Value Education Boo
Based on Ramayana
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Prayers (Shlokas from Rama Raksha Strotrum (RRS))......................2
Verses (Shlokas).........................................................................................3
Values............................................................................................................6
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PRAYERS (SHLOKAS FROM RAMA RAKSHA STROTRUM
(RRS))
Daily prayers
Verse (Shloka) Meaning
rāmāya rāmabhadrāya rāmachandrāya I salute to Ram, beloved Ram,
vēdhasē । raghunāthāya nāthāya sītāyāḥ moon like peaceful Ram, To
patayē namaḥ ॥ 27 ॥ Lord of Raghu Scion, Lord (of
all), husband of Sita, I salute ॥
रामाय रामभद्राय रामचंद्राय वेधसे । 27॥
रघुनाथाय नाथाय सीतायाः पतये नमः ॥27॥
śrīrāma chandra charaṇau manasā smarāmi I remember the feet of Sri
śrīrāma chandra charaṇau vachasā gṛhṇāmi Ramachandra in my mind. I
। śrīrāma chandra charaṇau śirasā namāmi praise the feet of Sri
śrīrāma chandra charaṇau śaraṇaṃ Ramachandra by my speech. I
prapadyē ॥ 29 ॥ salute the feet of Sri
Ramachandra by bowing down
श्रीराम चन्द्रचरणौ मनसा स्मरामि, my head. I take refuge on the
श्रीराम चंद्रचरणौ वचसा गृणामि । feet of Sri Ramachandra by
श्रीराम चन्द्रचरणौ शिरसा नमामि, bowing myself down ॥29॥
श्रीराम चन्द्रचरणौ शरणं प्रपद्ये ॥29॥
mātā rāmō mat-pitā rāmachandraḥ svāmī Mother is Rama, my father is
rāmō mat-sakhā rāmachandraḥ । Ramachandra । Lord is Rama,
sarvasvaṃ mē rāmachandrō dayāḻuḥ my dearest friend is
nānyaṃ jānē naiva jānē na jānē ॥ 30 ॥ Ramachandra. My everything
is merciful Ramachandra. I
माता रामो मत्पिता रामचंन्द्र: । know of no other like him, I
स्वामी रामो मत्सखा रामचंद्र: । really don't! ॥30॥
सर्वस्वं मे रामचन्द्रो दयालु ।
नान्यं जाने नैव जाने न जाने ॥30 ॥
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VERSES (SHLOKAS)
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Verse (Shloka) Meaning
Bhagavad Gita 2.14
mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya
O son of Kuntī, the
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ nonpermanent appearance of
āgamāpāyino happiness and distress, and their
’nityās
tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata disappearance in due course, are
like the appearance and
मात्रास्पर्शास्तु कौन्तेय disappearance of winter and
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखदाः summer seasons. They arise
आगमापायिनोऽनित्यास्तांस्तिति from sense perception, O scion of
क्षस्व भारत Bharata, and one must learn to
tolerate them without being
disturbed.
Bhagavad Gita 6.17
yuktāhāra-vihārasya He who is regulated in his habits
yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu of eating, sleeping, recreation
yukta-svapnāvabodhasya and work can mitigate all
yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā material pains by practicing the
yoga system.
युक्ताहारविहारस्य
युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति
दु:खहा ॥
Bhagavad Gita 2.62
dhyāyato viṣayān puṁsaḥ While contemplating the objects
of the senses, a person develops
saṅgas teṣūpajāyate
attachment for them, and from
saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ such attachment lust develops,
kāmāt krodho ’bhijāyate and from lust anger arises.
ध्यायतो विषयान्पुंसः
सङ्गस्तेषूपजायते ।
सङ्गात्सञ्जायते कामः
कामात्क्रोधोऽभिजायते
Bhagavad Gita 2.63
krodhād bhavati sammohaḥ From anger, complete delusion
arises, and from delusion
sammohāt smṛti-vibhramaḥ
bewilderment of memory. When
smṛti-bhraṁśād buddhi-nāśo memory is bewildered,
buddhi-nāśāt praṇaśyati intelligence is lost and when
intelligence is lost one falls down
again into the material pool.
क्रोधाद्भवति सम्मोहः
सम्मोहात्स्मृतिविभ्रमः ।
स्मृतिभ्रंशाद्बुद्धिनाशो
बुद्धिनाशात्प्रणश्यति
Verse (Shloka) Meaning
Bhagavad Gita 2.41
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vyavasāyātmikā buddhir Those who are on this path
ekeha kuru-nandana are resolute in purpose, and
bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca
their aim is one. O beloved
buddhayo ’vyavasāyinām
VALUES
1) Response to sudden change in plan:
Question: What will you do if something which you are looking
forward to suddenly gets changed?
Write your answer:
Lord Ram’s obedience: Lord Ram was obedient to his parents and
didn’t question them.
