December 3, 2023
Hari Om Parents,
We started the class with the daily prayers. We did pranayama. We chanted Nama Ramayana from my prayers books.
We continued with the story of Ramayana, Ayodhya kanda. Bharata decides to go to the forest along with ministers and army to bring Rama, Lakshmana and Sita back to Ayodhya. Initially he visits sage Bharadwaja ashram. Sage Bharadwaja gives a great reception to Bharata and his entire army. He initially questions Bharata's motive of going to the forest. Bharata then explains to the sage that he was going to get Rama back, sage Bharadwaja praises him, and glorifies his values. He states that it is very rare to find a brother like him. Following the direction given by sage Bharadwaja Bharata goes further into the forest in search of Rama. Lakshmana hears the army coming through the forest, he climbs up a tree and sees that Bharata was coming towards the ashram with his army. He misunderstands that Bharata was coming to fight with Rama, gets angry and wants to go and attack Bharata and his army. Rama pacifies Lakshmana, and explains that Bharatha his only coming to take them back to Ayodhya.
Bharata meets Rama at Chitrakoot along with their mothers, sages, ministers and army. Rama finds out from Bharata that his father passed away. He gets deeply saddened and distressed. Rama and Lakshmana offer prayer to the departed soul. Bharata then requested Rama to come back to Ayodhya, stating that he is giving the Kingdom that was asked by his mother back to him. Rama pacifies Bharata. Initially Rama talks about spiritual values explaining how life is impermanent, how man has no control over happenings in his life. One should not get overcome by despair and grief but perform our duties as best as we can. Bharata then insists that he is not capable of ruling the Kingdom, Rama is the eldest son, hence he should be ruling the Kingdom. Rama remains firm on his decision to stay in forest, to keep up the word given by his father. He remains steady in his dharmic values. Sage Vasistha and other ministers also tried to convince Rama. Rama did not change his decision, which was value based, as it was important to make sure that king Dasaratha's words remained true (Satya sankalpa). Other rishis and gandharvas come and convinced Bharatha that he should listen to Rama. Upon suggestion given by sage Vasishta, Bharata takes Rama's padukas and goes back to Ayodhya. He lives in Nandigram outside Ayodhya for 14 years, leading the same ascetic life as Rama and Lakshmana. He took care of the Kingdom diligently as a trustee, always remembering that it was Rama's Kingdom. Bharata demonstrates exceptional value system, he did not accept the Kingdom or riches that came to him because of his mother's boons. He was always ready to serve Rama. He was a true devotee of Rama, ever ready to serve him enthusiastically.
Rama, Lakshmana & Sita then leave Chitrakoot and go into Dandakaranya. They encounter Viradha rakshasa, whom they kill. They meet many sages and Saints like sage Sharabhanga and sage Sutheekshana. They spend 10 years in the forest happily. Eventually they go to sage Agastya's ashram. Sage gives Rama Kodadam or Vaishnava bow, divine arrows given by Brahmaji and quiver given by Indra. On his advice they go to Bank of Godavari and build an ashram at Panchavati.
One day Surpanakha visits the ashram. She's old ugly looking demon, who is sister of Ravana. She asks Rama to marry her. She also says that she will eat up his wife and brother, after which they both can roam happily in forests! Rama says that he's already married and asks her to approach Lakshmana. Lakshmana states that he is already a slave, by marrying him she will become slave of slave. Surpanakha gets angry and tries to attack Sita. At this time Lakshmana cuts her nose and ears upon Rama's instruction. Surpanakha gets very angry and approaches her brothers Khara and Dushana in Dandakaranya.
We played a game of hangman, involving the characters of Ramayana that we have learned so far. In the end we chanted along with Swamiji, Bhagvad Gita verses.
Pranams,
Vyjayanti
Devender
