Hari Om Parents,
We started our class with a breathing. exercise, chanted "OM" 3 times, and chanted the daily prayers, which are on page 11 of the My Prayers book.
In the story, we talked about the wedding of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. In Mithila, king Janaka was preparing for the yagna. Sage Vishwamitra, Lord Rama, and Lakshmana came to the yagna and were welcomed by king Janaka. Sage Vishwamitra introduced Rama and mentioned that they were the sons of King Dasharatha.
King Janaka ordered for Rudra's Bow to be brought; it took five thousand soldiers, who were sweating and panting, to drag the bow to the middle of the court on an 8 wheel chariot. Lord Rama stood and asked for permission from his Guru to participate. Sage Vishwamitra smiled and gave him permission. Then, Lord Rama went and lifted the bow with his right hand and pulled the string to the point that the bow snapped into 2 pieces. The heavens and earth were shaking as if an earthquakes had occurred.
King Janaka declared, "Since Rama fulfilled the condition of Sita's hand in marriage, Rama will marry my daughter, Sita". So, Sita garlanded Rama because it is an event before marriage. King Janaka sent the good news to King Dasharatha. He was very happy and asked to know about Rama and Lakshmana. Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sage Vishwamitra all arrived to Mithila and the wedding date was fixed. Next, Lord Rama married Sita, Lakshma married to Urmila (Sita's sister), and Bharata married to Mandavi (Sita's cousin), and Shatrugyana married to Sruthakirti (Sita's cousin).
The people of Ayodhya and Mithali were happy. However, King Janaka was sad; he did not know how he will live without Sita. She was also just as sad as her father. She missed her father's love and affection. At last, King Janaka hide his tears and says farewell to Sita.
Afterwards, we talked about Sage Parashurama, who is the enemy of Kshatriyas. He comes into the story when King Dasharatha and his sons with their new wives are on their way to Ayodhya. He tells Lord Rama that he has heard about Lord Rama's impressive deeds: breaking Rudra's Bow. Sage Parashurama goes on to challenge Lord Rama by asking him to shoot an arrow using Vishnu's bow. Consequently, Lord Rama held the bow, put the arrow on bow, and pointed it at Sage Parashurama. nd tells, I won't kill you as you are Brahamana but I won't let it go waste . He then asks the sage what should he do with the loaded arrow. In response, Sage Parashurama tells Lord Rama to use the arrow to destroy the fruits of his penance (his ego). Afterwards, he went back to the Himalayas to meditate.
We talked about giving gifts to Lord Rama and Sita after wedding. Each kid want to give different gifts like bouquet of flowers, prayers to the couple and wishing for best life , singing Prayers to Lord Rama and Sita etc . But we wanted to give all bad habits too , kids mentioned their bad habits like messing their rooms , fighting with siblings, not listening their parents . Now , we will be free from them and become good people and lord Rama turn them into positive.
Class Zoom Link:
See you all next Friday. Class starts promptly at 7:00 pm.
Regards,
Sangita Patankar & Uma Bhashetty
