Dear Parents,
Hari Om! Here is this week's update :
Week 4 : Oct 30th 2020
Likitha Japa and Opening Prayers :
We started our class with Likitha Japa followed by our opening prayers starting with 3 OMs, Sahana vavatu, Vakratunda Mahkaya, Saraswathi Namasthubyam.
Ramayana :
We did a quick recap of last class and continued with the story this week.
King Dasaratha begged and pleaded with Queen Kaikeyi to change her heart on the two boons but to no avail. He secretly hoped that Rama would refuse to abide by King's promises, since they were not his own, eventhough he knew that was not going to happen. He fell unconscious weeping over his helplessness.
Next day morning, the entire Ayodhya was decorated with flowers and lights. People of Ayodhya were all ready to watch the coronation ceremony. Rama and Sita were also ready and waiting to be summoned. As there was no sight of the King, Sage Vashistha sent their minister, Sumantra to fetch the King. When Sumantra went to the Queen's palace, he saw King Dasaratha still asleep, weak and tired. Kaikeyi told him that the King was talking about the coronation all through the night and was tired. She cited that the King wished to talk to Rama and ordered Sumantra to bring him.
Sumantra brought Rama over to the palace. Upon seeing his father's state, Rama grew anxious, worried and restless. He asked Kaikeyi the reason for his father's state and wondered if he was the cause for his distress. Atlast, he said that he would do anything that would please his father. As soon as Kaikeyi heard this, she told him about the 2 boons and how his father had promised her long time back when she saved his life.
Rama said that he would carry out his father's promises right away; he would live in exile for 14 years and give up the Kingdom to his dear brother, Bharata.
At this point, we asked kids why Rama agreed to abide by his father's wishes. Kids replied promptly that it was Rama's Dharma as a son to obey the wishes of his elders. We were quite happy to hear this answer.
Rama visited his mother, Kaushalya and explained to her that he had to fulfill his father's promises. Kaushalya started crying when she heard this and Rama convinced her that it was his Dharma to keep his father's promises.
When Lakshmana heard this, he could not supress his anger and wanted to fight with Bharata. He requested Rama to order him to carry out the war. Rama tried to convince him by saying that his only desire was to fulfill his father's desire, to go to the forest and to see Bharata getting crowned. Atlast Rama convinced Lakshmana that it was the work of fate (Daiva) and no one was to be blamed - the King, the Queen or Bharata. This calmed Lakshmana and he convinced Rama to take him along.
Rama then visited Sita and briefed her about the situation. He asked Seeta to take care of his mothers and respect his brother, Bharata, while he was away. Seeta was initially upset that Rama did not think about taking her along. She explained to Rama that she always wanted to live in a forest, enjoying the wilderness, its flowers and its smell, surrounded by birds and animals. She could not envision a life without Rama and convinced him that she was ready to give up all comforts of palace life and embrace forest life. She told him that she was not worried about her life while her beloved Rama was around.
Rama atlast agreed to both Lakshmana and Seeta to accompany him. They got ready to leave for the forest.
Spirit Day
We had our Spirit Day inauguration this week. A volunteer from the Houses team joined and played 2 games with kids - one was a quick 10 min to make their own 'Bajrangi Bolts' flag.
Another game was a 10 min timed crossword puzzle. It included questions from last year curriculum, Mahabharata and some from this year. We were very happy that they answered everything correctly and bagged full points for their team. We then joined the group assembly where their House team leads presented their ideas for this year.
Aarthi, Closing Prayers and Pledge :
We wrapped our class with Closing Prayers and Pledge
Next Class : Nov 6th
Please do not hesitate to reach us with any questions that you may have
Thanks and Hari Om
Purnima and Shankar
