Rama resides at Panchavati

Soon, Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana went to Sage Agastya’s hermitage. Agastya asked Rama to move to Panchavati on the banks of the Godavari River. Agastya mentioned that beside that place was Dandakaranya where sages lived. He said that the entire forest region was under a curse and had become the haunt of demonic Yakshas. Agastya believed that with Rama’s presence, all the demons and rakshasas would be destroyed and once again the monks and sadhakas would be able to live peacefully. As soon as Rama, Sita and Lakshmana entered Dandakaranya, trees got back their leaves and looked green. Creepers that dried up came back to life again.

Gurus to tell the children that, this sudden change was due to the appearance of the Divine. Divinity is present in all of us.

Gurus to explain, how we can generate love and happiness everywhere when we understand our inherent divinity and lead our lives accordingly.

Values to be imbibed: Educare is bringing out Human Values from within, Educare is translating Values into Action.

While Rama was under the cool shades of a spreading tree, He called His brother Lakshmana and asked him to select a place of his choice for the cottage. Lakshmana felt pained, for if he had a preference of his own, how could he be a fit servant of Rama? Rama understood this and selected a spot for the cottage to be constructed.

One day, Surpanakha, the sister of Ravana happened to see Lakshmana and was attracted by his halo of goodness. Ravana was then the most powerful Asura king who ruled in Lanka. Surpanakha assumed the form of a pretty lady and tried to attract Lakshmana as she wanted to marry him. Lakhsmana said that he was the slave of Rama and follow only his commands. Surpanakha next wanted to marry Rama but was unsuccessful. She thought that Sita stood in her way and she tried to attack Sita, to devour her. At Rama’s order, Lakshmana cut off the nose and ears of Surpanakha.  She ran away in pain to seek help from her Asura brothers, Khara and Dushana, who were in the forest. Soon they returned with an army of fourteen thousand ogresses. As per Rama’s order, Lakshmana took Sita to a cave and kept vigil. Rama approached the army with a smile and soon the entire army including Khara and Dushana were killed.

Gurus to tell the children:

Lakshmana completely surrendered to Rama. Be it, selecting a suitable place for building the cottage or routing away Surpanakha or taking Sita away from the cottage and taking care of her safety while Rama was handling the rakshasas, Lakshmana followed the instructions of his brother exactly just as he was asked to.

We as Swami’s children should surrender all our acts to God for our own good.

Values to be imbibed: Follow the Master– Face the devil– Fight to the end– Finish the Game.

Narration: Smt. Priya Sujith
[Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas Guru]