Bala Gurukulam – Level 1
Grade 1
Introduction
Level 1 introduces children aged 6 and above to the foundational teachings of Sanatana Dharma through engaging stories, simple shlokas, and cultural context. The curriculum is based on the Purna Vidya tradition, with additional material to broaden understanding of India’s festivals, geography, and symbols.
Core Reference Materials
Classes are structured around the following resources:
- Purna Vidya – Puja & Prayers
- Puranic Tales for the Young (Purna Vidya Book 2)
- Coloring Books – Gods and Goddesses (Books 1 & 2)
- Significance of Hindu Deities (Symbolism)
- Amazing India: A State-by-State Guide – Anita & Amit Vachharajani
- Festivals of India – Sonia Mehta
In-Class & Home Activities
To reinforce learning, children engage in both guided and independent activities:
- Story-based creative tasks: retelling, enacting, drawing
- Coloring and craft work linked to weekly deities or festivals
- Shloka chanting and bhajan practice
- Interactive quizzes and visual aids, including tools like Kahoot
Curriculum Access
A downloadable version of the complete 30-session syllabus is available for parents and students:
Bala Gurukulam – Level 2
Grade 2
Introduction
Level 2 builds upon the foundational values taught in Level 1, with a focus on the Raamaayana, inspiring Indian saints, and a deeper appreciation of Bharatiya culture. Children begin to explore epic narratives, spiritual heroes, and India’s rich diversity through stories, shlokas, and themed explorations. This level aims to instill devotion, courage, and dharmic values while strengthening identity and pride in Indian heritage.
Core Reference Materials
Classes are structured around a combination of Purna Vidya, Amar Chitra Katha, and cultural reference books:
- Purna Vidya – Puja & Prayers
- Raamaayana – Purna Vidya Book 3
- Pictorial Raamaayana by Swami Raghaveshananda
- Amazing India: A State-by-State Guide – Anita & Amit Vachharajani
Amar Chitra Katha titles on:
Valmiki, Meerabai, Tulsidas, Ramanuja, Tyagaraja, Madhvacharya, Adi Shankara, Ramana Maharshi, Shri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda
In-Class & Home Activities
To reinforce learning and spark creativity, children engage in:
- Book-based exercises at the end of each chapter
- Story retelling, role play, and dramatization of scenes
- Coloring and art inspired by characters, scenes, and temples
- India-themed puzzles, games, and map activities
- Visual presentations and discussions using photos, art, and monuments
Curriculum Access
A downloadable version of the complete 30-session syllabus is available for parents and students:
Bala Gurukulam – Level 3
Grade 3
Introduction
Level 3 guides children deeper into the world of the Bhagavata Purana, the Dashavataras of Lord Vishnu, and stories of noble kings, saints, and sages. Students explore India’s spiritual and cultural landscape alongside inspirational figures from Indian history and the arts. Through these stories and practices, children continue developing values like courage, devotion, humility, and wisdom.
