Hari Om! Parents,
The class began with deep breathing and Om chanting, "Sahanaa Vavatu" and three Sri Rama shlokas. The class chanted all seven daily prayers (My Prayers Book pg.11). Next we chanted the first three and last verse of the Guru Stotram (Balavihar Handbook). Class practiced verses 1-16 of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1. We would like to share a video link that will help your child with the pronunciation:- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n_c_sj4YzA79ikqmGwHXYcS2lVh3SnLx/view?usp=sharing
Reminder: The last day to register for Gita Chanting Yagna is March 22nd. Registration for Shlokathon ends March 25th.
Sundara Kanda of the Ramayana story continues with Hanuman after meeting Sita, is determined to strike terror into Ravana's heart. He became a fierce looking vaanara and roared to the heavens. He began eating fruits from the garden and destroying Ashoka Vatika. The frightened rakshasis reported to Ravana, who sent his guards to capture the mischievous monkey. Hanuman saw the approaching rakshasas and increasing his size, plucked trees. Flinging the trees like weapons he reduced the rakshasa army to dust. Next the powerful rakshasa, Jambumali, was sent to kill the vaanara. Hanuman roared "Long live Rama!" and seizing a pillar from a temple smashed the rakshasa. Next Ravana sent one of his sons, Aksha, who met the same fate. Enraged with sorrow, Ravana looked to his favorite son, Indrajit. Having defeated Indra himself, Indrajit had also performed severe tapas and won the Brahmastra. Hanuman faced Indrajit and after a fierce battle was struck by the Brahmastra. Bound and helpless, Hanuman was dragged to Ravana's court. The rakshasas insulted Hanuman and jeered at him. Hanuman did not break his bonds, but welcomed the opportunity to speak to Ravana and deliver Lord Rama's message. At the court, Ravana sat on his splendid throne with his eyes blazing with anger. He roared at the mere vaanara who had killed so many brave warriors. He demanded to know who Hanuman was and what was his purpose in Lanka. Hanuman stood tall and defiant, and introduced himself with dignity as Lord Rama's messenger. He told Ravana it was not too late to return Sita and ask Lord Rama's forgiveness. He reminded Ravana that once Lord Rama advances with his army, all of Lanka would be doomed. Hanuman asked Ravana to choose peace instead of war. This enraged Ravana, who ordered the vaanara to be killed. Vibheeshana, the wise younger brother of Ravana, immediately pointed out that it was a against the law to kill a peaceful messenger. Ravana decided to punish Hanuman by setting his tail on fire. The rakshasas began wrapping the tail with rags, but it began to grow. When it had grown to a considerable size, they dipped it in oil and set the tail on fire. Hanuman was paraded around the streets of Lanka and insulted by the rakshasas. The news reached Sita in Ashoka Vatika, who prayed to the Fire God, Agni, not to burn Hanuman. With Sita's chaste prayer along with the boon of being deathless and protected from all elements, Hanuman did not feel the heat. He felt it was time to teach the rakshasas another lesson. Shrinking in size, he got out of the bonds and escaped. Taking on his mighty form, Hanuman jumped from building to building, setting them on fire. With yells of Jai Shri Ram, Hanuman set Lanka ablaze and filled everyone's heart with terror. Soon he went to the seashore and put out the fire in his tail. Returning to Ashoka Vatika to make sure Sita was safe, Hanuman took her blessings and left Lanka to report to Lord Rama. Without resting Hanuman streaked across the sky and reached the vaanaras waiting for him. All his friends welcomed him back and embraced him with joy. The decision was made to share the good news with Lord Rama immediately and the vaanaras rushed back towards Kishkinda.
The children did the coloring activity in their Coloring Book. We played a Girls vs Boys Ramayana Quiz, and the boys won!
Class ended with closing prayers and pledge.
Jai Shri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
