Dear Parents,
Below are the prayers we sing in our class.
Prayer:he krsna karunaa-sindho diina-bandho jagat-pate
gopesa gopikaa-kaanta raadhaa-kaanta namo'stu te
Translation: O my dear Krsna, You are the friend of the distressed and the source of creation. You are the master of the gopis and the lover of Radharani. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You.
Guru Prayer:
om ajnana -timirāndhasya
jñānāñjana-śalākayā
cakṣur unmīlitaḿyena
tasmai sri-gurave namah
Translation: I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him.
Vaisnava Prayer:
vaanchaa-kalpatarubhyaś ca
krpaa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitaanaam paavanebhyo
vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namah
Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaisanava devotees of the Lord. They can fulfill the desires of everyone, just like desire trees, and they are full of compassion for the fallen souls.
Narasimha Prayer:
namas te narasiḿhāya
prahlādāhlāda-dāyine
hiraṇyakaśipor vakṣaḥ-
śilā-ṭańka-nakhālaye
ito nṛsiḿhaḥ parato nṛsiḿho
yato yato yāmi tato nṛsiḿhaḥ
bahir nṛsiḿho hṛdaye nṛsiḿho
nṛsiḿham ādiḿ śaraṇaḿ prapadye
Translation: I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stone like chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu.Lord Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrsimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrsimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.
Video link: Nrsimha Prayerprahlādāhlāda-dāyine
hiraṇyakaśipor vakṣaḥ-
śilā-ṭańka-nakhālaye
ito nṛsiḿhaḥ parato nṛsiḿho
yato yato yāmi tato nṛsiḿhaḥ
bahir nṛsiḿho hṛdaye nṛsiḿho
nṛsiḿham ādiḿ śaraṇaḿ prapadye
Translation: I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha, who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja and whose nails are like chisels on the stone like chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu.Lord Nrsimha is here and also there. Wherever I go Lord Nrsimha is there. He is in the heart and is outside as well. I surrender to Lord Nrsimha, the origin of all things and the supreme refuge.
Story:
Once in Lanka, Ravana tried to convince Sita to stay in Lanka and be his queen. But Sita loved only Rama. Hearing this Ravana led Sita out of the palace and into a garden. He guarded her with many demons.
After learning from Jatayu that Sita had been taken by the demon king Ravana, Rama and Lakshmana gave Jatayu a proper funeral and began their search for Sita. They entered Kishkindha, the kingdom of the monkeys. Soon they came to a mountain where Sugreeva lived. He was the ruler of Kishkindha but had been forced out of the kingdom by his brother Vaali. Hanuman, a devoted follower of Sugreeva, guarded the entrance to the kingdom. Seeing the Ram and Lakshman approach, he ordered them to halt and asked for their purpose in the kingdom. After getting satisfactory answer, Hanuman took both of Them to see Sugreev. After meeting Ram and Lakshman, Sugreev promised to help them save Sita if they help him regain Kishkinda from his brother.Rama and Lakshmana did as they were asked. They defeated Sugreeva's brother and won back the throne. After the rainy season passed, Sugreev sent all his army in four directions in search of Sita for one month. At the end of the month, three of the four divisions returned with no word of Sita's whereabouts. Only Hanuman's division, who went south, had yet to return.
As Hanuman and his men searched for Sita, they met Sampaathi, brother of Jatayu and asked for his help in locating Sita. Sampaathi had sharp vision and he looked across the ocean and told them that Sita is in Ashoka garden near Ravana's palace.
Hanuman's army marched to the mighty ocean. There was no way they could cross this great body of water. Hanuman prayed for strength. Hanuman prayed to Rama. Then incredibly, he began to grow. He grew so huge that the ground began to shake. Only with the thought of serving Ram, Hanuman leapt into the sky to cross the ocean. On the horizon, he could see Lanka. As he approached the city, he changed back to his normal size. Once in Lanka, he set out to find Sita.
