Hari Om Parents,
Please find the summary of the 2/14 class below. Sorry for the delay in sending the update for this week.
After reciting the 'opening prayers', Hanuman Dhyana Shlokas and 'Rama nama japa', we chanted the whole Chalisa and repeated first 20 couple times. Please help the kids memorize the shlokas at home.
Kids are getting better with using the japa mala whiel doing the japa.
Topic of the day: "Shri Hanuman, The Missionary"
As part of this, We then went over the meanings and the supporting commentary for the 19th caupai:
9th Caupai: Prabhu Mudrika meli mukha mahim….
Meaning: Holding Lord's ( Rama's) ring in your mouth, you flew over the ocean, which is no wonder ( as you are capable of achieving anything
· This Caupai provided us an opportunity to go over couple of stories from Ramayana where fearlessness brings success. One story is when Hanumanji become fearless by chanting Lord's name and crosses the vast ocean. Tulasidas says in this caupai that this act of Hanumanji is no wonder. Anything can be accomplished with devotion, fearlessness and having full faith in the lord.
· The second story we reviewed is how the monkeys were able to build a floating rock bride over the ocean by writing Rama's name on the stones and chanting the lord's name as they worked. Hanumanji told Rama " Bhagavan, when you hold our hands, we can do anything but when you leave us, we sink to the bottom. This is the power of chanting Rama nama.
· We also went over the tale of what lead Hanumanji to take up the task of crossing the ocean to find sita ji. As we reviewed this, we talked about how the search began when Sugriva sends groups of monkeys in all directions in search of sita ji. The group that went in the direction of South had Hanmanji, Neel, Angad and Jambavanth. When they reach the ocean, they all get disappointed for not finding Sitaji. But they didn't want to return back without finding her. When a Vulture, Sampati ( brother of Jatayu) helps them by telling that he had seen a huge rakshasa flying across the ocean, clutching a tearful woman. He also, with his far sight sees Sita ji in Lanka. The monkeys were overjoyed to hear that Sitaji was alive. Hanuman ji was chosen for the task of crossing the ocean to see Sita Ji. Hanumanji knew that when Rama nama is on his lips, he would be able to accomplish anything, regardless of how difficult and impossible the task seemed.
We had some quiz and knowledge check games for kids to hp them recall the story of Ramayana, the character names, relationships and content.
As homework, We also asked kids to think of Rama before they eat every day. Please help kids remember that and emphasize at home the benefits of chanting lord's name.
We wrapped up the class after the closing prayers.
Regards,
Mythili and Madhuri
