Hari Om! Parents,
We completed the Adi Parva review, the last class, this class we started with Sabha Parva, this parva primarily focuses on the events that unfold within the royal court of the Kuru kingdom, especially in the court of King Dhritarashtra. Here is a summary of the Sabha Parva, going further we spoke about the Game of Dice that is played by Duryodhana, with the intention of humiliating him and taking away his wealth and kingdom. Pandavas lose their kingdom, wealth, and even themselves. After losing the game, the Pandavas are forced into exile for 13 years, including one incognito year. Mitra curses Duryodhana for sending the Pandavas into exile, and Bheema kills Duryodhana on his thighs and groin, which he had exposed while attempting to sit on a raised seat in the court. This curse was significant because it foreshadowed Duryodhana's ultimate downfall in the Kurukshetra War.
The events in the Sabha Parva led to a deepening of the enmity between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, setting the stage for the Kurukshetra War, which is the central focus of the Mahabharata. The Pandavas' exile begins, and they start their journey in disguise to spend their incognito year.
Reminder: You can sign up to bring Prasad to Bala Vihar using the link that was shared on the Parents WA Group.
Week 3 Class
The children did this Likhita Japa 18 times at the beginning of today's class -" Sri Krishna Sharanam Mama ''. Please remind your child to do Likhita Japa regularly.
Shlokas
We started with Om chanting and then chanted Sahana vavatu, Vakratunda mahakaya, Saraswati namastubhyam, Guru Brahma, Sarva Mangala mangalye (ref. My Prayers book pg 39) we started Maha Lakshmi Ashtakam (pg 40)
Mahabharata*
We completed the Adi Parva review, the last class, this class we started with Sabha Parva, this parva primarily focuses on the events that unfold within the royal court of the Kuru kingdom, especially in the court of King Dhritarashtra. Here is a summary of the Sabha Parva, going further we spoke about the Game of Dice that is played by Duryodhana, with the intention of humiliating him and taking away his wealth and kingdom. Pandavas lose their kingdom, wealth, and even themselves. After losing the game, the Pandavas are forced into exile for 13 years, including one incognito year. Mitra curses Duryodhana for sending the Pandavas into exile, and Bheema kills Duryodhana on his thighs and groin, which he had exposed while attempting to sit on a raised seat in the court. This curse was significant because it foreshadowed Duryodhana's ultimate downfall in the Kurukshetra War.
The events in the Sabha Parva led to a deepening of the enmity between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, setting the stage for the Kurukshetra War, which is the central focus of the Mahabharata. The Pandavas' exile begins, and they start their journey in disguise to spend their incognito year.
We started with Vana Parva before Krishna's oath but did not get a chance to complete it fully, we will continue to work on it next week. We will be doing activities from the Mahabharata Junior Workbook by Chinmaya Publications throughout the year. Please send this book with your child to class.
One-minute focus exercise - To stand in a tree pose
India, the Sacred Land
Topics: The Sacred Land - Hindu Scriptures, Author of Hinduism, Epics. We also spoke about Our Land Finding India, finding where the class is from, and what it is famous for.
Activity: Where are you from? What is popular in your state in India?
Looking forward: Two kids from Gujarat and UP will present about Pancha Dwaraka and Rivers of India in the next class
Geeta Chanting
We are going to learn Chapter 4 of the Bhagavad Gita from our Swamiji this year. Grade 6 is group Partha, and is assigned verses 1-28 to memorise. Today the class learned to chant the introduction and the first sloka of chapter 4 from Swamiji.
We concluded the session with Aarti and Pledge recitation in the Prayer Hall.
- Sangeetha Srikanth and Rashmi Kuroodi
Supplies needed for every class:- Bala Vihar Handbook, My Prayers book, the Junior Class Workbook Part 1 & 2, a notebook and pencils for likhita japa; everything in their Bala Vihar bag
*Reference books - Mahabharata by Rajagopalachari / Mahabharata by Kamala Subramaniam
