Hari Om! Parents,
This week we had a short class since Grade 1 participated in the special Saraswathi Puja at the Ashram. The children brought home a picture of Goddess Saraswathi. Please keep it in a place where they can see and pray everyday.
Class started with deep breathing and Om chanting. We chanted Sahanaa Vavatu, Vaktratunda Mahakaya, Saraswathi Namastubhyam, Guru Brahma, Sri Rama Rama Rameti and Ramaaya Ramabhadraya shlokas. Grade 1 will learn "Dainika Prarthana" or daily prayers this year. These are prayers to be chanted throughout the day while performing several tasks. For example wake up, have bath, eat food, etc. Today we learnt "Karagre Vasate" shloka (My Prayers book pg.11). We explained how this is the first morning prayer to be chanted before getting out of bed. We use our hands for several activities, and in our hands reside Lakshmi, Saraswathi and Krishna. The children prayed that they will use their hands for good actions only. The children need regular practice with these shlokas so they can memorise them faster. Please encourage them to chant everyday. Next we spoke about upcoming Navratri festival and the proper way to behave during a puja.
Ramayana storytime continued after a quick recap. Lord Rama and Lakshmana follow Sage Vishwamitra through Dandaka forest to his beautiful ashrama. They are welcomed warmly by all the rishis of the ashrama. Both brothers immediately assumed the roles of guards and kept vigil around the ashrama. The yagna began and Rama and Lakshmana stayed alert and waited for the rakshasas to attack. Soon the demons Mareecha and Subahu appeared and were about to disrupt the yagna. Rama immediately used "Maanavastra" to bind Mareecha and flung him several miles away. Mareecha will come back later in the story. Next Lord Rama uses the "Agneyastra" and kills Subahu. We discussed that bad actions have bad consequences. The rakshasas were punished by Bhagawan for their evil deeds. However, they were forgiven for their mistakes and He also gave them "moksha" or liberation. The class did their coloring activity up to Lesson 5 and sang the "Atma Nivasi Rama" bhajan (My Prayers book pg.149).
Reminder: There is no Balavihar on 10/04/19. Wishing all Grade 1 families a blessed Navratri / Dussehra festival!
Jai Sri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
