Hari Om Parents,
Happy New Year! Wishing you all a Blessed, Joyful and Healthy 2026! It was wonderful to see the children after the long winter break. We began class sharing our goals for 2026, the kids have some impressive goals for this year!
We started class playing a "My name starts with…" game to recap the characters from the Ramayana that we know so far. This is a fun memory game, try it with your kids at home. Continuing with the Ramayana we covered chapters 20 & 21.
Chapter 20: Heroic Jatayu
Jaṭayu the noble eagle was resting peacefully in the forest, suddenly he heard a fearful cry. Listening closely he recognized the voice of princess Sita. Looking up he saw Ravaṇa speeding through the clouds in his chariot, carrying Sita away. Jatayu flew before him and blocked his path, hovering up, down and side to side like a living wall. "Ravaṇa," Jatayu called commandingly, "I am Jatayu, king among eagles. You are a ruler too, a true ruler protects the helpless and honors justice. What you are doing now is against dharma. Release Sita at once, I warm you if you proceed with this adhrama you will face a painful end." Rāvaṇa laughed, but Jaṭāyu did not move aside. Jaṭāyu struck the chariot, beating his wings like thunder. Though old, he fought with the courage of a young hero. He shattered the reins, scattered the chariot's guards, and forced Rāvaṇa to the ground. He continued circling around Rāvaṇa, slowing and distracting him. Sadly Jaṭāyu's strength began to fade, seeing this, Rāvaṇa struck cruelly, and Jaṭāyu fell to the ground. In an hurry, Rāvaṇa rushed towards Sita, moving fast among the trees, Sita ran quickly, calling out with all her strength, "Rāma! Lakṣmaṇa! I am here! Do not give up hope!" Finally, Rāvaṇa grabed Sita and carried her into the sky. As they rose up into the sky Sita dropped flowers from her garland to create a trail for Rama to find her. Sītā turned to face Rāvaṇa, firmly telling him "You believe power makes you great, but true strength lies in righteousness and self-control. What you have done will lead only to your downfall. Rāma will find me and when he does, justice will rise again." Her words echoed through the sky, but Rāvaṇa did not care. At last, they arrived at Laṅkā, Rāvaṇa placed Sita under the watch of several rākṣasīs, commanding them to see that she is taken care of properly. Then praising Sita he said, "Sītā, you are unmatched in grace, and I am ruler of a mighty kingdom. Stay here as my queen, forget Rāma, he is far away, no one can cross the sea to Laṅkā. I offer you the highest honor and comfort that has never been granted to anyone." Sītā looked at him fearlessly and said "You speak of power," she replied, "but power without righteousness is empty. Rāma walks the path of truth. That is why he is greater than any king seated on a throne. I will never choose what is wrong, no matter what you promise or threaten." Rāvaṇa had never been spoken to in this way before, however he restrained his anger and said coldly, "I will give you one year to reconsider, think carefully, when that time ends if you continue to be defiant I will see to it that you never leave Lanka." With those words, he turned away. Sītā was then taken to the Aśoka Grove, a garden filled with flowering trees and fragrant air, just outside the palace walls. Though beautiful, it felt painfully lonely. The rākṣasīs surrounded her with harsh words and threatening gestures. Tears flowed from her eyes nonstop, Sita was exhausted but she did not give in to despair. Quietly she whispered "Rāma, Rama, Rama" not as a cry of weakness, but as a call of faith. Though alone, Sītā was not defeated, her courage, her clarity of mind, and her trust in righteousness gave her the strength to face everything.
Chapter 2: Rama & Lakshmana meet Jatayu
On following Maricha's false cry Lakshmana found Rama. When the brothers met, Rama's face was pale with worry and Lakshmana's eyes were full of concern. They knew in that instant they had been tricked. Rama could feel that Sita was in danger. "Lakshmana!" Rama cried. "Why have you come here? Why did you leave Sita alone? You should have know that the cry was meant to trick us." Lakshmana folded his hands and tried to explain that he had no other choice. He said with tears in his eyes "Brother, I knew the cry was meant to draw me away. I was unable to pacify Sita, she became overwhelmed with fear for your safety. She began to weep and in her fear she spoke harshly, accusing me of not caring about you because I would not leave her side. Quickly the brothers rushed back toward their forest home. "Sita! Sita!" Rama called again and again, but there was no reply. As they continued to search, Rama stopped and called out "Lakshmana, look! These are the flowers I picked for Sita this morning." A little further, they saw Sita's footprints and beside them, larger, heavier ones. Lakshmana stood firm by his brother's side and said "We must capture the rakshasa that has taken Sita and restore goodness and justice." As they searched in the forest they saw a big bird lying on the ground. His feathers were torn, his mighty wings broken, it was Jatayu, the noble king of eagles. Rama and Lakshmana hurried to him, they cleaned his wounds and held him with care. Summoning all his strength, Jatayu spoke, "Rama… I tried to stop Ravana. I fought with all my strength to protect Sita. Ravana was powerful and arrogant, he hit my wing with such force that I can no longer fly. I followed him as far as I could, I saw him fly southwards. "Forgive me, Rama. I could not save her. I stayed alive to tell you this." A tear rolled down Jatayu's eye. Rama held Jatayu's head gently, "You are noble," he said softly. "You did your duty with courage and love." With Rama's name on his lips, Jatayu closed his eyes peacefully. Guided by Jatayu, the brothers had to continue with their search heading to the south to bring Sita home.
Values:
Stay clam and have faith that goodness will always prevail. Sita stayed calm, she showed courage even when Ravan tried to overpower her. She acted quickly and cleverly by leaving a trail for Rama to find her.
An everyday example: When we feel nervous or worried about how something will turn out, choose to be calm and have faith. This will allow us to focus on facing our fear smartly and courageously.
Yoga/ Pranayam/ Meditation:
We practiced deep breathing. Breathing in for 4 counts and out for 4 counts. The children learned that deep breathing is NOT puffing out your chest and breathing forcefully BUT breathing in through the nose slowly, allowing the belly to expand like a balloon, then expanding the chest and then breathing out slowing drawing the navel inwards at the end of the exhale. Deep breathing helps to calm the mind.
Prayers
1) Chanting OM & Sahana Vavatu
2) Gita Chanting - Chapter 15: We recited verses 19 & 20 on page 27 in the handbook. Please continue to practice as a family at home.
Assignment:
Continue with coloring for homework.
Spend some time writing Likhita Japa.
Practice Ramayana Values.
Reminders:
1) Annadanam - Saturday January 17th. Please sign up and drop off items by 1pm.
2) Story Telling Contest - Saturday January 24th (1pm-4pm). Please register by January 18th.
3) Class Play - Saturday June 13th. Please confirm your child's participation.
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 January 18th. Please make sure your children attend, this is a snow day make-up for the class that was cancelled on December 14th.
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
