Hari Om Parents,
We started our class with a breathing exercise and chanted "OM" 3 times, "Sahana Vavathu," and daily prayers, which are on page 11 of the My Prayers book. Please go through the daily prayers with your children to ensure they memorize them
Maricha as a golden deer catching Sita's attention and she wants it as her pet. Rama agrees to capture it for her and asks Lakshmana to guard Sita. He then follows the deer deep into the forest. Sita and Lakshmana are waiting for Rama's return, when they hear his voice call out for help from the forest. Sita is very worried and sends Lakshmana to help his brother. Reluctantly Lakshmana leaves after warning Sita to stay in the ashram and not talk to strangers. Ravana in disguise as a sadhu comes to the ashram and begs Sita for food. She steps out to give the bhiksha and is carried away forcefully. We discussed how not to cross boundries that keep us safe and that rules have to be followed for our own good. Ravana's trick had worked and he took away Sita in his flying chariot. However, brave Jatayu confronts them and fights to rescue Sita. Ravana cuts off the wings, and Jatayu falls down hurt. Ravana reaches Lanka with Sita. He places her under guard with a group of rakshasis in Ashoka Vatika. He gives her one year to consider becoming his queen or be killed. Meanwhile, in the forest Rama realizes the deer is not an ordinary one. He shoots it with his arrow and Maricha emerges. Before dying he diguises his voice as Rama and calls out to Lakshmana for help. This is what brings Lakshmana into the forest, and he meets Rama. Both of them realise the trick played on them, and hurry back to find Sita is missing from the ashram.
Rama and Lakshmana have returned to Panchavati and Sita is missing. They start searching for her in the forest. They find clues of Sita's struggle and conclude she was kidnapped by a rakshasa. Next they find the old Jatayu, who is very close to death. He narrates the fight with Ravana. He then tells Rama that Ravana flew south with Sita. This information was very important to Rama and Lakshmana and they now know which direction to search for Sita.
Class Zoom Link:
See you all Friday. Class starts promptly at 7:00 pm.
Regards,
Sangita Patankar & Uma Bhashetty
