Hari Om Dear Parents,
Here is the update from todays' class.
Week 10. Dec 10th 2021
We started our class with Likhita Japa "Om Namah Shivaya" and opening prayers. We chanted Dhyana slokas led by a youth. As in the last class we used Naama Ramayanam chanting and the meaning of the same to recap Aranya kandam portion we covered in the last Class.
Ramayana Story – Aranya Khanda Continued:
Rama felt distressed when he saw Lakshmana. "Why did you leave Sita alone? The golden deer was Maricha in disguise. "
Lakshman tried to explain the situation when both the brothers suspected foul play and ran towards the cottage. The cottage was empty, as they feared. They searched, and called out her name but all in vain. Finally they were exhausted. Lakshmana tried to console Rama as best as he could. Suddenly they heard a cry. They ran towards the source and found a wounded eagle lying on the ground. It was Jatayu, the king of eagles and a friend of Dasharatha.
Jatayu narrated with great pain, "I saw Ravana abducting Sita. I attacked him when Ravana cut my wing and made me helpless. Then he flew towards the south." After saying this, Jatayu died on the lap of Rama. Rama and Lakshmana buried Jatayu and then moved towards the south.
On their way, Rama and Lakshmana met a ferocious demon, called Kabandha. Kabandha attacked Rama and Lakshmana. When he was about to devour them, Rama struck Kabandha with a fatal arrow. Before his death, Kabandh disclosed his identity. He had a beautiful form which was changed by a curse to the form of a monster. Kabandha requested Rama and Lakshmana to burn him into ashes and that will bring him back to the old form. He also advised Rama to go to the monkey king Sugriva, who lived in the Rishyamukha mountain, to get help in regaining Sita.
On his way to meet Sugriva, Rama visited the hermitage of an old pious woman, Shabari. She was waiting for Rama for a long time before she could give up her body. When Rama and Lakshmana made their appearance, Shabari's dream was fulfilled. She washed their feet, offered them the best nuts and fruits that she collected for years. Then she took Rama's blessings and departed for heaven.
We discussed lessons learned from King Dasharatha Character using the interactive Sticky note template.
We concluded the class with Geeta Chanting, Closing Prayers and Pledge
Next Class : Dec 17th.
Thanks and Hari Om
Purnima and Shankar