February 8, 2015

Hari Om!

Beginning Prayers

·         Om Saha Navavathu

·         Agajaanana Padmaarkam

·         Yaakundendu

Stotram:

We finished learning all the Guru Stotrams today, and the kids took turns to come to the front, and chant the verses.  Here is the last Stotram we learnt today:

Tvam-Eva Maataa Ca Pitaa Tvam-Eva |
Tvam-Eva Bandhush-Ca Sakhaa Tvam-Eva |
Tvam-Eva Viidyaa Dravinnam Tvam-Eva |
Tvam-Eva Sarvam Mama Deva Deva ||

Meaning:
1: You Truly are my Mother And You Truly are my Father .
2: You Truly are my Relative And You Truly are my Friend.
3: You Truly are my Knowledge and You Truly are my Wealth.
4: You Truly are my All, My God of Gods.

We are very excited that we are going to chant the Stotram in front of Swamiji on Bhiksha Day on May 17^th.

Game time:

We played ‘Zip Zap Zop’  game, which was a lot of fun, and which helped to remember the character names, and also made everybody alert.  

Story Time:

Continuing the story, Sugriva promised to help Rama and Lakshmana if they helped him win the kingdom back from his brother Bali.  Sugriva knew about his brother’s strength and fighting skills, and so he asked Rama to prove that he could take Bali on. Rama proved his might to Sugriva, by shooting through several trees, and making the arrow get back to the quiver. Rama then asked the satisfied Sugriva to challenge Bali to a fight and promised to kill Bali. However Bali and Sugriva looked so alike that Rama was not sure which one was Bali while Sugriva was in fact getting beaten up by Bali. So a badly hurt Sugriva came back to Rama and asked him why he did not keep up his promise. Rama explained the reason and suggested him to wear a garland of flowers, and challenge Bali again. Rama was then able to identify Bali, and killed him by shooting an arrow from behind a tree. Rama explained to the dying Bali that it was fair to kill him while in hiding since that was done in hunting animals and also it helped to keep his promise to Sugriva. Bali felt blessed to be killed by Rama and asked Sugriva to take over the kingdom and his wife and son, Angada.

Soon after Sugriva’s Crowning celebrations, the monsoon season set in, and hence search for Sita could not continue. Meanwhile, Sugriva got immersed in kingly pleasures, forgetting his promise to Rama. On Hanuman’s reminder and request, Sugriva asked that all vanaras to assemble within a day to start searching for Sita. Lakshmana got mad when he saw Sugriva intoxicated instead of doing anything to look for Sita, and strung his bow. Just that sound reverberated through the entire kingdom and brought Sugriva to his senses. Meanwhile, per Sugriva’s order, all the bears and monkeys from the kingdom assembled to help Sugriva and Lakshmana plan the search for Sita.

Activity:

We did the exercises at the back of Aranya Kanda.

Conclusion:

We ended the class with Shanthi Mantra.

Comments:
Please mark your calendars for our class presentation at the assembly on Mar 22^nd, and also for Bhiksha on May 17^th. Please have the kids attempt the exercises at the end of Aranya Kanda, in the Junior Balavihar Bala Ramayana book. Also please get them to practice Guru Stotram.

Please remember to send along the following items in your child’s bag along with the folder and books:

1.      Crayons

2.      Sharpened Pencils

3.      Erasers

4.      Notebook

5.      Glue

6.      Age appropriate child proof scissors

and a nut free Snack/Drink to have during the break.  Next class is on February 22, 2015.

February 1, 2015

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

·         Om Saha Navavathu

·         Agajaanana Padmaarkam 

·         Yaakundendu 

Stotram:

We chanted all the Stotrams (1-12) learnt so far today. Everybody took turns to come to the front of the class to chant one verse each. 

We learnt the 13 verse :

Gurur-adir-anadish-cha Guruh-param-daivatam. 
Guroh-parataram nasti tasmai Shri Gurave Namah. 

