Hari Om! Parents,
Wishing all Grade 1 families a very happy Ugadi and Gudi Padwa!
Our class began with Om chanting, Sahana Vavatu, Sri Rama Rama Rameti and Nilambuja Shyamala Komalangam shlokas. After attendance we chanted Guru Stotram from the Balavihar Handbook. The class then played the "Which prayer do we chant when...?" game. They could relate each of the daily prayers with activity they did throughout the day really well. A little more practice and they will get their "all five stars" for their perfect daily prayers chanting.
Since it was Ugadi/Gudi Padwa festival, we greeted everyone and asked them to share how they celebrated the new year. Most of them said they ate prasad and sweets. Everyone said gulab jamun and kaju katli were their favourite! Few of them celebrated Diwali as new year, by bursting crackers and wearing new clothes. One child drew colorful rangoli patterns for new year. They all took turns and had so much to tell us. We chanted Vakratunda Mahakaya shloka to ask Lord Ganesha's blessings for the new year.
After a quick recap, we continued with the Sundara Kanda of the Ramayana story. Jambavan, Angada and the vanara army are waiting for Hanuman's return. With another mighty leap Hanuman leaves Lanka and arrives back at Mahendra hill. After a warm welcome, the vanaras hear about Hanuman's meeting with Sita. They return back to Kishkindha and begin celebrating by eating all the fruit they could find. When Sugreeva hears this he orders them to immediately report to him. Rama, Lakshmana and Sugriva are given an account of Hanuman's impossible feat. Hanuman narrates a detailed account about how he successfully delivered Rama's message to Sita inspite of all the obstacles,. Hanuman then offers Sita's jewel to Lord Rama and tells him that she is unharmed. Relieved to hear this, Lord Rama embraces Hanuman and thanks him. The good news charges up everyone, Rama asks Sugriva to start the preparations for war. The vaanara army, with shouts of "Jai Shri Ram", starts marching towards Lanka. When they reach the ocean, the army settles to rest. Lord Rama holds a war council to discuss how to get to Lanka. Meanwhile, at Lanka, the citizens are facing the terrible aftermath of Hanuman's wrath. Ravana is very disturbed and calls for a council of his generals and ministers. The evil rakshasas advice Ravana to not give up Sita and go to war instead. However, Ravana's brother Vibheeshana, tells him not to listen to their advice. He tells Ravana that owning up for his mistake and returning Sita back to Lord Rama will prevent war and destruction of Lanka. Ravana is very angry when he hears this and orders Vibheeshana to leave Lanka immediately. Having rejected Vibheeshana's good council Ravana starts preparing for war. Vibheeshana decides to seek refuge with Lord Rama after leaving Lanka.
The class then wrapped up early for the Gita Chanting participants recognition event in the auditorium. Please remind your child to color any 2 pages from their Ramayana Coloring Book. They can earn stickers for each page they color.
Jai Shri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
