Hari OM Dear Families,
Here is this week's update.
Week: 25
May 11th 2025 / 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)
"Buddhir balam" (page 152 in My Prayers book)
Today being Mother's Day, each child was excited to share how they celebrated the special day!
Story – By Navneet (JCHYK)
Today Navneet bhaiyaa from Grade 10th came to our class during story time. We revisited the Lanka story.
Brief version of the story.
There are several beautiful queens and princesses in Ravana's palace and Hanuman knows Sita could not be living happily among them. Finally, after searching the gardens he finds Sita in Ashoka Vatika. She is surrounded by rakshasis, looking sad and is chanting Rama's name. After introducing himself, he gives her Rama's ring. Sita is very happy to get Rama's message and asks Hanuman to go back and bring Rama to rescue her from Lanka. She also gives Hanuman her hair pin. Taking the jewel and Sita's blessings, Hanuman promises to be back soon with Rama.
After leaving Sita, Hanuman changed his form into a huge vaanara. He began trampling flowerbeds, uprooting trees and soon completely destroyed Ashoka Vatika. The rakshasis were terrified and ran to Ravana with the news. Ravana sent his rakshasa army led by Jambumali, son of Prahasta, the commander-in-chief of Lanka and his son Akshayakumara to capture Hanuman, but they were both defeated in the battle. Next Ravana sent his favourite son, Indrajit, who was born Meghnaad and was named thus after defeating Indra. He was a brave warrior, and he used the Brahmastra on Hanuman. Hanuman surrendered knowing that because of Brahmaji's boon no weapon would harm him.The astra bound Hanuman like chains and he was dragged off to Ravana's court. Ravana's anger increased when he saw that Hanuman was just a vaanara. Brave Hanuman introduced himself as Lord Rama's messenger and asked Ravana to return Sita and avoid war. He wanted Ravana to choose peace and save the people of Lanka. Ravana was so angry on hearing this that he ordered Hanuman to be killed. However, Vibeeshana, Ravana's brother objected to this, saying it was against law to kill a messenger. Next Ravana ordered Hanuman's tail to be set on fire to teach him a lesson. As the rakshasas bound Hanuman's tail with oil-dipped rags, the tail grew in size. The rakshasa were so exhausted and finally managed to set the tail on fire. The fire did not harm Hanuman who had the blessings of Sitaji, Vayu and Agni devas. With a shrug Hanuman escaped from the rakshasas and started burning Lanka one building at a time. After he had terrorized everyone, Hanuman dipped his fiery tail in the ocean. Shouting "Jai Shri Ram" Hanuman took a mighty leap and flew back towards the vaanara army. They welcomed him with cheers and decided to immediately report to Lord Rama.
Game Time: We played scavenger hunt in the classroom and the kids pretended to be Hanuman ji and kept looking for the items.
Next, we played memory games. Kids did an awesome job.
We then headed to the temple to perform Guru Paduka pooja on occasion of Gurudev Jayanthi.
Next class on 5/18/2025
(please head to class, unless there is any message)
Class Rules and requirements:
- 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.
We kindly ask all children to please bring coloring book and colors (crayons or color pencils) every session.
Please also bring your handbook and my prayer book to balavihar every session
Links and Reminders:
Please join the class WhatsApp group if you have not already-
https://chat.whatsapp.com/IAbzyq5I0ioF7FF6Cr85J0
Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Hari OM
Indira Bhaskar and Vidhya Aiyer
