Hari Om Dear Parents,
Here is the update from todays' class.
Week 11. Dec 17th 2021
We started our class with Likhita Japa 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.
We continued with the Ramayana Story.
Ramayana Story – Kishkindha Khanda
After a long walk, Rama and Lakshmana reached the Rishyamukha mountain to meet Sugriva. Sugriva had a brother Vali, the king of Kishkindha. They were once good friends. This changed when they went to fight with a giant. The giant ran into a cave and Vali followed him, asking Sugriva to wait outside. Sugriva waited for a long time and then returned to the palace in grief, thinking that Vali was killed. He had closed the mouth of the cave with a large rock to prevent the giant from escaping. He then became the king upon the request of the minister. After sometime, Vali suddenly appeared. He was mad with Sugriva and blamed him to be a cheater. Vali was strong. He drove Sugriva out of his kingdom and took away his wife. Ever since, Sugriva had been living in the Rishyamukha mountain, which was out of bounds for Vali because of a Rishi's curse.
On seeing Rama and Lakshmana from a distance, and not knowing the purpose of their visit, Sugriva sent his close friend Hanuman to find out their identity. Hanuman, disguised as an ascetic, came to Rama and Lakshmana. The brothers told Hanuman of their intention to meet Sugriva because they wanted his help to find Sita. Hanuman was impressed by their courteous behavior and removed his garb. Then he carried the princes on his shoulder to Sugriva. There Hanuman introduced the brothers and narrated their story. He then told Sugriva of their intention to come to him.
In return, Sugriva told his story and sought help from Rama to kill Vali, otherwise, he could not help even if he wanted to. Rama agreed. Hanuman then kindled a fire to bear witness to the alliance made.
In due course, Vali was killed and Sugriva became the king of Kishkindha. Vali while dying declared that he could have helped Rama defeat Ravana but Rama stated that he would not seek the help of the unrighteous even for a just cause. Soon after Sugriva took over the kingdom of Vali, he ordered his army to proceed in the search of Sita.
Rama specially called Hanuman and gave his ring saying, "If any one finds Sita, it will be you Hanuman. Keep this ring to prove your identity as my messenger. Give it to Sita when you meet her." Hanuman most respectfully tied up the ring to his waist and joined the search party.
We further discussed our monthly program with kids to get some ideas on the subject for the play. We collected some ideas and plan to consolidate it to initiate the practice starting Jan 2022
We concluded the class with Geeta Chanting, Closing Prayers. We dispersed early to watch the Ninth Grade Monthly program / Play.
Wishing you all a very happy Holidays and wonderful new year.
Our Next class: Jan 7th 2022.
Thanks and Hari Om
Purnima and Shankar