Soon he came upon Ravana's palace. He looked in each of the palace gardens, but he could not find Sita. How could he return without Sita or some word of her whereabouts. Then he saw a grove of trees. Beneath one of the trees was the most beautiful woman Hanuman had ever seen and was crying for Lord Ram repeatedly.
Hanuman looked around. He noticed that Sita was surrounded by many she-demons. Just as Hanuman was about approach her, he saw Ravana coming. The king of Lanka was sat on the ground next to Sita. He asked Sita to come live with him as his queen but Sita loved only Ram and requested him to let her go for she would ask Ram to spare his life, otherwise Ram will save her by killing all the demons including Ravana. Hearing this, Ravana went away from her angrily. Hanuman who was watching this hiding in the tree waited and waited until the she-demons guarding Sita were getting tired. One by one they fell asleep.
Here was his chance to speak to Sita. Hanuman approached her and knelt at her feet. He conveyed that Lord Ram sent him and showed her Ram's ring when Sita devi did not believe him. Seeing Lord Ram's ring, she gave Hanumal a jewel to take to Ram and tell Ram to come and save her.
Suddenly the demons awoke. They attacked Hanuman. He killed many and was captured and taken to the palace. Ravana ordered punishment by setting Hanuman's tail on fire. As the king's men wrapped Hanuman's tail in cloth to set it on fire he grew it longer and longer. The more they wrapped, the longer Hanuman grew his tail. Finally, with his long tail on fire, Hanuman flew into the sky. He decided to set the city of Lanka ablaze to punish Ravana. He flew low over the city and set each building, temple, palace and garden on fire. Flames shot high into the sky. As he flew over Ashoka garden he made sure Sita was safe. Then before he headed home, he put his tail in the ocean to put out the fire. Hanuman hurried back to tell Rama the good news. Without saying a word, Hanuman gave Rama Sita's jewel.
Meanwhile back at Lanka palace, Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, tried to save Sita's life. But Ravana would not listen to Vibhishana's wise words. Vibhishana warned again and left the palace and magically flew to Lord Rama's camp. Vibhishana declared that he is the brother of Ravana but left Lanka because he couldn't convince Ravana to return Sita.
Now Rama had to make a battle plan. Vibhishana told him that Ravana and his evil son, Indrajit, had great magical powers. His army was made up of millions of demons. For his honesty and bravery, Rama promised Vibhishana that he would become the new king of Lanka.
Rama stood on the shoreline of the great ocean and spoke to the ocean god for passage across the ocean. The ocean replied that he would support the bridge built by Lord Ram's army.With the help of the monkey army, Nala put up a bridge made of wood, rocks, and stones. Every creature helped in its own way. It took five days to complete the bridge to Lanka.
Rama, Hanuman, and the monkey army crossed the bridge by nightfall. On the morning of the fifth day, the great battle began. Each side suffered terrible losses. Blood filled the streets of Lanka. Bodies of fallen warriors were everywhere. Rama and Lakshmana fought gallantly. Hanuman was injured in a duel. Vibhishana showed great valor.
Indrajit, Ravana's son, rained poison arrows upon Rama and Lakshmana. So overwhelming was this attack, that the two brothers suffered many wounds. Rama and Lakshmana were bleeding heavily, but they fought on. Indrajit hurled even more powerful weapons at them. Each weapon took a new toll. Rama and Lakshmana fell to the ground unconscious. Vibhishana prayed to the gods for their safety.
While the monkey warriors stood by grief-stricken, the battle raged on without Rama and Lakshmana. Ravana's demons made themselves invisible and attacked the heart of the monkey army. Ravana's forces were merciless. Thousands were killed by unseen attackers.
With his remarkable strength, Hanuman smashed the skull of every visible enemy. He challenged any of Ravana's men to advance. Seeing Hanuman's great courage, the monkey-army rallied behind their leader and fought harder.
