Hari Om! Parents,
It was nice to see all our Grade 1 children back from spring break! Class began with deep breathing, Om chanting and opening prayers. After chanting all the Rama shlokas, the class chanted all seven daily prayers (My Prayers Book pg.11) and Guru Stotram (Balavihar Handbook pg.24). We then reviewed Verses 1-16 of the Bhagavad Geeta (Balavihar Handbook pg.15).
Grade 1 welcomed Adithi, a JCHYK, to join our class for sometime today. Adithi Didi read to the class a few stories from the Ramayana. Ravana has given orders to prepare for battle. His grandfather, Malyavan, was a wise old rakshasa. Malyavan tried to advice Ravana to make peace with Lord Rama. He reminded Ravana that Lord Rama was an avatar of Bhagawan Vishnu and told him not to underestimate Bhagawan's strength. This angered Ravana, who dismissed his grandfather and once again refused to give up Sita. We discussed how Ravana's pride stopped him from accepting good advice even from his near and dear ones. Prahasta was posted to guard the East gate, where Neela led the vaanaras. Angada faced Mahaparshva and Mahodara at the South gate. Sugriva, Jambavan were to battle Viroopaksha at the center gate. Hanuman led the vaanaras against Indrajit at the West gate. Lord Rama with Lakshmana led the vaanara army to the North gate, where Ravana had stationed himself . As the vaanara army surveyed the mighty fortress of Lanka, Sugriva took a leap into the palace and attacked Ravana. They both wrestled but neither could defeat the other. Sugriva kicked Ravana in the chest and flew back to Lord Rama. Angada was was sent to Ravana to deliver a warning that Ravana must return Sita immediately if he valued his life. When Angada delivered the message, the enraged Ravana gave orders to kill him. The strong Angada escaped from the rakshasas and broke the turrets of Ravana's palace. This was a bad omen and the end of the rakshasa race was to come soon. King Ravana surveyed the enemy from his observation tower. His spies pointed out Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman, Sugriva and all the important warriors in the vaanara army. Ravana thought of a wicked plan to deceive Sita into surrendering to him and avoiding war with Lord Rama. He asked his sorcerer, Vidyutjihva, to make a magic head of Lord Rama. Ravana then approached Sita and showed her the head claiming to have killed Lord Rama. Sita was fooled by the magic and wept bitterly thinking her Lord had forsaken her. Just then Ravana's generals told him he was wanted in the council hall as the enemy had started battle. As soon as Ravana left, the magic head of Lord Rama disappeared in a smoke. Ravana's presence was needed for the magic to work. Sita was confused but relieved that it was just a trick. One of the good rakshasis named Samara consoled Sita that no harm would come to her lord. With trumpets blaring, Lord Rama gave the signal for the vaanara army to attack.The vaanaras shouted "Jai Shri Rama!", "Victory to Rama!" and "Long live Rama!". When Sita heard this sound she felt hopeful and her spirits rose. We paused here to complete the Lanka Kanda of the Ramayana story.
Adithi Didi played a Quizlet with the class. It was a good review of the story that was covered up until now. There were a few trick questions, but all the children got the right answers! We were happy to see they were attentive and recalled the Ramayana characters so well. After saying our thank yous and goodbyes to Didi, the children chanted Shaanti Mantras, then saying the Pledge we ended the class. Your child can color to lesson 31 in their Ramayana Coloring Book and share it with us on WhatsApp.
Jai Shri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
