Here is this week's update.
"Om Saha Navavatu" (page 8 in My Prayers book)
Om shrI Ganeśaya Namaha, shrI Saraswatyai Namaha, shrI Sat Gurubhyo Namaha.
"Vakratunda Mahakaya" (page 27 in My Prayers book)
Saraswathi Namasthubhyam
"Gurur Brahma" (page 60 in My Prayers book)
We asked every child, " what makes them truly happy?" We had a lot of fun answers. This topic is the first part in our tatva topic, "key to success". We also had a group discussion (made them work in small groups) We will continue from this part the following week.
Valmiki Ramayana - BAla kAndam. The story starts with Sage Valmiki asking the visiting Sage Narada if he knew of a person who was endowed with the sixteen auspicious qualities. Narada then narrates the story of Rama, son of Dasharatha, king of Ayodhya. Subsequently, Valmiki also discovers that the "shloka" form is very conducive to being set to music and with Brahma's blessings, sets out to tell the story of Shri Rama.
King Dasharatha of Ayodhya was childless; his guru Sage Vasishtha advised him to perform the putrakameShti yagna to be blessed with children. Sage Rishyashringa performed the yagna and at the conclusion, the yagna purusha appeared, to give Dasharatha payasam and asked him to share amongst wives in order to be blessed with children. Dasharatha shared it with his wives Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. In due time, Kausalya gave birth to Rama, Kaikeyi to Bharata and Sumitra to Lakshmana and Shatrughna. The princes were exemplary in all aspects, and were trained in statecraft, warfare and philosophy by guru Vasishtha. One day, when Rama was still in his early teens, Sage Vishwamitra , who knew the true potential and divinity of Rama, visited the court of King Dasharatha and asked for Rama's assistance in protecting an yagna that he was conducting in his ashrama (Siddhashram) from rakshasas who were being very disruptive. Dasharatha was initially hesitant to part with his dear son, but guided by Vasishtha's wise counsel, sent Rama and Lakshmana to protect the yagna.
On their way to Siddhashram, the trio passed through Dandaka forest, which was under the control of yakshi Tataka, and her sons, Subahu and Marica. Even as he was hesitant to kill a woman, Vishwamitra reminded Rama of his duty to protect the people from the cruel demoness Tataka. Rama then duly killed Tataka and restored the dense, dark forest to its former glory and habitation. Pleased with his abilities, the devas requested Vishwamitra to bestow Rama with the knowledge of all weapons. Blessed thus, Rama and Lakshmana then proceeded to Siddhashram, and ably protected the yagna of Vishwamitra. In the course of the battle with the rakshasas, Rama killed Subahu and disposed of Marica with a weapon that caused him to be thrown far across the oceans.
Once the yagna was completed at Siddhashram, Vishwamitra took Rama and Lakshmana to Mithila, where King Janaka was performing a special yagna and had a divine bow from Lord Shiva which he wanted Rama and Lakshmana to see. On the way to Mithila, Vishwamitra told the princes the tale of one of their ancestors, Bhagiratha and his untiring effort which was the reason for Ganga's descent to Earth. They also saw a neglected ashram. Vishwamitra told them that it was the ashram of Sage Gautama, who had cursed his wife Ahalya to be invisible, subsisting on air, till she was released from her curse when Rama visited. In the presence of Rama, Ahalya regained her human form.
(BAla kAndam to continue)
Class starts at 9:15am sharp with the opening prayers. We will not let children in when the prayer is going on. Please, kindly send them before 9:13/14 for a minute to settle down before the prayers.
Children should bring their own copy of "My prayers" book, Balavihar handbook (we provided today), Notebook, pencils and erasers. Rajaji's Ramayana book is the reference textbook. (not required to buy it right now, but a copy of Ramayan book at home is auspicious)
Children may bring their own "spill proof water bottles"
NO snacks please.
Links and Reminders:
We will update the class blog for the parents through an email and at the parent portal - Parent Portal 2023-24 (cmnjparentportal23-24.blogspot.com)
Please refer to the Balavihar Handbook- for the various House contests and Geeta Chanting Yagna information. (given to the kids today)
Please join the class WhatsApp group if you have not already- https://chat.whatsapp.com/DTu9QiOW3ESENsLSsrID1E
