DECEMBER 9, 2012

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

• Om Saha Navavathu
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Saraswathi Namastubhyam
• Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
• Ramaya Ramabhadraya slokha.
• Budhir Balam

Stotram:

• GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 9) - We
  reviewed slokas 1-6.
• Lingashtakam - We reviewed the first stanza of Lingashtakam and the learnt the second one. 

Story:

Before we recalled the story we conducted a quiz of the last few chapters.  Team A did better than Team B.  We continued the story. When Lakshmana sees Bharata coming in the forest he misinterprets Bharatha's intentions - he thinks Bharatha is coming to kill Rama.  Rama convinces him that there's no way Bharata would do that.  Bharata is dressed in ascetic clothes just like Sri Rama and tells him how King Dasharatha is no more.  Sri Rama faints on hearing this and on recovering performs the last rites for his father.  Then Bharatha tries to convince Sri Rama to come back and take over the kingdom.  Rama refuses and tell him the greatest philosophy that joys and sorrows come in pairs.  Everyone's got to do what their duty is and whichever way destiny takes them.  Rama has vowed to his father to stay an asceitc life in the forest for 14 years and he will have to keep his word.  On hearing this, Bharatha is sad but agrees to run the kingdom as Rama's representative for 14 years till Rama comes back.  Bharatha then asks for Sri Rama's paduka (Slippers) and takes it home on his head. He tells Rama that his paduka will sit on the throne and rule the kingdome.  Meanwhile, Bharatha will live like Rama, in a hut as an asceitc outside Ayodhya and run the kingdom on his behalf.

After Bharata and his army leaves, Rama tells Lakshmana that they should move out of CHitrakuta since it is too close to Ayodhya and people might keep visiting them from Ayodhya.

They press deeper into the Dandaka forest and are instructed by risi Atri as to where they can set up their ashrama. They go deeper into the forest and find that is very dark and gloomy.  Suddenly they encounter a raksasa and the brothers battle him.  He is the powerful Viradha and has received a boon that he cannot be killed.  Ram and Lakshmana climb on him and cuts off his limbs.he falls down in agony and just when Ram was going to kill him he transforms into a Gandharva.  Having felt the presence of God he is freed from his curse. They proceed further into Dandaka and with the blessing of risi Sutiksna they set up their asrama in a neighboring area. 

Activity:
The kids made a Shiva Lingam out of Modeling clay. 

Meditation/Japa:
The children did likhita japa today.

Games:

None

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:

The children had a bit of difficulty remembering all the names when we were conducting the quiz. They are very enthusiastic and pay attention when we do the story.  They also are very interested in learning the Guru Stotram and Lingaashtakam. 

Reminders:
Please try to send the following items in your childs bag:

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, coloring book and a copy of 'My Prayers'

Next class is on Dec 16th, 2012. 

December 2, 2012

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

• Om Saha Navavathu
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Saraswathi Namastubhyam
• Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
• Ramaya Ramabhadraya slokha.
• Budhir Balam

Stotram:

• GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 9) - We
  reviewed slokas 1-6.
• Lingashtakam - We learnt the first stanza of Lingashtakam

Story:

 Ayodhya is in mourning.  Sage Vasistha sends for Bharata who is on vacation.  Bharata who has been restless lately returns to Ayodhya and is confused to see the sad faces on his way to his mother's palace.  There his mother tells him about the death of the old king and how she had planned and succeeded in making Bharata the king of Ayodhya.  Bharata is shocked.
The story continued with Kaikeyi telling Bharata how happy she was to secure the kingdom for him and how she banished Rama to the forest.  Bharata and Shatrugna on hearing this are really shocked and angry and yell and scream at Kaikeyi.  Shatrugna, who is usually quiet, also drags Manthara on the floor.  Bharata performs the last rites for his father and then tells the court that he will go and bring Rama back and make him the king.  Ayodhya is very happy and follow Bharata into the forest to bring back Sri Rama.  Guha and Sage Bharadwaja meet Bharata and give their blessing and help to bring back Rama.  When Lakshmana sees Bharata coming in the forest he misinterprets Bharatha's intentions - he thinks Bharatha is coming to kill Rama. 

Activity:
The kids colored a picture of Manthara poisoning Kaikeyi's mind

 

Meditation/Japa:
The children did likhita japa today.

Games:

None

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:

The children really enjoy the Ramayana story and pay good attention during the story time.  They also seem to like the activities they do in this class.

Reminders:
Please try to send the following items in your childs bag:

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, coloring book and a copy of 'My Prayers'

Next class is on Dec 9th, 2012. 

NOVEMBER 18, 2012

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

• Om Saha Navavathu
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Saraswathi Namastubhyam
• Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
• Ramaya Ramabhadraya slokha.
• Budhir Balam

Stotram:

• GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 9) - We learnt sloka 5 after reviewing the first 4.

