Hari Om! Parents,
Class began with deep breathing and Om chanting, followed by opening prayers and three Sri Rama shlokas. Next the class chanted the first three and the last verse of Guru Stotram (Balavihar Handbook pg. 24) and also the six daily prayers. The children learnt "Karacharana" shloka (My Prayers Book pg.11), which is chanted before going to sleep at night. We discussed the importance of owning up to our wrong actions. At the end of the day we are asking Lord Shiva to forgive our mistakes committed both intentionally and unintentionally. Your child must practice all the shlokas regularly. 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 your reference: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVaQ1AsTFVEK4MvW4zOX3dd7ct-7nFwWC
The class checked their India maps and marked Lord Rama's journey to different locations. The children took turns narrating a quick recap of the story. Aranya Kanda continues with the injured Soorpanakha running back to her brothers, Khara and Dooshana. She told them how she had lost her nose and ears and demanded that her brothers do something about it. Khara sent his best generals to battle but Lord Rama single-handedly killed them all. Next Khara, Dooshana along with Trisiras and an army mounted an attacked. They were no match to Lord Rama and his Kodanda bow. Lord Rama used his Brahmastra and they all perished. The Devas declared victory and the rishis blessed Lord Rama. The balance of good was finally restored in the Dandaka forest. One rakshasa from the army, named Akampana, escaped and reached Lanka. The powerful King Ravana was holding court in his palace. Akampana brought him the sad news that his brothers Khara and Dooshana were killed. Ravana was furious and vowed to destroy the men responsible. Akampana suggests since Lord Rama is not an ordinary man, that Ravana plan his revenge more carefully. King Ravana sets out to meet Mareecha, who has given up his evil ways and become an ascetic. Ravana tells him that several powerful rakshasas were killed by Lord Rama and that he has a plan for revenge. Mareecha had learnt his lesson at Sage Vishwamitra's yagna and he warns Ravana not to provoke Lord Rama. Mareecha appealed to Ravana's sense of reason and convinced him to return to Lanka. However, the next day Soorpanakha rushes in and shows King Ravana her injuries. She cleverly narrated a different story that she wanted to capture the beautiful Sita for Ravana. She demanded that, as her brother, Ravana must take revenge for the insult done to her. King Ravana promised Soorpanakha that Lord Rama would pay the price and went back to Mareecha's ashrama. He tells Mareecha of his decision to put an end to Lord Rama. Ravana demands that Mareecha with his magical powers change into a golden deer. Once Lord Rama and Lakshmana are distracted by the deer, Ravana would carry away Sita. Mareecha could not disobey his king and agrees to the plan. They got into the aerial chariot and headed towards Dandaka forest.
The class did their colouring activity (Lesson 14,15,16) next. The children played a game of "Zip, Zap, Zop" with all the characters in the Ramayana story and dismissed for aarthi and pledge. Reminders for Balavihar Houses Contests were sent to the class WhatsApp group. Registrations are open at chinmayavrindavan.org website.
Jai Shri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
