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.  

January 28, 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.
• Lingashtakam - We reviewed the first four stanzas of Lingashtakam and the learnt the fifth one. 
• Gita Chanting: We reviewed the first sloka of Chapter 13 and learnt the second one.

Story:

We reviewed the story from last week and continued on.  Ram order Lakshmana to guard Sita and goes after the Golden deer. The deer plays hide and seek with Rama and after chasing it for some time Ram decides to kill the deer and take the skin to Sita.  He aims an arrow at the deer and to his wonder sees it take the shape of Marica and call out to Lakshmana and Sita in Rama's voice. Rama is suddenly panic stricken but relaxes when he realizes that Lakshmana is there to protect Sita and would not leave her.  He starts walking towards the Parnasala when he sees Lakshmana coming towards him.  Meanwhile at the ashrama  Sita persuades and threatens Lakshmana to go to Rama's help. Lakshmana does so reluctantly.  He draws a line and tells Sita not to cross it.  Sita sits quietly crying   and when she opens her eyes sees a Sadhu in front of her.  It is Ravana in disguise.  Ravana tricks Sita and grabs her and carries her away in his chariot.  Sita screams for help and begs Ravana to let her go. Jatayu hears Sita's cries and comes to her rescue.  When Ravana refuses Jatayu puts up a brave fight but Ravana cuts his wings with his sword.  He takes Sita to Lanka. There he asks Sita to be his wife and says that Rama can never get to her.  Sita refuses and says that Rama will definitely come for her.  Ravana asks some horrible looking rakshasis to look after Sita but not give her a moment of peace.  Their job is to make Sita accept Ravana's proposal.  He gives Sita one year's time to change her mind. 

Activity:
None

Meditation/Japa:

Games:

Hangman

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:

We had about 8 students today.  We spent a lot of time on the slokas today.  We asked the kids to review them at home. Please encourage them to practice the slokas at home. 

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

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, coloring book and a copy of 'My Prayers'

Next class is on Feb 3rd, 2013.  

Chirstmas Ornament Craft Project

Items Used

Blank Foam Christmas Ornament (Diff colors)
Om and Balavihar Satyam class logos
Foram Stickers, Decorative Stickers
Glue stick, Gold color ties

The children first glued the Om logo and the Balavihar log on either side of the ornament.
They choose the decorative stickers they wanted to use and decorated the ornament
They then used the tie to thread through the available hole so they can hang the ornament

See above a picture of some of the ornaments made by the 1st graders.

January 13, 2013

Hari OM!

Happy New Year!

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.
• Lingashtakam - We reviewed the first three stanzas of Lingashtakam and the learnt the fourth one. 
• Gita Chanting: We learnt the first sloka of Chapter 13 in preparation for the Gita chanting competition

Story:

We recapped the story from the last class and conducted a quiz.

Surpanakha goes running to her brothers who rule over that part of the forest.  They come to fight Sri Rama but Rama kills them all.  Finally, Akampana (the only rakshasa who survives) goes back to Ravana and tells him to kidnap Sita so Rama can die missing her.  It would be impossible to kill him, he tells Ravana.  Ravana agrees and tries to convince Marica to help him accomplish this.  Marica convinces Ravana that he is already the ruler of the 3 worlds, why would he want to try to fight Rama.  Ravana agrees but when he sees Surpanakha, his sister, he is unable to make peace.  So he goes back to Marica and orders him to disguise himself as a golden deer to entice Sita out of her hut.  Marica tried to make Ravana see reason by telling him that what he plans to do is against Dharma and as a King he should not do 'Adharma'. Ravana refuses to listen to reason and Marica has no choice but to obey his king. Meanwhile Spring has blossomed in Pancavati and sita is picking flowers from the garden when she sees a pretty golden deer with delicate silver spots trying to lure her into play.  She aks Rama to get the deer for her but Lakshmana cautions saying that it might be the trick of the Rakshasas. Rama thinks that if it is indeed a Rakshas he will kill it but if not he will bering the deer to sita.  He orders Lakshmana to guard Sita and goes after the deer.

Activity:
The kids colored 2 pictures from the Ramayana story.

Meditation/Japa:
The children did likhita japa today.

Games:

Four Corners

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:

We had a smaller class but a great start to the new year!  It was nice seeing everyone after a break.  We recapped the story to refresh their memories.. 

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

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, coloring book and a copy of 'My Prayers'

Next class is on Jan 27th, 2013.  

December 16, 2012

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.
• Lingashtakam - We reviewed the first twostanzas of Lingashtakam and the learnt the thirdone. 

Story:

We recapped the story from the last class and conducted a quiz.

We contined with the story.  Rama, Lakshmana and Sita spend about 10 years in the forest peacefully roaming between different ashrams and protecting them from the rakshasas.  Finally as they near the end of their exile,  Sri Rama wants to meet the great Sage Agasthya.  When they meet him, he suggests they settle down at Panchavati and they do.  Surpanakha (Ravana's sister) comes by and wants to marry Rama.  Rama tells her he is already married and so asks her to ask Lakshmana.  Lakshmana tells her that he's a slave to his brother and if she married him, she would have to be a slave too.  So, she goes back to Rama and asks him to marry her again.  She thinks Sita is the reason that Rama doesnt want to marry her and so In the end when she tries to hurt Sita, Lakshmana cuts her nose and ears.

Activity:
The kids made a Christmas ornament today to hang on their trees at home. Foam Christmas Ornament

Meditation/Japa:
The children did likhita japa today.

Games:

None

Conclusion:
We conluded the day with 

• Om Purnamadah

Comments:

The children had a bit of difficulty remembering all the names when we were conducting the quiz. They are very enthusiastic and pay attention when we do the story.  They also are very interested in learning the Guru Stotram and Lingaashtakam. 

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

1. Crayons
2. Pencil
3. Notebook
4. Glue
5. Snack/Drink
6. A folder to keep their pictures/artwork.
7. 1st grade Balavihar books - Bala Ramayan, coloring book and a copy of 'My Prayers'

Next class is on Jan 13th, 2013.