Hari Om,
We had a short class today. Children had their House Inaugural today in the temple hall. Grade 1 is on team Durga Daredevils.
We had a short class today. Children had their House Inaugural today in the temple hall. Grade 1 is on team Durga Daredevils.
We started the class with Om and opening prayer. We went over Chapter 6 and 7.
Chapter 6- Rama, Laksmana and Sage Visvamitra reach the outskirts of Mithila. They reach the deserted asrama of risi Gautama. Sage Visvamitra recounts the story of Sage Gautama and his beautiful wife, Ahalya. When Gautama was away from the asram, Indra comes disguised as Gautama to visit Ahalya and she starts serving him. Gautama returns and gets angry and curses Indra and Ahalya. Ahalya is turned into a stone. Gautama tells his wife that the curse will be released only by Lord Rama's feet. After hearing this, Rama places his foot on the stone. Ahalya is returned to her beautiful form. Gautama returns and reunites with Ahalya.
Chapter 7- King Janaka is the wise, rajarishsi and ruler of Mithila. when he performed yagna for his people's welfare, by ploughing the field, he found a beautiful baby, Sita, in the shrubs and accepts her as a gift from Mother Earth. He raises Sita who grows to be beautiful and virtuous. Sita is the symbol of perfection.
-Sita would play with Rudra's bow, which was given to Janaka's ancestors by God Varuna.
-King Janaka had decided that whoever could lift, string and bend Rudra's bow, would be worthy enough to marry Sita.
-Sage Visvamitra, Rama and Laksmana arrive in Mithila in time to attend Janaka's yajna.
-King Janaka is enchanted by Rama and Laksmana and is pleased to hear that they are his old friend, Dasaratha's, very own sons.
-Sage Visvamitra recounts the tales of their bravery.
Bhajan- We went over the lines of Jai Ambe Jagdambe before assembly.
House Inaugural- Grade 1 was escorted by 6th graders to the temple hall. Team Durga learned about various ways to earn points for the team this year, such as participating in soup kitchen, collecting candies for the troops, Likhita Japa, Gita chanting, Shlokathon, Bhajan Utsav, storytelling. Chinmaya Mission helps the local soup kitchen in serving meals and food collection. Everyone did a beautiful project together. Each child made a place setting, wrapping a spoon and fork in a napkin, and using a sticker to keep it together. Team Durga placed #3 in the number of place settings they did well. It was a wonderful activity of team spirit!
Next week, we will learn about Rama and Sita's wedding. We would appreciate it if children can wear fancy clothes when they learn about the auspicious day and will help partake in the festivity in class.
With our Guru's Blessings,
Saratha and Kavita
Opening Prayer
Om saha navavatu
Saha nau bhunaktu
Saha viryam karavavahai
Tejasvinavadhitam-astu ma vidvisavahai
Om santih santih santih
Om saha navavatu
Saha nau bhunaktu
Saha viryam karavavahai
Tejasvinavadhitam-astu ma vidvisavahai
Om santih santih santih
Jai Ambe Bhajan
Jai Ambe Jagdambe Matha Bhavani Jai Ambe (2)
Dukha Vinashini Durga Jai Jai
Kala Vinashini Kali Jai Jai (2)
Uma Rama Brahmani Jai Jai
Radha Rukmini Seetha Jai Jai (2)
Rama Bhajan
Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama nama tarakam
Rama Krsna Vasudeva bhakti-mukti-dayakam
Janaki-manoharam sarvaloka nayakam
Sankaradi-sevya-mana divya-nama keertanam
