December 10, 2023
Hari Om Parents,
We started the class with the daily prayers. We did pranayama. We chanted Nama Ramayana from my prayers book.
We discussed and analyzed Surpanakha's incident with students. Surpanakha who was old, ugly looking, was without any value system, approached to marry Rama who was young, handsome and full of virtues. Surpanakha proposes to kill Rama's wife and brother to marry him. After Rama says no, she has no hesitation in approaching Lakshmana to ask him for marriage. She clearly demonstrates her shallow value system, and her goal of achieving pleasure by any means. Rama and Lakshmana had no option but to punish her as she was attacking Sitaji.
We continued with Ramayana story. Surpanakha then approaches her brothers Khara and Dhushana, convinces them to attack Rama. Khara and Dhushana along with 14,000 rakshasas attack Rama, who single handedly kills all of them. This incident shows the glory of Rama's valor and prowess. Sages and Devatas were extremely happy with Rama's feet. One rakshasa Acampana escapes and approaches Ravana - tells him about the destruction at Janasthana. Ravana approaches Mareecha for his advice, who advises him not to attack Rama, as this will lead to destruction of rakshasa clan. Ravana goes back to Lanka. Surpanakha now approaches Ravana and again tells him about the destruction of rakshasa clan in Janasthana. She lies – tells Ravana that she wanted to bring Sitaji for Ravana as she was very beautiful. During this time Rama and Lakshmana defaced her by cutting her nose and ears. She implores upon Ravana to take revenge on Rama. Ravana without verifying the truth of Surpanakha's words, after discussing with his Council of Ministers again goes back to Mareecha.
Ravana wants Mareecha to help him to abduct Sita. Mareecha gets very frightened. He tells Ravana that he escaped from Rama twice, that he was lucky that he was alive. He tries to put sense into Ravana's mind by telling that if he touches Sita, Rama will destroy the whole rakshasa clan. That Ravana would lose his Kingdom, family and his own life. Mareecha gives ultimate certificate to Rama by saying that he is embodiment of Dharma – 'Ramo Vigrahavan Dharmah'. Despite repeated pleas of Marrecha, Ravana does not head to his words. Ravana threatens to kill Mareecha if his does not cooperate with his plan. Mareecha decides to follow Ravana's instructions as he would rather die at Rama's hands.
Marija disguises as a golden deer and entices Sita. Sita pleads with Rama to get the golden deer either dead or alive as she has never seen such a beautiful animal. She wanted to take it back to Ayodhya. Lakshmana warns that this is rakshasa disguised as golden deer. Sita does not pay attention to his words. Since Sita never asked Rama anything in the forest, Rama decides to fulfill Sita's wish fully knowing that there may be rakshasha maya at play here. He tells Lakshmana three times before leaving the ashram that he should protect Sita in his absence. Rama pursues the golden deer for a while, realizing the tricks the deer was playing on him he finally shoots an arrow and kills the golden deer. Mareecha takes his original form and shouts "hey Sita and hey Lakshmana" impersonating Rama's voice. Hearing this Sita gets very scared and upset. She implores upon Lakshmana to go and protect her brother. Lakshmana resists going away from ashram and tries to explain to Sita that no harm can come to Rama. No one in the world can defeat Rama. Despite these words Sitaji keeps getting more and more anxious, uses harsh words against Lakshmana and forces him to leave the ashram. It is said in some Ramayana's that Lakshmana draws a line, called Lakshmana Rekha, before he leaves the ashram and advises Sitaji not to cross the line. Seeing this opportunity Ravana approaches the ashram as a sanyasi asking for alms. Not realizing that a rakshasha has come in the form of sanyasi, Sitaji innocently goes to give him the arms and eventually crosses over lakshmana rekha. At this time Ravana assumes his original form, abducts Sitaji and starts carrying her away in his chariot.
Jataayu who was nearby stops Ravana and challenges him. He fights fiercely with Ravana destroying his charioteer, chariot and weapons. Eventually Ravana cuts off the wings of Jataayu using a sword given by Lord Shiva. Jataayu falls on the ground. Ravana carries away Sitaji in the air. En route to Lanka Sitaji sees five monkeys sitting on the top of a mountain, she drops some of her ornaments tied with a piece of saree onto that mountain.
Meanwhile Lakshmana meets Rama. Rama was not happy to see Lakshmana as he left Sitaji alone in the ashram. Rama feared for the safety of Sitaji. He rushes back to the ashram and finds the ashram empty without Sitaji being there.
We again played hangman game, involving characters of Ramayana that was taught in the class today. Finally, we ended the class by chanting Bhagavad Gita verses along with Swamiji's video.
Pranams,
Vyjayanti
Devender
