Sanskar Gurukul Weekly Update

Class Name: Kapila Week # 7 November 5th, 2015

General Assembly

The children started with the 3 Oms and the Shanti Mantra. Then we discussed Diwali - how we celebrate it at home - doing pooja, setting off fireworks, lighting candles and diyas, wearing new clothes, exchaning sweets. We also discussed why we celebrate Diwali - Sri Ram's return from exile, Lord Krishna's victory over Narakasura, Mother Lakshmi;s arrival into our homes. Smit aunty than describer, ow many folks celebrate New year at this time, how we celebrate the victory of good over evil, in our scriptures, as well as in ourselves. and how we can use this as a time to refresh and think good, clean thoughts for a new beginning.

Satya Aunty then discussed our Diwali craft coming up next week. See announcement below.

We went on to then review/learn some of the daily prayers. Parul aunty helped lead and follow for the morning prayer and the prayer before evening lights, the latter in celebration of Diwali.

Parul Aunty then wrapped up the GA to remind the children to work on and turn in their art submissions for the yearbook. See announcement below.

Class

Our class started with great enthusiasm to continue with the story. Shri Rama and Lakshmana had reached the Dandaka forest. It was a place of the demon Taataka. She had a son named Mareecha. He had the strength of one score elephants.Both of them had attacked Sage Agastya and in anger sage Agastya had cursed them to lead the ugly lives of demons. Sage Vishwamitra asked Shri Rama not to hesitate to slay Taataka as she was a women and that it was the Dharma of a Kshatriya to protect good and destroy evil. Shri Rama twanged his bow and shot arrows at Taataka. It was getting dark and the rakshashas become more powerful. Knowing that Shri Rama aimed an arrow right towards her chest and killed Taataka. The devas were happy and blessed Shri Rama. Dandaka became a beautiful forest again. Sage Vishwamitra taught Shri Rama how to use the divine astras. Shri Rama ,Lakshmana and sage Vishwamitra now moved ahead. They reached Sage Vishwamitra’s ashram called “Siddhashrama”.They were welcomed with fruits and

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water. The yagna was to be started the next morning. The rishis instructed Shri Rama and Lakshmana to keep a watch for six days and nights. For five days nothing happened but on the sixth day the agni in the havan shot up and the flames went higher. The rakshasha army covered up the sky and the two demons Mareecha and Subahu were ready to throw trash in the sacrificial fire. Both the brothers got ready to attack them. Shri Rama let go the Maanavastra which bundles Mareecha and threw him hundred miles near the sea. Mareecha was not killed as he had to still play an important part in the life of Shri Rama. Then Shri Rama aimed Agneyastra at Subahu and killed him. Thus with the end of these two demons the yagna could be completed. They were blessed for their courage . Next morning the brothers went to sage Vishwamitra for further instructions. The rishis asked them to come along with them as they were going to Mithila to attend a yagna by King Janaka. He had a marvelous bow that originally belonged to Rudra. Curious to see the bow both Sri Rama and Lakshmana agreed to go with to Mithila.

Values: Letter D

We learned about the Letter "D". D stands for Daddy. The kids learnt about the qualities of God and how their Daddy has similar qualities like God. We talked about the story of Sonara Dodd and how she started celebrating June 19th (her father's Birthday) as Father's Day. The class also learnt how President Lyndon Johnson declared Father's Day to be on 3rd Sunday in June in 1966. The class also discussed how they celebrate Father's day and how they respect their Fathers for what they do for them.

Our class ended by chanting ending prayers.

Homework

Kindly complete in the Alphabet book letter D – Daddy

Announcements Announcements: - Next week Nov 22 will be Gurukul craft day. Do not bring your bags, Wear a Sanskar T-shirt if you have one. Craft will be at regular class time. There will be GA as usual. - There will be no Book Club on Nov 22 - There will be no class on Nov 29 on account of the Thanskgiving holiday. - Please bring in your submissions for the yearbook. This has to be on an A4 size paper and flat - drawing/painting of Ma Durga, her vehicle, her symbolism, celebrations of Ma Durga, etc. Your Submission for the yearbook is due date is Dec 6th.

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