The Six Goswamis (Specially for Children)

Course Description:

This session introduces children to the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, key spiritual leaders and scholars in the Vaishnava tradition. Through storytelling, kirtan, and creative activities, learners will explore their lives, teachings, and deep devotion to Lord Krishna. The session aims to foster spiritual values such as humility, dedication, and simplicity in a joyful and interactive way.

Course Content:

→Manglacharan

The session begins with a traditional invocation prayer (manglacharan) to seek blessings for a successful and spiritually uplifting experience.

→Shad Goswami Ashtakam Kirtan

Children will listen to or sing the Shad Goswami Ashtakam, a beautiful Sanskrit hymn composed by Srila Srinivasa Acharya in glorification of the Six Goswamis. The kirtan will be explained in simple language, focusing on key qualities of each Goswami.

→Story Time

An engaging storytelling session will bring the lives of the Six Goswamis to life. Each Goswami’s contribution—such as Rupa Goswami’s writings or Sanatana Goswami’s travels—will be shared through simple narratives with moral and spiritual lessons.

→Activity

Crafts, worksheets, and drawings related to the stories will help reinforce the learning.

Target Audience:

This course is designed primarily for children and young learners aged 6 to 12, but it can be adapted for older audiences as well.

Assessment:

→Oral Recitation:

Learners will be assessed on their ability to recite the Manglacharan and selected verses from the Shad Goswami Ashtakam. The focus will be on pronunciation, participation, and understanding of the verses’ meanings.

→Story Retelling and Question-Answer Sessions:

After the storytelling, learners will retell key parts of the narratives in their own words or answer simple comprehension questions. This will assess recall and interpretation while reinforcing moral and spiritual lessons.

→Worksheet Activity:

A structured worksheet will contain tasks like matching Goswamis to their contributions, sequencing events, and filling in the blanks. This will check comprehension, retention, and application skills.

→Craft or Game-Based Assessment:

Learners will complete a creative craft or educational game related to the theme, demonstrating their understanding in a hands-on, experiential way.

→Reflection or Group Discussion:

Informal group discussions or personal reflections will allow learners to express what they’ve learned about the values of the Six Goswamis and how these can apply to their own lives.

→Participation and Behavior Observation:

Facilitators will observe each learner’s participation, attentiveness, respect, and enthusiasm throughout the course.

Student Guidelines:

• Begin each session with respect and a prayerful attitude. The course aims to develop spiritual values and devotion, not just information.
• Pay close attention during storytelling, kirtan, and explanations.
• Join in kirtans, group recitations, games, and crafts with full enthusiasm.
• Maintain cleanliness and silence during spiritual activities. Handle all materials with care.
• Listen when others speak, work cooperatively, and encourage your peers. Kindness and humility reflect the spirit of the Six Goswamis.
• Try to apply teachings such as simplicity, humility, and devotion in daily life.
• Bring necessary materials (notebook, pencil, worksheet) and arrive on time. Review previous lessons when possible.
• If you don’t understand something, ask politely at an appropriate time.
• Make sincere efforts to memorize important verses like the Manglacharan and selected parts of the Shad Goswami Ashtakam.
• Engage with crafts or games thoughtfully to reinforce learning, not just for fun.

What Will Students Gain from This Course?

Students will develop a strong spiritual and cultural foundation by learning about the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan—their lives, contributions, and devotional values such as humility, simplicity, and dedication to Lord Krishna. Through recitation and understanding of the Manglacharan and Shad Goswami Ashtakam, students will strengthen memory and pronunciation skills. Engaging stories, reflective discussions, and creative activities will make learning joyful and interactive. The course promotes personal growth by encouraging the application of spiritual values in daily life, fostering a deeper connection to devotional heritage and identity.

Why Attend This Course?

This course offers a chance to deepen one’s understanding of the rich spiritual heritage and timeless wisdom of the Six Goswamis. These saintly figures exemplified extraordinary devotion, humility, and scholarship—qualities still relevant today. Participants will learn sacred prayers, experience them through recitation, kirtan, and reflection, and enjoy a blend of storytelling, music, and hands-on activities. Attending this course cultivates inner values, strengthens devotional practice, and nurtures a sense of belonging to a spiritual community. Whether new to these teachings or seeking deeper insight, this course fosters meaningful growth of heart, mind, and soul.

Challenges Addressed in the Curriculum:

• Many students have limited exposure to authentic spiritual teachings or struggle to connect meaningfully. This course uses relatable stories, prayers, and values to build a genuine connection.
• The curriculum employs interactive methods like storytelling, kirtan, crafts, and games to maintain engagement while delivering deep content.
• Sacred texts can seem complex. This course simplifies key concepts and verses in an age-appropriate way to make them accessible and enjoyable.
• Students often lack positive examples. The lives of the Six Goswamis provide powerful real-life role models exemplifying humility, simplicity, and devotion.
• Learning that doesn’t translate into behavior often fails to stick. The curriculum encourages reflection, personal application, and behavior-based growth.
• Students may hesitate to speak about faith. Through recitation, storytelling, and reflection, this course builds spiritual confidence and expressive skills.