Hari Om Parents,
Thank you for attending the parents meeting last Sunday. We are looking forward to our classes over the next few months as we work on our class play "Ramayana in Rhyme". In class last week we completed some more of the Ramayana and then began play practice. Our play has 8 scenes, we introduced scenes 1 & 2 yesterday. Once we've introduced all the 8 scenes we will confirm your child's role and lines.
Reminders:
1.) Gita Chanting Regionals (Chapter 12 Bhakti Yoga) ) - Saturday April 18th - At Chinmaya Vrindavan - bit.ly/RegisterCh12GitaRegionals . For additional info send email to geeta@chinmayavrindavan.org Link for Chapter 12 - https://bit.ly/BGCh12Playlist
2.) Gitosavan Chapter 15 - Saturday May 9 - Online
3.) Class Play - Saturday June 13th
Values:
Knowing the difference between "Confidence with Humility" & "Confidence with Arrogance". There is a big difference in attitude between Hanuman and Ravana. Both were confident but Hanuman had humility because he served a higher purpose (Rama and Sita). Ravana had arrogance because he thought he was unbeatable and better than everyone. In the end Ravana's arrogance made him oblivious to the danger he was in.
An everyday example:
Always be confident in your abilities. Do not compare yourself to others, you are neither better or less than anyone. Be humble, Do your best always and Be grateful for your talents. Apply this mindset to everything you do.
Prayers
1) Chanting OM & Sahana Vavatu
2) Gita Chanting - Chapter 12 - Bhakthi Yoga verses 11 & 12
Assignment:
Continue with coloring for homework.
Spend some time writing Likhita Japa.
Practice Ramayana Values.
Practice Gita Chapter 12 chanting.
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
Thank you for your commitment to Chinmaya Mission. Jai Shree Ram!
With Guru's Blessings.
Aastha & Vijaya
Chapters covered in class: Lanka on Fire, Vibhshana & Building the Great Bridge:
Hanuman was not content to leave quietly, to complete his mission successfully he had to incite fear in Ravana's heart. Hanuman effortlessly grabbed two massive tree trunks with his bare hands uprooting them as if he were pulling weeds. As the trees crashed to the ground the earth shook and a thunderous sound echoed through the city. Awoken from deep sleep, the guards shouted in fear. Hanuman continued moving swiftly, uprooting every towering tree along his path. Ravana's guards swarmed in from every direction. Hanuman speedily ducked and bounded over their heads and with a flick of his tail tossed the guards in all directions. Ravana sent his son Indrajit to defeat Hanuman. Indrajit had a special weapon the Brahmastra and he had been blessed with the magical mantras needed to use this weapon. The Brahmastra could never miss a target, knowing he had this by his side, Ravana was confident that Indrajit would defeat Hanuman effortlessly. Taking Ravana's chariot, Indrajit charged towards Hanuman. Seeing Indrajit approach Hanuman grew in size. Unperturbed by Hanuman's size Indrajit started firing arrow after arrow towards Hanuman. Catching every arrow as it flew towards him Hanuman laughed out loudly. Indrajit reached for his Brahmastra, chanting the magical mantras, he aimed the powerful weapon towards Hanuman. As expected the Brahmastra never misses a target, it pierced Hanuman's body, forcing him to the ground. Hanuman knew the power of the Brahmastra would wear off eventually, so he waited patiently. The rakshasas cheered in victory but they were stilled scared that Hanuman might escape so they tied him down with chains and ropes. Although he could break the chains Hanuman played along, snarling as the guards dragged him to Ravana. "How dare you wreck the gardens of Lanka?" bellowed Ravana. Hanuman did not flinch and responded, "My name is Hanuman, I am Sri Rama's messenger. Your acts of taking Sitaji and holding her captive are adharmic. Sri Rama sends you a warning, stop your adharmic ways, free Sita now and no harm will come to you." Angered by these words Ravana announced, "This monkey must be punished, set his tail on fire." The guards immediately obeyed the king's orders. They fetched cloth and began wrapping Hanuman's tail. Hanuman wanted to have some fun, as the cloth was being wrapped around he lengthen his tail just enough to require more cloth. His tail looked like a thick coiled rope stretching for miles. After pouring barrels of oil over his tail the guards set it alight. A roar of flames erupted, everyone waited to hear Hanuman scream in agony but to the contrary Hanuman was calm and at ease. Back in the Ashoka Vatika, Sita had sensed what was happening. Knowing that Hanuman would be tortured by Ravana, to protect him from harm Sita sent prayers to the god of fire, Agni. Answering her prayers Agni turned the scorching heat into a cool breeze against his skin. Hanuman was ready to show his might, roaring loudly he tugged at his chains, snapping them apart. Free from all shackles he leapt onto the rafters of the palace. Growing in size he whipped his fiery tail in every direction setting off blazing orange fires throughout the city. At last stopping at a high tower, Hanuman looked down at the blazing city, his intent to leave a powerful message was successful, Ready to cool off, Hanuman dove into the ocean, the waves splashed against this tail and the water hissed soothingly, extinguishing the fire. Hanuman leapt into the sky and flew back to the mainland fueled by the elation of finding Sita.