Ravana's army was losing its advantage. Angered by this news, he decided to join the battle. He climbed in his chariot and soared above Lanka in search of Rama. By now Rama and Lakshmana, having regained consciousness but still dazed, returned to the fight. Ravana viewed the battle scene from the clouds. Then he spotted Lakshmana. He aimed his magic bow and fired. The arrow cut through the air and struck Rama's brother in the chest. He collapsed. Hanuman rushed to Lakshmana's side. He gently lifted the wounded prince and carried him to safety.
Just when things were starting to look up for Rama's warriors, Indrajit returned to the battle. He was now invisible. All the monkey soldiers could hear was the mocking laughter of Indrajit as he soared over them. Indrajit's weapons took an enormous toll on the monkeys. By the time he returned to the palace, every monkey was either wounded or killed. Only Rama, Hanuman, and Vibhishana remained standing.
Then in a weakened voice, Jambuvan, one of the leaders of the army, said that there is still a way to regain advantage and defeat Ravana. Asked Hanuman to go to Kailasa Mountain to bring medicinal herbs before sunrise to save their army. Hanuman rose above the earth and flew off with great speed.
When he reached the mountain, he saw the hill that Jambuvan described. But he could not find the herbs. Realizing time was short, he uprooted the entire hill and carried it back to Lanka. Hanuman flew off balancing the hill in one hand.
When he returned to Lanka, the monkey warriors began inhaling the healing air of the herbs. One-by-one, they rose to their feet and regained their strength. Even Lakshmana recovered from his near-mortal wound. Hanuman returned the hill to its original place.
Using all their weapons, Rama, Lakshmana, Vibhishana, and Hanuman finally overpowered Indrajit. Ravana's son had fought long and hard, but now he was dead. Hearing of his son's death, Ravana decided now was the time to kill Rama and put an end to this bloodshed.
Arming himself with his most powerful weapons, Ravana left Lanka palace. He spotted Rama leading the monkey army toward the city gates. Ravana fired a magic arrow at Rama. Seeing the arrow, Rama split it with his own arrow. Ravana tried everything to overpower his foe. But each time, Rama had an answer. Rama reached for his most powerful weapon, the Brahma-missile. He fired the weapon at the on-rushing Ravana. The missile struck Ravana's chest and exploded. Ravana fell dead.
The devatas praised Rama. Vibhishana knelt at the body of his dead brother and burst into tears. Rama consoled Vibhishana and asked him to prepare the funeral rites for his brother. Following the funeral rite, Rama made Vibhishana the new king of Lanka.
Vibhishana's wife and maidens took Sita from the garden. Sita Devi was adorned with beautiful sari and jewels. Mother Sita could not wait to see her victorious husband. Rama entered the palace and Sita bowed at his feet. Then, they both returned to Ayodhya.
Lord Ram's coronation took place with great splendor. Rama gave priceless gifts to all his friends. He also gave an invaluable necklace and ornaments to Sitadevi. But she remembered the great help of Hanuman and gave them to him.
Once in Lanka, Ravana tried to convince Sita to stay in Lanka and be his queen. But Sita loved only Rama. Hearing this Ravana led Sita out of the palace and into a garden. He guarded her with many demons.
After learning from Jatayu that Sita had been taken by the demon king Ravana, Rama and Lakshmana gave Jatayu a proper funeral and began their search for Sita. They entered Kishkindha, the kingdom of the monkeys. Soon they came to a mountain where Sugreeva lived. He was the ruler of Kishkindha but had been forced out of the kingdom by his brother Vaali. Hanuman, a devoted follower of Sugreeva, guarded the entrance to the kingdom. Seeing the Ram and Lakshman approach, he ordered them to halt and asked for their purpose in the kingdom. After getting satisfactory answer, Hanuman took both of Them to see Sugreev. After meeting Ram and Lakshman, Sugreev promised to help them save Sita if they help him regain Kishkinda from his brother.Rama and Lakshmana did as they were asked. They defeated Sugreeva's brother and won back the throne. After the rainy season passed, Sugreev sent all his army in four directions in search of Sita for one month. At the end of the month, three of the four divisions returned with no word of Sita's whereabouts. Only Hanuman's division, who went south, had yet to return.
