A long break, a gap and another break...

After the excitement of the previous weeks, what with the Republic Day celebrations and all, we finally got down to serious work...

We practiced reciting 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 have covered the Guru Sthothram till verse 11 (pg 85-86). I will be testing the kids on the first 5 verses during the next class. Please have the kids prepare for the same. We started with a new bhajan - Bala Gopala (My Prayers Book - pg 167).

In Ramayana, we quickly went through the previously covered chapter of how Surpanakha approached Rama for marriage and ended up getting her ears and nose cut off by Lakshmana when she tried to attack Sita. Then we learnt about how she went and cried in front of her brothers Khara and Dushana, demanding revenge for her insult. But both brothers, along with their huge armies were killed in the battle with Rama and Lakshmana. Only the rakshasa Akampana escaped and went to the other brother Ravana, who was the most powerful among them. Surpanakha also went to him and provoked him to kill Rama and Lakshmana. Ravana became furious and commanded Maricha to go along with him for revenge. But Maricha had already witnessed first hand the bravery of Rama and Lakshmana when they defeated the rakshasa during their travel through the Dandaka forest with Valmiki. So, he advised Ravana to not be so rash and challenge such a powerful person. But Ravana was angry and adamant and ordered Maricha to take the form of a golden deer and gambol about in Chitrakoota in front of Sita. Maricha had no choice but to follow the orders of his king. When Sita saw the beautiful deer, she insisted on having it for a pet and asked Rama to get it for her. Despite Lakshmana's protests and suspicions, Rama told Lakshmana to take care of Sita and went to hunt the deer, which took him deeper and deeper into the forest. When he realized he couldn't catch up to it, he decided to hunt it down and carry its skin for Sita. When he shot the arrow, the deer morphed into the rakshasa Maricha, who called out loudly for help from Lakshmana and Sita and then died. Seeing this, Rama panicked and started rushing back to the hut to make sure Sita was fine. In the meantime, when Lakshmana and Sita heard the call for help, Sita ordered Lakshmana to go help his brother but Lakshmana felt it was a trap and refused to disobey his brother's orders of staying and taking care of Sita. She got upset and forced him to leave. So, Lakshmana drew the Lakshman Rekha and told Sita to stay within the draw line as it would protect her from harm. Anyone who tried to cross the line to reach her would be burnt. But if she came to the other side, there would be no one to protect her. As soon as Lakshmana left in search of his brother, Ravana came in the disguise of an old man seeking alms and tricked Sita into crossing the line.

Through the story so far, we discussed about how it is important to obey our elders as they know what is best for us even if things might not be to our liking at that time.

We proceeded with the Sanskrit consonant writing. The homework is to complete whatever is remaining on the sheets provided.

I have written the names of each child in Sanskrit on their homework sheet. Please take a look and email me if there is any correction in the same. Next class onwards, the kids will practice writing their names in Sanskrit.

We practiced the pledge in class. During the next class, we will practice having the rest of the group repeat each line so the kids can lead the pledge soon at the assemblies.

We concluded the class as usual with Om Poorna Madah and Sarve Bhavanthu. I have also revised the meanings of the last prayer and will quiz he kids regarding the same during future sessions.

Reminders: Please memorize the first 5 verses of the Guru Sthothram. There will be a test next class.
Complete the sheet of consonant writing.
No class on 15th February. See you at the next class. Don't forget to bring the maps of India, we will be working on them.

Rehearsals And Republic Day Celebrations

Let me begin by saying "Good job!" on the performance at the Republic Day celebrations. It was wonderful to see the kids all dressed up and reciting their lines confidently. A special shout out to Sathvik's costume, absolutely loved it!

I would like to take the opportunity to thank the parents for all their efforts in getting the kids dressed up as well as helping them practice their lines.

Having said that , let me begin with what was covered this month...

The last couple of classes were dedicated to preparing for the annual day celebrations, apart from the regular syllabus.

We practiced reciting 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 revised the Gruru Sthothram till verse 10 (pg 85-86). We practiced the bhajan Atma Nivasi Ram (pg 209-210) as well as Raama Naama Thaarakam (as they were going to perform this on the day of the celebrations).

The class before the last one was spent in finalizing and memorizing the lines that the kids would recite. During the last regular class,  we had a stage rehearsal for the same.

In Bala Ramayana, we learnt about Rama, Sita & Lakshmana progressing further into the forest to avoid repeated contact from people of Ayodhya, and how they met and received blessings of sages they met during their journey. We discussed Sita's concerns about Rama still carrying weapons and fighting demons instead of leading a life of peace and prayer, and how Rama convinced her that he was doing his duty. We learned about their meeting great Saint Agastya and how he gave the divine bow, arrow and sword designed by Vishwakarma for Vishnu to Rama. As an introduction to Agastya's power, we covered the story of Agastya staying in the South of India to balance the world when all great saints rushed to attend Lord Shiva's wedding. Also there is a story of how he humbled the Vindhya's into bowing down. We also covered the chapters involving Rama, Sita & Lakshmana taking blessings from various sages in the forest and settling down at Chitrakoota.  Before doing so, they met Jatayu (a descendant of Garuda), who informed them that he was a friend of Dasharatha, and would deep an eye on Sita whenever Rama and Lakshmana went out in the forest to hunt. The children found it interesting that Lakshmana was skilled at building a hut all by himself, despite the fact that he was a prince. We discussed about how we should learn to do our own chores and not depend on others if we can do something ourselves.

We proceeded to read about their encounter with Surpanakha, who wanted to marry Rama, and how Lakshmana cut off her nose when she misbehaved and tried to harm Sita. Then we learnt about how she went and cried in front of her brothers Khara and Dushana, demanding revenge for her insult. But both brothers, along with their huge armies were killed in the battle with Rama and Lakshmana.

As the kids had not completed their previous homework worksheets of writing Sanskrit consonants, we proceeded to do the same during class.

Please have the kids practice their daily prayers and Guru Sthothram regularly and send in their maps of India for tracing Lord Rama's footsteps. See you at the next class...