Hari Om Parents !
We started the class by chanting three Om's , Sahana Vavathu, followed by Vakrathunda Mahakaya shloka . Next , we chanted daily prayers Karaagre vasate, Samudra Vasane devi , Gangecha Yamune chaiyva , SriRama Raamethi and two bhajans on Ganesha and Sharade . Children started to learn new shloka " Kara Charana Krutam vaa " . Some kids are able to do all shlokas and bhajan. Kids who are not able to chant parents make them practice all shlokas.
Story time :
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. He picks up his weapons and swears to destroy everything. Lakshmana calms him down, reminding him that it is not fair to punish everyone for one person's mistake. 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 passed 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. They would find Sugreeva and his army on Rishyamukha Hill near the river Pampa and he could help find Sita.
Following the advice of Kabandha, Lord Rama and Lakshmana follow the river Pampa and reach the ashram of Sage Matanga. They are welcomed by an old tapasvini, Shabari, who was Rishi Matanga's disciple. Shabari has been patiently waiting several years for the arrival of Lord Rama. Everyday she would clean the ashram and collect berries for Lord Rama. Shabari would taste the fruit and only pick the sweetest ones. Upon Lord Rama's arrival, Shabari offers him these bitten fruit. Lakshmana refuses to eat them, but Lord Rama enjoys them. We spoke about how Bhagawan only sees the love and devotion in Shabari's action. Refreshed after their rest, Lord Rama and Lakshmana left Shabari and continued towards Rishyamukha Hill .
We paused the Ramayana story here and joined 8th grade monthly program Zoom .
Regards ,
Jayashree & Uma