Hari Om! Parents,
*Chinmaya Vrindavan Mela Day is June 8th. Check out the events and register for exciting contests at chinmayavrindavanmela.weebly.com.*
*May 31st is the last day of Balavihar. We will have a class party to celebrate Lord Rama's Pattabhishekam (coronation).
Our Class began with deep breathing and Om chanting. After Sahanaa Vavatu, we chanted Sri Rama Rama Rameti, Nilambuja Shyamala shlokas and Guru Stotram. We then reviewed all the Daily Prayers and announced Boys vs Girls final chanting battle for next class. Keep practicing!
The Yuddha Kanda of our Ramayana story continued with the epic battle between Lord Rama's vaanara army and Ravana's rakshasa army. It is the last day of the war, and Ravana decides to face Lord Rama himself. He gets dressed in his finest royal clothes,chooses the best weapons and rides on his chariot onto the battlefield. Soon he injured all the brave warriors in Lord Rama's army, including Lakshmana. Thanks to Hanuman's special herb from the Himalayas, they were all revived. The rakshasa army too felt Lord Rama's wrath and soon was reduced to nothing. Finally, Ravana faced Lord Rama one on one. Lord Rama proceeded to cut off each of Ravana's heads, but strangely they kept growing back. Indra from Devaloka sent his chariot and charioteer, who advised Lord Rama to use the "Agastya - astra". Lord Rama aimed the arrow at Ravana's chest and let go. Ravana's seat of power was destroyed and he fell with a crash. The vaanara army jumped up with joy, congratulated Lord Rama with shouts of "Jai Sri Ram!" Lord Rama however noticed the sorrow on Vibheeshana's face and did a noble thing. He spoke kindly and consoled Vibheeshana, saying that Ravana died a brave warrior and deserved a place in heaven. After Ravana's funeral, Vibheeshana was crowned king of Lanka. We discussed how Lord Rama spoke kind words even about his mortal enemy. Next, Hanuman was sent to deliver the great news and bring Mother Sita from Ashoka Vatika. There were rakshasis still guarding her and Hanuman wanted to kill them too. Mother Sita stopped him and said they deserve forgiveness. It was not their fault as they were only following king's orders. Hanuman then brought her back to Lord Rama. They all then returned to Dandaka and the last few days of their exile were soon over.
The children started on their craft project. We sang all the Rama bhajans we learnt throughout the year as we worked on it. They will bring back the completed craft home next class. Remind them to color next few pages from the Ramayana Coloring Book.
Jai Sri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