Meaning:

The Guru is the beginning of the Universe, yet he himself is without a beginning, the Guru is the highest deity, and there is none higher than the Guru. My reverential salutations at the lotus-feet of such a Gurudev.

Yoga:

 We did some Yoga in class and the kids did all their favorite poses.

Story Time:

Pre-Story Quiz time was a lot of fun with great participation. It was evident that the kids are paying attention.

The princes continue their journey in search of Sugriva.  Meeting Sabari has strengthened their minds. As they are walking through the forests, Sugriva sees 2 humans coming and he suspects that they might be spies from his brother Bali So, he sends his minister Hanuman to find out more about them. Hanuman approaches them and introduces himself and finds out more them.  He is immediately attracted to their simplicity and becomes great friends with them. He carries them on his shoulder to meet Sugriva.  Ram and Lakshmana tell Sugriva their story and asks Sugriva's help to reach Lanka. Sugriva promises to help Rama and Lakshmana if they help him win the kingdom back from his brother Bali.  Sugriva tells Rama about a misunderstanding between him and his brother that caused a rift between them which is why Sugriva is hiding in the Rsyamukha mountains.  He tells Rama about how Bali killed Dundubhi and then Mayavi who is Dundubhi's brother comes to challenge him and how the fight lead to the cave and Sugriva mistook that Bali was killed in the fight and closed the cave. Bali got mad at Sugriva and banished him from the kingdom. Sugriva and Rama promise friendship to each other. 

Activity:
We made an Indian Flag in the class to celebrate Indian Republic Day.

Conclusion:

We ended the class with Shanthi Mantra.

Comments:

As mentioned already, we have finished Bala Kanda, and Ayodhya Kanda, and Aranya Kanda and have started the Kishkinda Kanda. We had done some exercises at the back of the chapters. Please have the kids try and finish the exercises at the back of the Second chapter in the Junior Balavihar Bala Ramayana book. 

Children are making great progress with Guru Stotram. Please make them practice Guru Stotram (1-13) and also ‘Yaakundendu’ at home. We are planning to chant Guru Stotram at the Bhiksha towards the end of academic year.

Coloring is a fun activity that kids can do anytime. 

Some kids are still missing ‘My Prayer Book’, and ‘Bala Ramayana’ Junior Balavihar books, and also a folder to keep materials in. Please remember to send those in.

Please remember to send along the following items in your child’s bag along with the folder and books: 
1.      Crayons
2.      Sharpened Pencils
3.      Erasers
4..      Notebook
5.      Glue
6.      Age appropriate child proof scissors

and a nut free Snack/Drink to have during the break

Next class is on February 8, 2015.

January 25, 2014

Hari Om!

Talking about how each of us celebrated Sankranthi festival was the first thing we did. We also talked about why we celebrate this festival. It is a harvest festival, and most importantly, a thanksgiving festival, when we give thanks to the Sun, and the livestock that helps in agriculture.

Stotram:

After the customary beginning prayers, and chanting Guru Stotram 1 through 11, we learnt Stotram # 12 today.  

Man[d]-Naathah Shrii-Jagannaatho Mad-Guruh Shrii-Jagad[t]-Guruh |
Mad-Aatmaa Sarva-Bhuuta-[A]atmaa Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||12||

Meaning:
12.1: (Salutations to the Guru) My Lord is the Lord of the Universe, My Guru is the Guru of the Universe,
12.2: My Self is the Self of All Beings; Salutations to that Guru.

We are very excited that we are going to finish learning the entire Guru Stotram in a couple of weeks.

Game time: 

We played ‘Rama Says’ game, and got moving so we got alert enough for the story time.

