November 19, 2023
Hari Om Parents,
We started the class with the daily prayers. We did pranayama with Chinmudra. We chanted Nama Ramayana from my prayers books. We learned two more new shlokas from Nama Ramayana - Aranya kanda and Kishkinda kanda.
We continued with the story of Ramayana, Ayodhya kanda, before Rama, Sita and Lakshmana leave for forest, they go to King Dasaratha to seek his blessings. He was in deep anguish, could not bear the separation of his dear son, Rama. Many ministers and even sage Vasistha try to change mind of Kaikeyi, telling her that what she was doing was not right, that Bharata would not approve of what she's doing. Ayodhya will not be Ayodhya without Rama being there, people will not be happy with her wish of sending Rama to forest. Despite so many people giving advice and admonition, queen Kaikeyi was adamant in her demands to send Rama to forest and to make Bharata Crown Prince.
Sumantra, minister in King's court, drives the chariot carrying Rama, Lakshman and Sita from the palace towards the forest. People of Ayodhya follow them on their Feet. First night they spent near Tamasa river. That morning Rama wakes up early, asks minister Sumantra to take them to forest leaving the people behind, they rode the chariot in such a manner that the people could not follow them. In the morning when everyone woke up, they realized that Rama Lakshmana and Sita were gone, then they went back to Ayodhya crestfallen.
Sumantra takes Rama across forest to the banks of Ganger River. They reach village Srigabheripuram. The chieftain of that village Guha was a dear friend of Rama. He welcomes Rama lovingly. Rama was also very happy to see his dear friend. Guha food and comforts to them. But Rama declines the gifts saying that he's now supposed to lead a life like a sannyasi. Rama and Sita sleep on grass under a tree. Next day Rama asked minister Sumitra to go back to Ayodhya and inform his father that they had gone into forest. Sumantra reluctantly leaves on the advice of Rama. Guha offers a boat for them to cross across the Ganges. On the way Sitaji does prayer to the river and nature for their safe return back to Ayodhya.
They eventually reach Prayag, holy place where Ganga, Jamuna and Saraswati rivers meet, here they meet sage Bharadwaja. On his advice Rama goes to Chitrakoot. Lakshmana builds an ashram in Chitrakoot, where they start living a content life enjoying the nature and company of rishis.
Sumantra returns to Ayodhya and informs king Dasaratha that Rama went into forest along with Sita and Lakshmana. Hearing this news King becomes even more grief stricken, on the 6th night Dasaratha remembers incident from his earlier life. When he was young, while hunting in nighttime he shot an arrow based on the sound that was coming from a pond thinking an animal was drinking water. Unfortunately, arrow hit Shravana kumara, who was there getting water for his old blind parents. Shravana kumara asks Dasaratha to take the water to his parents, and then dies because of the arrow shot. When the blind parents of Shravana kumara learn about his demise, they curse king Dasaratha that he will also die because of separation from his son and from the resultant agony and grief. Remembering this incident Dasaratha passes away that night. Next paragraph
Sage Vasishta sends messengers to get Bharata from Kaikeiyi Rajam. After several days Bharata comes to Ayodhya and sees that there is no joy or happiness in the Kingdom. Initially he goes to King's palace and does not see the king there. He then learns from his mother Kaikeyi that king Dasaratha passed away and that Rama has gone to forest. He gets extremely upset and sad. On further questioning he understands that the whole incident happened because of the boons that his mother has asked. Bharata becomes very angry with his mother, admonishes her and disowns her. He later goes to queen Kausalya's palace to console her, who initially talks very harshly to him, after finding out his true intentions blesses him. Final rights of king Dasaratha we're done on the riverbanks of Sarayu.
The last 10 - 15 minutes we played a word game Scategories - we made multiple teams of two students, and gave them character name in Ramayana, they were supposed to write all that they could remember about each character. Several characters were given including sage Vishwamitra, Guha, Parashuraam, Rama, Dasaratha, queen Kaushalya, queen Kaikeyi, Mantara etc. Then each group had to present who the character was and what kind of values the character displayed to the class. Children did very well in coming up with the right characteristics and values of each character for most part. They enjoyed the game.
In the end we chanted versus 6 & 7 of Bhagavad Gita chapter 4 following Swamiji's video.
Please drop off new or gently used coats as part of winter coat drive at the ashram by Dec 17th. Also please have your children practice Bhagavad Gita shlokas.
Happy Thanksgiving. No class next weekend.
Pranam,
Vyjayanti
Devender