Core Reference Materials
This level uses a rich blend of Purna Vidya, Amar Chitra Katha, and cultural books to support a well-rounded experience:
- Purna Vidya – Puja & Prayers
- Bhagavata Purana – Purna Vidya Book 4
- Dashavatar – The Ten Divine Forms of Vishnu (Kindle version available on Amazon)
- Dashavatar (Coloring Book)
- Bhagawat – The Krishna Avatar (Amar Chitra Katha)
- Culture, Food and People of India – Sonia Mehta
- Women of Strength & Wisdom:
- Valiant Women, Great Women of India (Pictorial series – Advaita Ashrama Set)
Amar Chitra Katha titles on:
Devotional & Mythological Figures:
Dhruva, Sati and Shiva, Kartikeya, Ganga, Harischandra, Vishvamitra, Shakuntala, Ayyappan, Prahlad, Tales of Lord Shiva, Churning of the Ocean, Dashavatar, Bhagawat – The Krishna Avatar
Bhakti Saints & Poets:
Soordas, Kabir, Tulsidas, Narsinh Mehta, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Tyagaraja, Mirabai
Spiritual Masters & Reformers:
Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Swami Chinmayananda, Swami Vivekananda, Shri Ramakrishna, Rabindranath Tagore
In-Class & Home Activities
To complement the curriculum and nurture creativity:
- Book-based exercises and reflection questions
- Story retelling, enactments, and dramatizations
- Cultural exploration through Indian food, art, weddings, music, and dress
- Coloring, puzzles, maps, and craft-based festival learning
- Shloka recitation, bhajans, and devotional songs
- Games and interactive learning tools (e.g., Kahoot)
Curriculum Access
A downloadable version of the complete 30-session syllabus is available for parents and students:
Click here to download the pdf
Click here to visit AVG bookstore
Bala Gurukulam – Level 4
Grade 4
Introduction
Level 4 takes students on an immersive journey through the Mahabharata, one of India’s greatest epics, while also exploring key events from ancient Indian history, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sangam literature. With a balance of storytelling, historical insight, and values-driven discussion, students build a strong foundation in both spiritual identity and cultural literacy.
Core Reference Materials
Classes draw from a rich collection of epic literature, historical insights, and spiritual texts:
- Purna Vidya – Puja & Prayers
- Mahabharata – Purna Vidya Book 5
- Pictorial Mahabharata by Swami Raghaveshananda
- Mahabharata for Children by Sudha Gupta
- Monuments of India – Sonia Mehta
Amar Chitra Katha titles on:
Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka, Chanakya, Kannagi, Paurva and Alexander, Buddha, Mahavira, Tales of Avvaiyaar
In-Class & Home Activities
To deepen understanding and engagement, students participate in:
- Book-based exercises and moral reflections
- Story retelling, dramatizations, and creative presentations
- Games, puzzles, and quizzes
- Album projects with facts, maps, and illustrations
- Hands-on activities like timelines, visual charts, and cultural showcases
Curriculum Access
A downloadable version of the complete 30-session syllabus is available for parents and students:
Bala Gurukulam – Level 5
Grade 5
Introduction
Level 5 continues the journey through the Mahabharata, exploring the later parvas, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, and lessons from the war’s aftermath. Students are also introduced to the Gupta dynasty, Bhakti movement, temple architecture, Indian science, and southern literary-philosophical traditions. This level invites students to reflect deeply on choices, dharma, leadership, and legacy.
Core Reference Materials
The curriculum integrates spiritual texts, epic narratives, and historical context:
- Purna Vidya – Puja & Prayers (for shlokas)
- Mahabharata – Purna Vidya Book 5 (continued)
- Pictorial Mahabharata – Swami Raghaveshananda
- Mahabharata for Children – Sudha Gupta
- Monuments of India – Sonia Mehta
Amar Chitra Katha titles on:
Raja Raja Chola, The Gita, Abhimanyu, Karna, Vikramaditya, Harsha, Chandragupta, Samudragupta, Kalidasa, Eknath, Kabir, Elephanta Caves, Ellora Caves
In-Class & Home Activities
Level 5 includes a balance of introspection and engagement, helping students think critically and creatively:
- Exercises from the textbook
- Enactments, story retellings, and moral discussions
- Kahoot, Jeopardy-style games, and team quizzes
- Recap challenges, memory boosters, and value-based riddles
- Visual timelines, character maps, and historic overlays
Curriculum Access
A downloadable version of the complete 30-session syllabus is available for parents and students:
Bala Gurukulam – Level 6
Grade 6
Introduction
Level 6 focuses on building character through values-based learning, using stories from scriptures, Indian history, and saintly lives. Each session explores a core value and how it manifests in daily life, supported by lessons from the Raamaayana, Mahaabhaarata, and the lives of saints, rulers, and cultural icons from 1100–1850 CE.