As Hanuman and his men searched for Sita, they met Sampaathi, brother of Jatayu and asked for his help in locating Sita. Sampaathi had sharp vision and he looked across the ocean and told them that Sita is in Ashoka garden near Ravana's palace.
Hanuman's army marched to the mighty ocean. There was no way they could cross this great body of water. Hanuman prayed for strength. Hanuman prayed to Rama. Then incredibly, he began to grow. He grew so huge that the ground began to shake. Only with the thought of serving Ram, Hanuman leapt into the sky to cross the ocean. On the horizon, he could see Lanka. As he approached the city, he changed back to his normal size. Once in Lanka, he set out to find Sita.
Soon he came upon Ravana's palace. He looked in each of the palace gardens, but he could not find Sita. How could he return without Sita or some word of her whereabouts. Then he saw a grove of trees. Beneath one of the trees was the most beautiful woman Hanuman had ever seen and was crying for Lord Ram repeatedly.
Hanuman looked around. He noticed that Sita was surrounded by many she-demons. Just as Hanuman was about approach her, he saw Ravana coming. The king of Lanka was sat on the ground next to Sita. He asked Sita to come live with him as his queen but Sita loved only Ram and requested him to let her go for she would ask Ram to spare his life, otherwise Ram will save her by killing all the demons including Ravana. Hearing this, Ravana went away from her angrily. Hanuman who was watching this hiding in the tree waited and waited until the she-demons guarding Sita were getting tired. One by one they fell asleep.
Here was his chance to speak to Sita. Hanuman approached her and knelt at her feet. He conveyed that Lord Ram sent him and showed her Ram's ring when Sita devi did not believe him. Seeing Lord Ram's ring, she gave Hanumal a jewel to take to Ram and tell Ram to come and save her.
Suddenly the demons awoke. They attacked Hanuman. He killed many and was captured and taken to the palace. Ravana ordered punishment by setting Hanuman's tail on fire. As the king's men wrapped Hanuman's tail in cloth to set it on fire he grew it longer and longer. The more they wrapped, the longer Hanuman grew his tail. Finally, with his long tail on fire, Hanuman flew into the sky. He decided to set the city of Lanka ablaze to punish Ravana. He flew low over the city and set each building, temple, palace and garden on fire. Flames shot high into the sky. As he flew over Ashoka garden he made sure Sita was safe. Then before he headed home, he put his tail in the ocean to put out the fire. Hanuman hurried back to tell Rama the good news. Without saying a word, Hanuman gave Rama Sita's jewel.
Meanwhile back at Lanka palace, Vibhishana, Ravana's brother, tried to save Sita's life. But Ravana would not listen to Vibhishana's wise words. Vibhishana warned again and left the palace and magically flew to Lord Rama's camp. Vibhishana declared that he is the brother of Ravana but left Lanka because he couldn't convince Ravana to return Sita.
Now Rama had to make a battle plan. Vibhishana told him that Ravana and his evil son, Indrajit, had great magical powers. His army was made up of millions of demons. For his honesty and bravery, Rama promised Vibhishana that he would become the new king of Lanka.
Rama stood on the shoreline of the great ocean and spoke to the ocean god for passage across the ocean. The ocean replied that he would support the bridge built by Lord Ram's army.With the help of the monkey army, Nala put up a bridge made of wood, rocks, and stones. Every creature helped in its own way. It took five days to complete the bridge to Lanka.
Rama, Hanuman, and the monkey army crossed the bridge by nightfall. On the morning of the fifth day, the great battle began. Each side suffered terrible losses. Blood filled the streets of Lanka. Bodies of fallen warriors were everywhere. Rama and Lakshmana fought gallantly. Hanuman was injured in a duel. Vibhishana showed great valor.
