November 24, 2013

November 24th 2013 

Hari OM!

 Beginning Prayers 

• Om Saha Navavathu 
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Namaste Sarade Devi
• Dyana Mulam Gurur Murthihi
• Sri Rama Rama Rameti 

 Stotram: 
  GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 61) - We learnt sloka 7 after reviewing the first 6

 Bhajans: 

 Story: 
    We talked about how Rama, Sita and Lakshmana depart to the forest, amidst a very sad Ayodhya.We continued the story about how Rama, Lakshmana and Sita met Guha a tribal chief on the way and then they bid farewell to Guha and Sumantra the Charioteer and crossed the river Ganga. They then seeked Rishi Bharadwaja's advice as to where to set up their Ashram. Rishi Bharadwaja advices them to set up the ashram at Mt.Chitrakuta in Tapovan. When they reach Chitrakuta they liked the environment and Lakshmana quickly puts up a house of mud with thatched roof. Meanwhile Sumantra returns to Ayodhya with the empty chariot. The 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.

Meditation/Japa: 
   Likhita Japa

 Activity:
  The kids traced the path of Rama on the Map and colored the feet.

Games:
   Quiz

Conclusion:
  We conluded the day with
 Om Purnamadah

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

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

Next class is on Dec 8, 2013.

November 17, 2013

November 17th 2013 

Hari OM!

 Beginning Prayers 

• Om Saha Navavathu 
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Namaste Sarade Devi
• Dyana Mulam Gurur Murthihi
• Sri Rama Rama Rameti 

 Stotram: 
  GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 61) - We learnt sloka 6 after reviewing the first 5

 Bhajans: 

 Story: 
    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.

Meditation/Japa: 
   None

 Activity:
  The kids colored a picture of Manthara poisoning the mind of Kaikeyi.

Games:
   Quiz

Conclusion:
  We conluded the day with
 Om Purnamadah

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

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

Next class is on Nov 24, 2013.

October 27 2013

October 27th 2013 

Hari OM!

 Beginning Prayers 

• Om Saha Navavathu 
• Vakratunda Mahakaya
• Namaste Sharade Devi
•  Sri Rama Rama Rameti 

 Stotram: 
  GuruStotram (My Prayers, Page 61) - We learnt sloka 5 after reviewing the first 4

 Bhajans: 

 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.

Meditation/Japa: 
   None

 Activity:
  The kids made a picture frame and pasted a picture of Rama and Sita. They then decorated the frame.

Games:
   Quiz

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 a tradition to gift something at a wedding, the kids decided to something bad in them to Rama so that they can all be like Rama.

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

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

Next class is on Nov 17, 2013.