September 21, 2014

Hari Om 

Beginning Prayers

As in the first class, we started off the class with Om chanting three times, followed by 'Om Sahanavavathu', and the new Ganesha Sloka for this year, which is:

Agajaanana Padmaarkam
Gajaananam Aharnisham
Aneka Dam Tam Bhaktaanam
Eka Dantam Upasmahe

Stotram:

We chanted the first Guru Stotram, and also learnt the second Guru Stotram.

Ajnyaana-Timira-Andhasya Jnyaana-[Aa]n.jana-Shaalaakayaa |
Cakssur-Unmiilitam Yena Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah

(Please see ‘My Prayers’ )

We had a good and loud chanting when we split the class into two groups.  Please have the kids practice these Slokas at home.

Story Time:

We started the story time with the story of Valmiki. How he turned from a robber to a Sage, and how he got the name Valmiki, and what it means. (Anthill) We also learnt how he started to write Ramayana. We all wanted to live in Ayodhya, after learning about its beauty, and its people, especially that there was no fight or war. (Ayodhya – Place of no ‘yudh’ (war)). King Dasharatha ruled Ayodhya, assisted by his Guru Vashista. Kousalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra were his wives. But King Dasaratha was very sad because he did not have any kids. His Guru Vashista asked him to perform the ‘Putra Kameshti Yagna’.  After performing that yagna, he was blessed with 4 sons - Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna. Please ask them to retell these stories.

Activity:
We colored the ‘Putra Kameshti Yajna’ Scene from the story that we learnt today.

Conclusion:
We concluded the day with ‘Om Poornamadah’ Shanti Prayer.

Om Poornnam-Adah Poornnam-Idam Poornnaat-Poornnam-Udacyate
Poornnashya Poornnam-Aadaaya Poornnam-Eva-Avashissyate ||
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||

(Please see ‘My Prayers’)

Comments:
We had a great Sloka chanting today. Hope to keep up with the enthusiasm, and energy in the coming classes.

Reminders:
Please remember to send along the following items in your child’s bag:

Class Text Books/Workbook:

·         My Prayer Book

·         Ramayana Characters Children’s Workbook

·         Bala Ramayana Junior Balavihar

Supplies:

1.       Crayons

2.       Sharpened Pencils

3.       Erasers

4.       Notebook

5.       Glue

6.       Age appropriate child proof scissors

7.       A folder to keep their pictures/artwork

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

Next class is on October 5, 2014.  Happy Navarathri!