Hari Om Dear Parents,
Here is this week's update: Feb 5th 2021
Likhita Japa, Opening Prayers, Dhyana Sholka, Nama Ramayana
Activity:
One of the kids did a beautiful presentation on Lanka.
Ramayana Story :
As word reached Raavana that a monkey destroyed Ashoka Vana, he initially sends a few men with Jambumaali to catch hold of him, followed by Aksha. Aksha got killed and Raavana sent Indrajit, his valiant son. Indrajit used his Brahmastra to arrest Hanuman and brought him to Raavana's court. Hanuman ji lost consciousness for 3/4th of an hour and once he regained consciousness, the counsel started questioning his whereabouts. Hanumanji explained that he was sent by Rama and Lakshmana in search of Sita and advises Raavana to return Sita.
Raavana wanted to kill Hanuman but Vibheeshana interupted saying that killing a messenger was adharmic. As they tied a lot of rags around his tail, Hanuman ji grew in size and made them redo their job again and again. They poured oil and lighted the tail. Hanumanji reduced his size and started jumping around with the tail lighting everything on his way. Sitaji came to know about this and started praying for Hanumanji's safety. Entire Lanka was in flames except Ashoka vana.
Hanumanji visited Ashoka vana in the end, took leave of Sitaji and left Lanka. He landed on Mahendra hill. Jaambavan, Angada and other vaanaras were very happy to see Hanumanji's return. They returned back to Sugreeva. Hanumanji sensed Rama's eagerness to hear about their search for Sita and uttered 'I saw Sita' without going into any details. Rama was thrilled to hear this and then Hanumanji went into details on how and where Sitaji was living. He handed over Chudamani to Rama and relayed the stories that Sita ji told him to convey to Rama. Rama cried happy tears and embraced Hanuman as a token of thanks. Without much delay Sugreeva, Rama, Lakshmana, Hanuman and the entire vaanara army set out to Lanka.
Raavana was bothered by Hanuman's visit. He called all his ministers and asked for advise. Most of them only boosted his ego more by praising him, except his brother Vibheeshana. Vibheeshana called his act of abducting Sita adharmic and advised Raavana to go by Neeti Sastra (rules of politics) while engaging in war - Saama(concilation with the enemy), Dhaana(buying the enemy out with wealth), Bheda(solving disagreement) and lastly to restore to Dandam (punishment/war), if none of the three work. Raavana was not happy to hear this and dismissed the counsel.
Next day, Raavana woke Kumbharana from his slumber and asked him the same question. Kumbhakarna also called Raavana's act adharmic and advised him to return Sita. When Raavana did not agree, he said that he would stay with him and face the war as his brother.
Vibheeshana advised Raavana yet again but everyone blamed and yelled at him. Vibheeshana decided to leave Raavana and approach Rama for protection. He took leave of Raavana and along with few other rakshashas left Lanka.
Thanks and Hari Om
Purnima and Shankar
