Hari Om Parents,
This week we had a shorter class due to Saraswati pooja. Below is what we covered this week.
Shlokas:
Shanti mantra - Sahanavavatu (My Prayers - Page 8)
Lord Sri Rama Dhayna slokas (My prayers - Page 129)
Geeta Chanting:
Chapter 3 verses 1 & 2
Lesson & Discussion
Significance of Navaratri: This festival is celebrated in glorification of Goddess Shakti's victory over the demon Mahishasura. The first nine days are known as Navaratri where Goddess Shakti is propitiated in the form of Goddess Durga(the annihilator of evil tendencies in us), Lakshmi(bestower of the inner wealth) and Saraswathi(bestower of the knowledge). The tenth day is also known as Vijayadashami or Dasara which marks the day of victory over all the lower tendencies. Dasara also marks the war between Lord Rama and Ravana and the ultimate victory of Lord Rama.
Analysis on Desires: Desires themselves are not wrong. They should be backed by dharma and enjoyed moderately. We are always confronted with choosing one two paths 1. The path of pleasant (Preyas) or 2. The path of Good (Shreyas) at every single moment of our lives. Hence step back, weigh the benefits of both and decide wisely in every situation, the path to be taken.
Ramayana: Few kids in the class narrated the events precisely - Great job in sharing and their analysis!!
We did a character analysis of sage Vishwamitra who was struck by the vices, later with his severe austerities and surrendering his ego, won over his mind and evolved from the status Raaja Rishi, Maharshi to Brahma Rishi.
Story Continued: Sage Vishwamitra approaches king Dasaratha to send Rama with him to protect his yagna from powerful rakshasas Maricha and Subahu. Dasaratha, advised by his raaja guru, sage Vasishita agrees and sends Rama and Lakshmana. Vishwamitra teaches Rama and Lakshmana powerful mantras- Bala and Atibala. Later Rama kills the rakshasi Tataka. Sage imparts his knowledge of divine astras to Rama. Rama teaches them to Lakshmana. Eventually after a fight with rakshasas, Rama kills Subahu and Vishwamitra's yagna completes successfully.
Rama and Lakshmana accompany the sage to Mythila where King Janaka had completed a yaaga. King Janaka was happy and informed them that he would give his daughter Sita, in marriage to one who could break the bow of lord Shiva.Urged by Vishwamitra, Rama went to see the bow, lifted it effortlessly from the casket, strung it and while pulling the string back, breaks the bow. Lord Rama thus wins Sita's hand.
Pranams
Sirisha & Prarthana
