Hari Om Parents!
Please find the summary of the content covered in the last month's Balavihar classes (10/7,10/14 and 10/28). We have been having very engaging classes with Kids having thoughtful questions around the story and the values we discuss in each class. We had games and quizzes on the topics covered to make it interesting for the kids.
We do the following opening prayers at the beginning of each class: 3 Oms, Sahana Vahatu and Sree Rama Rama Rameti dhyana shloka. We then spend few minutes in meditation before we kick off the class topics. We also encourage kids to do Likhita japa in the class whenever possible. In the past 3 classes, we also covered 10 verses from Nama Ramayanam until now. We will continue to work on these in the upcoming classes. We covered 4 verses of 3rd chapter, Karma yoga from Bhagadvita. Please encourage your kids to practice these versers ( Nama ramayanam and Gita) at home as well.
We completed the Bala Khanda and part of Ayodhya khanda from Ramayana covering the following topics in the last 3 classes.
- Vishwamitra's visit to Ayodhya to request Rama's assistance to defeat the rakshasas who are defiling the yagna he is performing
- Rama's bravery in slaying the monsters
- Story of Sita's birth and the swayamvara announcement
- Vishwamitra taking the young princes to Mithila
- Story of Ganga avatara and how Bhageertha brought Ganga over to earth
- Story of Ahalya and how she was brought back to human form by Rama's grace
- Rama winning sita's hand by completing the challenge in the swayamvara
- Parasuram's discomfiture with Rama stringing Vishnu's bow
- King Dasaratha's desire to crown Rama as Yuvaraj
- Manthara's evil counsel to Kaikeyi
As we were going through the topics, we emphasized on many values and life lessons these incidents from Ramayana teaches us. We discussed Vishwamitra's anger and how his ego impacted his growth as a brahmarshi. We also learned about perseverance he demonstrated and how that is important in one's like to achieve our goals. The same was highlighted when we reviewed the story of Bhageertha. Through different examples from the stories shared above, we talked about the importance of Dharma, speaking truth and integrity. Rama's personality is an embodiment of Dharma. His role as a son, brother, husband, student and also prince serves as a model for all of us on how to lead our life, how we respect our parents and how we stay composed and balanced in all situations. Always choose to do that right thing even though it's not the thing that we desire. Ahalya's story teaches us the consequences of getting carried away by desires. Through the story of Manthara, we learned the importance of having good company and how Manthar's counsel transformed Kaikeyi's whole nature. She lost her ability to discriminate between right and wrong. So, we all should be beware of Manthara's in our lives!
We will continue with the story discussing Rama's departure to Forest along with Sita and Lakshmana.
On Oct 28th, we had Balavihar house inauguration event with some games and activities. Kids who were able to make it that day had active participation. Itwa sfun watchin the kids work together in solving the puzzles. Great team work was displayed across all houses.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or comments.
Pranams and Regards,
Mythili and Nirmala ( 7th grade balavihar sevaks)
