Hari Om Parents!
The past Sunday (25th Sep) was our second class of Balavihar for 2022-2023!
Here is the summary of what we covered in class:
- We started the class with the Opening prayers. We chanted Om three times and then chanted "Sahana vavatu".
- We briefly talked about Navaratri festival and some kids shared about the experience and Golu.
- Kids shared the coloring of Ayodhya city with us.
- We learnt a new Bhajan "Atmarama Anandaramana" - My prayer book page 143.
- Then we started with Bala Ramayana story. Recapped last week story of Ayodhya with few follow up questions on whom we are learning about (Rama) and King of Ayodhya and his Gurus & Ministers.
- Continuation of the story: continued on the Yaga that King Dasaratha performed called "Putrakamesti Yaga" to blessed with Rama, Bharata, Laksmana and Satrughna. How Sumitra had twins ( explained the share of payasam that each queens had). Then moved on to the the explaining what skills and knowledge they gained during the childhood days and how they 4 grew up to be a charming prince.
Then story went on about Viswamitra visit to Ayodhya and his request to King Dasaratha to send Sri Rama with him to protect the fire rituals (Yajnas) that he performs. The two Raksasas "Mareecha and Subahu" were constantly disturbing the Yajnas with loud noises, polluting the fire altar with flesh & blood drops. Since Rama possess true and unfailing skill in archery and weapons, Sri Rama can handle and kill these Raksasas which no other man can do.
By hearing Viswamitra request, King Dasaratha was stunned and not ready to accept to send Rama. Then Vasistha advices King Dasaratha that Viswamitra has such power he can handle by himself the Raksasas, but he wanted to teach and share his experience and divinely weapons to Sri Rama only he is requesting. So please send Rama and Laksmana with him and they will defeat the Raksasas and gain fame.
Then King Dasaratha accepted to send Sri Rama and Laksmana with Viswamitra. the queens and entire Kingdom prayed for Rama Laksmana's victory and cheered them when they were going with Viswamitra. We stopped over there.
7. We took the kids outside for the activity where we played 4 corners (using names from Ramayana) where kids get to think and go to the Name of the corner as we say. Also played Version of Simon says by replacing with "Rama Says". Kids enjoyed and we too!!
8. Then came back to our class and sang the last week learnt Bhajan
"Jai ganesha jai ganesha
Jai ganesha ".
9. In the end we did a Mind quietening meditation called "Body scan" where we sit in meditation pose and as teacher says body parts one by one the rest should focus the mind on it. The kids were really awesome sitting quietly for the entire time And even after we opened the eyes we told them keep the voice low to stay in that mode for some more time. Please try to do this game with them at home to cultivate the quietness in them. It helps them and us too.
10. Then all lined up to go to Arati and joined arati to finish the day.
11. Kids have been given homework to color pages from Ramayana coloring page Lesson 2 & 3.
12. Next class we will continue the story to build upon the Ramayana events one by one.
Pranams
Subha and Selvi
