Hari Om! Parents,
Makara Shankranthi festival greetings to all our Grade 1 families! We had a short session on account of Grade 5 performance this week.
Our class started with deep breathing pranayama,followed by "Sahana vavatu" and "Sri Rama Rama rameti" shlokas. Then chanted the "Ninlambuja Shyamala" shloka (pg 129, My Prayers Book). We spoke about how Lord Rama is the avatar of Bhagwan Vishnu. As we pray to Him, we must imagine His human form as blue in color, skin as soft as lotus and with a bow and arrow in His strong hands. Sita is very dear to him, and we seek His blessings. The class recited the Daily Prayers quite well, but few children still need to practice more. Then we reviewed Bhagavad Gita verses and noticed few children need more practice. Please use the video resource when chanting with your child to ensure correct pronunciation. The link is :- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVaQ1AsTFVEI9cHOqjnFcAsR9gi42Yu-6
Bala Ramayana story continued with Maricha as a golden deer catching Sita's attention and she wants it as her pet. Rama agrees to capture it for her and asks Lakshmana to guard Sita. He then follows the deer deep into the forest. Sita and Lakshmana are waiting for Rama's return, when they hear his voice call out for help from the forest. Sita is very worried and sends Lakshmana to help his brother. Reluctantly Lakshmana leaves after warning Sita to stay in the ashram and not talk to strangers. Ravana in disguise as a sadhu comes to the ashram and begs Sita for food. She steps out to give the bhiksha and is carried away forcefully. We discussed how not to cross boundries that keep us safe and that rules have to be followed for our own good. Ravana's trick had worked and he took away Sita in his flying chariot. However, brave Jatayu confronts them and fights to rescue Sita. Ravana cuts off the wings, and Jatayu falls down hurt. Ravana reaches Lanka with Sita. He places her under guard with a group of rakshasis in Ashoka Vatika. He gives her one year to consider becoming his queen or be killed. Meanwhile, in the forest Rama realizes the deer is not an ordinary one. He shoots it with his arrow and Maricha emerges. Before dying he diguises his voice as Rama and calls out to Lakshmana for help. This is what brings Lakshmana into the forest, and he meets Rama. Both of them realise the trick played on them, and hurry back to find Sita is missing from the ashram. After a quick Review Quiz, our Swamiji taught us the Verse 57-58 from Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita. Next was coloring time, children completed lesson 19 and 20 in their Bala Ramayana Coloring Book. We request that all the children bring this book to all classes. Finally, we wrapped up to go and watch the jeapordy quiz.
Jai Sri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