Rama, Lakshmana and the entire vanara army were waiting anxiously on the shore as every eye searched the sky for Hanuman. Suddenly a vanara shouted, "He's over there in the clouds!" Hanuman landed on the shore with a mighty thud. Kneeling before Rama, Hanuman's face glowed as he looked up and said "Dear Sri Rama I have seen Sitaji". Hanuman described how he had found Sita in the Ashoka Vatika. He described the valor with which Sita stood up to Ravana and how strong Sita has been in withstanding the cruelness of the rakshasi guards watching over her. He narrated how he approached Sita, and the joy she felt hearing her dear Sri Rama's name. Hanuman carefully pulled out the jewel Sita had given him, showing it to Rama. As Rama held the jewel it sparkled in his hands revealing Sita's face, sighing with relief Rama held Sita's chudamani by his heart. Hanuman's emotional retelling of his meeting with Sita gave everyone hope and it also charged them up with anger and rage towards the way Sitaji had been treated. Hanuman told them how he had burned the golden city after giving Ravana a warning. The vanaras cheered loudly, beating their chests with pride. Rama announced, "The time has come for us to invade Lanka." As they gathered to plan the battle, back in Lanka Ravana's brother Vibhishana was trying to convince his brother to undo his wrongs and follow the path of dharma. He pleaded with Ravana to free Sita, and warned him that his adarmic ways will lead to his downfall. Ravana dismissed his brother's warning and drove him out of Lanka. Knowing that he wanted to fight on the side of dharma Vibhishana and his close friends rose into the sky and flew across the ocean to find Rama. The vanaras saw them descending and grew suspicious "Rakshasas!" they yelled, "They may be Ravan's spies we should capture them." Calming their fears Rama said " Let us find out who they are and what they want before we jump to conclusions." As they landed Vibhishana immediately ran to Rama, bowing down he explained "Sri Rama I am Ravana's younger brother Vibhishana, I am here to seek refuge. I advised by brother to free Sitaji but he refused. I can not stand beside my evil brother any longer." Surgiva and his vanara army were all still suspicious of Vibhishana's motives. "We should not trust Vibhishana, after all he is Ravana's brother" Surgriva advised Rama. Many vanaras echoed Sugriva's concerns, after thoughtfully listening to everyone, Rama turned to Hanuman for his opinion. Replying calmly Hanuman said, "Dear Sri Rama, I do not suspect Vibhishana has ulterior motives. Yes it is true that he is a rakshas and Ravana's brother but I sense sincerity in his words. He did not sneak up on our camp and he appears to be able to discriminate between dharma and adharma." Agreeing with Hanuman, Rama smiled and said "Yes that is true Hanuman, let us allow him to join our army. Knowing that it was his dharma to give refuge to those who seek it Rama welcomed Vibhishana to join them.
The vast ocean stretched before them, meditating for three days and directing his energy towards Varuna the sea god, Rama prayed for the ocean to part to create a passage to Lanka. However the ocean did not respond, this was not a time to play games Rama needed to free Sita quickly. Walking to the water's edge with his Kodanda slung over his shoulder, Rama directed his power towards the ocean, he lifted his bow and was about to set free a stream of arrows. Sensing Rama's will the waters trembled and Varuna rose up from the depths of the ocean begging Rama not to release his arrows. "Dear Sri Rama, I am unable to part the ocean as it will disturb the sea creatures. There is another way, please build a bridge across the ocean, I shall hold it firmly in place for you and your mighty army to march on to reach Lanka", the sea god suggested. Rama lowered his bow and listened to Varuna's idea. Varuna continued "Nala and Nila are members of Sugriva's army, they have a special gift, whatever they cast into water blessed with your name will float. Ask them to create a plan to build the bridge." Rama thanked Varuna for his suggestion and advised Sugriva to instruct Nala and Nila to design the bridge. Under Nala's and Nila's guidance the army erupted into a frenzy of activity. They hoisted tree trunks and carried huge boulders pried from the mountainsides. The vanaras carried large stones towards the shore and carved Rama's name onto the face of every pebble, brick, stone and boulder. When the first boulder was heaved into the water the army watched wide eye with hope, chanting Jai Shri Rama. As planned the boulder did not plummet to the ocean, instead defying gravity it bobbed on the surface like a cork. Day after day, placing stone by stone the bridge grew longer and stronger. A tiny brown squirrel seeing the vanaras at work began to roll pebbles into the water with its nose. It then dipped its fur in the water and rolled in the sand. Scurrying back to the bridge the little squirrel began to shake off the sand into the tiny cracks between the stones. Some of the larger vanaras laughed at the squirrel. Pushing him to the side a big vanara said " Hey little squirrel move out of the way, we need large stones, these stones are too small." Another vanara shouted "You are getting in the way, go play somewhere else, this work for the big and strong, you are too small to help." Hearing the vanaras mocking, Rama knelt down and gently picked up the squirrel in his palm. "Thank you for your help little one, your small service has great value" Rama whispered. Turning to the vanaras he said "Do not dismiss or laugh at this great squirrel. Every stone no matter the size holds the bridge together and makes it stronger. The squirrel is working with just as much effort as you are. His sand fills the gaps that your big stones cannot. Do not let pride govern your work, remember everyone has an important role to play." Rama softly stroked the squirrel's back with his fingers leaving three pretty stripes on the squirrel's fur. It is said that the three dark stripes on a squirrel's back today are the marks of Rama's fingers left as a reminder that we are all special in our own way. By the fifth day the Ram Setu (bridge) reached the outskirts of Lanka. It was a miracle of engineering, teamwork, hope and faith. As Sugriva's army stood ready for battle the vanaras roared triumphantly. Rama looked across the ocean towards Lanka where Sita waited bravely and whispered "I will be there soon my dear Sita."
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