Story Time:

While Sita was abducted and jailed in ‘Ashoka Vana’ in the companionship of ugly and fearsome Rakshasis, Rama rushed towards his abode to make sure Sita was safe. On the way, he saw Lakshmana coming towards him, and figured something was wrong. Lakshmana explained how Sita threatened to kill herself if he did not go to look for Rama, and why he came looking for Rama. They both realized that it was indeed a trick when Sita was not found at the Ashram. They followed the flowers and jewels thrown by Sita from the ‘Flying Chariot’ of Ravana, and chanced upon the dying Jatayu, who had fought Ravana to protect Sita. After revealing that Ravana had in fact abducted Sita, and asking them to go South, Jatayu dies. Rama and Lakshmana proceeded going south, after performing the last rites for Jatayu. On the way, they encountered a hideous creature, Kabandha with only a stomach with one eye, and a mouth and no head, or legs. When he started attacking Rama and Lakshmana, they cut off his arms. He then mentioned to them that he was a celestial being who was cursed to turn into the hideous being, and that he was waiting for Rama to liberate him. He also told them to seek the help of the Vanara King, Sugreeva to get Sita back. Resuming their search, they met with Sabari, a devout Tapasvini at her Ashram near the banks of river Pampa. She was waiting to see Rama before she could leave the earth. When she gave hand-picked and pre-tasted fruits to Rama, he lovingly accepted and ate them, understanding the love behind the gesture, and explained to Lakshmana. They then continued south, looking for Sugreeva. That brings us to the end of Aranya Kanda. Next class we will be starting Kishkinda Kanda.

Activity:

We traced the path of Rama starting from Ayodhya, all the way to river Pampa on the India map. We will continue plotting important places and tracing Rama’s path, as we go.

Conclusion:

We ended the class with Shanthi Mantra.

Comments:

If you have not already, please mark your calendars for our class presentation at the assembly on Mar 22^nd.

Please have the kids attempt the exercises at the end of Aranya Kanda, in the Junior Balavihar Bala Ramayana book. Also please get them to practice Guru Stotram.

Please remember to send along the following items in your child’s bag along with the folder and books:

1.       Crayons

2.       Sharpened Pencils

3.       Erasers

4.       Notebook

5.       Glue

6.       Age appropriate child proof scissors

and a nut free Snack/Drink to have during the break

Next class is on February 1, 2015.

January 4, 2015

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

·         Om Saha Navavathu

·         Agajaanana Padmaarkam 

·         Yaakundendu 

Stotram:

We chanted all the Stotrams (1-10) learnt so far today. Everybody took turns to come to the front of the class to chant one verse each. 

We learnt the 11 verse :

Na Guror-adhikam tattvam na Guror-adhikam tapah. 
Tattva-gyanat-param nasti tasmai Shri Gurave Namah. 

Meaning:

There is no higher truth than the Guru, no higher penance than (service to) the Guru, and there is nothing higher than Realisation of the Knowledge of the truth imparted by the Guru. My salutations to such a Gurudev, who is himself that very timeless truth (and who has taken up a form to bless his disciples like us with real knowledge). 

Yoga:

 We did some Yoga in class and the kids did all their favorite poses.

Story Time:

Pre-Story Quiz time was a lot of fun with great participation. It was evident that the kids are paying attention.

We reviewed the story from last week and continued on.  Ram order Lakshmana to guard Sita and goes after the Golden deer. The deer plays hide and seek with Rama and after chasing it for some time Ram decides to kill the deer and take the skin to Sita.  He aims an arrow at the deer and to his wonder sees it take the shape of Marica and call out to Lakshmana and Sita in Rama's voice. Rama is suddenly panic stricken but relaxes when he realizes that Lakshmana is there to protect Sita and would not leave her.  He starts walking towards the Parnasala when he sees Lakshmana coming towards him.  Meanwhile at the ashrama  Sita persuades and threatens Lakshmana to go to Rama's help. Lakshmana does so reluctantly.  He draws a line and tells Sita not to cross it.  Sita sits quietly crying   and when she opens her eyes sees a Sadhu in front of her.  It is Ravana in disguise.  Ravana tricks Sita and grabs her and carries her away in his chariot.  Sita screams for help and begs Ravana to let her go. Jatayu hears Sita's cries and comes to her rescue.  When Ravana refuses Jatayu puts up a brave fight but Ravana cuts his wings with his sword.  He takes Sita to Lanka. There he asks Sita to be his wife and says that Rama can never get to her.  Sita refuses and says that Rama will definitely come for her.  Ravana asks some horrible looking rakshasis to look after Sita but not give her a moment of peace.  Their job is to make Sita accept Ravana's proposal.  He gives Sita one year's time to change her mind. 

