January 29th 2012 class review

Hari Om,
           We started a class by wishing one another Namaste with hands folded and bowed heads. Namaste is not only wishing hello to another but also acknowledging the God within the other.We then continued with our usual 3 loud oms followed by Om Sahanavathu saha nau bhunakthu. We are very happy to report that the children are now able to mediate by chanting Ram Ram in their minds for two minutes.Please encourage them to meditate at home as well.
           We continued with the gurustrotrams Akanda mandala.., Ajnana timir....., guru brahma.... tvameva mata cha..., and then the morning prayers Shubham karothi...., Saraswathi namasthubyam.... etc.. We then gave a loud rendition of Subramaniyam bhajan.

         The Bala Ramayana is moving to a critical stage. Our little friends helped us rebuild the story up to where we left off last week. Rama 's brahma astra destroyed all the rakasasa in Khara and Dusana's army except for Akampana who escaped to Lanka. He warned Ravana that no one could fight Rama. He advised Ravana that the only way to beat Rama is to carry Sita off.
     Ravana visited Marica. But Marica had been taught well in rishi Viswamitra's yagna. He was performing penance now for all his sins. He said "Ravana I have your welfare in my heart. Rama is God on earth.  You have all the glory, name and fame of the three worlds. What will you gain by fighting Rama?
Ravana thought that over and decided to heed Marica at first. But Surpanakha came to his court the next day and enticed him with description of Sita's loveliness. Ravana then vowed to revenge his brothers and take Sita from Rama.
     He visited Marica again and forced him to take on the form of a lovely golden deer that would captivate Sita. Marica resisted and revolted as long as he could. But ultimately decided he would be happy to die in Rama's hands. Both got into an aerial chariot and flew to Dandaka.
       Sita noticed the deer right away. She was immediately fascinated by it. She pleaded with Rama to get it for her. Lakshmana was vehemently against the deer. He suspected some foul play. But Rama decided to go after the deer. He thought if it is a deer, Sita can have it and feel happy. But if it turns out to be a raksasa he would kill it. He thought he had nothing to lose.

Before leaving Rama strictly warned Lakshmana to watch over Sita and not to leave her alone for a moment.
       
The children then did a Ramayana word search. We ended the class with Om Puranam adah in front of the altar.

The next class is February 5th. Please let us know if you have any questions.