Hari OM! Parents,
We started class with the beginning prayers followed by the chanting of Rama dhyana shlokam and Sri Nama Ramayanam.
We then went on to meditation which was first watching our breath to calm our mind and then slow chanting of Om namah Sivaya mantra.
We then continued the story from Aranya Kand
The first story was the encounter of the Lord with Soorpanakha, Ravana's sister. She had a terrible form of a Frankenstein and wanted to marry Rama. Finally in anger Lakshmana cut off her nose and ears signifying not to poke your nose in others business. She then ran to her half brothers Khara and Dooshana and narrated what had happened. They first sent their 14 best generals to fight the brothers but were killed. Khara, Dooshana along with their 14,000 strong army went to fight Rama. It was a fierce sight and used their maya forms to fight Rama. Finally the lord also used his Maya Shakti to destroy them. He made each one of them look like Rama, who killed each other saying Rama Rama...attaining mukti at the hands of the Lord. Finally, Khara & Dooshana were also killed after the Lord used divine weapons to kill them.
Soorpanakha ran to Ravana and narrated the above events. Ravana agreed to help her and on the advice of Akampana devised a plan to kill Rama. Ravana went to Mareecha, a demon who had escaped fighting Rama earlier was leading a quiet life of an aseptic. He could assume various forms by magic. Ravana asked him to take the form of a beautiful golden deer and must go before Sita and play around. She would be attracted to the dainty deer and ask for it. Rama would go after it and in the meanwhile, Ravana would disguise himself and carry Sita off. Mareecha was not happy with the plan as he knew Rama's strength. He tried to dissuade Ravana, but Ravana would not listen.
The plan was finalized, Mareecha had no choice but to obey Ravana as Ravana was his king. Mareecha preferred to die in Rama's hands as compared to Ravana's. Mareecha took the form of a golden deer one day and came near Rama's ashram. Sita longed for it and asked her Lord to fetch it for her. Lakshmana was appreciative about it. He felt it was the trick of some demon. But Sita would not listen. So Rama went after the deer. He told Lakshmana not to leave Sita's side under all circumstances. The deer frisked away and led Rama deeper into the forest. Rama shot at it and Mareecha fell crying "Ha Lakshmana, Ha Sita"! Rama now understood that he had been tricked.
Meanwhile, Sita on listening to the cry asked Lakshmana to help Rama. But he would not budge. Sita then turned her fury towards Lakshmana and said cruel words to Lakshmana. Lakshmana was forced to disobey his brother and went to look out for him.
Meanwhile Ravana executes his master plan and comes towards Sita's hut dressed as an aseptic asking for bhiksha. Sita is tricked. Ravana shows his original form and asks her to be his wife, promising her a life of luxury. Sita refuses and threatens him that her Lord would destroy him. Ravana didn't care and carried Sita in his aerial chariot.
The old bird Jatayu, a cousin of Garuda recognized Aita and challenged Ravana. He first tried to reason with him, but Ravana would not listen. Jatayu bravely fought with Ravana. Sita is distressed to witness this. Finally, Ravana overpowers Jatayu and cuts off his wings. The poor bird is badly injured. Ravana then flies towards the south carrying Sita. In one place Sita took off her jewels and threw them hoping Rama would know the direction Sita had gone.
Ravan finally reaches Lanka and pleads with Sita to be his wife. On Sita's refusal, she was taken to Ashoka Vana in the company of rakshasis guarding her. Sita's heart kept repeating her Lord's name hoping he would rescue her soon.
Rama was anxious about Sita. He was angry at Lakshmana for having disobeyed him. Lakshmana tried hard to explain but Rama would not listen. Rama lost his self-control for the first time and Lakshmana tried hard to calm him. Rama slowly regained his composure, and the two brothers went looking for Sita.
They met the faithful Jatayu who was badly hurt and heard what had happened. Jatayu gave them the direction Ravana flew and asked for blessings from Rama passed away. Rama and Lakshmana performed his last rites.
