Hari Om! Parents,
Class began with deep breathing and Om chanting, followed by opening prayers. Next we chanted Sri Rama shlokas and the first four daily prayers. The children learnt "Brahmaarpanam" shloka (My Prayers Book pg.11), which is chanted before meals. We spoke about the importance of healthy food to nourish us and make us strong. By chanting this prayer we are also thanking Bhagawan for the food we eat. The class chanted the first three and the last verse of Guru Stotram (Balavihar Handbook pg. 24). Please remind your child to chant all the shlokas everyday. We have also been learning two verses from Chapter 1 of the Bhagavad Gita in every class from our Swamiji. This is the link for practice :- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVaQ1AsTFVEK4MvW4zOX3dd7ct-7nFwWC
The Ramayana story continues with Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana reaching Sage Bharadwaja's ashram, who advised them to build a Ramashrama in beautiful Chitrakoota. Soon they set up their new home there. Meanwhile in sorrowful Ayodhya, King Dasharata remembers the incident from his youth. As a young prince he had gone hunting in the forest. He hears an animal drinking water and shoots his arrow towards the sound. To his surprise he hears a human voice cry out in pain. He soon finds Shravana, a young hermit, gravely injured by his arrow. Shravana was filling a pitcher of water for his old blind parents when the arrow struck him. He asks Dasharatha to take the water to his parents and breathes his last. King Dasharata goes to the old couple and apologizes for his mistake. Heartbroken they curse him to endure the same fate in his old age when he will be separated from his son. We spoke about Shravana's love for his parents, that even in his dying moments his thoughts were only about them. Shravana to this day is considered an ideal son. As the curse comes into force, the king passes away and entire kingdom begins mourning.
Sage Vasishta sends for Bharata and Shatrugna who are in Kekeya. When they return to Ayodhya they are greeted by Queen Kaikeyi, who boasts about her plan to secure the throne for Bharata. The princes are told about Rama's exile to the forest and the death of the King. Shock turned to anger and Bharata scolds his mother for her corrupt mind. Both princes perform their father's funeral. Bharata is offered the throne by Sage Vasishta, but he turns it down. Instead, Bharata leaves Ayodhya deciding to ask for forgiveness and bringing Lord Rama back. At river Ganga, Bharata meets Guha, and is shown the way to Bharadwaja ashrama. Following the sage's directions Bharata arrives in Chitrakoota. After a loving reunion of the brothers, Bharata shares the sad news of their father's death. After making offerings to his spirit, Bharata pleads with Lord Rama to return. However, Lord Rama explains to Bharata the importance of doing one's duty and keeping one's word. Reluctantly Bharata agrees to act as Lord Rama's representative and rule Ayodhya till the exile ends. Bharat takes Lord Rama's padukas or sandals, placing them on his head, returns to Ayodhya. We spoke about Bharata's devotion to Lord Rama. Leaving Chitrakoota Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana moved furthur into the Dandaka forest. Lord Rama kills Viraadha, a gandharvaa cursed to be a rakshasa. This is the end of Ayodhya Kanda in the Ramayana story. The class did the coloring activity and got stickers. Then we played the "Rama Nama can be fun!" game and dismissed class for aarti and pledge.
Jai Shri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
