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)
"Saraswati Namastubhyam" (page 12 in My Prayers book)
"Gurur Brahma" (page 60 in My Prayers book)
Mind - Flow of thoughts. It will take the course depending upon the impression we have created over the years. In order to keep our minds focussed on higher goals, we need to sharpen our minds like we sharpen instruments. We went over subjective and objective minds.
Subjective most commonly means based on the personal perspective or preferences of a person—the subject who's observing something. In contrast, objective most commonly means not influenced by or based on a personal viewpoint—based on the analysis of an object of observation only.
Mind is a flow of thoughts. As the mind so is the individual. if the mind is disturbed, the individual is disturbed. If the mind is good, the individual is good.
Mind is made up of a soft matter, as it were. As each thought passes through it, an "impression" is left on the mind-matter like a scratch and when similar thoughts are repeated, it deepens into a channel in the impression on mind is called vasanas.
Sharpen your instrument - Stay quiet -Stay focussed.
Vasanas - Wrong impression created in mind by past actions. These result in farthering subjective and objective minds. Bigger the gap, the greater the confusion and hence our resulting actions will be more upsetting.
Ramayanam
Rama requested Sumantra to drive the chariot back and forth to make the people believe that he had gone back to Ayodhya and proceeded towards River Ganga. There, Guha, the tribal chief who commanded a fleet of boats welcomed them and helped them cross the Ganga.
Meanwhile at Ayodhya, seeing Sumantra return without Rama, Dasharatha realized his end was near. He remembered the curse from long ago, when as a young king, he inadvertently killed a blind couple's son. The sage cursed that he would die of putra shoka (sorrow at the parting/death of a child). Dasharatha passed away lamenting and repeatedly calling out the names of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.
On Dasharatha's passing, the ministers and counselors sent a messenger to quickly bring back Bharata and Shatrughna from their maternal grandfather's kingdom. Meanwhile, in his grandfather's palace, Bharata had a bad dream that portended bad omens. On the way to Ayodhya, Bharata and Shatrughna felt something was wrong as no one welcomed them gladly. He rushed to the palace to see his father, but saw only Kaikeyi. She told him that Dasharatha died out of sorrow at being parted from Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. On further questioning by Bharata, she casually mentioned her thoughtless boons and asked him to accept the crown of Ayodhya. Bharata was enraged. He ran to Kousalya - and she was also initially upset with him. But seeing his sincere regret for Kaikeyi's actions, she understood his good character and devotion to Rama. Bharata and Shatrughna completed the funeral rites for Dasharatha and then Bharata immediately set about preparing a retinue to find Rama and bring him back to Ayodhya. All the courtiers blessed Bharata for his purity of thought and action and gladly set out with him to restore the kingdom to Rama. On reaching the river Ganga, Bharata and his retinue was warmly welcomed by Guha, but he was keen to know if Bharata intended to harm Rama. Bharata was hurt to hear this, but explained his intention to bring back Rama. Guha happily hosted the group and then helped them all cross the Ganga. On reaching the other side and going to Sage Bharadwaja's ashram, Bharata again had to justify his motive in looking for Rama to the Sage. The Sage blessed Bharata that his fame will last forever on account of his purity. Slowly Bharata and Shatrughna found their way to the place where Rama, Lakshmana and Sita had set up their dwelling. Hearing the roar of the army, Lakshmana got ready to fight Bharata, as he also thought Bharata was coming to kill Rama. Rama calmed him down and said that Bharata was not of that poor character. On seeing Rama, Bharata fell at his feet weeping. He informed Rama about Dasharatha's death, which made Rama, Lakshmana and Sita become very sorrowful.
Rama and Lakshmana performed simple rites at the banks of River Mandakini to honor Dasharatha's passing. Kausalya, walking along the river with Sumitra and Kaikeyi was heartbroken to see all this. Once they all met Rama, Bharata insisted that Rama take back the throne that was his birthright. Rama refused, saying it was his duty to carry out the promise made by Dasharatha. He consoled Bharata by saying that while Bharata ruled over Ayodhya and its people, Rama would protect the forest dwellers. No matter how much Vasishtha and other well-wishers counseled Rama to accept the kingdom, he was steadfast in Dharma, and refused. All the devas and the members of the retinue blessed Rama and praised his commitment to the Truth. Bharata, realizing that Rama was unswerving in his commitment to the exile, requested permission to stay with him, but Rama gently refused and reminded that Bharata had duties as a king and a son. Bharata, with a heavy heart, humbly requested that Rama bless the golden padukas that he had brought and proclaimed that the padukas would rule Ayodhya and he would be their representative. All praised Bharata for his devotion and commitment to Dharma. Bharata left Rama and went to Nandigrama on the outskirts of Ayodhya and lived the life of a hermit, waiting for Rama's return from exile.
(End of Ayodhya kaandam)
Skit form of teaching- Children were chosen randomly (picking the names from the box of all of their names to enact radio play (looking and reading from the script but with expressions) This activity makes them understand the proceeding of the story and since they are involved in the part of storytelling, it is both exciting as well as a new learning platform)
Today's sequences are - Bharatha and kaikeyi scene (when bharatha comes back from kekaya kingdom) Anagha R was kaikeyi and Amrita A was bharatha.
Rama, Lakshmana and Bharatha scene (in chitrakoot, when bharatha comes to his brother and gets the padhuka) Avita T was Rama, Samarth T was Lakshmana and Hiya was Bharatha.
Geeta time - we learned verses 2 and 4 from chapter 4.
Verses 2 - 3 - Ch.4 BG - YouTube
We discussed how the upcoming festival of navarathri is celebrated and it means 9 nights and first three days/nights Durga Mata is worshipped, second 3 days mahalakshmi is worshipped and finally the last three days saraswathy is worshipped. And dasami day is the learning of new things, new art or anything a fresh start.
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,Notebook, pencils and erasers. Rajaji's Ramayana book is the reference textbook.