The two brothers were heading south when they were met by a hideous looking monster who started to attack them. He was soon overpowered and was hurt badly. He said he was cursed and was a heavenly being. After getting his original form he ascended to the skies after advising Rama and Lakshmana to go south and seek the help of the Vanara king, Sugreeva who lived in the Rishyamooka hill.
Rama and Lakshmana then reached the banks of the river Pampa where they were met by an old devotee Shabari. She was waiting to be blessed by Rama. She gathered fresh fruits and after tasting each one offered the best to her Lord. Rama accepted the fruits happily and blessed Shabari. Rama and Lakshmana continued their journey southwards to meet Sugreeva. Their minds were strengthened after meeting Kabandha and Shabari.
Discussed what we had learned from the above stories.
Soorpanakha story tells us not to poke our nose into others matters.
Rama was born with divine powers to destroy evil in the world as he single handedly killed Khara, Dooshana and their mighty army. All of them including Mareecha got mukti at the hands of the Lord. The demons used their maya for spreading evil, but the Lord used his Maya Shakthi to destroy them. He helped the rishis in the forest to live peacefully and do their tapas for the good of the world.
Rama acted in haste going after the deer even after Lakshamana's warning. We should learn from this story that we should also think before we act. Rama was grief stricken on losing Sita. He could not control the human sorrow which by his incarnation he had undertaken to endure. Lakshmana cheered him up whenever Rama was grief stricken. Laksmana is supposed to be Adishesha, the serpent, who always protected the spirit of Vishnu. Lakshmana always gave fresh energy and enthusiasm to Rama. These 2 stories show that the Lord had taken a divine human form and showed human behavior and how we should learn from these stories to improve our lives. We should work hard and not grieve when trouble comes.
Shabhari's story teaches us, the Lord always accepts whatever we offer, provided we offer with pure love and devotion. Shabari was one of the biggest devotees of the Lord.
We concluded Aranya Kand.
Our next Balavihar class is on January 20th
Pranams
Nirmala and Mythili
We started class with the beginning prayers followed by the chanting of Rama dhyana shlokam and Sri Nama Ramayanam.
We then went on to meditation which was first watching our breath to calm our mind and then slow chanting of Om namah Sivaya mantra.
We then continued the story from Aranya Kand
The first story was the encounter of the Lord with Soorpanakha, Ravana's sister. She had a terrible form of a Frankenstein and wanted to marry Rama. Finally in anger Lakshmana cut off her nose and ears signifying not to poke your nose in others business. She then ran to her half brothers Khara and Dooshana and narrated what had happened. They first sent their 14 best generals to fight the brothers but were killed. Khara, Dooshana along with their 14,000 strong army went to fight Rama. It was a fierce sight and used their maya forms to fight Rama. Finally the lord also used his Maya Shakti to destroy them. He made each one of them look like Rama, who killed each other saying Rama Rama...attaining mukti at the hands of the Lord. Finally, Khara & Dooshana were also killed after the Lord used divine weapons to kill them.
Soorpanakha ran to Ravana and narrated the above events. Ravana agreed to help her and on the advice of Akampana devised a plan to kill Rama. Ravana went to Mareecha, a demon who had escaped fighting Rama earlier was leading a quiet life of an aseptic. He could assume various forms by magic. Ravana asked him to take the form of a beautiful golden deer and must go before Sita and play around. She would be attracted to the dainty deer and ask for it. Rama would go after it and in the meanwhile, Ravana would disguise himself and carry Sita off. Mareecha was not happy with the plan as he knew Rama's strength. He tried to dissuade Ravana, but Ravana would not listen.
The plan was finalized, Mareecha had no choice but to obey Ravana as Ravana was his king. Mareecha preferred to die in Rama's hands as compared to Ravana's. Mareecha took the form of a golden deer one day and came near Rama's ashram. Sita longed for it and asked her Lord to fetch it for her. Lakshmana was appreciative about it. He felt it was the trick of some demon. But Sita would not listen. So Rama went after the deer. He told Lakshmana not to leave Sita's side under all circumstances. The deer frisked away and led Rama deeper into the forest. Rama shot at it and Mareecha fell crying "Ha Lakshmana, Ha Sita"! Rama now understood that he had been tricked.
