Here is this week's update.
After the joyous celebrations, as Rama and his entourage were en route to Ayodhya, Sage Parasurama came up to Rama and challenged him to lift and string Vishnu's divine bow. Seeing the ease with which Rama took the bow, the Sage realized he was Vishnu himself and surrendered himself humbly to Rama.
The newlyweds arrive back in Ayodhya and are given a special welcome by everyone. King Dasharatha announces Rama's coronation and Ayodhya begins the celebration. The evil maid Manthara sows the poisonous seed in the mind of Kaikeyi. Queen Kaikeyi asks her boon to make Bharata the king and banish Rama to the forest for 14 years. The story takes a sad turn when Rama pledges his word to his father and along with Sita and Lakshmana sets out to the forest. On their journey, Guha the boatman, helps them cross river Ganga. Sage Bharadwaja offers them refuge and they build their ashrama in the beautiful Chitrakoota mountain. Meanwhile, Bharata and Shatrughna return to Ayodhya and learn of their father's death. Bharata refuses the crown and vows to bring back Rama from the forest. On Rama's track, Bharata reaches Ramashrama and gives him the sad news. He pleads with Rama to return to Ayodhya, but Rama refuses.. Bharata returns to Ayodhya with Lord Rama's padukas, while Rama, Sita and Lakshmana leave Chitrakoota. They journey to the interior of Dandaka forest meeting and getting blessings from many sages and destroying Rakshasas who were bothering the sages.
Likhita japa
This year Swami Shantananda ji's Sampoorna Ramayana Yajna will happen between Dec 7th and Dec 13th. We would like all children to write Rama (राम) Japa before the Yajna is over. This will earn them 200 House points (5 points for every 25 times) and those who submit before Dec 13 will get a bonus 100 points. All children who complete can come to the Yajna and pick up a participation prize. Please write your name, grade, session and House on all pages so we can keep track. You can write on loose leaf paper.
Adults can also participate and submit the Likhita Japa.
Please register here. (both kids and adults)
Ramayan katha and radha kalyanam-
We would like to encourage all families to attend the Ramayan Katha from Dec 7th to 13th and Radha Kalyanam on Dec 14th and 15th.
Gita Time
Today we saw the gita video chapter 5 for this year with swamiji's message and verse 1.
BG5 - Balavihar Message - Prelude - V1 (youtube.com)
Bhajan time-
We learned action bhajan "Khate Bhi ram Kaho" (My prayers book page 145, we learned the second and the third verses with action) We also practiced Ganesa charanam song. (My prayers page 31)
Please practice these bhajanas at home.
We then proceded to the Mantapa for the arati.
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.
Children may bring their own "spill proof water bottles"
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.
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:
Please join the class WhatsApp group if you have not already-
https://chat.whatsapp.com/IAbzyq5I0ioF7FF6Cr85J0
