Hari OM Dear Families,
Here is this week's update.
Week : 13
21st Jan 2024 / 9:15AMClass began with 3 OMs followed by
"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)
"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)
"Neelaam buja" & "SriRama Rama rameti" (page 129 My prayers book)
Naama ramayanam- We learned the sundara kaanda, and the meanings along.
Ramayana-
Rama, Lakshmana and the vanara army with Sugriva, Hanuman, Angada and legions of great warriors prepare to attack Lanka. Rama decides to ask Varuna, Lord of the Ocean, permission to cross over. Rama fasted for three days and prayed to Varuna, but was not immediately blessed by Varuna's presence. Furious, he picked up his bow to threaten to dry up the ocean and presently Varuna came and promised to hold up the rocks and trees that would go into making the bridge. Meanwhile in Lanka, Ravana called a council to decide on the next course of action. Other than Vibhishana and Kumbhakarna, everyone supported waging a war with Rama. Vibhishana visited Ravana at his palace and reiterated that returning Sita was the best course of action for the welfare of the entire rakshasa clan, but Ravana did not listen. Vibhishana then left Lanka and surrendered at the feet of Rama. In spite of Sugriva and Angada's misgivings, Rama immediately accepted Vibhishana into his camp and crowned him king of Lanka. The invading army was in awe of the beauty of the outskirts of Lanka. Ravana tried to send a messenger to separate Sugriva from Rama, but that messenger was duly put in his place. He also sent spies to Rama's camp - they were easily discovered, and Rama generously let them take a good look around the camp! Rama sent Angada as the final messenger before war began. But Ravana did not listen to Angada's advice. As war began, Ravan created with his magic, a decapitated head of Rama, seeing which Sita was heartbroken. But Sarama, a rakshasi she had befriended there, pointed out that it was an illusion and pacified her.
War began in earnest and the two armies clashed. There was fierce combat, with great warriors from both camps engaging in the war. Indrajit bound Rama and Lakshmana with nagastra and they both fell to the ground unable to move. Seeing their plight, the vanara army was distraught. Ravana even got Sita in the pushpaka vimana to show her Rama and Lakshmana had died - but she was again pacified by Sarama, who pointed out that whatever was ailing Rama and Lakshmana would be temporary. As Sugriva was planning to save Rama and Lakshmana by sending them to Kishkindha and others were trying to send Hanuman to get herbs, Garuda flew in and released Rama and Lakshmana from the poison of the astra. Jubilant, the army fought with renewed vigor. Seeing his cherished warriors die and Rama and Lakshmana fight again, Ravana was filled with memories of his boon from Brahma, and curses from women he had insulted before. Deciding to take drastic action, he asked that Kumbhakarna be woken up.
We then had a beautiful and insightful view on the importance of the ram mandir.
Followed by an Activity for the children on the consecration of the Rama temple in Ayodhya, they can express their happiness and excitement and welcome Rama and sita back to Ayodhya and what are their prayers to them and for Bharat!
They all did very well, each one expressing their view point in unique and their own style. We will share it with our parents soon.
Gita Time- we learned verse numbers 17 & 18 from chapter 4.
Next class on 1/28/24
Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns you may have.
Hari OM
Prarthana Gururaj and Vidhya Aiyer
