Hari Om everyone,
We started the class with Om, opening prayer and started on our chapters.
Chapter 13
-Bharata is angry with his mother, Kaikeyi, for banishing his brother. Even Satrughna is angry and beats Manthara.
-Bharata goes to Kausalya and asks for forgiveness.
-The brothers are assured by Kausalya to be brave and talk all night about Rama's virtues.
-Bharata performs his father's last rites. And everyone asks Bharatha to become the king.
-Bharata decides to go to the forest and ask Rama to come back to Ayodhya.
-All of the people in Ayodhya join Bharata and Satrughna.
-Bharata reassures Guha and rsi Bharaadvaja that he has no intention to hurt Rama.
Chapter 14
- Rama, Laksmana and Sita are enjoying a quiet happy life in Citrakuta, along the Mandakini river.
-One day, they hear the thundering noise as Bharata and people of Ayodhya approach Citrakuta.
-Rama asks Laksmana to see where the noise is coming from. Laksmana recognizes Bharata's flag and gets alarmed.
-Laksmana tells Rama to start getting ready to fight Bharata, who he feels is coming to kill Rama and secure the kingdom for himself.
-Rama reassures Laksmana that Bharata would not do that. He teases Laksmana.
-Bharata clutches Rama's feet and starts to weep. He also tells Rama about King Dasaratha's death.
-Rama faints. They perform the funeral rituals by the river.
-Bharata and Sage Vasistha plead Rama to return to Ayodhya and take the crown.
-Rama refuses. He says it is his dharma to fulfill his father's wishes.
-Sage Vasistha helps with a compromise. Bharata will be the deputy for Ayodhya until Rama returns.
-Bharata tells Rama, "Oh King, give me your sandals for the kingdom to worship. I shall serve both sandals and people till your return."
-Bharata takes Rama's sandals, places it on his head, and returns to Ayodhya.
-Bharata lives away from the palace in a hut, wearing simple clothes, and serves the people of Ayodhya.
-People of Ayodhya are pleased to see Bharata's supreme devotion and Rama's steadfastness in his dharma.
-Rama realizes that he needs to move further away from Ayodhya, as it is very easy for people to reach him. They walk towards Dandaka Forest.
-They meet Raksasa, Viradha, who snatches Sita. Viradha has a boon that he cannot be killed. Rama and Laksmana use arrows and their swords to cause pain. They end up destroying Viradha.
-Along the way, they meet Rsi Atri, Rsi Sarabhanga and Rsi Sutiksna. The Rsis offer their fruits of their tapas to Rama. Rama replies that he must acquire merit with his own deeds.
-Rsi Sutiksna's asks Rama to stay there. Rama goes to the rsis living nearby to get their blessing for staying near Rsi Sutikna's asram.
Activity- Children placed Rama's sandals on their head, chanted Rama's name, and stated one of their duties (Dharma). Examples included: helping their parents, doing well in school.
Gita Chanting- Swamiji went over Chapter 4- Verse 8 and 9.
Next class will be on Sunday December 10th.
Reminder- Grade 1 performance on stage will be on January 28th.
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
