Potana - A learning tool
Introduction:
I combine story telling, language learning, scientific facts, concept of metaphors etc., Here are couple of instances how I use verses from Potana’s Bhagavatam.
Story: First, the story in breif. In the eight chapter of Telugu Bhagavatam by Potana ( 1450 - 1510) there is a story of Vamana. Vamana, who is short, arrives to the king Bali and asks for 3 feet of land. Bali is warned by his guru to not trust Vamana. Bali responds that he has given his word and proceeds. Vamana gradually expands his body to occupy the whole earth, sky and Bali himself.
Two Verses: There are two verses (padyams) that describe the expansion of Vamana. I am not going to describe each word here. Links have detailed word-by-word meanings.
8-622-శా
He has risen towards sky (నభోవీథి), clouds (తోయద మండలం), area of lights (ప్రభారాశి), moon (చంద్రుడు), north star (ధ్రువ), other places beyond them (మహర్వాటి). I use this to talk about the universe (బ్రహ్మాండం), earth and all the planetary bodies out there. I also talk about which one is brighter (moon vs star) and why.
Finally, Vamana has risen to occupy universe while following the path of truth. This is a teachable moment, if Vamana has lied about three feet or was that supposed to be a metaphor. We talk about speaking truth and how it helps you grow and shine bright, metaphorically speaking. Of course, language wise, the rhyme and rhythm is stressed to recite and remember the verse.
While the first one describes how Vamana is rising, the following verse 8-623-మ. talks about the appearance of surroundings. As Vamana was rising, round Sun (రవిబింబం) seemed like a umbrella (ఛత్రంబు), then it appeared as a gem worn on head (శిరోరత్నం), then it appeared a ear ring (శ్రవణాలంకృతి), further as an ornament worn around neck (గళాభరణం), next by the shoulder (కేయూరం), as a bell (ఘంట) worn around hip (కటిస్ధలి), as an anklet (నూపురం) and finally as a step under the foot (పద పీఠం).
This verse helps us talk to kids about the shape of planetary bodies, anatomy and relative size vs absolute size. Why would objects seem smaller as they move away. How to compare different things visually. We also discuss the effect of distance on vision and sound. Why we have to shout, to be able to make us audible, for people at a distance etc.,
Conclusion: Combining visual imagery (literally and metaphorically) is a well established Indian technique and tradition to pass on knowledge. It is an effective technique to cohesively and comprehensively understand and remember. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map)
Of course, not all concepts are discussed in one go. It probably takes anywhere from 6months to an year or more. When ever we stumble upon a concept, I fall back on a verse that could be used to explain the phenomenon. Also, do not quiz my kids on any of these, if you run into them. They may not like it. :)
We don’t have to make the Telugu poetry and learning language a dreary task for kids. I use it as a tool to discuss science, facts. Learning language becomes an enjoyable bonding that kids look forward to.
We teach my mother tongue Telugu to kids at home. For me, It is also a conduit to pass on some of the cultural aspects. I use this as a bonding opportunity with them. The engineer in me tries to pass on some science facts too.
I combine story telling, language learning, scientific facts, concept of metaphors etc., Here are couple of instances how I use verses from Potana’s Bhagavatam.
Story: First, the story in breif. In the eight chapter of Telugu Bhagavatam by Potana ( 1450 - 1510) there is a story of Vamana. Vamana, who is short, arrives to the king Bali and asks for 3 feet of land. Bali is warned by his guru to not trust Vamana. Bali responds that he has given his word and proceeds. Vamana gradually expands his body to occupy the whole earth, sky and Bali himself.
Two Verses: There are two verses (padyams) that describe the expansion of Vamana. I am not going to describe each word here. Links have detailed word-by-word meanings.
8-622-శా
ఇంతింతై, వటుఁడింతయై మఱియుఁ దా నింతై నభోవీథిపై
నంతై తోయదమండలాగ్రమున కల్లంతై ప్రభారాశిపై
నంతై చంద్రుని కంతయై ధ్రువునిపై నంతై మహర్వాటిపై
నంతై సత్యపదోన్నతుం డగుచు బ్రహ్మాండాంత సంవర్ధియై.
This describes how Vamana has grown from being this (ఇంత ఇంతయై) to that (ఇంతయై) and to something more than that (తాను ఇంతయై). An opportunity to discuss what small, medium and large mean how they represent sizes.
He has risen towards sky (నభోవీథి), clouds (తోయద మండలం), area of lights (ప్రభారాశి), moon (చంద్రుడు), north star (ధ్రువ), other places beyond them (మహర్వాటి). I use this to talk about the universe (బ్రహ్మాండం), earth and all the planetary bodies out there. I also talk about which one is brighter (moon vs star) and why.
Finally, Vamana has risen to occupy universe while following the path of truth. This is a teachable moment, if Vamana has lied about three feet or was that supposed to be a metaphor. We talk about speaking truth and how it helps you grow and shine bright, metaphorically speaking. Of course, language wise, the rhyme and rhythm is stressed to recite and remember the verse.
రవిబింబం బుపమింపఁ బాత్రమగు ఛత్రంబై శిరోరత్నమై
శ్రవణాలంకృతియై గళాభరణమై సౌవర్ణకేయూరమై
ఛవిమత్కంకణమై కటిస్థలి నుదంచద్ఘంటయై నూపుర
ప్రవరంబై పదపీఠమై వటుఁడు దా బ్రహ్మాండమున్ నిండుచోన్.
While the first one describes how Vamana is rising, the following verse 8-623-మ. talks about the appearance of surroundings. As Vamana was rising, round Sun (రవిబింబం) seemed like a umbrella (ఛత్రంబు), then it appeared as a gem worn on head (శిరోరత్నం), then it appeared a ear ring (శ్రవణాలంకృతి), further as an ornament worn around neck (గళాభరణం), next by the shoulder (కేయూరం), as a bell (ఘంట) worn around hip (కటిస్ధలి), as an anklet (నూపురం) and finally as a step under the foot (పద పీఠం).
This verse helps us talk to kids about the shape of planetary bodies, anatomy and relative size vs absolute size. Why would objects seem smaller as they move away. How to compare different things visually. We also discuss the effect of distance on vision and sound. Why we have to shout, to be able to make us audible, for people at a distance etc.,
Conclusion: Combining visual imagery (literally and metaphorically) is a well established Indian technique and tradition to pass on knowledge. It is an effective technique to cohesively and comprehensively understand and remember. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map)
Of course, not all concepts are discussed in one go. It probably takes anywhere from 6months to an year or more. When ever we stumble upon a concept, I fall back on a verse that could be used to explain the phenomenon. Also, do not quiz my kids on any of these, if you run into them. They may not like it. :)
We don’t have to make the Telugu poetry and learning language a dreary task for kids. I use it as a tool to discuss science, facts. Learning language becomes an enjoyable bonding that kids look forward to.
Try it.
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