Hari Om! Parents,
Our Grade 1 class started with deep breathing and Om Chanting, followed by opening prayers, Sri Rama Rama Rameti and Nilambuja Shyamala shlokas. We played the Girls vs Boys Daily Prayers chanting and both groups did equally well. None of them got all five stars, but we reminded them that with daily practice they could. You can quiz them about which prayer is chanted at what time of the day. We then reviewed one verse from the Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18.
After attendance, we did a quick recap of the Ramayana story. The group of vanaras, led by Hanuman and travelling south, find themselves on a seashore. There was a huge ocean in front of them and they were very disappointed. As they were discussing what to do next, an old vulture named Sampati spoke to them from the top of a tree. The class heard the story of the brothers Sampati and Jatayu. Once, when they were young, they had a competition to see who could fly the highest. They flew too close to the sun and Sampati's feathers caught fire. Having lost the ability to fly, Sampati spent all his life sitting and watching by the seashore. The vanaras narrated Rama's story, how Sita was taken away by Ravana and how Jatayu died trying to save her. Sampati felt very sad hearing the news of his brother. He then told the vanaras that a rakshasa clutching a weeping lady had flown across the sky in a chariot. He looked across the ocean with his keen vulture eyes. He told the vanaras of the fortress of Lanka. They were very excited to hear this but the problem was how to get to Lanka. Jambavan told Hanuman to use his divine strength to jump to Lanka. He reminded Hanuman that if they returned empty handed, Rama would be very disappointed. All the vanaras praised Hanuman and convinced him to perform the task. This is the end of the Kishkinda Kanda of the Ramayana story. Next we continued to Sundara Kanda. After taking Jambavan's blessings, Hanuman started increasing in stature. He then yelled "Jai Shri Ram!" and leaped across the ocean. As he was flying, Hanuman met a lot of obstacles. A mountain named Mainaka rose from the ocean and invited him to rest. Hanuman thanked the mountain but flew on. A sea monster, Surasa, rose from the ocean and tried to swallow him. Hanuman became as small as a fly and flew away quickly. Another rakshasi swallowed him, but he ripped open her stomach and escaped. Finally, he arrives at Lanka and begins searching for Sita. There are several beautiful queens and princesses in Ravana's palace. Hanuman knows Sita could not be living happily be among them. Finally, he begins searching the gardens and finds Sita in Ashoka Vatika. She is surrounded by rakshasis, looking sad and is chanting Rama's name. Hanuman does not want to scare her, so assumes the form of a cute little monkey. After introducing himself, he gives her Rama's ring. Sita is very happy to get Rama's message and asks Hanuman to go back and bring Rama to rescue her from Lanka. She also gives Hanuman her hair pin. Taking the jewel and Sita's blessings, Hanuman promises to be back soon with Rama.
We all sang "khate bhi Rama kaho" bhajan with actions. Next, the class learnt verses 65 and 66 from our Swamiji. Here are the audio/video links for practice:-
The class concluded with the "shanthi mantras" and Balavihar Pledge (refer to Balavihar Handbook).
Jai Shri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
