Hari Om! Parents,
Wishing all our Grade 1 Class families a very happy Sri Rama Navami! Good luck to children participating in the Shlokathon contest on April 20th!
Our class began with deep breathing and Om chanting to calm our minds. We chanted Sahana Vavatu, Sri Rama Rama Rameti and Nilambuja Shyamala Komalangam shlokas. We then chanted all of the Daily Prayers. We can see that with regular practice there is a lot of improvement in their shloka chanting. The class learnt a short verse from Sri Rama Stotra, "Ramaaya Ramabhadraya Ramachandraya Vedhase", for Sri Rama Navami (pg 141, verse 5, My Prayers Book). We spoke about how each of us are called by different pet names by our friends, parents and grandparents. In the same way Lord Rama has several names, but answers to all of them. To this Overlord, the Husband of Sita we will pray with true devotion.
Next we started our Sri Rama Navami birthday celebration. First all the children wrote a birthday message for Lord Rama and drew beautiful pictures too. All of them offered their wishes at the alter. Each shared what they can learn from Lord Rama. Most of them said kindness, few said bravery and being nice to even those who are mean to them. The class sang "Janmadin Geet", birthday song for baby Rama (pg 23 My Prayers Book), the English birthday song and Lord Rama gave them chocolate treats. Next we watched a short video on the story of the birth and childhood of Lord Rama.
Here is a link to some photos of the celebration: https://photos.app.goo.gl/Yh2YvCDaU3Ujo55v9
The class was invited to lead aarti and pledge, so we reviewed all the Shanthi mantras and the Chinmaya Aarti ( pg 31, 32 Balavihar Handbook ) Class ended early and we all went to watch Grade 7 perform a Ramayana play.
Have a fun and safe Spring Break! Jai Sri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