Activity:
We did the exercises at the end of Ayodhya Kanda and did some coloring in the class.

Conclusion:

We ended the class with Shanthi Mantra.

Comments:

As mentioned already, we have finished Bala Kanda, and Ayodhya Kanda, and have started the Aranya Kanda. We had done some exercises at the back of the chapters. Please have the kids try and finish the exercises at the back of the Second chapter in the Junior Balavihar Bala Ramayana book. 

Children are making great progress with Guru Stotram. Please make them practice Guru Stotram (1-11) and also ‘Yaakundendu’ at home. We are planning to chant Guru Stotram at the Bhiksha towards the end of academic year.

Coloring is a fun activity that kids can do anytime. 

Some kids are still missing ‘My Prayer Book’, and ‘Bala Ramayana’ Junior Balavihar books, and also a folder to keep materials in. Please remember to send those in.

Please remember to send along the following items in your child’s bag along with the folder and books: 
1.      Crayons
2.      Sharpened Pencils
3.      Erasers
4..      Notebook
5.      Glue
6.      Age appropriate child proof scissors

and a nut free Snack/Drink to have during the break

Wishing you all a happy Pongal/ Sankranti!

Next class is on January 18, 2015.

December 21, 2014

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

·         Om Saha Navavathu

·         Agajaanana Padmaarkam

·         Yaakundendu

Stotram:

We chanted all the Stotrams (1-10) learnt so far today. Everybody took turns to come to the front of the class to chant one verse each. For their good show, they got to enjoy a few minutes of free style 'happy' dancing at the end of the class.

Story Time:

Pre-Story Quiz time was a lot of fun with great participation. It was evident that the kids are paying attention.

We continued the story from Surpanakha getting her ears and nose cut off by Lakshmana. She ran to Janasthana, where her brothers Khara and Dooshana lived. With blood gushing out from cut nose and ears, she screamed to her brothers ‘How can you both sit so calmly ? Do something about it’. Khara and Dooshana asked her to stay calm, and explain what had happened. Surpanaka explained everything except her desire to marry Rama. The brothers sent 14 of their best generals to kill Rama and Lakshmana, but they were easily destroyed by Rama. Khara, and Dooshana then realized how strong Rama was, and decided to fight Rama themselves. They, along with Trisaras, the three headed Rakshasaa, led an army of 14,000 soldiers. Rama reduced all this army to a lifeless heap of flesh in no time. Akampana, who was the only Rakshasa that escaped, went to Ravana, and asked for his protection. After listening to the story, Ravana decided that he had to take down Rama cleverly. He went to seek Mareecha’s help in this regard. Mareecha, having escaped Rama’s arrow earlier, advised Ravana against any move to fight Rama. Heeding to this advice, Ravana went back to his palace. But the next morning, Surpanakha convinced Ravana otherwise, tempting him with descriptions of Sita’s beauty. Ravana visited Mareecha again, and asked him to use his magical powers, and convert himself to a beautiful golden deer to attract Sita. Mareecha, after trying his best to advise Ravana, gave up at last, and did what he was asked to do. Sita fell in love with the deer, and wanted to have it as her pet. But the deer ran into the forest and Sita could not keep up. She asked Rama and Lakshmana to get it for her. Lakshmana suspected that this could be a Rakshasaa trying to take revenge on them, while Sita was convincing to get the deer. Rama thought that if this was indeed a Rakshasa, he could easily kill him, just like how he killed all the Rakshasas. He asked Lakshmana to guard Sita, and went in search of the deer.