His reply to mother Kaikeyi: My dear mother, I shall immediately go to
live in the forest as you desire. Let messengers be sent at once to
summon Bharata. I have no regrets. My only wish is that my father
may always look upon me favourably or positively. Please do not keep
any ill feeling towards Me.”
“I do not want to live in this world as a slave to greed and passion. Like
the rishis, I am devoted to righteousness. I would never give up the
path of virtue (honesty) merely for the sake of ruling the kingdom. My
dear mother, there is no need to trouble my father. If you had asked
me directly, I would have unhesitatingly given you the kingdom and
retired to the forest.”
Without hesitation, Rama and Lakshman obediently took off their royal
garments and put on the forest clothes that Kaikeyi gave them.
Sita felt very unhappy when she took from Kaikeyi her dress from
kusha-grass and tree-bark and her eyes filled with tears. Sita wanted
to follow her husband’s example and so she kept the forest clothes on.
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Learnings:
1. There is always a logical reason behind our parent’s statement,
taking into consideration our future benefits.
2. Art of tolerance & sacrifice: Though Rama was a prince with all
the opulence’s and comfortable paraphernalia, he did not show
laziness and weakness of heart on the thought of going to forest. He
knew forest will be full of challenges and he was ready to face them
as he got his training to be disciplined as a young child like you all.
For attending school early morning, we need to be disciplined, by
sleeping, eating, working, playing on time.
Reference verse: Bhagavad Gita 2.14
2) Simple living
Activity: Match below pictures with ‘Needs’ or ‘Wants’ boxes.
NEEDS WANTS
Lord Ram & his associates exemplified simple living
Maharaja Dasharatha ordered Sumantra, “Get ready one akshauhini of
soldiers, organize many merchants, hunters, servant, royal treasure, so that
they can accompany Rama into exile. My son though in the forest is not
deprived of the objects of comfort and enjoyment.”
However, Rama said, “My dear father, please do not become so upset. I
have no use for the royal comforts that you desire for me, On the other hand
let Kaikeyi’s maidservants bring me tree-bark at once that I can wear
suitable clothes for my forest life.”
When Guha met Rama, he brought sumptuous food, comfortable beds and
articles of worship in order to give Rama a royal welcome. Rama was please
but replied, “At heart I accept all you have offered me. But since I have
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taken a vow to wear only kush-grass, tree bark and deerskin, and eat only
fruit and roots, I cannot actually utilize these gifts. Please take away all you
have brought.”
During this time, he lived a simple life, dwelling in forest hermitages and
surviving on forest produce. Lord Rama followed a simple diet, often eating
fruits, roots, and grains found in the forest during his exile. He didn't indulge
in luxuries and was content with whatever simple food was available.
Lakshman, Sita, Bharat also followed Lord Ram and led a simple life. Bharat
even though not in exiled lived outside the palace inside the ground dressed
just like Ram and sustaining on fruits, roots, etc.
List 3 advantages of simple living:
1.
2.
3.
Takeaways:
- Always question yourself before taking a decision in life “Do I really
need it or just I want it for pleasure?”
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- Anything in excess leads to trouble. Reference verse: Bhagavad
Gita 6.17
3) Power of Association
Activity: List 4 potential bad association from your surrounding?
Provoking of Ravana by his associates
When Ravana receives the news of Rama’s killing of 14,000 of his
soldiers, Khara & Dushana, from Akampana, he becomes very
angry. Akampana suggests the abduction of Sita. Then Ravana goes
to Maricha. Maricha, who had been defeated by Ram before, was
even afraid of the name Ram, and he advised Ravana not to invite
trouble in his life by abducting Sita. It's better for him to stay and
enjoy with his wives instead. Ravana listens to his advice & returns.
But then, Surpanakha goes to Ravana and in front of the whole
assembly, she accuses him of being foolish and cleverly
manipulates the truth to take revenge and induce desires in the
heart of her brother.
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Learnings:
1. Choose your friends wisely and surround yourself with good
positive association
2. To not think about object of enjoyment too much and prevent us
from loss of intelligence.
Reference verses: Bhagavad Gita 2.62 and Bhagavad Gita
2.63
4) Falling in trap
Activity: Can you think of some real-life example related to ‘falling
in trap’ involving below items?
Sita mata getting attracted to Golden Deer
Maricha took the form of golden deer with silver spots and started to play
in front of Sita. Sita was gathering flowers from the trees as the deer
leapt, ran to attract her attention. When Lakshman saw the deer he
understood and said, “It’s a trick. This must be Maricha the rakshasa
disguised as a deer, seeking revenge. Sita became deluded by deer’s
beauty and said, “please go quickly and catch the deer If you catch this
deer alive, I will take it back to Ayodhya at the end of exile.”
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Rama shot an arrow hoping to kill it. The arrow pierced the heart of the
deer and it felt to the ground. It assumed his real form as rakshasa.
Maricha, the rakshasas imitated the voice of Rama and called out, “O
Sita! O Lakshman!” As Sita heard Maricha’s voice, she panicked with fear
and turned to
Lakshman and urged,
“Go quickly and find
out what has
happened! Rama is
crying out for help!”
