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 , " Kara Charana Krutam va " and bhajans on Ganesha , Atama Rama and Sharade . Some kids are able to do all shlokas and bhajan . Parents make them practice all shlokas and bhajan.
Story time :
The children shared a quick recap of the Ramayana story . As the brothers approach Rishyamukha Hill they are seen by Sugreeva and his faithful followers. Growing suspicious that they were spies, Sugreeva sends his wise minister Hanuman to find out their purpose. Hanuman disguises himself as a brahmin and approaches the brothers. He offers his pranams to them and asks them what they were doing in the forest. Lord Rama introduces himself and explains the sad circumstances that had them looking for King Sugreeva. Upon hearing Lord Rama's name, Hanuman immediately regains his vaanara form. Delighted at seeing Bhagawan, Hanuman gave them all the information about himself. Lord Rama noticed that inspite of being a vaanara, Hanuman had an eloquence and bearing of a wise man. Hanuman placed the brothers on both his shoulders and brought them before King Sugreeva. On learning that they were the royal sons of King Dasharata, Sugreeva warmly welcomed them. This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Sugreeva narrates the story of his brother, Vaali, the king of the vaanaras. Vaali was brave and immensely strong. Dundubhi, a rakshasa, challenged Vaali to a fight. Vaali killed him and flung his body many miles away. Few drops of blood fell on Rishi Matanga, who cursed that Vaali would meet his death on Rishyamukha mountain. Dundubhi's brother Mayavi, to avenge his brother, challenged Baali to a fight. Midway during the fight Mayavi ran into a cave, followed by Baali, who asked Sugreeva to guard the entrance. After a while, Sugriva hears a scream and sees blood come out of the cave. Presuming that Vaali was dead, Sugriva seals the cave with a large boulder to prevent Mayavi from coming out. Sugriva returns to Kishkinda with the sad news and is crowned the new king. A few days later, Vaali turns up and is furious to see Sugriva on the throne. He banishes Sugriva and his followers from Kishkinda. Sugiva decides to reside in Rishyamukha mountain, knowing that Vaali would never set foot there. We discussed the difference between Lord Rama and Bharata's brotherly love versus Baali and Sugiva's enemity. We spoke about how Lord Rama gave up the throne for Bharata and how Bharata out of respecct refused to become king of Ayodhya. In contrast, Baali's haste, his anger and Sugriva's desire for the throne caused the strife between them. Sugriva told Lord Rama that a few vaanaras saw a rakshasa carrying a lady flying across the sky. The lady was crying for help and threw a bundle down. Sugriva presented the bundle to Lord Rama, who recognized Sita's jewels in it. Sugriva promised to help find Sita and Lord Rama promised to help Sugriva get back his throne. The next day Sugriva challenged Baali to a duel, while Lord Rama hid behind a tree. As the brothers fought, Lord Rama could not tell them apart. Sugriva runs away to save his life and Lord Rama explains why he could not kill Baali. The following day, Sugriva wears a garland and challenges Vaali to fight again. This time Lord Rama has no problem identifying Baali and kills him with a well aimed arrow. Victorious Sugriva returns to Kishkinda and is crowned king of the vaanaras. We spoke about how Lord Rama kept his word and helped his friend . Now, We paused the story , did the pledge and ended the class .
Regards ,
Jayashree and Uma