Lord Ram slays Taataka and Subahu

Hare Krsna!!

Dear Parents,
We would like to inform you that kids from Sunday school will be putting on a show for Lord Ram's pleasure on April 21st (sunday) after arati. We kindly request all of you to attend and enjoy and encourage the kids.

Last week,
Prayers: Radhika Mataji revised the prayer about Lord Ram taught last week.
'Sri Rama Rama Rameti
Rame Rame Manorame;
Sahasra nama tattulyam
Rama nama varanane!’
Translation: Lord Shiva addressed Devi PArvati: “O Varanana (lovely-faced woman), I chant the holy name of Rama, Rama, Rama and thus constantly enjoy this beautiful sound. This holy name of Ramacandra is equal to one thousand holy names of Lord Vishnu (Vishnu-sahasra-nama-stotram).
AudioLink: Sri Rama Rama Rameti Mantra

Story: King Dasarath enjoyed watching his sons Rama, Lakshmana, Bharath and Satrughna grow before his eyes. He did not say it in so many words, but he did have a special place in his heart for Rama.
One day the sage, or wise man, Vishvamitra came to Ayodhya to see the king. The king had great respect for him and welcomed him.
"Greetings, oh, wise one. What brings you to my kingdom?"
The sage said, "I have come to ask you a favor."
"How can I help? No wish is too great to ask," the king responded.
"It pleases me to hear those words from you, " said Vishwamitra.
I have been trying to perform an important sacred rite which is again and again being interrupted by Ravana's demons. My vows prevent me personally from fighting these demons."
The king listened intently.
"I pray, Dasaratha, that you allow me to take Rama with me to protect my sacred rite."
"But Rama is only a child. He is but sixteen years of age. I shall send you my armies to battle these demons. I will even accompany you. I shall fight these demons with my own hands. But please do not take Rama. Without Rama I cannot live even a few minutes."
The king began to weep.
Vishwamitra understood the king's pain. But the sage also had no choice and he was getting angry. Sage Vasishta advised King Dasarath to send Rama with Vishwamitra. Then, the king told Rama about Vishwamitra's request. Rama understood and willingly went with the sage.
"I shall go, too, father," declared Lakshmana. The king did not protest.
Rama and Lakshmana, weapons slung over their shoulders, and followed the sage along the Sarayu River bank.
The journey was a long one. Whenever the three stopped to rest, the sage took the time to teach the boys how to use the powerful weapons of the gods to fight the demons. They journeyed until they reached the foot of a frightening forest. They paused. The sage said, "This was once a beautiful and prosperous country. Now the terrible she-demon, Tataka, lives here. She attacks and kills anyone who enters."
Neither Rama nor Lakshmana were afraid.
The sage turned to Rama and said, "Now it is up to you to rid this forest of these demons. By doing so, you will restore the land to the prosperity and the peace it once enjoyed."
Rama clutched his bow and removed arrows from his quiver. Rama and Lakshmana followed Vishwamitra into the forest. They heard many strange and frightening sounds. Each step they took brought them deeper into the forest.
Suddenly there was an unearthly roar. The three men stopped. From nowhere a huge rock came hurling out of the sky heading straight for Rama. He slipped an arrow in place and drew his bow. He fired just as the rock was about to hit him. The arrow split the rock in two. The pieces fell harmlessly to earth.
Then appearing out of between two trees, Rama saw a horrible sight. It was the hideous form of the demoness, Taataka. She was enormous. She had sharp claws on her hands. She looked at Rama and made a growling noise. Lakshmana decided to wait no longer. He fired his arrow and gravely wounded the demoness. A strange look came over her face as she felt the arrow pierce her flesh. Placing her hand to the wound she moaned. Then taking careful aim, Rama fired his arrow into Taataka's heart killing her.
No sooner had the she-demon died, than the gods in heaven rained lotus blossoms down on Rama blessing him. The three continued on their journey deeper into the forest. Along the way, Rama and Lakshmana killed many demons.
Vishwamitra delighted with Rama presents Him with several astras and sastras (divine weapons) that will be of use to him in the future, and Rama masters the knowledge of all the weapons and their uses. Vishwamitra then tells Rama and Lakshmana that soon, he along with some of his disciples, will perform a yagna for seven days and nights that will be of great benefit to the world, and the two princes must keep close watch for the two sons of Taataka, Maricha and Subahu, who will try to defile the yagna at all costs. The princes therefore keep a strong vigil for all of the days, and on the seventh day they spot Maricha and Subahu coming with a whole host of Raakshasas ready to pour bones and blood into the fire. Rama points his bow at the two, and with one arrow kills Subahu, and with the other arrow flings Mareecha thousands of miles away into the ocean. Lakshmana deals with the rest of the demons. The yagna is completed successfully.

Finally, the class was concluded with coloring pictures.

Haribol!!
Gopala Class Teachers,
Radhika Mataji