Hari Om! Parents,
Few Reminders:
*No Balavihar Class next Friday.
*Feb 22nd is Balavihar Houses Spirit Day! Drop off is 7 pm in our regular classroom and pick up is 8:30 pm in temple/auditorium.
All must wear red to represent our Balavihar House, Durga's Daredevils, and dress comfortably for fun games. Leave bags and books at home.
*Registrations are now open for Geeta Chanting Yagna, Shlokathon, Art Contest and Story Telling Contest at chinmayavrindavan.org. Please participate!
This week's class began with deep breathing and chanting 'Om', followed by Sri Rama, Rama, Rameti and Nilambuja Shyamala shlokas. We revised the first three verses of the Guru Stotram and chanted 'Tvameva Matacha' shloka (Balavihar Handbook pg 26). The class was divided girls vs boys,and they chanted all the Daily Prayers. Going forward if they get 'perfect five-stars' for each shloka, they will earn a special prize. Hopefully this will motivate them to memorise and be more enthusiastic about shloka chanting. We revised one more verse from the Bhagavad Geeta chapter 18, and reminded children to practice everyday. If your child has memorized well, you can send a recording of their chanting to cnjbalaviharhouses@gmail.com. They can earn Balavihar House Points for Durga's Daredevils.
Kishkinda Kanda of the Ramayana story continues after 'Rama Hanuman milan'. After their introductions, Sugreeva shows Rama a bundle of jewels that were dropped by Sita and found by the vanaras. Rama and Sugreeva have made a pact to help each other. According to the plan, Sugreeva challenged Vali to a duel and Rama tries to shoot an arrow and kill him during the fight. However, both vanaras look alike and Rama cannot tell them apart. He cannot shoot the arrow. Abandoning the fight, Sugreeva escapes back to Rishyamukha Hill. Rama then suggests that Sugreeva wear a garland of flowers to the fight, so Rama can recognise him. The next day, Vali is challenged to a fight once again. Lord Rama hidden behind a tree aims his arrow and strikes Vali dead. Sugreeva returns to Kishkinda and claims back the throne and his wife. Vali's son Angada is crowned prince regeant, and Sugreeva celebrates his victory for several days. He has forgotten his promise to Rama. Finally, Lakshman arrives in Kishkinda to talk to Sugreeva. He reminds him of his promise and that Rama is waiting for Sugreeva's help to find Sita. Realising his mistake, Sugreeva apologises to Lord Rama. He immediatly calls his vanara army. They are didvided into four groups and head off in four directions to search for Sita. Hanuman, Angada, Jambavan and Neela head south with a group of vanaras. Rama gives Hanuman his ring to present to Sita if he finds her. If Jatayu's information was correct, then Hanuman's chances of finding her were good. The vanara army from the north,east and west fail to find any trace of Sita. Now all hopes are on the group travelling south led by Hanuman.
We concluded storytime and had a quick review Quiz. We then learnt Bhagavad Geeta Verses 63 and 64 from our Swamiji. Your child can color two pages from the Ramayana Coloring Book for homework for this week. For those who still need to get one, books are available at the bookstore in the lobby. The class wrapped up early to watch the 4th grade stage performance.
Jai Sri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