Seva Project:
As planned, in the spirit of the value of the month, ‘Giving’, the kids packed cutlery sets for 'Samaritan Homeless Interim Program' in Somerville. Kids also wrote short holiday messages as a li’l surprise note, that they put inside the Cutlery set bags.  Wish we had taken some pictures of the messages they wrote. The messages were short, warm and creative.  Thanks to all the volunteers (Parents of Lasya, Rishi, Achyut, and Shloka) for sending the supplies and for their time helping the kids to make the Seva Project successful. Special thanks to Rishi’s mom for delivering the cutlery sets to the Program’s facility in Somerville.

Conclusion:

We ended the class with Shanthi Mantra.

Comments:

As mentioned already, we have finished Bala Kanda, and Ayodhya Kanda, and have started the Aranya Kanda. We had done some exercises at the back of the chapters. Please have the kids try and finish the exercises at the back of the Second chapter in the Junior Balavihar Bala Ramayana book.

Children are making great progress with Guru Stotram. Please make them practice Guru Stotram (1-10) and also ‘Yaakundendu’ at home. We are planning to chant Guru Stotram at the Bhiksha towards the end of academic year.

Coloring is a fun activity that kids can do anytime. During this holiday break, let the kids take it a step further, and try drawing a scene after reading a specific chapter or paragraph from the Bala Ramayana book, based on the descriptions given in the chapter/paragraph. This could be a great family exercise, with each family member creating their own interpretation of the scene, and compare how each has interpreted. Please bring the art created to the class to share with the class.

Some kids are still missing ‘My Prayer Book’, and ‘Bala Ramayana’ Junior Balavihar books, and also a folder to keep materials in. Please remember to send those in.

Please remember to send along the following items in your child’s bag along with the folder and books:
1.      Crayons
2.      Sharpened Pencils
3.      Erasers
4..      Notebook
5.      Glue
6.      Age appropriate child proof scissors

and a nut free Snack/Drink to have during the break

Wishing you all happy holidays, and a happy, prosperous, peaceful, prayerful, and blissful new year!

Next class is on January 4, 2015.

December 14, 2014

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

·         Om Saha Navavathu

·         Agajaanana Padmaarkam 

·         Yaakundendu 

Stotram:

GuruStotram – Practiced Sloka 1 through 9, and learnt Sloka # 10. 

Shoshanam bhavsindhoshcha gyapanam saarsampadah. 
Guroh-padodakam samyak tasmai Shri Gurave Namah.

Meaning:

Even by the very sipping of the charanamruta (the water with which the feet of guru are washed), we get blessed by the eternal wealth (of liberating knowledge), and which dries up the endless ocean of seeking & the subsequent sorrows. My Salutations to the lotus-feet of that glorious Gurudev.

Quiz:

Since Quiz has been a great way to reinforce the past story, it was continued this class too. That led to re-telling of several stories from previous classes. 

Story time:

We contined with the story.  Rama, Lakshmana and Sita spend about 10 years in the forest peacefully roaming between different ashrams and protecting them from the rakshasas.  Finally as they near the end of their exile,  Sri Rama wants to meet the great Sage Agasthya.  Rama tells Lakshmana and Sita about the greatness of Sage Agasthya where he makes the mighty VIndhya mountain bend forever and how he kills the two Rakshasas Vatapi and Ilvala.

  When they meet the sage, he suggests they settle down at Panchavati and they do.  Surpanakha (Ravana's sister) comes by and wants to marry Rama.  In the end when she tries to hurt Sita, Lakshmana cuts her nose and ears and she goes running to her brothers Khara and Dusana who rule over that part of the forest.  

Activity:

We made a holiday ornament in class today.  

We also played a game called  "Rama says…" .

Conclusion:

We ended the class with Shanthi Mantra.

Comments:

Please have the kids try the exercises at the back of the first chapter in the Junior Balavihar Bala Ramayana book. This will help them to refresh their memory. Children are making good progress with Guru Stotram. Please make them practice at home. Some kids are still missing ‘My Prayer Book’, and ‘Bala Ramayana’ Junior Balavihar books. Please remember to send those in.

