Hari Om,
We started our class with chanting OM & Sahana Vavatu. Continuing with the Ramayana we covered chapters 10 & 11
Chapter 10: The Journey into the Forest
After being given orders from Kaikeyi to go to the forest, Rama went to inform Kausalya. The queen was thrilled to see her son, looking into his mother's eyes, Rama gently said "Mother I will not be sitting on the throne, my duty is to honor my father's words which requires me to discarded all my royal belongings and live in the Dandaka forest for 14 years." Kausalya was shocked. She could not image living without Rama. "Please do not leave me Rama, take me with you." Kausalya asked. Comfortingly Rama replied "Mother, it is your duty to stay and look after the king, he needs you now. I must honor my father's word, it is my dhrama." Kausalya understood that Rama must go to uphold Dharma and blessed him for the journey into the forest. Rama went to find Sita next. Sita had been waiting for Rama with excitement for his upcoming coronation. As soon as she saw him she knew something had changed. Rama told her about all that had happened. He tried to reassure her that 14 years will pass by quickly. Sita looked at Rama and said "I will not stay away from you for even a moment. I will be by your side always through joy and hardships, good days and bad." Rama described all the hardships of life in the forest but Sita was undisturbed she said, "When I am with you every prickly thorns will feel soft, a bed of grass will be a cozy cushion and we will enjoy the sweet taste of the fruits from mother nature." Rama agreed for Sita to join him. Lakshmana asked Rama if he could accompany him also. Rama nodded, inviting Lakshmana to join them. The next morning dressed in simple clothes of bark, they bid farewell to their parents. The people of Ayodhya followed Rama, crying, "Do not leave us, Rama!". As the forest path began, Rama stopped, turned around and said "My dear people of Ayodhya, go back to your homes. Be good citizens and take care of each other. We must leave now." Dasharatha's chief minister Sumantra took Rama, Sita and Lakshmana in a chariot all the way to the banks of Ganges. As the sun began to set they decided to spend the night under a near by banyan tree. Guha, the chieftain of the tribe in this area came running to greet Rama. Guha asked Rama to spend the 14 years of exile with his tribe. Rama smiled and said, "Guha, my friend, I have renounced my kingdom and chosen to lead the life of an ascetic. I must live and eat simply, thank you for your generosity but I cannot accept." That night after having a small meal of berries and nuts they slept on the grass. The next morning, Rama asked Guha for a boat to cross the Ganges. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana took the boat to the other side of the bank. Guha and Sumantra watched with tear-filled eyes till as he they got out of the boat and walked into the forest. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana were now completely on their own. A new phase of their lives had begun.
Chapter 11:Chitrakuta
Fearlessly, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana walked on foot through tall trees winding through the forest. That night they visited Rishi Bharadvaja, the wise sage welcomed them to his ashram for the night. The next day Rishi Bharadvaja advised them to build their forest home by the mountain Chitrakuta. Rama thanked the sage for all his help and then the trio made their way to Chitrakuta. It was summer, the view of Chithrakuta was breathtaking with the entire forest in full bloom. This was the perfect place to set up their forest home. Lakshmana built a little hut using mud and bamboo with a hatched roof. Sita gathered fruits and flowers. Rama hunted for food and cared for the forest folk. While the three of them joyfully embraced their new way of life in the forest the joy and peace in Ayodhya had disappeared. Sumantra's journey back to Ayodhya was heart wrenching. When he arrived in Ayodhya people noticed the empty chariot and everyone began to weep. Sumantra went straight to the king's palace, he saw that the king's health had deteriorated. The pain of losing Rama and seeing Kausalya and the entire kingdom of Ayodhya grieving was unbearable for Dasharatha. That night Dasharatha realized why he had to suffer in this way, it was due to a curse by Shravana Kumar's father many years ago when Dasharatha was a young prince. Remembering the curse, the king held Kausalya's hand and began to narrate the sorry of Shravana to her.
Many years ago young prince Dasharatha was hunting near the banks of the Saryu. King Dasharatha was a remarkable archer. He could shoot an arrow in the direction of any sound without looking. While hunting that night, he assumed he heard the sound of an animal drinking water. Confidently he took aim in the direction of the sound. His arrow shot forth with great speed and hit the target precisely! To his surprise a human voice cried out, "Ahh…. where did this arrow come from? I have never harmed anyone." Hearing the young boy's cry Dasharatha trembled with fear dropping the bow and arrow from his hands. He hurried towards the direction of the voice. There he saw a young man Shravana, lying injured by the river. Shravana looked at Dasharatha, and asked "Why did you aim your arrow at me? I was fetching water for my aging parents." Struggling to speak Shravana continued " My parents are blind ,who will feed and care for them now? My name is Shravana, please take water for my parents and tell them what has happened and ask for forgiveness. "
Shravana's mother and father were very old, they were unable to walk and could not see the world around them. Shravana took care of them lovingly, he prepared all their meals, helped them get around, listened to their stories, talked to them and made them laugh. As they could not walk or see, Shravana balanced a long pole across his shoulders with two cushioned wicker baskets hanging on either side for his parents to sit in. Using this carry yoke he carried his parents on his shoulders everywhere. Shravana and his parents lived happily for may years until the unfortunate day when Shravana was struck by an arrow while he was collecting water for his parents.
Seeing Shravana in so much pain, tears came pouring from prince Dasharatha's eyes. Dasharatha filled the pot with water and took it to Shravana's parents. With great regret he told Shravana's parents what had happened. The blind couple wept bitterly, Shravan's father looked at Dasharatha sorrowfully and said "You have made a horrendous mistake, due to your thoughtlessness and over confidence you will pay the price for this, one day you will feel the same sorrow. Your son will be separated from you and you will grieve and weep as we do on this day."
Reflecting on this horrible incident in his youth Dasharatha realized that the prophecy of Shravana's father was coming true.
Although Shravana's life was short, his story lives forever. He his remembered for his kind nature, strength of character and for the respect and love he gave his parents.
Values:
1: Even when life seems unfair, staying truthful and keeping your promises shows real character. True greatness lies in doing what is right, not what is easy.
2: Always act thoughtfully, as our actions have consequences.
3. Be kind, thoughtful and respectful to your parents
Assignment:
Continue with coloring for homework and spend some time writing Likhita Japa.
Gita Chanting- Chapter 15:
We recited verses 9 & 10 on page 26 in the handbook. Please continue to practice as a family at home.
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
The Ramayana is packed with values to help us live a dharmic life.
Thank you for bringing your children to Balavihar, learning together is fun.
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
