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 " . Kids are learning new Rama shloka "Neelam bhuja shyamala komalangam " and a bhajan with actions " Kaathe bhi Ram kaho " .
Story time :
The vaanaras who went to south returned to Kishkinda. Delighted at the success of their mission, they began celebrating. They ate, drank and played in happiness. When King Sugriva heard of this, he sent for them immediately. Soon Hanuman, Jambavan led the vaanaras before Sugriva and Lord Rama, who welcomed them eagerly. When Lord Rama asked them what happened, each of the vaanaras began talking about their own exploits. Jambavan silenced them all and asked Hanuman to narrate the story. We discussed how humble Hanuman did not brag inspite of being the person solely responsible for the success of the mission. Hanuman prostrated before Lord Rama and told him about all that happened. He then presented Lord Rama with Sita's jewel and conveyed her message. Everyone were wonderstruck at Hanuman's almost impossible achievements. Lord Rama overwhelmed with emotion hugged Hanuman and thanked him. We spoke about how Hanuman felt all his insults, pain and suffering melt away when Bhagwan touched him and blessed him. Lord Rama asked King Sugriva to order the vaanara army to begin the march towards Lanka. Soon they reached the seashore and set up camp. Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Sugriva, Hanuman and few powerful vaanaras sat down to discuss a plan to cross the mighty ocean to Lanka. Meanwhile back in Lanka, the rakshasas were terrified at the destruction caused by Hanuman. Ravana called for his council of ministers to discuss the eminent war. He asked them for their advise to deal with the vaanara army. His rakshasa generals pledged to finish off Lord Rama and the vaanara army. His ministers praised Ravana's strength and valor, telling him that he would be victorious. We discussed how the evil Ravana believed the false praise because he was too proud to realise his mistakes. However, Vibhishana, Ravana's younger brother advised him to right the great wrong committed. He asked Ravana to return Sita and ask Lord Rama's forgiveness. Vibhishana wanted peace not war. Ravana however chose to ignore the good counsel. Instead Ravana insulted Vibhishana, calling him a traitor for taking the side of the enemy. Vibishana left Ravana's court and flew to Lord Rama's encampment and sought refuge there.
He flew across the ocean with four of his faithful rakshasas. When the vaanara army saw the rakshasas they got out their weapons and prepared for battle. In a calm manner, Vibhishana introduced himself, told them his story and asked to meet Lord Rama. Sugriva took the message to Lord Rama and was very suspicious. He said the rakshasas always used tricks. He told Lord Rama to send the rakshasas away and avoid any risk. Lord Rama asked the vaanara leaders for advise and they all told him to turn Vibhishana away. Next Lord Rama turned to Hanuman. Hanuman spoke with reverence, saying Bhagawan is all knowing and who was he to give any advise. Hanuman said although Vibishana was a rakshasa, he was honest and openly came to seek Lord Rama. He did not approach stealthily and so could be trusted. Lord Rama agreed with Hanuman's wise council and agreed to meet Vibhishana. Sugriva was still doubtful and asked Lord Rama not to trust a man who has fought with his own brother. We discussed how Sugriva himself fought with Baali and yet Lord Rama accepted him as a friend. Lakshmana remembered Lord Rama and Bharata's brotherly love as a virtue. Lord Rama welcomed Vibhishana, who touched the Lord's feet. We discussed how Bhagawan will always grant protection to those who ask for it. Even though Vibhishana was the brother of his enemy, Lord Rama considered his Dharma to grant refuge because he asked for it. Vibhishana told them about the preparations for war in Lanka. Then Lord Rama looked to the ocean god for help in crossing to Lanka. After three days of praying, the ocean did not part to make way for the army to cross. Lord Rama lost his patience and asked for his bow and arrows. He aimed arrows at the waters and the sea creatures began to die. The ocean god rose up and begged Bhagawan to forgive him. He said that by parting the waters to make way for the army, he would be going against his nature to be filled with water. Instead, he offered a solution to reach Lanka. A vaanara named Nala, was the son of Vishwakarma the divine engineer. Nala could plan for a bridge across the ocean using trees and boulders. The ocean god promised to support this construction and hold it up. Lord Rama forgave the ocean god and made Nala the chief engineer. With shouts of "Jai Sri Ram!", the vaanara army immediately began uprooting trees, gathering boulders and throwing them into the water. Miraculously, everything floated and in just five days the bridge was completed . All the vaanaras reached sea shore of Lanka. We paused the story , did pledge and ended class .
Sri Rama Navami is on April 10th and this year after a 2 year break we have the Akhanda Ramayan Parayan from April 9th to April 10th .
The Sita Rama Wedding part will be around 3.30-4.30 and the organizers would like our children to be dressed up as various Ramayana characters and come on stage at that time!
Please do sign up if you can and bring the children - it will be a nice experience .
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CXpnTg6cgbJFFHhWJYkKPMnpJ6_iBZpb6f3OYdpWePg/edit?usp=sharing
Regards ,
Jayashree &Uma