We started our class with chanting "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. We did "Kathe bhi Ram Kaho " bhajan and " Shivaaya parameshwaraya " Bhajan . Almost all the kids memorized. We practiced " Guru Stotram " , almost all kids can chant .
Story Time :
In the story ,we talked about how Sugriva divided Vanaras into 4 groups ,sent to East,West,North and south in search of Sita Mata .Hanuman, Jambavan,Angada ,Nila were sent to south as a powerful and smart team, as Jatayu mentioned that Ravana went to south .Rama was confident in Hanuman that he will be able to search Sita and get good news,so Rama gave his Ring to Hanuman to show it to Sita , as he was Rama's messenger .
Vanaras scattered to four directions and searched for Sita. Unfortunately, brave Vanaras who went to east,west ,north returned within a month in failure to find Sita.Now,all hopes were on the group who went to south.
Vanaras while searching ,entered into cave which has beautiful golden trees with emerald leaves and rubies hung as fruits. They came across a tapasvini named Svayamprabha . When she asked the reason for them in cave ,hanuman told the whole story and how they are in search of Sita. She said that the cave was given by Indra to her friend Hema . They cannot go out of cave by themselves. If they all close their eyes,she will get them out with her powers .
They followed her instructions and by the time they opened their eyes, they were on sea-shore and could see only the ocean for miles far. All members of group were confused and want to return back to Kishkindha . But wise Hanuman said, we are here to fulfill the mission of Ramachandra , so let us intensify the search and made a plan.
This group was watched by a old Vulture from the nearly hill who was hungry and want to feast on Vanaras. But he heard them talking about how Rama has to leave kingdom, has to live in forest with Sita and Lakshmana. How, Cruel Ravana kidnapped Sita and how Jatayu couldn't rescue sita and died in struggle. When old Vulture heard the name Jatayu .
He came down and asked , who are they and did they talk about Jatayu and his death . Did Ravana killed him?
This old Vulture, Sampaati, told the whole story ,that he and Jatayu are brothers and sons of Aruna, god of dawn. When they were young, had a race that who can fly higher. How ,he saved Jatayu's wings from burning heat of sun and how he lost his wings and fell on that mountain and from then he lost Jatayu. Vanaras calmed him and told story of Rama . Vanaras asked Sampaati if he knew about Ravana. Sampaati said he saw raksasa Ravana speeding across the sky and taking a tearful lady .Sampaati being old he can see far and see Lanka, and see Sita sitting in a garden surrounded by scary raksasas. All Vanaras were happy that they came to know about Sita and she is alive . Now,they are thinking how to go there and who is the right one. Angadha was asking everyone to estimate there capacity to leap . Some said 50 yojanas ,60,80 yojanas. Jambavan said 80 as he is old . Hanuman was silently sitting. Jambavan went to Hanuman and said that he is strong and wise leader of their group and he is son of Vayu. So he has that speed in him. When Jambavan praised Hanuman and told his strength. Hanuman's body expanded and he grew tall and tall like a mountain.
Hanuman is ready to fly across the ocean and went on the mountain.
After flying for a while, he came across a mountain and heard a voice, " rest on me Hanuman, Rama is a good friend of mine" . Hanuman was in a rush to find Sita so he said, sorry, will take rest while going back . After going for a while, a big monster came up from water and want Hanuman to go inside its mouth but Hanuman became a small spec and went inside her mouth and came out and said , her wish got fulfilled. She replied that she was testing him , and blessed him with a success in his search.
Another Raaksasi came out from water and now Hanuman became big and burst from its mouth and killed raaksasi and started again his journey to Lanka.
The brave Hanuman has overcame great obstacles in his flight across the ocean. His great strength and quick thinking brought him safely to the golden shores of Lanka. Here Hanuman pauses to survey the island and marvels at the efficiently planned city. Hanuman knows that crossing the ocean is only the first step. He must be careful not to make any mistakes or be careless. First he needed to determine that Sita was alive. Hanuman waited for nightfall and shrunk to the size of a little monkey. He began prowling around the city wall and was immediately stopped by a fierce rakshasi. He dealt a blow to her jaw and the rakshasi fell. She remembered the prophesy that when a monkey's blow would make her fall, the end of rakshasa race would not be far. She let Hanuman enter the city. As Hanuman searched through palaces, he saw may beautiful ladies dressed in fine clothes and jewelry. He even entered Ravana's grand bedchamber and saw many queens there. However, he knew that none of them could be Sita. Next he came to a beautiful garden with flower, fruit and ashoka trees. He saw a number of rakshasis guarding a lovely lady sitting under one of the trees. She wore simple clothes, was weeping and repeating the name "Rama". He had no difficulty in guessing that it was Sita. Just then, King Ravana approached Sita. He offered all the wealth and pleasures of the world to make her his queen. Sita put on a bold face and refused Ravana's offer. She then gives Ravana some advice. She tells him that it is still not too late to mend his ways and return her to Lord Rama. She also tells Ravana that if he repents for his mistake and apologizes,the benevolent Lord Rama will forgive Ravana. Furious Ravana gives her a warning that at the end of two months he would kill her if she did not change her mind and storms away.
Class Zoom Link:
See you all Friday. Class starts promptly at 7:00 pm.
Regards,
Sangita Patankar & Uma
