Hari Om Parents,
Below is what we covered this week. Please note that there is no Balavihar this coming weekend. Our Next class will be on January 22nd.
Shlokas:
Opening prayers, Sahanavavatu,
Nama Ramayanam (verses 43 to 48) - (131) Nama Ramayanam - Verses 43 to 48 - YouTube
Geeta Chanting
Verses 13 & 14
(131) Verses 13-14 Ch.3 BG - YouTube
Lessons and activities
Ramayana Continued.
Rama and Lakshmana were noticed by Sugriva and his aides when they were wandering around Pampa lake. Sugriva was the younger brother of Vali. Vali fought with a raksha named Mayavi in a deep cave. Sugriva guarded the mouth of the cave as instructed by Vali. After months of fighting, Sugriva heard some indistinct noises from the cave with a stream of blood flowing out of the cave. Sugriva mistakes Vali to be dead, covers the mouth of the cave with a huge boulder and returns to Kishkinda. Persuaded by the ministers around, Sugriva becomes the king. Angered by Sugriva's conduct, Vali exiles him from the kingdom and even takes away his wife. Sugriva takes shelter in Rishyamukha mountain where Vali was forbidden from entering due to sage Matanga's curse.
Hanuman, the chief of aides of Sugriva was sent to find the identity of Rama and Lakshmana. Hanuman in disguise, with his intelligent speech impresses Rama where Rama explains to Hanuman who he was and how he reached there and expresses his desire to befriend Sugriva. Hanuman reveals his identity and carries Rama and Lakshmana to Sugriva. Both exchanged their stories, extended their hand of friendship and decided to help each other. Sugriva narrates to Rama the story of Dundubhi to make Rama aware of Vali's strength. Rama assures Sugriva of his strength by piercing a single arrow through a row of trees. Later, Sugriva challenges Vali for a flight. Rama gets confused by the twin brothers and could not shoot Vali. In the second fight, Sugriva was garlanded a flower creeper for his identity. In the fight, Vali was shot by Rama. After a conversation with the lord, Vali apologizes to the lord. Sugriva becomes the king and Angada the son of Vali becomes the crowned prince. Rama instructed Sugriva to initiate the search efforts for Sita after four rainy months.
Spiritual Significance of the story:
Vali and sugriva represent two egos in a person. One facing the outer world (Vali)- Bhogi and the other facing the inner world (Sugriva)- Yogi and are always in Conflict. Vali takes away all the wealth and Sugriva is a yogi on a mountain. Rishyamukha mountain represents Satsang where Vali could never enter. Bhoga Samskaras are always strong and Yoga samsaras are always weak. Hence once should take the help of Bhagvan and win over the Bhogi ego.Sadhaka with the help of Bhagavan can face all the challenges.
We also discussed " Anger". Anger of Vali caused much confusion where he refused to calm down and listen to Sugriva's side of the story. Anger takes away our discriminative power and capacity to see the truth.We discussed various strategies to keep Anger under check.
Class Play:
Our class play will be based on the story of Vali and Sugriva. Vali also represents the desire where in our senses always feel helpless with a desired object in front. Only with the backing of the lord and having will power will we be able to overcome this.
We chose a few editors from our class to come up with a real life scenario based on the topic "Desire". Soon we will be starting the play practices. Our grade is scheduled to give a stage performance on May 7th.
Link for the shared play document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PBcrwSoOgkjWjtVetGAY3XRDwaVbaU1OvAkO1RUOLgI/edit?usp=sharing
Pranams
Sirisha and Prarthana
