Monday, March 3, 2014

A Day of Shlokas & Bhajans

 This week we had a semblance of routine set in, what with the irregular classes and breaks thanks to mother nature!

We started the class as usual with attendance followed by a quick revision of the Dhyaana Shloka - Om Sahanavavatu (pg 9) and the daily prayers (Karaagre Vasate, Vakratunda, Saraswati Namastubhyam, Bramhaarpanam, Shubham Karoti, Kara Charana - pages 14-17 of the My Prayer Book).
 
We practiced the bhajans Rama Naama Thaarakam (pg 211) and Atma Nivasi Ram  (pg 209-210). We also completed the new bhajan - Radhe Radhe (pg-169). I am sure with another day of practice, the kids will be comfortable singing it at the morning assembly - they love singing and are very quick at learning bhajans! We also recited the Gruru Sthothram (pg 85-86). Some kids still need practice with their shlokas, please help them recite at home.
In Ramayana, after a short review of last weeks chapters, we learnt about how Ravana tricked Sita into crossing the Lakshman Rekha and dragged her off in his chariot. Her shouts for help drew the attention of Jatayu who came to her defense, but after struggling valiantly, his wings were cut off by Ravana who proceeded to carry Sita away to Lanka. All along the way Sita drops her flower garlands and jewellery, in the hope that the trail will lead Rama to her. In Lanka, Ravana tries his best to convince Sita to marry him and entices her with all his wealth, but when she scorns him, he locks her up in Ashokavana with ghastly rakshasis as guards and gives her a year's time to agree to his wishes or suffer the consequences. When Rama and Lakshmana returned to the ashrama and realized that Sita was missing, they got worried and upset and started looking for her. We learn of how Rama is initially angry with Lakshmana for not listening to him and also so upset that he decides to destroy the earth as he feels life without Sita is not worth living. Lakshmana manages to calm Rama down and make him see reason, that innocents should not have to suffer for the evils done by rakshasas, but instead they should look for Sita and punish the evil doer. As they start their search, they find the fallen flowers from Sita's garland and reach Jatayu, who is just holding on to his last breath to convey the message to Rama that Sita has been abducted by Ravana and taken to Lanka. After conveying the message, Jatayu passes away.   
We practiced writing the first line of Sanskrit consonants. Those who were unable to complete, please do so at home.

We also started with the first verse of the fourteenth chapter of the Bhagvad Gita.
We ended the class with meditation followed by the concluding prayers Om Poornamadah (pg-20) and Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha (pg-19).
See you at the next class and please be sure to bring your folders. Stay warm...

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