Hari OM Dear Families,
Here is this week's update.
Story time-
The Beginning of aaranya Kaanda-
Rama, Lakshamana, and Sita decided to leave Chitrakoota and traveled deeper into the Dandaka forest. They proceeded to the hermitage of Rishi Atri and his wife Anasuuya, who welcomed them and allowed them to stay for the night. The next day, the brothers and Sita took Rishi Atri's blessings and traveled further into the forest after enquiring about a suitable location to build their own ashram. As they entered deeper into the forest, which was a very fearsome part of Dandaka, they came across a Rakshasa named Viraadha who had four lion heads, three tiger heads, and one elephant head strung on his spear. He reached out and grabbed Sita, carrying her on his shoulder. So, Rama and Lakshmana shot arrows and killed the Rakshasa, who transformed into a Gandharva.
Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent ten years visiting sages and seeking their blessings in the Dandaka Forest. Moving from ashrama to ashrama, Lord Rama and Lakshmana restore peace by destroying rakshasas who troubled the rishis. However, Sita does not like them carrying weapons and requests Lord Rama to give up the violence. Lord Rama explains to her that the foremost dharma or duty of a Kshatriya is to protect. He reminds her that by defeating evil rakshasas he is protecting the good rishis. Soon they arrive at Sage Agastya's ashrama. Sage Agastya was an authority on Vedic scriptures and a master of military tactics. He is said to have lowered the Vindhya Mountain which separated northern and southern parts of India. There is another story depicting how great Sage Agastya was. Two rakshasa brothers, Vataapi and Ilvala, aimed to destroy all the rishis. Vataapi had a boon from Lord Brahmaji that no matter how many pieces his body was cut up, it could be joined back together again. Ilvala would invite a rishi for a meal, cut up Vaatapi to prepare the meal, and serve it to the rishi. After the meal Ilvala would cry out, "Vaatapi come out." and Vaatapi would step out tearing open the rishi. Many unsuspecting rishis were cruelly killed in this manner. One day it was Sage Agastya who got Ilvala's invitation for a meal. When the meal was over, Sage Agastya digested Vaatapi and Ilvala could not call him out. The enraged Ilvala attacked Sage Agastya but was reduced to ashes by the rishi's powerful gaze. When Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana arrive at his ashrama, Sage Agastya gives them a warm welcome. He then advises them to spend the rest of the exile in nearby Panchavati. The sage gives Lord Rama the Vishnu bow, quivers of arrows and two swords. Arriving at the beautiful Panchavati, they chose a place with abundant fruits and roots. They see a huge vulture on a nearby tree. The bird is Jatayu, a relative of Garuda who is Lord Vishnu's vehicle. Jatayu is a friend of King Dasharata and promises to protect Sita. Soon Lakshmana builds a little cottage on the banks of the river Godavari. One day they were approached by a heavily built, ugly woman, who was dressed in royal garments. She was Soorpanakha, and introduced herself as Ravana's sister and daughter of the famous Sage Vishrava. Lord Rama introduced himself, Sita and Lakshmana. Soorpanakha was immediately smitten by him and asked him to marry her. Lord Rama explained that he was already married and that maybe Lakshmana would be a better match for her. Soorpanakha approaches Lakshmana who immediately rejects her. Sita watches the happenings and this angers soorpanakha, and she rushes towards sita to kill her. But Lakshmana, in a split second, draws his sword and cuts off Soorpanakha's nose and ears. Howling with pain and terror, Soorpanakha runs away into the forest.
We Practiced for our class presentation. The video sent already in whatsapp group for the children to practice at home. The shloka audio and the other bhajan sequence will soon be sent in Whatsapp group for the children to practice.
Gita- we learned the gita verses 4 and 5 from chapter 5.
We practiced verse 4 only today, will work on verse 5 next session.
We had Parent- Teacher meeting regarding class presentation on stage and the next big event Chinmaya Vrindavan Surabhi, a fund raiser event which has our Swamiji's discourse on Ramayana followed by Radha Kalyana Mahotsav starting from Dec 7th until Dec 15th. We invite all our class families to take part, sponsor and get blessings of the Lord, Gurudev and our Swamiji.
The details given in the WhatsApp group.
While the parents were involved in the meeeting, the children were engaged in the coloring activity, gaining sticker rewards.
Homework - Sheets are given to write RAMA naama as part of likhita japa activity. Please return the written sheets by next class. (Please write full page, either side, no fixed number limit, please write as many times the paper could hold.)
We then proceeded to the Mantapa for arti.
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), 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