Story:

 We talked in detail about what happened after Rama was told that he has to go the forest for 14 years. Lakshmana is angry and wants to fight the king and seize the throne./  Rama explains to Lakshmana haw it was important to obey their father and that he should calm down.  Rama meets his mother Kaushalya and tells her all that transpired and seeks her blessing before leaving.  She is devastated.  Rama then goes to Sita and tries to take his leave but she insists that she will accompany Rama.  Lakshmana states that he will go with Rama as well.  Thus the three of them depart to the forest, amidst a very sad Ayodhya.

We continued the story about how Rama, Lakshmana and Sita seek Rishi Bharadwaja's advice as to where to set up their Ashram.  Rishi Bharadwaja advices them to set up the ashram at Mt.Chitrakuda in Tapovan.  When they reach Chitrakuda they like the environment and Lakshmana quickly puts up a house of mud with thatched roof.  Meanwhile the Minister Sumantra returns to Ayodhya with the empty chariot and seeing that King Dasharatha is grief stricken. That night he confesses to Kaushalya the story of Sravana.  A young prince Dasharatha had learnt the art of shooting at his target without seeing it. One day while he was out hunting he heard the sound of an elephant drinking water and immediately shot his arrow  only to find he had hit a young boy filling water in a pitcher.  His name is Sravana and he says that he was taking the water to his blind parents. Prince Dasharatha asks Sravana's forgiveness as he had shot at Sravana by mistake.  Sravana asks Dasharatha to got to his parents and dies.  On seeing Sravana's blind parents Dasharatha explains his mistake and tells them of their son's death and seeks their forgiveness.  The parents tell Dasharatha that even though he committed the sin unknowingly he will still have to bear the consequences. He too will suffer separation from his beloved son. Thus narrating the story to Kaushalya King Dasharatha breathes his last with Rama's name on his lips.  Ayodhya is in mourning.

Activity:
The kids colored a picture of Rama breaking Rudra's bow.  

Meditation/Japa:
The children did likhita japa today.

Games:

None

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:

The children really enjoy the Ramayana story and pay good attention during the story time.  They also seem to like the activities they do in this class.

Reminders:
Please try to send the following items in your childs bag:

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, coloring book and a copy of 'My Prayers'

Next class is on Dec 2nd, 2012. 

October 21, 2012

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

• Om Saha Navavathu
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Saraswathi Namastubhyam
• Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
• Ramaya Ramabhadraya slokha.
• Budhir Balam

Stotram:

• GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 9) - We learnt sloka 5 after reviewing the first 4.

Story:

We conducted a quiz to recap the story so far.  The girls won by 2 points. 
We talked about how happy Ayodhya was with Sri Rama and Princess Sita's arrival.  Thus passed 12 years.  Soon, King Dasharatha was thinking about retiring to the forest after handing over the kingdom to Sri Rama.  As his coronation was being planned, Manthara-the hunchback maid of Keikeyi sowed the poisonous seed in Keikeyi's mind that only Bharatha should be made King.  So, Keikeyi asks Dasharatha to give her the 2 boons (promised earlier) - 1.  Bharatha should be made king. 2.  Rama should be sent to the forest for 14 years. This devastates King Dasharatha, but in order to be true to his dharma he sends for Rama and gives him the orders to go to the forest.  Rama takes these orders as calmly as he did when he was told he would be coronated.  Lakshmana and Sita convince Rama that they will accompany him in his exile to the forest.   They depart to the forest, amidst a very sad Ayodhya.

Activity:
The kids colored a picture of Rama touching the rock 'Ahalya'.  

Meditation/Japa:
The children did likhita japa today.

Games:

We played Four Corners today. the kids participated very enthusiastically.

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:

The children are very involved in the Ramayana story and pay good attention during the story time.  They also seem to like the activities they do in this class.

We encourage everyone to participate in the upcoming CORD walkathon on October 28th, 2012

Reminders:
Please try to send the following items in your childs bag:

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, coloring book and a copy of 'My Prayers'

Next class is on Oct 28th, 2012 - CORD WALKATHON

October 14, 2012

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

• Om Saha Navavathu
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Saraswathi Namastubhyam
• Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
• Ramaya Ramabhadraya slokha.
• Budhir Balam

Stotram:

• GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 9) - We learnt sloka 4 after reviewing the first 3.

Story:
Rama was very eager to see the Rudra bow.  It was so big and so heavy that about 5000 soldiers had to pull in a 8-wheel carriage into the palace.  Rama's eyes shone when he saw the bow.  Many princes tried to lift it but alas no one could.  King Janaka was a little disappointed that there was no strong prince who could lift the bow that his daughter could.  Just then Rama came up, lifted the bow with one hand, strung it and broke the bow.  There was a divine sound and everyone in the kingdom could hear the roar of the bow.  King Janaka was very thrilled and he promised Sita in marriage to Rama.  Word was sent to King Dasharatha about the proposal and the king and his 3 queens came to Mithila for the wedding.  Rama married Sita, Lakshmana married Urmila , Bharata married Mandavi and Shatrughna married Srutikriti.  Everyone was happy, however King Janaka was sad that his beloved daughter would not live with him anymore and that she was moving away to live with her husband.

Activity:
This week, as part of the Seva Project, the kids colored 2 pictures from www.colarasmile.org .  These pictures will be sent to young kids, or the elderly who are in need of a smile.
Meditation/Japa:
The children did likhita japa today.