Reminders:

Please remember to send along the following items in your child’s bag along with the folder and books:

Supplies:

• Crayons
• Sharpened 
• Erasers
• Notebook
• Glue
• Age appropriate child proof scissors

and a nut free Snack/Drink to have during the break

Next class is on December  21, 2014. 

December 7, 2014

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

·         Om Saha Navavathu

·         Agajaanana Padmaarkam

·         Yaakundendu

Stotram:

GuruStotram – Practiced Sloka 1 through 8, and learnt Sloka # 9.

Aneka-Janma-Sampraapta-Karme[a-I]ndhana-Vidaahine |

Aatma-N.jaana-Agni-Daanena Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||9||

 

Meaning:

9.1: (Salutations to the Guru) Who Burns away the Fuel of Karma (results of works impressed on the mind) Accumulated over Many Births,

9.2: By Giving (Kindling) the Fire of Self-Knowledge; Salutations to that Guru.

Fun time:

While we would like to think that the entire Balavihar class is fun time, we actually did something extra fun, not tried before in the class, in order to get all the pent up energy out, so we could get the attention needed on the story. Yes, in response to majority request, and in advance consideration of good behavior, kids hit the dance floor for a few minutes.

Story Time:

It has become customary to start the story time with a quiz on the past story events. We continued from where Bharatha along with family and Ayodhya-vasis left Ayodhya to see Rama to bring him back. After convincing Guha and Sage Bharadwaaj of his good intentions, Bharatha and company finally reached Rama’s abode in Chitrakoota. After enquiring about Bharatha’s and other family members’ welfare, Rama learnt of the death of King Dasharatha, and could not take it in. An extremely sad Rama and Lakshmana did customary final offerings to the departed soul in the nearby Mandakini river.  Nobody could persuade Rama to return to Ayodhya to rule the kingdom, as he wanted to keep his word to his father, King Dasharatha. At Sage Vashista’s suggestion, Bharatha finally agreed to return to Ayodhya as Rama’s representative, and got Rama’s Padukas (Sandals) to be kept on the throne while Bharatha lived in a hut nearby.

Since Chitrakoota kept bringing up Bharatha’s and other loved ones’ memories, and it was easier for Ayodhya-vasis to visit them often, Rama decided to move away, into deeper forest. After getting Sage Atri and Anusuya’s blessings, and enjoying their hospitality, they moved further into the forest to Sage Sharabhanga’s Ashram. On the way, Rama and Lakshmana encountered Rakshasa Viraadha, who threatened to kill them, and take Sita as his wife. They shot arrows at him and hurt him badly, but could not kill him due to a boon against death. He was actually a Gandharva who was cursed to be born as a Rakshasa. Severely hurt, Viraadha asked Rama to bury him so that he could turn back into a Gandharva. Rama, Lakshmana and Sita proceeded with their journey, and met Sage Sharabhanga, and then Sage Suteekshna, who asked them to stay in that part of the forest. That concludes Ayodhya Kanda, and we will progress to Aranya Kanda next class.
 

Conclusion:

We ended the class with Shanthi Mantra.

Comments:

• Please let the kids try the exercises at the back of the Second chapter (and also the first chapter, if they had finished yet) in the Junior Balavihar Bala Ramayana book.
• Children are making great progress with Guru Stotram. Please make them practice Guru Stotram and also ‘Yaakundendu’ at home.
• Some kids are still missing ‘My Prayer Book’, and ‘Bala Ramayana’ Junior Balavihar books, and also a folder to keep materials in. Please remember to send those in.
• Please remember to send along the following items in your child’s bag along with the folder and books:
• Crayons
• Sharpened Pencils
• Erasers
• Notebook
• Glue
• Age appropriate child proof scissors

and a nut free Snack/Drink to have during the break

Next class is on December 14, 2014.