Hari Om Parents,
Congratulations to all the children that participated in the story telling contest!
We had a fun class this weekend, starting with a forest animals yoga game race! Even though Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were used to a royal life, living in the lap of luxury, when they go to live in the forest they embrace all the goodness that nature offers. Sita enjoys living in the forest where she can play with animals and connect with mother nature. Honoring the diversity of nature the kids imagined they were forest animals. The kids moved in these dynamic yoga poses inspired by nature: Monkey, Cobra, Frog, Bear, Elephant. Then we got straight back to the Ramayana story, we covered three chapters 22, 23 & 24.
Reminders:
- Coat Drive - February 8th 2026
- Shlokaton Contest - March 7th 2026
- Bhajanotsav - May 2nd 2026
- Class Play - Saturday June 13th. Please confirm your child's participation.
Values:
- Love (Bhakti) - Shabri shows us : We find joy in our lives when we have love, patience, and sincerity in all our actions.
- Gratitude - Rama teaches us: When receiving a gift from others remember it is the thought that is the most important rather than the size or cost of the gift.
Chapters 22: Kabandha
While searching for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana meet Kabandha, a strange and terrifying creature. Kabandha had no head and no neck, instead, his massive, gaping mouth filled with teeth as sharp as daggers was right in the middle of his belly. A single, glowing eye glared at them from his chest, and his arms were miles long, sweeping across the forest floor to ensnare anything that moved. Kabandha grabbed Rama and Lakshmana with his massive arms and hoisted them high into the air. As he was about to pull them into his hungry belly mouth, Rama called out to Lakshmana, "draw your sword". With perfectly synchronized swings the brothers severed Kabandha's snake like arms at the shoulders. Kabandha fell to the earth with a thunderous crash. As the monster lay defeated, he did not howl in rage instead a look of relief washed over his face. "Who are you?" Kabandha asked feebly . "Are you Sri Rama, son of Dasharatha?" Rama nodded. Kabandha let out a long, shaky breath. "Then you have saved me. I was not always this way." Kabandha told them his story: "Long ago, I was a beautiful gandharva (a celestial musician) named Vishvavasu. Overconfident of my greatness, I became arrogant and rude, and I found it amusing to taunt and scare people . One day I went too far mocking a powerful sage and challenging the king of gods, Indra. For this arrogance, the sage cast a spell on me to take this hideous form until the touch of Rama's blade shattered the spell. Sri Rama I request you to destroy his monstrous form of mine." Rama granted his wish and the beautiful gandhva Vishvavasu emerged! Floating in the air, Vishvavasu advised Rama, "Go to Lake Pampa by the Rishyamuka mountains, there, you will find the monkey King Sugriva. He will become your loyal friend and he will help you find Sita." With a graceful bow, Vishvavasu vanished into thin air.
Chapters 23: Shabari
Shabari was from a simple forest tribe, her attitude to towards work and life was to share with and serve others as best as she could. Her teacher sage Matanga knew Shabari was a very special sole. Blessing Shabari, Sage Matanga told her, "You will meet the great Sri Rama, he will come to this ashram and you will see him with your own eyes, wait for him patiently." Years passed, Shabari's hair turned white, her body grew weak but her hope of seeing Sri Rama never faded. Every day Shabari swept and cleaned the ashram. Looking down the forest path she would longingly whisper, "Today might be the day I see Sri Rama." Walking slowly through the forest carrying a small basket, she would gently touch the fruit trees and request them softly "Please give me your best fruits today as Sri Rama may be coming." At last, the special day Shabari had been waiting for arrived. Rama and Lakshmana were walking by the ashram searching for Sita . Shabari heard their footsteps, the moment Shabari saw Rama, tears of joy flowed down her wrinkled face. With trembling hands, she welcomed Rama and Lakshmana into the ashram. Shabari offered them water and brought them the fruits she had lovingly gathered. She told Rama that she had carefully chosen only the sweetest fruits, and just to make sure all the fruits were perfectly ripe she tasted them. Seeing the fruits Lakshmana frowned with disgust, he did not want to eat fruits that had already been bitten. Rama however smiled warmly at Sabari, knowing the intention, and feeling the love with which Sabari was offering them the fruits. With that same love, Rama accepted the fruits and ate them happily. Speaking loving to Sabari Rama asked her , "Sabari ma, we are searching for my wife Sita. She was taken away by Ravana the king of Lanka. We are looking for Sugriva, do you know where he could be? Folding her hands and bowing respectfully to Rama she replied. "Yes, Sri Rama, Sugriva, the mighty vanara king lives near Lake Pampa by the Rishyamukha mountain." Rama asked "Why does he not live in his kingdom?" Then Shabari explained Sugriva's predicament, "He needs your help Sri Rama. Sugriva's elder bother Vali drove him away from his kingdom. You must be careful when you approach Surgriva, as he is always suspicious that Vali may be sending people to harm him." Holding Rama's hand Shabari advises " Dear Sri Rama you must first speak to Hanuman, he is Sugriva's most trusted and wise friend. Explain your position to Hanuman and he will speak to Sugriva on your behalf. With Sugriva's army on your side your are sure to find Sita."
