We all then meditated with the children reciting shri Rama jayam in their minds. They were still for more than couple of minutes. We then continued with our regular prayers from my Prayers book. Some of the prayers are also in previous blog posts.
We continued to the geeta chanting exercises. We have covered upto verse 14 in class. Please practise these at home.
verse 10
Abhyaasepya-samarthosi Math-karma Paramo
Bhava
Madartha-mapi Karmaani Kurvan Siddhim
Avaap-syasi[Audio]
If you are unable to do constant practice, be intent on doing
all actions for my sake; even by performing actions for my sake, you will attain
perfection.
verse 11
Athaita-dapya Shaktosi Karthum
Madyoga-maashritaha
Sarva-karma Phala Thyaagam Thathah Kuru
Yathaathma-vaan[Audio]
Meaning: If you are unable to do even this, surrender
thyself to me in love, not worrying about the fruits of actions with the self
subdued.
verse 12
Shreyo Hi Gnaanam Abhyaa-saath Gnaanaad Dhyaanam
Vishishyathe
Dhyaanaath Karma-phala-thyaagaha Thyaagaat
Shaanti-ranantaram[Audio]
Meaning: Better indeed is knowledge than formal
practice; better than knowledge is meditation; better than meditation is the
renunciation of the fruit of the action (surrender in love); peace immediately
follows this.
verse 13
Adveshtaa Sarva Bhoothaa-naam Maitrah Karuna Yeva
Cha
Nirmamo Nirahan-kaaraha Sama Duhkha Sukhah Kshami[Audio]
Meaning: He who hates no being, who is friendly and
compassionate to all, who is free from the feeling of I and mine, even-minded in
pain and pleasure and forbearing...
verse 14
Santushtah Sathatham Yogi Yathaa-thmaa Dhrida
Nischayaha
Mayyar-pitah Mano Buddhir Yo Madbhaktah Sa Me
Priyaha[Audio]
Meaning: Ever content, steady in meditation, self
controlled and possessed of firm conviction, with mind and intellect fixed on
me, such a devotee is dear to me.
Aunty then continued telling the Ramayanam. Anxious Rama and Lakshmana search for Sita. Rama loses self control. How could he live without Sita. He asks the tress, creepers and squirrels if they have seen Sita. Lakshmana calms him and reasons with him. He says " I know Sita is not dead. Leave aside this grief and let us continue our search". They come across some flowers scattered on the ground and some of Sita's beads broken dropped as a result of a struggle. An immense rage overtakes Rama. He takes out his astras to destroy the world. He says "This world does not deserve to live if it safeguards a icked Raksasa . I shall dry up the ocean and darken the sun. The world will be no more." But Lakshmana stops him. "Why punish the innocent ones in the world. I always remember your teachings of universal love and good will. Let us find this evil rakasasa and finish him off. " Rama became calm. He put away his astra or weapons. They continued searching for Sita and came upon wounded Jatayu. Rama and Lakshmana tried to help the bird by cleaning his wounds. The great bird said "I was not able to save the princess. Ravana is flying south. I seek your blessing Rama." The wounded bird's life departed from him. Rama and Lakshmana were very sad.
As they continue searching the forest, they come across a strange creature. A huge monster with no legs or head. He has long bigs arms, one huge eye and a giant lip on his stomach. His eye is on his chest above his lips. He was called Kabandha. He grabs the two princes with each hand. Rama and Lakshmana struggle in his clutch and seeing his sole strength is his arms they chop off his arms.
Kabandha was a heavenly creatured cursed by a rsi. He got liberated by Rama and as he left for heaven he advised the princes to seek out vanara king Sugriva by the banks of the river Pampa.
Our class ended and we had aarthi in the auditorium. We also had siva rathri celebrations in the ashram on February 19th. We will be having Rama navami celebrations in the ashram on March 31st.Our classes have assigned to help out. See you all next class February 26th.
Aunty then continued telling the Ramayanam. Anxious Rama and Lakshmana search for Sita. Rama loses self control. How could he live without Sita. He asks the tress, creepers and squirrels if they have seen Sita. Lakshmana calms him and reasons with him. He says " I know Sita is not dead. Leave aside this grief and let us continue our search". They come across some flowers scattered on the ground and some of Sita's beads broken dropped as a result of a struggle. An immense rage overtakes Rama. He takes out his astras to destroy the world. He says "This world does not deserve to live if it safeguards a icked Raksasa . I shall dry up the ocean and darken the sun. The world will be no more." But Lakshmana stops him. "Why punish the innocent ones in the world. I always remember your teachings of universal love and good will. Let us find this evil rakasasa and finish him off. " Rama became calm. He put away his astra or weapons. They continued searching for Sita and came upon wounded Jatayu. Rama and Lakshmana tried to help the bird by cleaning his wounds. The great bird said "I was not able to save the princess. Ravana is flying south. I seek your blessing Rama." The wounded bird's life departed from him. Rama and Lakshmana were very sad.
As they continue searching the forest, they come across a strange creature. A huge monster with no legs or head. He has long bigs arms, one huge eye and a giant lip on his stomach. His eye is on his chest above his lips. He was called Kabandha. He grabs the two princes with each hand. Rama and Lakshmana struggle in his clutch and seeing his sole strength is his arms they chop off his arms.
Kabandha was a heavenly creatured cursed by a rsi. He got liberated by Rama and as he left for heaven he advised the princes to seek out vanara king Sugriva by the banks of the river Pampa.
Our class ended and we had aarthi in the auditorium. We also had siva rathri celebrations in the ashram on February 19th. We will be having Rama navami celebrations in the ashram on March 31st.Our classes have assigned to help out. See you all next class February 26th.