Core Reference Materials
This level draws from traditional Indian wisdom and spiritual literature to guide students toward inner growth:
- Purna Vidya – Puja & Prayers (for shlokas)
- Values – Purna Vidya Book 6
- In Indian Culture – Why Do We… by Swamini Vimalananda and Radhika Krishnakumar
- Monuments of India – Sonia Mehta
Amar Chitra Katha titles on:
Tales of Shivaji, Shivaji, Sambhaji, Rani Durgavati, Brave Rajputs, Krishna Deva Raya, Raman of Tenali, Famous Sikh Gurus, Akbar-Birbal Stories, Konark, The Historic City of Delhi, Tulsidas, Samarth Ramdas, Maarthanda Varma
In-Class & Home Activities
This level blends reflection and action through value-based applications:
- Exercises from the Purna Vidya text
- Linking values to characters from the Raamaayana and Mahaabhaarata
- Kahoot, Jeopardy-style games, and quizzes for reinforcement
- Discussions and examples from history, saints, and daily life
- Group challenges, presentations, and storytelling
Curriculum Access
A downloadable version of the complete 30-session syllabus is available for parents and students:
Bala Gurukulam – Level 7
Grade 7
Introduction
Level 7 offers a thoughtful exploration of Ishvara (the Divine), religious discipline, and the path of devotion and self-inquiry. Students are introduced to symbolic worship, prayer, silence, and key practices of Sanatana Dharma. The course also highlights reformers and visionaries of modern India, connecting timeless values to India’s social, scientific, and cultural renaissance from 1850–1947 CE.
Core Reference Materials
This level blends Vedantic teachings with modern Indian thought leaders and reformers:
- Purna Vidya – Puja & Prayers (for shlokas)
- Isvara & Religious Discipline – Purna Vidya Book 7
- In Indian Culture – Why Do We… – Swamini Vimalananda and Radhika Krishnakumar
Amar Chitra Katha titles on:
Mahatma Gandhi, Subramania Bharati, Babasaheb Ambedkar, Rani of Jhansi, Rabindranath Tagore, Vidyasagar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lokamanya Tilak, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Jamsetji Tata, Jagadis Chandra Bose, Gyanshamdas Birla, Ramana Maharshi, Srinivasa Ramanujan, Valiant Women of India, India’s Women Unsung Heroes
In-Class & Home Activities
- Work exercises from the Purna Vidya text
- Kahoot, quiz, and Jeopardy-style games
- Discussion on symbolism, devotion, and ritual
- Practice-based learning: japa, silence, pooja explanation
- Connecting biographies of reformers to religious values
Curriculum Access
A downloadable version of the complete 30-session syllabus is available for parents and students:
Click here to download the pdf
Click here to visit AVG bookstore
Bala Gurukulam – Level 8
Grade 8
Introduction
Level 8 integrates the understanding of religious discipline (Isvara) and Vedic cultural traditions, extending into modern Indian society. Students explore how ancient wisdom still influences the ethical, civic, and cultural frameworks of today, while learning about inspiring leaders, scientists, artists, and spiritual teachers from the 20th and 21st centuries.
Core Reference Materials
This level combines advanced Purna Vidya texts with modern Indian examples:
- Purna Vidya – Puja & Prayers (for shlokas)
- Isvara & Religious Discipline – Purna Vidya Book 7
- Religious Culture – Purna Vidya Book 8
Amar Chitra Katha titles on:
Swami Chinmayananda, Verghese Kurien, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, M. S. Subbulakshmi, Vikram Sarabhai, Kalpana Chawla
In-Class & Home Activities
- Exercises from Purna Vidya Books 7 & 8
- Kahoot games, quizzes, and Jeopardy-style reviews
- Research and presentations on inspiring Indian figures
- Thematic assignments on Indian arts, traditions, science, and government
- Discussion-based reflections on how ancient practices relate to modern values
Curriculum Access
A downloadable version of the complete 30-session syllabus is available for parents and students:
Bala Gurukulam – Level 9
Grade 9
Introduction
Level 9 is a capstone stage designed to help students deeply reflect on Vedantic philosophy, core values, and Hindu identity. Through focused discussions, value-based inquiry, and study of scriptural ideas, students begin to engage with questions of purpose, self-understanding, and dharma. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, spiritual inquiry, and appreciation for India’s scriptural and cultural depth.
