Dear Parents,
Hari Om! Below is a review of what was done in class. Happy Navaratri! The main request for parents is below
- Please help your child to practice the Morning Prayer sloka, Guru sloka Verse 1, and Bhajans (Sri ram jaya ram, and Atma Nivasi ram) that Aunty taught this week. Recordings were shared on WhatsApp to help parents practice with kids
- Please help your child practice first verse of Bhagavad Geeta (Chapter 2) - Recording sent on WhatsApp group and you can also practice each line separately (http://www.geetachanting.net/bvg02v01-10/)
- Ask your child about the takeaways in today's class
- Please help your child complete artwork and share on WhatsApp.
There will be no class this week. We will meet again the week of November 1st. Have a blessed week of Navaratri!
- Slokas and Bhajans:
- We kicked off with Om chanting 3 times followed by daily opening prayer (Om Sahana Vavatu - Page 8 of My Prayers book)
- We recited the Bhajan learnt last week (Sri Ram Jaya Ram) and learnt a new bhajan song (Atma Nivasi Ram)
- We refreshed on the two Gurustotram slokas (Verses to Teacher) Please make child practice verse 1 sent by teacher in WhatsApp group (Gurustotram is on page 61 of My Prayers book)
- Games: We did some shaking to get our energies out! Also, we did the Yoga tree pose to see how long each of us could hold the posture. We played marble counting game to focus on listening intently!
- Meditation time:
- We had quiet time by writing Likitha Japa of Shri Rama's name 11 times. We closed our eyes to visualize on Rama and reflect.
- Story time:
- We were refreshed on what happened in Prince Rama story as part of Yagna and the four princes being born to King Dasaratha. We refreshed the names of the 3 wives of King Dasaratha, and the 4 babies born as part of the Yaga (Yagna).
- We talked about the visit of Sage Visvamitra and how King Dasaratha's trusted and sent his two sons with Sage Visvamitra based on his Guru's (Sage Vasishta) advice.
- We continued on how Rama and Lakshmana were excited to venture out of the palace. We talked about their journey to Dandaka forest which was dark and infested with spiders and wild animals. This was the home of Tataka, the demon
- Tataka was once a beautiful maiden who married Sunda, and had a son Marica. Once in a fit of anger, Tataka and Marica had assaulted Sage Agastya. Sage Agastya cursed them to lead ugly lives of demons feeding human flesh.
- We talked about the lesson of how important it is not to do wrong actions even when angry. Also, we discussed that it is normal to get angry, but how we react to it is important.
- We discussed how Sage Visvamitra warned Rama that even though Tataka is a woman, she is evil and it is his duty as a Kshatriya to destroy evil and protect good.
- We saw how Rama fought and slayed Tataka.
- Main Takeaway from today's story:
- Even when angry, do not do wrong actions. (Learnings from Tataka, a beautiful maiden who became a demon)
- Activity:
- Coloring activity of the four princes for the three wives of King Dasaratha, and Paduka tag in Rama's travel
- We wrapped up with Geeta Chanting, closing prayers and Aarti. Geeta chanting details are below.
Geeta Chanting:
- We learnt context on what verses 1-2 of Chapter 2 of Bhagavad Geeta was about. We chanted the Geeta verse 1 and 2 in Chapter 2 here
- If you are interested in getting your child to practice chanting Bhagavad Geeta and learn the right pronunciation, here is the link to practice chanting. To make it easy, Aunty has shared just verse 1 on WhatsApp group. Please practice at home
Pranams to you all!
Best regards,
Priya and Aruna
Balavihar Chinmaya Vrindavan
