Dear Parents,
Hari Om! Here is the update from Last week's Class :
Week 7: Nov 20th 2020
We started our class with Likhita Japa and opening prayers. We chanted Dhyana shlokas and Nama Ramayana led by kids. Kids are comfortable chanting until Bala Khanda.
Some of your kids are missing the green 'My Prayers' book. Please ask them to keep it handy during the class. If you need to buy, let us know.
Activity:
Last class we showed how Rama travelled from Ayodhya to Chitrakoot in google maps. We gave an option to kids to pick a city in Rama's journey and talk about that city and its relevance to Ramayana in today's world.
One of the kids' had picked Chitrakoot last week. He did an excellent presentation, gave an overview of the city and important places like Ram Ghat, Hanuman Dhara, Bharat Milap temple and Mandakini river. It was a pleasure to learn from him.
Stay tuned for next class' city exploration!
Ramayana Story:
Lakshmana built a beautiful hut for their stay in Chitrakoot. Rama was very proud to see Lakshmana's clever workmanship and Sita getting adjusted to the forest.
In Ayodhya, Sage Vashista realised that a kingdom without a King would cause a lot of adharma and chaos. He sent few ministers to
fetch Bharata and Shatrugna back from Kekaya. Bharata had nightmares and unexplained queasiness before leaving for Ayodhya. He observed that the city of Ayodhya was deserted, no one was there to welcome them. He reached Kaikeyi's palace and enquired about his father and Rama. Kaikeyi very casually explained how her 2 boons were fulfilled and tried to convince Bharata. Bharata was heartbroken upon hearing this and disowned his mother. He went to Kaushalya, cried and explained himself that he was not interested in Kingdom and intended to bring Rama back.
After 14 days of performing last rites to his father, Bharata gathered everyone and told them that the Kingdom belonged to Rama and he planned on going to Chitrakoot, bringing Rama back and crowning him as King. Upon hearing this, everyone was very happy.
Bharata ordered that roads be laid for their journey. He left with Sage Vashistha, other ministers, 3 queens, citizens of Ayodhya and an army.
Guha suspected Bharata's intention when he saw everyone. Bharata convinced Guha of his intentions and Guha helped them cross Ganga. Bharata took Sage Vashistha as they approached Sage Bharadwaja ashrama. Sage Bharadwaja also suspected Bharata and asked him why he was there instead of ruling the country. Bharata convinced him saying that the Kingdom belonged to his brother Rama and they were there to take Rama back to the kingdom. Sage Bharadwaja then showed the way to Chitrakoot. They spent the night at the ashrama and left the next day to Chitrakoot.
Lakshmana heard strange noises coming from a distance and mentioned it to Rama. Rama asked him to climb the tallest tree to oversee any danger. Lakshmana saw Bharata and army approaching. Lakshmana got angry and told Rama not to worry, that he would fight them. Upon hearing this Rama calmed him down and told him about Bharata's real intentions. Lakshmana felt ashamed hearing this. As Bharata approached the hut, he saw Rama. With tears welling in his eyes, he hurried towards Rama, fell at his feet crying. Rama embraced Bharata and calmed him down.
Rama took the blessings of all his mothers and came to know about his father's demise. The four brothers did last rituals of their father in River Mandakini. Bharata explained why he was there and pleaded with Rama to come back to Ayodhya and take over the Kingdom.
Rama refused saying that his Dharma was to fulfill his father's last wishes and Bharata should rule the Kingdom. Sage Vashistha suggested that Bharata acted as Rama's deputy and ruled until Rama returned. Bharata took Rama's slippers and carried them over his head back to Ayodhya and placed them on the throne. He stayed back in Nandigram, outside of Ayodhya and ruled the Kingdom until Rama returned.
Few questions from kids -
Did Kaikeyi's boon get broken because Bharata refused the throne? We told them that though it looked like that, it was upto Bharata to accept it.
Was there any hidden divinity in Manthara's evil doing? We told them that this was the turning point in Ramayana, because of which Rama left for the forest and killed Ravana and Devas were happy to see this.
Character Analysis
We shared sticky notes app and asked kids to express what they learnt from King Dasaratha's character. They said that he was a noble man, caring, righteous, humble, etc. But he was very attached to Rama and that attachment destroyed him when he had to part Rama.A few also expressed that he was weak and could not do anything about Kaikeyi's wishes. We explained to them that though it tore his heart to part Rama, he had to keep his promises, which amounts to his righteousness.
Bhagavad Gita : Chapter 2 verses 7-8: This week kids followed and repeated after Swamiji's chanting of verses 7-8. Please ask your kids to practice at home.
Aarthi, Closing Prayers and Pledge :
We wrapped our class with Aarthi, Closing Prayers and Pledge
Next Class : Dec 4th
Wishing you all a very Happy and safe Thanksgiving!
Thanks, and Hari Om
Purnima and Shankar
