 sheet of plain paper (A4) per child

• Crayons or sketch pens

• A small Krishna sticker or you can let them draw Krishna’s flute/peacock feather

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Steps

1. Tell them: “Just like Srila Prabhupada sailed on a big ship to America, today we will make our own paper boats!”

2. Folding the boat: Teach them step by step (you can show or even project if possible).

   • Fold paper in half → Fold the corners down → Make a hat → Pull the edges → Open into a boat.

3. Decorating:

   • On one side, write “Jala Duta”.

   • On the other side, let them draw a peacock feather or stick a Krishna sticker.

   • Color the boat bright and cheerful!

4. Message: Say aloud while they finish:
   “Srila Prabhupada carried Krishna’s love across the ocean. Just like this boat, our hearts can also carry Krishna’s love everywhere we go.”

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Srila Prabhupada Pranati Mantra

Materials needed

• Altar with photos of Krishna, Srila Prabhupada, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, Lord Chaitanya

Teacher should teach using hand gestures - do not worry much if children cannot accurately prononouce the mantra - they will learn gradually as they progress. Our main goal is to teach them what the Pranati is saying about SP.

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya

(I offer respects to one who is at the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu)
👉 Fold hands in namaste and bow slightly towards Krishna’s photo.

kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale

(Who is very dear to Krishna on this earth)
👉 Point both hands towards Krishna’s photo, then place hand on the heart.

śrīmate bhaktivedānta

(To Śrī Bhaktivedānta)
👉 Open right palm respectfully towards Srila Prabhupāda’s photo.

svāmin iti nāmine

(Who is known as Swami)
👉 Fold hands again in namaste towards Prabhupāda’s photo.

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namaste sārasvate deve

(Respects to the servant of Saraswati Ṭhākura)
👉 With folded hands, motion towards Bhaktisiddhānta Saraswati Ṭhākura’s photo.

gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe

(Preacher of Lord Gauranga’s message)
👉 Point hand towards Lord Chaitanya’s photo, then spread arms outward (sharing the message).

nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi

(Rejecting impersonalism and voidism)
👉 Shake head “no” and push both hands outward (as if pushing away the wrong ideas).

pāścātya-deśa-tāriṇe

(Deliverer of the Western countries)
👉 Stretch arms wide (showing distant lands), then bring them together in namaste towards Prabhupāda’s photo (showing he delivered people back to Krishna).

This prayer essentially means

• I bow down respectfully to Srila Prabhupada
• He is very dear to Krishna
• He is our spiritual teacher
• He brought Krishna's teachings to people in Western countries
• Thank you for sharing Krishna's love with us!

Mapping

• gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe → Bringing Lord Gaurāṅga’s happy message (mantra, kindness, bhakti).

• paścātya-deśa-tāriṇe → Sailing to the Western lands (the Jaladuta journey).

• nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādi → Blindfolds + boards = “empty/no-God” ideas (darkness).

• kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya → We bow because he is dear to Kṛṣṇa; he gives us temples, books, kīrtan.

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Activity - Srila Prabhupada goes to the Western World

Roles (10–15 kids; scale up/down easily)

• 1 Narrator (teacher or confident child)

• 1 Śrīla Prabhupāda (SP) (shawl, bead bag/tilak if possible) - this can be an assistant teacher / volunteer in vaishnav dress

• 3–6 Children in the “Western World” area (some blindfolded)

• 2 Spotters (adults/teens) for blindfold safety

• Optional: 1 “Captain” to hold a cardboard ship wheel, or carry a “Jaladuta” sign

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Space & Props

Zones

• Split the class room into two parts. One India and the other Western World. 

• India: small altar/photo of SP, “India” sign.

• Ocean path: blue tape on floor (curved route).

• Western World: chairs/table + signs.

Props

• Blindfolds (soft scarves); large boards: “No God?”, “Life feels empty?”, “God is only a force?”, “Who am I?”

• Paper boats (kids made beforehand in craft time).

