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Children are not vessels to be filled but lamps to be lit.
- Swami Chinmayananda
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Sep 22, 2024 - Grade 1 (Sunday AM)

Hari OM Dear Families,

Here is this week's update.


Week : 2
22nd Sept 2024 / 9:15AM

Shlokas-
We all chanted OM 3 times followed by  shlokas
"Om Saha Navavatu" (page 8 in My Prayers book) 
"Vakratunda Mahakaya" (page 27 in My Prayers book)
"Sarawathi namasthubhyam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
"Guru Brahma" (page 61 in My Prayers book)
 
We practiced these shlokas a couple times.

Bala Ramayanam - Our lesson.
We introduced characters- Dasaratha, Kausalya, Sumitra, Kaikeyi, Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, Shatrughna. 
Gurus- Vasistha and Viswamitra.
Place- Ayodhya

Story time - 

Dasharatha, The king of Ayodhya was a big warrior and won three worlds. He was not happy because he was not having kids . So, he goes to his guru Vasishta for the solution .  Dasharatha with advice of his Guru Vasishta performed the "putrakameshti yagna" and four princes were born. They were Rama, Bharata, Lakshmana and Shatrugna.

The four princes are growing up from toddlers to teenagers. Under the guidance of their Guru Sage Vasishta they learnt vedas, upanishads, archery and other arts of warfare. All four brothers excelled, but Rama outshone the rest. He was the ideal son and a born leader. Rama and Lakshmana  had deeper affection for each other, while Bharata bonded closely with Shatrugna. One day the powerful Sage Vishwamitra arrived at King Dasharatha's court.  Sage Vishwamitra was a brahmarishi so the king received him with reverence. After prostrating to the sage, King Dasharatha asks if there was anything he could do for him he would gladly do it. Sage Vishwamitra was performing a special yagna, but the rakshasas Subahu and Mareecha were disrupting the sacred ritual. He required Rama's help to protect the yagna as he was best qualified to deal with the powerful rakshasas. The king is shocked since Rama is not even sixteen years old, how could he fight terrible rakshasas. The king offers to go with the rishi along with his army instead of Rama. Vishwamitra's anger flared when he heard the king go back on his word. Sage Vasishta stepped in and advised the king to send Rama with the rishi. He reminded the king that by protecting the sage Rama will gain fame and glory. He asks the king to send Lakshmana to protect Rama. King Dasharatha reluctantly agrees and the two princes leave Ayodhya with Sage Vishwamitra .


Likhita japa-
Children wrote likhita japa "Sri Rama" naama for 20 times. They gained sticker rewards for their beautiful writing in a quiet atmosphere.

Coloring time-
The children colored Sri Rama and Anjaneya image, You may ask them to complete the image. (the first one in the coloring book)

Bhajan time-
We sang "ganesa saranam" Bhajan a couple times. This one we learned last session.
(Page 31, My Prayers song no: 2) Recording sent in Whatsapp group for practice.

We then assembled in the mantapa for Arthi and pledge. We sang the same ganesa bhajan in the mantapa before Arthi.

Next class on 9/29/24 (please head to class, unless there is any message)
Please wear Red color or shades of red as our house Durga daredevils color is Red. We will have house inaugural event on the 29th.
Class Rules and requirements: 

  1. Children should bring their own copy of "My prayers" book, Ramayana coloring book ( for coloring activity)  Balavihar handbook (we provided on the first session) 9/15), Notebook for likhita japa (any notebook is fine but it has to be the same one throughout), pencils and erasers and crayons. 

  2. Children may bring their own "spill proof water bottles"

  3. NO snacks please. Please give them a good breakfast before coming to Balavihar. Also make sure they use the bathroom before going into the class.

  4. Please bring the children to balavihar a few minutes before 9.15. We want to promptly start by 9.15. Please make sure the student is not late and may come latest by 9.20 and not later than that.


Links and Reminders:

  1. We will update the class blog for the parents through an email and at the parent portal - Parent Portal 2024-25 (cmnjparentportal24-25.blogspot.com)

  2.  Please refer to the Balavihar Handbook-  for the various House contests and Geeta Chanting Yagna information. (given to the kids on the first session 9/15)

  3. Please join the class WhatsApp group if you have not already-WhatsApp Group Invite


Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Hari OM
Indira Bhaskar and Vidhya Aiyer
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