And Ravana was
successful in abducting
Sita by the plan he
devised!
Learnings:
1. All that glitters is not gold.
2. Using intelligence and previous experience of other persons to
make decisions.
3. Listening to elders, teachers and their good advice.
5) Crossing Hurdles
Think about it: How does it feel when you lose something very
important and when you are trying to look for it so many hurdles
come on the way?
Search of Sita maiya
Rama did not know where Sita was or if she is alive. Which direction
(north, south, east, west) should Rama search for her?
Rama questioned the animals and deer and trying to read their
minds by looking through their eyes. It seemed that the deer
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replied by turning their heads upwards and towards the south, to
indicated Sita is carried through sky in that direction. They soon
came to a trail of scattered flowers that Rama recognized to those
that he has given Sita. Lakshman then pointed out Sita’s running
footprints, along with those of a giant footprint.
Rama and Lakshman came upon the fallen Jatayu, lying in a pool of
blood. Jatayu identified himself and explained how to got wounded
while trying to rescue Sita from the clutches of Ravana.
While roaming the forest, they were attacked by demon named
Kabandha, who had no head, no neck or legs and a gigantic mouth.
Rama cut off his right arm and Lakshman cut off his left, making
the rakshasa fall to the ground and preparing to die. Kabandha got
his original celestial form and guided Rama by saying, “You will be
able to retrieve your wife with the help of someone in a similar
condition like yours. You should go and
become friends with Sugriva, the monkey
king.
Rama and Lakshman met Sugriva and
Sugriva informed seeing Sita being carried
away by a powerful Rakshasa and showed
Rama the cloth and jewelry thrown by Sita
from sky.
After Rama helped Sugriva, get his kingdom
back, Sugriva started to enjoy his kingdom and started to
completely neglect his duties. Hanuman reminded Sugriva of his
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obligation/promise to Rama. Sugriva send army of monkeys in
every direction to search for Sita where they met Sampati, brother
of Jatayu. Sampati informed them about Ravana, king of demons
who has kidnapped Sita.
Learnings:
1. Determination is required to accomplish any task, especially
tough challenges.
2. If our goal is clear then with one pointed intelligence it becomes
easy to cross hurdles which come on the way.
Reference verse: Bhagavad Gita 2.41
6) Following instructions of Guru with patience
Q. Do you know in how many years mange seed gives fruit?
When the seed is sown in fertile soil, watered and protected then in
5 years we get Mango fruit.
Shabri’s dedication & patience to the instructions of her
Guru
Shabari, the true devotee, dedicated
her life to her Guru’s (Matanga
Rishi) words of advice and spent her
days waiting for Shri Ram's arrival.
Every day, she swept and cleaned
the ashram, replenishing the jugs
with fresh water and gathering fruits
and tubers for Shri Ram. She waited
and waited for years on end.
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Learnings:
1. Guru is the means by which we can get lord’s mercy.
2. By approaching Guru in a non-challenging way, enquiring from
him submissively and rendering service to him we can get
knowledge
Reference verse: Bhagavad Gita 4.34
3. Just by sincerely and patiently following instructions of Guru one
can perfect life and please the Supreme lord.
7) Doing right no matter what
Vibhishan’s character
Ravana’s brother Vibhishan was a
very big devotee of Lord
Ram and even though
surrounded by all
demons he lived by the
principles of
righteousness.
He advised Ravana not to return
mother Sita to Lord Rama, but
Ravana didn’t listen to his good advice and insulted him.
Similarly, Prahlad Maharaj practiced Bhakti even though his father
Hiranyakashipu tried to kill him and lord protected him.
Learnings:
1. To do the right thing even when surroundings
don’t support you.
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Lotus flower grows in muddy water and is pure & beautiful
untouched by the dirty water.
2. We should always try to good advice to people.
8) Supreme Lord’s mercy
Q. How does it feel when you need help in helpless condition and
someone lovingly helps you? Has that happened with you any time?
If yes, then by whom?
Lord Ram gives protection to Vibhishana
When Vibhishan decides to take shelter of Lord Ram and approaches him,
Lord Ram takes opinion of all his associates and gets different opinions.
Sugriva says “An enemy demon has arrived. He could be a spy. My
suggestion is that he should be killed immediately.”
Jambavan says “"If we make Vibhishana our friend, then we must be very
cautious and skeptical while keeping an eye on him."
After listening to everyone Lord Ram says “"As the Supreme God, it is my
eternal principle that when any being comes to me seeking refuge and
says 'I am yours', I liberate them from all forms of fear. If even Ravana
comes to me in surrender, I will grant him complete protection."
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Reference verse: Ramayana (Yuddha Kanda 18.33)
Learnings:
1. Supreme Lord is very kind and when we humbly surrender to him,
he provides complete protection to us.
2. When someone approaches us for help then we should also try to
help as per our capability.
9) Supreme Lord’s mercy
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