Games:
None.

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:
We celebrated Rama and Sita's wedding in class with some special snacks.  Thanks to all the parents who sent in treats.  The kids were dressed nicely for the wedding.  And as it is tradition to gift something at a wedding, the kids decided to color pictures (as part of our seva project) and gift it to those who are in need of a smile.
We encourage everyone to participate in the upcoming CORD walkathon on October 28th, 2012

Reminders:
Please try to send the following items in your childs bag:

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, coloring book and a copy of 'My Prayers'

Next class is on Oct 21, 2012.

Sri Rama Picture Frame

Materials:

4 Mini Craft Sticks
Glitter Glue
Glue
Decorative stickers
String
A picture of Sri Rama

Instructions:
Glue the 4 craft sticks in a square.
Glue the picture of Sri Rama so it is visible through the picture frame.
Decorate the picture frame with stickers and glitter glue.
Glue the string so that the picture frame can be hung.

Below is a sample picture frame done in class

September 30, 2012

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

• Om Saha Navavathu
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Saraswathi Namastubhyam
• Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
• Ramaya Ramabhadraya slokha.

Stotram:

• GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 9) - We reviewed sloka 1 and learnt shloka 2.

Story:
We started the story session by conducting a quiz based on the last week's lesson.  The kids were divided into two teams - A & B.  Team A won by 1 point.  We continued the story.  On reaching the ashrama, Sage Vishwamitra started his mouna vrata for the 6 day yagna.  Rama and Lakshmana watched over the ritual and there were no problems for 5 days.  They were very alert on the 6th day when Maricha and Subahu tried to disrupt the yagna  Rama used the Manavastra which tied Maricha and threw him into the ocean thousands of yards away.  He used another arrow to kill Subahu.  Vishwamitra completed his yagna succesfully and told Rama and Lakshmana to accompany him to Mithila to see the Rudra bow.  Rama and Lakshmana were excited to have this opportunity.  On t heir way there, they come across a rundown ashrama.  On asking whose ashrama it is, Vishwamitra explains that it is Sage Gautama's ashrama and nobody lives there right now.  Once Indra came down and convinced Ahalya (Sage Gautama's wife) to misbehave.  So Sage Gautama cursed Indra and Ahalya turned into a stone.  He said that when Sri Rama touches her, she'll become her usual self again.  So, Rama goes into the ashrama and touches the stone nad turns Ahalya back into a beautiful lady.. 
Activity:
The kids colored a picture of the Rama killing Maricha and Subahu.

Meditation/Japa:
The kids wrote Rama 11 times (Likhita Japa).

Games:
We played 4 corners today, using all the names we had learnt in Ramayana.  The kids loved the game and didnt want to stop.

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:
The kids participated very enthusiastically in the quiz.  Surprisingly they remembered all the new names they learnt in the last class and every quiz question was answered by them.  They loved getting up and running around during play time.

Thank you to parents for coming to back-to-balavihar.  Please reach out to either one of us for any questions/concerns.

Reminders:
Please try to send the following items in your childs bag:

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, coloring book and a copy of 'My Prayers'

Next class is on October 7th, 2012.

September 23, 2012

Hari OM!

Beginning Prayers

• Om Saha Navavathu
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Saraswathi Namastubhyam
• Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu
• We learnt Ramaya Ramabhadraya slokha.

Stotram:

• GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 9) - We reviewed sloka 1.

Story:
We started the story session by conducting a quiz based on the first week's lesson.  The kids were divided into two teams - A & B.  Team A won by 1 point.  We continued the story. King Dasharatha had 4 sons - Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrugna.  We also talked about how they were learning the art of archery (there were no guns at that time) and how good they were at that art.  All the kids want to be like Rama, who listens to his parents and is very obedient and dutiful. 

Then we  discussed how Sage Vishwamitra came to Ayodhya to ask for Rama's help in fighting the rakshasas Subahu and Maricha.  King Dasharatha did not want to send his son there, but Sage Vasistha convinced the King that there must be a reason why Sage Vishwamitra was asking for Rama's help.  King Dasharatha then agreed to send Rama and Lakshmana with Vishwamitra.  Rama and Lakshmana were very excited about this adventure and they enjoyed Mother Nature when they walked through the forests.  The princes arrive at the Dandaka forest where they heard the story of Tataka.  Tataka is the mother of Maricha. Rama challenges Tataka to a fight and kills her.  Vishwamitra praises Rama and teaches him the use of divine weapons.

Activity:
The kids colored a picture of the three queens with their 4 sons.
The kids put Sri Rama's feet on 'River Ganges' as part of marking Sri Rama's trail on the Indian map. 


Meditation/Japa:
The kids wrote Rama 11 times (Likhita Japa).

Games:
None

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:
The kids participated very enthusiastically in the quiz.  Surprisingly they remembered all the new names they learnt in the last class and every quiz question was answered by them. 

Reminders:
Please try to send the following items in your childs bag:

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, coloring book and a copy of 'My Prayers'

Next class is on September 30th, 2012.