Chapters 24: Hanuman & Sugriva
Continuing their search for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana headed closer towards the Rishyamukha mountain. From above, the brothers were being closely watched by Sugriva, who called out to his minister, "Hanuman, look at those men approaching Rishyamukha! Go meet them and find out their intent." Hanuman was smart and courageous, "I will find out who they are" replied Hanuman, changing himself into a simple brahmin scholar. Then in a blink of an eye he transported himself close to where Rama and Lakshmana were walking. Stepping out and bowing respectfully Hanuman said, "Good day, I have not seen you in this part of the forest before. I am curious, you wear the simple robes of monks, but you are both holding glistening bows and arrows." Rama was instantly struck by Hanuman's soft speech. Hanuman felt a powerful pull towards Rama, whose presence was warm and comforting. Walking closer towards Hanuman, Rama revealed their identity, "We are the princes of Ayodhya, we are searching for my wife Sita. At that moment Hanuman realized that the very person he was sent to spy on was actually Sri Rama. Knowing this he could no longer maintain his disguise and in a flash of light Hanuman returned to his true vanara form. He dropped to his knees, the earth cracking slightly under his weight. "Dear Sri Rama!" Hanuman cried, "I am Hanuman, son of the wind, please forgive me for tricking you. I am the chief advisor for Sugriva's vanara army. Sugriva has been a hiding for many years he lives in fear that his evil brother Vali may hurt him." Rama reached down and pulled the mighty Hanuman up. Seeing the kindness and goodness in his eyes Rama embraced Hanuman tightly. Hanuman was speechless. Then remembering his duty to Sugriva he requested, "Dear Sri Rama, Sugriva needs your help, please come with me to meet him. The mountain is steep so we must fly. If you don't mind kindly allow me to carry you both on my shoulders." Rama and Lakshmana climbed onto Hanuman's shoulders and he made a huge leap towards Rishyamukha. Hanuman announced the arrival of king Dhasharatha's sons when they reached Sugriva's home. On seeing Rama's gentle nature, Sugriva wondered if Rama had the ability to defeat Vali. "Are you truly ready Rama to defeat a behemoth like Vali? Surgriva questioned. To ease Sugriva's doubts, Rama picked up his Kodanda and notched a single, gleaming arrow. The released arrow streaked across the valley, it didn't just pierce one tree but it tore through seven massive trees in a single line and returned to Rama's quiver like a loyal bird. With his doubts erased, Sugriva bowed to Rama saying, "Forgive my hesitation, Sri Rama, I see that your power is infinite." Hanuman quickly ignited a sacred fire between the two leaders. Sugriva began to narrate his story, "My brother Vali is a titan of strength, one day the demon Dhundubi barged through the gates of Vali's kingdom Kishkindha and challenged Vali to a fight. Vali seized the demon by its horns, whirled him around like a toy and flung him high in the air for miles. With disregard for the peace of the forest Vali allowed the demon's blood to splatter everywhere. Sage Matanga who lived by the Rishyamuka mountains was outraged by Vali's disgusting behavior. The sage cursed Vali, prohibiting him from ever setting foot on Rishyamukha" Sugriva went on to tell the tale of the demon Mayavi (Dhudubi's bother), who came to get revenge. "Mayavi lured Vali into a cave, before going in, Vali asked me to wait outside and guard the cave while he defeated Mayavi. I waited at the mouth of that cave as Vali had asked, I heard loud notices and groans from the cave, and then complete silence. I was heart broken , I thought Vali had been defeated by Mayavi. I was terrified that Mayavi may come charging out of the cave and try to take over Kishkinda. I had to protect my brother's kingdom. To prevent the demon from escaping I sealed the cave with a boulder and returned to rule our kingdom. I had made a grave mistake. Vali had gotten trapped in the cave." Sugriva continued, his voice trembling with guilt. "When he came out he assumed I had deliberately trapped him. He banished me from the kingdom and chased me out of Kishkinda." Rama listened and understood the need for Sugriva to flight Vali. Vali did not deserve to be king, he put his arrogance and pride over everyone. Rama then shared his story with Sugriva. After narrating all the events leading to his exile to the forest Rama paused and said, "One day I was lured away by a bewitching golden deer, ceasing the opportunity, Ravana, the king of Lanka, used treachery to take my beloved Sita. He carried her through the sky in a chariot and he is now holding her captive Lanka. Sugriva reached out and took Rama's hand and said emotionally, "I vow to help you in every way, my Vanara army and all my resources are yours until Sita is found." In response Rama assured him, "We will defeat Vali and you will return to your Kingdom" Their alliance was sealed, the strength of the vanaras guided by Rama's dharmic attitude created an unstoppable current heading to seal Ravan's fate.
Yoga/ Pranayam/ Meditation:
Animal Yoga Race
Prayers
1) Chanting OM & Sahana Vavatu
2) Gita Chanting - We will be starting Chapter 12 - Bhakthi Yoga (Yoga of Devotion)
Assignment:
Continue with coloring for homework.
Spend some time writing Likhita Japa.
Practice Ramayana Values.
Communication:
Please check for any messages in our Sun PM Grade 1 WhatApp group. Remember to send us a message if your child will be missing any classes. Our numbers:
Aastha - 551 482 5003
Vijaya - 609 503 1816
Our next class is on February 8th. Thank you for your commitment to Chinmaya Mission and Balavihar. Jai Shree Ram!
With Guru's Blessings.
Aastha & Vijaya
Class Supplies Check List:
1. Hand book
2. My Prayers book
3. Bala Ramayana coloring book
4. Crayons / Coloring pencils
5. Pencils sharpened
6. Eraser
7. Scissors
8. Glue
9. Notebook for Likhita Japa
