Hari Om Parents,
Shlokas:
1."Om Saha navavatu" (page 8 in My Prayers book)
2. "Vakratunda mahakaya" (page 27 in My Prayers book)
3. "Om Saraswati namastubhyam" (page 12 in My Prayers book) - New
Activities:
- We played the Concentration Game right before we headed to the temple for the Saraswati pooja. After the chanting of 3 "Om"s kids keep their eyes closed. They listen quietly and counting in their mind, the number of stones being dropped into a metal box during this quiet time. Later they give the count of the stones dropped. The game helps with focus and improves concentration. A few more of them got it right this time! Most of them were close. They are all eager to get it right the next time!
- We took some time to talk about the significance of Navratri.
- The kids did a great job following along with the priest & performing Saraswati pooja today.
- Comment of the Day: Right after our concentration game, we had a few minutes for questions and comments. One of our students made an awesome connection today by saying, if we count the stones out loud, it becomes like the actions of the demons Marica & Subbahu who were trying to disturb or disrupt the yagnya. Counting out loud, disturbs everyone's concentration during the game!!!
After a brief recap, we jumped into our journey through Bala Ramayana. As the brothers continued to ask "are we there yet", the trio finally arrived at the Siddhashrama. Visvamitra's ashram was located where Lord Narayana performed great tapas. That led to the story of Mahabali the grandson of Prahalada & why Vamana was born to Aditi & Kashyapa. We described how Mahabali never refused the request of anyone or anything & that Vamana came to humble Mahabali, requesting 3 paces of land, growing into Trivikrama, his first pace covered the earth, the second one the heavens and for the third, out of humility Mahabali offered his head, making him immortal.
The story continued on to the 6 day yagna, that the rishis along with Sage Visvamitra were set to perform. The brothers were told to keep a keen watch out for the demons. The first 5 days went on without a hitch. Then on day 6, Rama & Laksmana had to deal with Marica & Subahu. There were signs of evil that began to swirl around the ashram. The flames in the firepit started to rise up as a warning sign.The sky started to darken and the demons were ready to fling unholy flesh & blood into the sacrificial fire. We explained that Rama tossed Marica into the sea,100 yojanas, approximately 500 miles away (was not killed as he still had a role to play). Subahu & the others were killed by Rama's Agneyastra. The yagna went off without a hitch. The rishis were all very happy.
The brothers along with Visvamitra continued on towards Mithila, curious to see the wonderful bow that king Janaka had. On the outskirts of Mithila, they stopped at the deserted asrama of Gautama rishi who fled to the Himalayas after cursing his wife Ahalya to contemplate her actions inside a rock. That curse was finally broken when Rama stepped on the stone, Ahalya who was in deep tapas emerged & received Lord Rama's blessings. She then welcomed them & offered her hospitality. Gautama rishi also returned.
Please have the kids bring their coloring book, my prayers book & hand book to class every week. We have crayons available in class to share, if the kids prefer to have some of their own, they are welcome to bring some.
We will continue our story during our next class. Please practice the prayers that we teach the kids in class, at home. Please ask the kids what they learnt in class.
Required books for Grade 1
- My Prayers Book
- Bala Ramayana Coloring Book
We take pictures during class & share them with our class parents, so that you get a feel of what your little ones are up to. If anyone has an issue with that please let us know. If we are asked to share pictures publicly, we will come back to you for separate permission.
Please go to the link below to check out the pictures from this week's class
Each week's update is maintained on Google docs, if for any reason you are unable to attend class on a certain Sunday, you are requested to check for weekly updates so that your child does not miss out. Below is the link
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We require at least 1 parent inside the ashram during the full duration of the class. You are free to choose an Adult Study Group or sign up to Volunteer or Meditate/Read in the Temple.
There will be NO class next week. We will meet at Mercer County Park, East Picnic area on October 13th for our next class.
Announcement: The annual CORD walkathon is on October 13, 2019 at Mercer County Park. We will not be having regular classes at the ashram on that day, but we will be taking attendance there, prior to the walkathon. Please go online, register and support this noble cause. See you all there. http://www.chinmayavrindavan.org/cord-walkathon
Regards,
Keerthi Kobla and Dipti Chauhan