Indrajit, Ravana's son, rained poison arrows upon Rama and Lakshmana. So overwhelming was this attack, that the two brothers suffered many wounds. Rama and Lakshmana were bleeding heavily, but they fought on. Indrajit hurled even more powerful weapons at them. Each weapon took a new toll. Rama and Lakshmana fell to the ground unconscious. Vibhishana prayed to the gods for their safety.
While the monkey warriors stood by grief-stricken, the battle raged on without Rama and Lakshmana. Ravana's demons made themselves invisible and attacked the heart of the monkey army. Ravana's forces were merciless. Thousands were killed by unseen attackers.
With his remarkable strength, Hanuman smashed the skull of every visible enemy. He challenged any of Ravana's men to advance. Seeing Hanuman's great courage, the monkey-army rallied behind their leader and fought harder.
Ravana's army was losing its advantage. Angered by this news, he decided to join the battle. He climbed in his chariot and soared above Lanka in search of Rama. By now Rama and Lakshmana, having regained consciousness but still dazed, returned to the fight. Ravana viewed the battle scene from the clouds. Then he spotted Lakshmana. He aimed his magic bow and fired. The arrow cut through the air and struck Rama's brother in the chest. He collapsed. Hanuman rushed to Lakshmana's side. He gently lifted the wounded prince and carried him to safety.
Just when things were starting to look up for Rama's warriors, Indrajit returned to the battle. He was now invisible. All the monkey soldiers could hear was the mocking laughter of Indrajit as he soared over them. Indrajit's weapons took an enormous toll on the monkeys. By the time he returned to the palace, every monkey was either wounded or killed. Only Rama, Hanuman, and Vibhishana remained standing.
Then in a weakened voice, Jambuvan, one of the leaders of the army, said that there is still a way to regain advantage and defeat Ravana. Asked Hanuman to go to Kailasa Mountain to bring medicinal herbs before sunrise to save their army. Hanuman rose above the earth and flew off with great speed.
When he reached the mountain, he saw the hill that Jambuvan described. But he could not find the herbs. Realizing time was short, he uprooted the entire hill and carried it back to Lanka. Hanuman flew off balancing the hill in one hand.
When he returned to Lanka, the monkey warriors began inhaling the healing air of the herbs. One-by-one, they rose to their feet and regained their strength. Even Lakshmana recovered from his near-mortal wound. Hanuman returned the hill to its original place.
Using all their weapons, Rama, Lakshmana, Vibhishana, and Hanuman finally overpowered Indrajit. Ravana's son had fought long and hard, but now he was dead. Hearing of his son's death, Ravana decided now was the time to kill Rama and put an end to this bloodshed.
Arming himself with his most powerful weapons, Ravana left Lanka palace. He spotted Rama leading the monkey army toward the city gates. Ravana fired a magic arrow at Rama. Seeing the arrow, Rama split it with his own arrow. Ravana tried everything to overpower his foe. But each time, Rama had an answer. Rama reached for his most powerful weapon, the Brahma-missile. He fired the weapon at the on-rushing Ravana. The missile struck Ravana's chest and exploded. Ravana fell dead.
The devatas praised Rama. Vibhishana knelt at the body of his dead brother and burst into tears. Rama consoled Vibhishana and asked him to prepare the funeral rites for his brother. Following the funeral rite, Rama made Vibhishana the new king of Lanka.
Vibhishana's wife and maidens took Sita from the garden. Sita Devi was adorned with beautiful sari and jewels. Mother Sita could not wait to see her victorious husband. Rama entered the palace and Sita bowed at his feet. Then, they both returned to Ayodhya.
Lord Ram's coronation took place with great splendor. Rama gave priceless gifts to all his friends. He also gave an invaluable necklace and ornaments to Sitadevi. But she remembered the great help of Hanuman and gave them to him.
Finally, we concluded the class with coloring pictures.
Looking forward to seeing all of you in the next class.
Haribol!!!
Gopala Class Teachers
Radhika Mataji
Amutha
No comments:
Post a Comment