Hari Om!
Here is the update from last week's class.
Stotram: We chanted the Devi dhyana shloka (sarva mangala mangalye) and learnt the next two verses of Mahalakshmi Ashtakam.
Mahabharata: We continued the recap up to the completion of agnyAta vAsa - we examined the buildup of enmity between the Kauravas and Pandavas from the events at the wax palace, Draupadi's swayamvara, the partition of Hastinapura, the Rajasuya Yagna, and the last straw, the fateful dice game. We also looked at how the Pandavas prepared for war during their year in exile- Arjuna getting weapons from Lord Shiva through penance, his stay in Indraloka, Yudhishtra gathering information from the mendicants he met. The one year spent incognito in Virata's kingdom was also eventful, with the commander of the army, Keechaka, killed by Bheema, as Keechaka was pursuing Draupadi. The Pandavas also successfully thwarted Duryodhana's plan to identify them by staging a capture of Matsya's cattle. In two separate encounters, Arjuna and the rest of the Pandavas emerged victorious. At the appropriate time, they revealed their identity to Virata, who was very happy to have had such distinguished members in his court. His daughter, Uttara, was given in marriage to Arjuna's son Abhimanyu. After the wedding, a council was gathered in Upaplavya to discuss further action to gain back the kingdom of the Pandavas.
India, Sacred Land: We started looking at the emblems of India, with a very interactive discussion on the flag. We asked the children how they would design the flag and we got a very interesting design based on the sacrifice of the freedom fighters, food (of course!), gold, and movies!!
Bhagavad Gita: We started learning Chapter 4, with Swamiji's message to the children inspiring us all to learn and chant the Gita as a way to keep the mind and heart pure. Here is the link to the playlist:
Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 4
Our next class is on October 1st when we will have the Houses Inaugural event - please ask the children to wear red to show House spirit!
Regards
Abhirami Shrinivas
Keerthi Kobla