Meanwhile, Sita on listening to the cry asked Lakshmana to help Rama. But he would not budge. Sita then turned her fury towards Lakshmana and said cruel words to Lakshmana. Lakshmana was forced to disobey his brother and went to look out for him.
Meanwhile Ravana executes his master plan and comes towards Sita's hut dressed as an aseptic asking for bhiksha. Sita is tricked. Ravana shows his original form and asks her to be his wife, promising her a life of luxury. Sita refuses and threatens him that her Lord would destroy him. Ravana didn't care and carried Sita in his aerial chariot.
The old bird Jatayu, a cousin of Garuda recognized Aita and challenged Ravana. He first tried to reason with him, but Ravana would not listen. Jatayu bravely fought with Ravana. Sita is distressed to witness this. Finally, Ravana overpowers Jatayu and cuts off his wings. The poor bird is badly injured. Ravana then flies towards the south carrying Sita. In one place Sita took off her jewels and threw them hoping Rama would know the direction Sita had gone.
Ravan finally reaches Lanka and pleads with Sita to be his wife. On Sita's refusal, she was taken to Ashoka Vana in the company of rakshasis guarding her. Sita's heart kept repeating her Lord's name hoping he would rescue her soon.
Rama was anxious about Sita. He was angry at Lakshmana for having disobeyed him. Lakshmana tried hard to explain but Rama would not listen. Rama lost his self-control for the first time and Lakshmana tried hard to calm him. Rama slowly regained his composure, and the two brothers went looking for Sita.
They met the faithful Jatayu who was badly hurt and heard what had happened. Jatayu gave them the direction Ravana flew and asked for blessings from Rama passed away. Rama and Lakshmana performed his last rites.
The two brothers were heading south when they were met by a hideous looking monster who started to attack them. He was soon overpowered and was hurt badly. He said he was cursed and was a heavenly being. After getting his original form he ascended to the skies after advising Rama and Lakshmana to go south and seek the help of the Vanara king, Sugreeva who lived in the Rishyamooka hill.
Rama and Lakshmana then reached the banks of the river Pampa where they were met by an old devotee Shabari. She was waiting to be blessed by Rama. She gathered fresh fruits and after tasting each one offered the best to her Lord. Rama accepted the fruits happily and blessed Shabari. Rama and Lakshmana continued their journey southwards to meet Sugreeva. Their minds were strengthened after meeting Kabandha and Shabari.
Discussed what we had learned from the above stories.
Soorpanakha story tells us not to poke our nose into others matters.
Rama was born with divine powers to destroy evil in the world as he single handedly killed Khara, Dooshana and their mighty army. All of them including Mareecha got mukti at the hands of the Lord. The demons used their maya for spreading evil, but the Lord used his Maya Shakthi to destroy them. He helped the rishis in the forest to live peacefully and do their tapas for the good of the world.
Rama acted in haste going after the deer even after Lakshamana's warning. We should learn from this story that we should also think before we act. Rama was grief stricken on losing Sita. He could not control the human sorrow which by his incarnation he had undertaken to endure. Lakshmana cheered him up whenever Rama was grief stricken. Laksmana is supposed to be Adishesha, the serpent, who always protected the spirit of Vishnu. Lakshmana always gave fresh energy and enthusiasm to Rama. These 2 stories show that the Lord had taken a divine human form and showed human behavior and how we should learn from these stories to improve our lives. We should work hard and not grieve when trouble comes.
Shabhari's story teaches us, the Lord always accepts whatever we offer, provided we offer with pure love and devotion. Shabari was one of the biggest devotees of the Lord.
We concluded Aranya Kand.
Our next Balavihar class is on January 20th
Pranams
Nirmala and Mythili