• “Temple” prop: cardboard arch/mini temple picture; bell sound (phone) optional.

• Stack of books (Bhagavad-gītā As It Is or printouts).

• Small placards to FLIP at the end: “Chant & Be Kind,” “Welcome Home,” “You are soul; love God.”

Sound

• Soft city/party ambience (optional) for “Western World”

• Kīrtan track or live kartāls/mṛdaṅga for finale

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15–20 Minute Scripted Flow

Scene 1 – Darkness (Western World) (2 min)

• Stage: Western area has kids (2–3 blindfolded). Boards displayed (“No God?”, “Life is empty?”, etc.).

• Narrator:
  “In many places, people felt confused: ‘Is there a loving Person behind everything? Or is it all empty?’ Their eyes were covered by ideas that felt dark.”

• Optional ambience: soft city noise; disco music;

Scene 2 – The Call in India (1–2 min)

• SP stands in India zone, holding a paper boat in his hand.

• Narrator:
  “In India, Prabhupada received an order from his Guru - "carry Lord Gaurāṅga’s message to the world.”

• SP (quiet, simple):
  “Dear Lord, I am Yours. Please make me an instrument.”

Scene 3 – The Ocean Journey (1–2 min)

• SP  "sails" along the blue tape path with his boat. He can wobble along to reflect traveling on a ship.

• Narrator:
  “At the age of sixty-nine, Śrīla Prabhupāda crossed the ocean on the Jaladuta, bringing gaura-vāṇī—the happy message of chanting and love.”

Scene 4 – Three Gifts Arrive (8–10 min)

Do these one by one, with short lines and actions.

A) Mantra

• Action: Gently remove blindfold from Child A.

• Line: “Try this medicine for the heart—Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa…”

• Call & response: Class chants one round.

• Board change: Flip “No God?” to “God loves you; you can love Him.”

B) Temple 

• Action: Remove blindfold from Child B. Hold up temple picture/arch.

• Line: “This is Kṛṣṇa’s home—a temple is where we sing, serve, and feel His love.”

• Invite: Child rings bell / folds hands.

• Board change: Flip “Life is empty?” to “Welcome Home.”

C) Book 

• Action: Remove blindfold from Child C, give a Gītā.

• Line: “This book is a lamp. ‘You are not this body; you are the soul.’”

• Board change: Flip “God is only a force?” to “God is a loving Person.”

Link back to mantra:

• Narrator: “This is gaura-vāṇī-pracāriṇe—preaching Lord Gaurāṅga’s message;
  and this is paścātya-deśa-tāriṇe—lifting the Western lands from confusion;
  removing nirviśeṣa-śūnyavāda—the empty idea.”

Scene 5 – Finale: Kīrtan & Bow (2–3 min)

• SP leads one minute of lively kīrtan.

• All kids help lay down or flip the negative boards to positive ones.

• Narrator: “We offer respect to the guru who brought this light.”

• All recite the two praṇāma mantras once, with actions, and bow.

• Take a photo with all children sitting down with SP in the middle. Children can hold up the cards.

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Safety & Sensitivity

• Blindfold safety: use spotters, move slowly, clear floor, no running.

• No stereotyping people: We’re showing ideas (confusion/emptiness), not blaming a country or culture. Say “many places” rather than “West = bad.”

• Avoid props like “smoking”; use neutral signals of busyness (headphones/scrolling/party noise) if you want atmosphere.

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Pactical Application – “Carry Krishna’s Love”

• Place all the boats in one corner of the room (like they are sailing).

• Ask each child to come, pick their boat, and say one way they can share Krishna’s love (e.g., “I will chant one round of the Hare Krishna mahamantra daily,” “I will be kind,” “I will read Prabhupada’s book,” etc.).

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🌟 Take-Home

Tell the children: “Take this boat home. Whenever you see it, remember Srila Prabhupada’s courage, and remember you also can be a messenger of Krishna’s love.”

Chant one round together

• Recite SP Pranati Mantra together once
• Sit in a circle and chant one round together