Hari OM Dear Families,
Here is this week's update.
We Practiced the "talking part" of the presentation. A kind and genuine request to all parents to give them practice with the shlokas, both bhajans and the talking part. Please make the children memorize everything. The little talking bits are written in their notebooks. Please make them chant, sing and talk - all together.
The action bhajan video was sent already in whatsapp group for the children to practice at home. The shloka audio and the other bhajan sequence were also sent in Whatsapp group for the children to practice.
Please reach out on whatsapp if you don't see the sequence to be practiced or you have any questions.
Gita- we learned the gita verses 8 and 9 from chapter 5.
Please play the videos and show it to the children, they can practice. The playlist is linked in the description box of our class whatsapp. We have to memorize verses until 16 for our grade level.
Story time-
Maricha, as a golden deer catching Sita's attention and she wants it as her pet. Rama agrees to capture it for her and asks Lakshmana to guard Sita. He then follows the deer deep into the forest. In the forest Rama realizes the deer is not an ordinary one. He shoots it with his arrow and Maricha emerges. Before dying he disguises his voice as Rama and calls out to Lakshmana for help . Sita and Lakshmana are waiting for Rama's return, when they hear his voice call out for help from the forest. Sita is very worried and sends Lakshmana to help his brother. Reluctantly Lakshmana leaves after warning Sita to stay in the ashram and not talk to strangers. Ravana in disguise as a sadhu comes to the ashram and begs Sita for food. She steps out to give the bhiksha and is carried away forcefully. Ravana's trick had worked and he took away Sita in his flying chariot. However, brave Jatayu confronts them and fights to rescue Sita. Ravana cuts off the wings, and Jatayu falls down hurt.
It is a sad day at Panchavati when Lord Rama and Lakshmana return to the ashram and Sita is missing. Lord Rama breaks down into tears, but as he realizes the trick played on him, the sorrow turns to anger. The brothers decide to look for the evil rakshasa responsible and to rescue Sita. They follow footprints, broken parts of a chariot and come upon the injured Jataayu. The bird is fast approaching death, but tells Lord Rama all that had occurred. He tells Lord Rama that Ravana took Sita towards the south. Jataayu asks forgiveness for not being able to help Sita. Lord Rama pacifies the eagle king, who breathes his last. Lord Rama and Lakshmana resume their search southward for Sita.
As they pass through the forest, they are suddenly seized by a creature. It had no legs or head, only a mouth with sharp teeth in the stomach and one red eye. It had two arms to capture prey. This was the monster, Kabandha, who was cursed for frightening a rishi to remain in a grotesque form. In a second, both brothers drew their swords and chopped the arms away. Kabandha was liberated from his curse and advised the brothers to go to the vaanara King Sugreeva.
Characters introduced- jatayu, kabandha, sugreeva and hanuman.
Likhita japa papers are dropped off at the dedicated box for collection, kept in the lobby. We will continue doing this activity in the new years as well. This brings our house- durga darevils more points.
We concluded the session with the Pledge in our class as the mantapa was busy with geeta parayanam.
Happy Holidays and happy new years to all families. Enjoy the break and stay warm.
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
