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.