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.