Hari Om! Parents,
Sri Rama Navami wishes to all Grade 1 families!
Our class began with deep breathing and Om chanting to calm our minds down. We chanted opening prayers "Sahanaa Vavatu". The class chanted these three Sri Rama shlokas: "Sri Rama Rama Rameti", " Rama ya Ramabhadraya" and "Nilambuja Shyamala Komalangam". The children took turns one by one to chant all the daily prayers (My Prayers Book pg.11 and 12). The class also chanted the first three and last verse of the Guru Stotram (Balavihar Handbook pg. 24 and 26 ) The class then practiced chanting verses 1-16 of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 1 (Balavihar Handbook pg. 15 through 16). Please refer to the link on the Parent Whats App group to help your child with Gita practice. The class learnt the second half of "Atma Nivasi Ram" bhajan and also its meaning.
While many did an awesome job chanting, a few children are still confused or not confident about when to chant the Daily Prayers. We reminded them in class, but also sharing that information again with you.
"Karagre Vasate" - When we wake up, look at our hands and chant.
"Samudra Vasane" - Before touching the floor. Apologize to Mother Earth for stepping on her.
"Gange cha" - During Bath. Names of holy rivers in India.
"Sarawathi Namastubhyam" - Before going to school. Ask for success in studies.
"Brahmarpanam" - Before meals. Praying for food to nourish our body.
"Shubham Karoti" - Before evening lights are lit for Bhagawan. Praying for the auspicious light to destroy bad thoughts.
"Kara Charana Kritam Vak" - Bedtime prayer. Asking Lord Shiva's forgiveness for wrongful actions and harmful thinking.
Keep up practicing with them everyday and soon they will all be comfortable chanting all the shlokas!
We had asked the children to review their Ramayana Coloring book and prepare questions for their classmates. We had a lively Ramayana story review with the children 'quizzing' each other. After the review quiz we spoke about Sri Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama. It was surprising that many children already knew about it.
We paused the Ramayana story time this week to celebrate Sri Rama Navami. We will continue to Lanka Kanda in the next class. The children watched a You Tube video of the story of King Dasharatha performing 'putra kameshti yagna' and the birth of Lord Rama. The children listened to a 'Rama Nama' bhajan while making a virtual birthday card for Lord Rama. Then we all sang 'Happy Birthday" to baby Rama. Class ended with shaanthi mantra and pledge (Balavihar Handbook pg. 30 and 31). Thank you to those who have been sharing their child's coloring pages on WhatsApp. Your child can go through Lessons 1-31 and finish them for homework. Ask them to describe what scene from Ramayana they are coloring.
Jai Sri Ram!
- Rashmi and Uma
Here is a picture of the Grade 1 birthday card to Lord Rama and the link to the Rama Nama bhajan for you to enjoy:-
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/hZch8NXQa5A
