February 24, 2013

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 1-7. We learnt shloka 8.
• Lingashtakam - We reviewed the first six stanzas of Lingashtakam.
• Gita Chanting: We learnt 7 slokas of Chapter 13 

Story:

Rama asks Sugriva to challenge Bali to a fight and Rama promises to kill Bali.  However Bali and Sugrive look so alike that Rama is not sure which is which. In the meantime, Sugriva gets beaten up by Bali.  He comes back to Rama disappointed that he did not keep up his end of the promise.  Rama explains the similarity between them and suggests that Bali wear a garland of flowers and challenge him again.  He does and this time, Rama shoots an arrow from behind a tree that takes Bali's life.  Rama then explains to Bali that it was fair to kill him while in hiding since htat's what they do when they hunt.  Bali feels blessed to be killed by Rama and asks Sugriva to take over the kingdom and his wife and son, Angada.

The monsoons set in, and they are unable to proceed in their search for Sita.  Meanwhile, Sugriva is rejoicing in the kingdom and forgets about his promise.  Hanuman goes to Sugriva and reminds him and he asks that all vanaras assemble within a day to start searching for Sita.  Lakshmana too comes looking for Sugriva to find out the status of the search.  Seeing Sugriva is intoxicated, Lakshmana gets angry and strings his bow. The sound reverberates through all of the kingdom and brings Sugriva to his senses.  Meanwhile, all the bears and monkeys from the kingdom assemble to help Sugriva and Lakshmana plan the search for Sita.

Activity: 

The children colored pictures from Ramayana

Meditation/Japa:

Games:

None

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:

 Please encourage them to practice the slokas at home.  Please also have them read the pages that refer to the above part of  the story from the Ramayana book.  We do quizzes in every class and the kids will find this useful. 

Next class is on Mar 3rd, 2013.  

February 10, 2013

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 1-7. We worked slokha 7 this week. 
• Lingashtakam - We reviewed the first five stanzas of Lingashtakam and learnt the 6th one.
• Gita Chanting: We reviewed the first and second slokas of Chapter 13 

Story:

Rama and Lakshmana continue their journey towards the south. As they reach the banks of River Pampa they come across Sabari's asrama.  Sabari a disciple of Sage Matanga spends her life doing tapas.  Her guru tell her that will be rewarded for her tapas by meeting the God himself. Sabari hears of the arrival of Rama and Lakshmana and realizing that Rama is the Supreme being washes his feet with her tears.  She then lovingly offers fruits to Lord Rama, fruits she has tasted to make sure that they were sweet and juicy.  Lakshmana is angry that the old lady is giving eaten fruits to Rama but Rama smiles and serenely eats the fruits enjoying himself.  Sabari feels that her time has come and becomes one with God. 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.  Sugriva and Rama promise friendship to each other. 

Activity: 

The children colored a picture of Lakshmana cutting off Surpanakha's nose. 

Meditation/Japa:

Games:

None

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:

 Please encourage them to practice the slokas at home.  Please also have them read the pages that refer to the above part of  the story from the Ramayana book.  We do quizzes in every class and the kids will find this useful. 

Next class is on Feb 23rd, 2013.  

February 3, 2013

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 1-7. We worked on 6 and 7 this week. 
• Lingashtakam - We reviewed the first five stanzas of Lingashtakam 
• Gita Chanting: We reviewed the first and second slokas of Chapter 13 

Story:

We reviewed the story from last week and continued on.   Meanwhile Rama turns back toward the Ashrama and is surprised and scared to see Lakshmana coming towards him. Lakshmana says that Sita was inconsolable and so he had to come in search of Rama.  both of them fear for Sita as they realize that it was a trick by the Rakshasas. Ram and Lakshmana reach the ashrama and find that Sita is missing and go in search of her.  They come across Jatayu and learns that Ravana has kidnapped Sita.  Jataya explains how he fought with Ravana and tried to save Sita and that he was not strong enough. Jatayu dies and Rama does the last rites for Jatayu.  They start going south towards Lanka in search of Sita. Their path takes them through the forests.  Suddenly they encounter a hideous looking creature with no head and legs. The monster grabs Rama and Lakshmana and his powerful arms encircle them.  The monster has a mouth in his stomach  and an ugly red eye in his chest.  His name his Kabandha. Realizing that the strength is in his arms, Rama and Lakshmana cut off his arms.  Kabandha screams in pain and recollects that he is a celestial being cursed by a risi.  He had to wait for Rama to liberate him.  He thanks Rama and tells him to seek the help of the Vanara King Sugriva who lives on the banks of River Pampa. He tells that King Sugriva will be able to take Rama and Lakshmana to Lanka.  

Activity: 

 
We made a Sri Rama paper bag puppet

Meditation/Japa:
We did likhita japa today.
Games:

None

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:

We had about 8 students today.  The kids were very enthusiastic to hear the next chapters of the Ramayana story.   We asked the kids to review all the slokas at home. Please encourage them to practice the slokas at home. 

Next class is on Feb 10th, 2013.