Core Reference Material
This level is based on Purna Vidya – Part 9, offering advanced concepts and contemplative learning topics:
- Overview of the Raamaayana and Mahabhaarata with a focus on core values
- Discussion on the “Value of values” and the importance of ethical clarity
- Exploration of the importance of Avataara in Sanatana Dharma
Key Learning Themes
Who is Isvara?
- Understanding Isvara through inquiry, not belief
- How to perceive the jagat (world) as intelligently designed
- Inferring a creator and understanding the nature of Isvara
- Appreciating Isvara as both the material and efficient cause of creation
- Seeing Isvara as the Order, without a feeling of alienation
Four Purushaarthas
- Exploration of Purushaarthas (dharma, artha, kama, moksha)
- Moksha as the ultimate goal
- Introduction to the fundamental human problem
Fundamental Human Problem
- The need for a Pramana (means of knowledge)
- Why commonly available Pramanas (like perception and inference) are not sufficient in spiritual inquiry
Vedic Vision
- Veda as a valid and unique source of knowledge
- Vedic oral tradition and the 14 disciplines of Vedic learning
- Understanding karma, rebirth, moksha, and jivan mukti
Cultural & Philosophical Themes
- The glory of Hinduism
- Symbolism of Jyoti/Deepam
- Clarifying myths around casteism
Bala Gurukulam – Level 10
Grade 10
Introduction
Level 10 is a culmination of spiritual learning and self-inquiry, helping students prepare to carry their values into young adulthood. The curriculum introduces Purna Vidya Part 10: Human Development and Spiritual Growth, encouraging introspection, emotional intelligence, and the ability to thoughtfully navigate real-life challenges.
This level empowers students to explore deep philosophical questions and social realities while grounding them in the spiritual and ethical wisdom of the Vedas.
Core Reference Material
- Purna Vidya Part 10 – Human Development and Spiritual Growth
- Review and reflection on key concepts from Purna Vidya Part 9
- Introduction to Gita Dhyanam – meaning and context of the opening verses of the Bhagavad Gita
Basic Concepts Explored
- Karma and Dharma
- Power of Choices
- Religion vs Spirituality
- Salvation vs Moksha
- Various Traditions within Hinduism
- Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha)
- Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas)
- Varnas and Jaathi
- Karma and Phalas (Actions and their Results)
- Atma (The Self)
- Reincarnation
- Tat Tvam Asi (You are That)
Other Important Topics for Discussion and Debate
(Includes project presentation during the Annual Day)
- Value of values
- Identity
- Peer pressure
- Conflicting values
- Diet: vegetarian vs non-vegetarian, veganism
- Defending your roots
- Equality
- Myths of casteism
- Expectations vs Reality
- How to talk to parents so they understand
- Dating
Bala Gurukulam – Level 11
Grade 11 & 12
Introduction
Level 11 marks a significant transition into scriptural study, offering students a foundational introduction to the Bhagavad Gita. Building on the introspective and value-based learning of earlier levels, this stage brings together spiritual reflection, philosophical inquiry, and scriptural clarity through a structured engagement with Purna Vidya Parts 11 & 12.
Core Reference Material
- Purna Vidya Part 11 & 12 – Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita
- Review of key teachings from Purna Vidya Part 10 – Human Development and Spiritual Growth
Introduction to the Bhagavad Gita
Topics explored include:
- Karma Yoga, Upasana Yoga, and Jnana Yoga
- Understanding Jiva, Isvara, and Aikyam (oneness)
- Law of Karma
- The three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas)
- Applying Gita wisdom to everyday life