Hari Om Parents,
Happy New Year & welcome back! It was nice to hear all the fun things that you all did during the winter break.
The following is what we did during Sunday's class.
Shlokas:
1. "Om Saha navavatu" (page 8 in My Prayers book)
2. "Vakrathunda Mahakaya" (page 27 in My Prayers book)
3. "Karegre vasate" (page 11 in My prayers book)
4. "Akanda-mandalakaram" (page 61 in My Prayers book)
5. "Ajnana-timirandhasya" (page 61 in My Prayers book)
6. "Gururbrahma" (page 61 in My Prayers book)
7. "Samudra vasane devi" (page 11 in My Prayers book)
8. "Saraswathi namasthubyam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
9. "Subham karothi kalyanam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
10. "Karacharana krithamva" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
Activites:
1. We played the Concentration Game. After the chanting of 3 "Om's kids keep their eyes closed. They count the number of stones being dropped into a box during the quiet time. Later they give the count of the stones dropped. The game quiets the mind and improves the concentration. A few got the count correct & most were really close.
2. We have introduced most of the Dainikaprarthanah (means Daily Prayers) & 3 slokas from the Gurustoram. Please have the kids make it a habit to chant the above shlokas every morning, (lighting the lamps / evening) after their bath/shower & before going to bed. This will help them learn, memorize as well as develop a lifelong habit of morning prayer & daily prayer.
3. If you have some extra time at home, please have the kids complete their coloring pages in their Bala Ramayana coloring books. Some kids have missed a class or 2, & we have had a few abbreviated sessions due to other activities & were unable to fit the coloring activity in. Please stop on Lesson 20. Please reiterate that the kids are recalling the story as they are coloring.
4. Towards the end of class, we colored Lesson 20. We then played a short game of "Teacher Says" & did some yoga stretches.
Due to our long break, we did a quick quiz like recap to get back onto our journey through Bala Ramayana. Most of our class was able to remember the story so far! Our story setting this week began in the Dandaka Forest, where Ravana has kidnapped Sita & they are flying high through the angered sky. Ravana had a strong grip on Sita's hand, Sita was struggling to free herself with all her might & was screaming at the top of her lungs as Ravana's chariot was racing through the forest.
At that point, Jatayu was sleeping atop a tree & instantly awoke recognising that familiar voice of princess Sita! He immediately flew up in the air, introduced himself as the king of eagles & tried to reason with Ravana...King to King to prevent this adharma. When there was no way to sway Ravana's evil intentions, Jatayu began to fight with all his might. He killed the chariot's demon faced mules & Ravana's chariot smashed to the ground. He then attacked & injured Ravana. Sita was very fearful of Jatayu's well being, as she could see him getting weaker...she tells him to fly away & inform Rama & Lakshmana of what is happening.
Jatayu wanted to protect the princess & continued to fight as Ravana pulled out his sword & chopped off his wings! Sita immediately found the strength to yank herself loose & went to Jatayu's side. At this point, Ravana went & caught Sita by her hair & dragged her along with him, bringing infinite shame & disgrace to his royal family & all rakshasas. The duo continued to fly southward. As they did so, Sita decided to drop her jewels whenever she saw people from the sky, hoping that they will be clue for Rama, showing what direction she was being taken in.
Ravana & Sita finally reached Lanka & there he put evil Rakshasis incharge of Sita. They were told to make her forget Rama. But Sita refused to do so & was constantly meditating her husband's name. The enraged Ravana told her that she will get 1 year to change her mind. If she did not, at that point he would instruct his raksashis to cut her up, cook her & server her as Ravana's breakfast! Ravana wanted to make sure that he & his kingdom were on high alert. He increased his army presence all around his island border. He also sent some of his raksasha's back to the Dandaka forest to keep an eye on Rama & Lakshmana, and find out what their plans are. We stopped our story here.
Please go to the below link to check out the pictures from this week's class
Regards,
Keerthi Kobla & Rukmini Sriram 