Hari Om Dear Parents
We had a good time in class on Sunday! We completed the next two chapters of Bala Ramayana. The children received their handbooks, please refer to page 21 for Bhagavad Gita chanting (chapter 6). We will chant two new verses in class every week. We encourage you to practice these verses with your children during the week. This will help prepare them for the Gita chanting competition in April. We talked about ways to be patient, thankful and respectful. We practiced taking deep breaths in a circle holding hands and we learned Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breathing) to calm and quieten the mind.
Following Dharma & Blossoming Daily:
1) Being Thankful & Respectful
Rama and Lakshmana offered prayers to the sacred life giving rivers to show respect and gratitude. Let us express gratitude daily. When we pray to God, let us always begin with “Thank you”. As we go about our day let us look for the beautiful things/people around us to be thankful for.
2) Being Patient
Rakshasis like Tataka show us that holding on to bad feelings and anger will result in making bad choices. When we get angry let us take some time to cool down before we act. If homework is difficult, or we want our parent’s attention, or we don’t like something someone did… let us FIRST take a few deep breaths, then slowly count to ten. Once we are calm we can express how we are feeling without yelling or screaming.
Our next class: 9/27/26
This is a very special week, we have our “House Inaugural Assembly” The theme this year is “Temples of India!” To celebrate it, we have planned a joyful Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra for the children. Each house will make their own Rath and pull it around the temple! It’s going to be a memorable experience for all our kids. We really need help from lots of parent volunteers in guiding small groups of kids during the activity. No prior experience is needed. If you would like to volunteer (even for one session), please join our Volunteers WhatsApp group here:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JtNp8TbrAIA0P5XGxwm4Bg?s=cl&p=i&mlu=4&ilr=4
We request that all the children come dressed in their House color (preferably in festive Indian clothing) to create team spirit . Our color is RED for Durga’s Daredevils
Even if you can’t help please join us for the Yatra at 2.30pm! Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!
Jai Shree Ram!
Warmly
Vijaya & Neha
Sunday’s Shokas - From “My Prayers” Book:
3 Oms
Saha navavatu - Page 8
Vakrathuda Mahakaya - Page 27
Gururbrahma Gururvishnu Page 61
Saraswathi Namastubum
Ramayana Story Time:
Chapter 3: Sage Vishvamitra
The powerful sage Vishvamitra visits king Dasharatha at the palace. The sage explains to the king that rakshasas are disturbing the peace in Dandaka forest. Knowing that Rama has the strength to defeat the rakshasas, Vishvamitra asks the king if he can take Rama to the forest. Initially Dasharatha and the queens are reluctant to let Rama go, and the king pleads with the sage to take him instead. Seeing the anger in the sage’s eyes, guru Vasishtha advises the king to send prince Rama and Lakshamana, assuring him that the princes are ready for the challenge. Taking guru Vasistha’s counsel the king and queens understand that it is their dharma to protect everyone from harm and they agree to send Rama and Lakshmana to the Dandaka forest. Leaving their comfortable palace home, Rama and Lakshmana embrace the opportunity to protect the sages, seeing it as their duty as warriors.
Chapter 4:Tataka
After a long day of walking, Rama, Lakshmana and Vishvamitra set up camp by the river Saryu. The next morning they continued traveling, the princes were enjoying every step as mother nature had put on a grand show. The three of them got onto a raft to cross the Saraya heading towards the river Ganga. As they floated towards the Ganga they heard a loud roaring sound where the Sarayu river met the sacred river Ganga. Expressing their gratitude, the two princes bowed with reverence, praying to the life giving sacred rivers. They soon reached the other side of the river by the Dandaka forest. The forest had an unwelcoming presence, as they walked the path grew darker, the trees twisted and groaned and strange cries echoed around them. The Dandaka Forest was home to the rakshasi Tataka. Long ago, Tataka had been a beautiful woman, but a curse had turned her into a fierce monster. Suddenly with a roar that shook the ground, Tataka appeared angrily hurling huge boulders at the princes. Rama raised his bow and strung it with precision, a stream of arrows flew towards Tataka, taking the rakshasi down.
