Hari Om Parents,
Please find the below updates from our class on Friday Nov 3rd and Nov 17th, 2023.
Class began with Opening Prayers - 3 OMs, followed by the chanting of Sahana Vavatu. Then invoked the blessings of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati and all our Gurus, by chanting..
Śri Ganeshaya Namah!
Śhri Saraswathyai Namah!
Śhri Sad-Gurubhyo Namah!
Shlokas: ( My Prayers Book)
We recited the Daily Prayers ( page#11) in the order of:
• Karagre Vasate
• Samudra Vasane
• Gange cha Yamune
• Sarasvati Namastubhyam
• Brahmaarpanam
• Shubham Karoti
• Kara-charana-krtam vak
Kindly encourage the kids to memorize these and recite them at appropriate times throughout the day. Thus instilling in them, not just the learning part but to put all that they learn, into practice in their daily routine.
As per our curriculum, we proceeded to learn the Devi Dhyana Shloka (page #39). We also recited Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (page 40) verses 1- 8 in the class. We then continued with our Mahabharata review.
Mahabharata Summary:
Salya against his nephews:
Salya, the ruler of Madradesa, was Madri's brother – Nakula and Sahadeva's uncle. When he heard the Pandavas were camping in Upaplavya, he set out with his very big army towards the city to join the Pandavas. The army was so large that when they halted for rest, the encampment extended to several miles. When Duryodhana heard about Salya and his marching force, he decided to persuade Salya to join his side. So Duryodhana instructed several beautifully decorated rest houses to be erected in many places enroute and Salya and his men were treated to wondrous hospitality.
Salya was very pleased with this hospitality, and he thought it was Yudhishthira who had arranged it. But when he realized it was Duryodhana who had provided the kingly hospitality, Salya was moved and asked Duryodhana how he could repay him. Duryodhana immediately told Salya that he and his forces should fight on his side. Salya was stunned but he was tricked to repay the hospitality. He promised Duryodhana that he would be on his side. He took leave and went to see the Pandavas and narrated to them what had happened.
Yudhishthira tried his best to conceal his disappointment, but he asked him that if he ever drove Karna's chariot during the battle, if he would be the cause for Arjuna's death. Salya promised that if that situation ever happened, Karna would go dis-heartened, and Arjuna would be saved. He blessed Yudhishthira with victory.
Sanjaya's missionWhen the Pandavas were camping in Upaplavya, they sent emissaries to all friendly rulers and soon they had a mighty force of seven divisions. The Kauravas collected an army of eleven divisions. Drupada's brahmana messenger arrived in Hastinapura. He gave a detailed account of all the injustices rendered to the Pandavas and stated that they were equally entitled to their father's property. He also mentioned that the Pandavas desired peace and were unwilling to resort to war. To give the Pandavas what rightfully belonged to them would be in accordance both with justice and with the agreement previously reached.
After this appeal of the messenger, Bhishma agreed that to restore them to their property was the right thing to do. This angered Karna who stood up and accused the messenger and spoke ill of the Pandavas. Karna added that if Yudhishthira wanted to claim anything of a property, he should beg for it as a gift, since he had lost all the property at the dice game. Bhishma intervened and warned Karna that if they did not do as the messenger had informed, war would bring destruction to the Kauravas. At this point, Dhritarashtra intervened and asked Sanjaya to go as a messenger to the Pandavas on his behalf to secure the avoidance of war.
Sanjaya's message was that Yudhishthira should not abandon the supreme path of dharma even if they did not get back the kingdom and a kingdom won after killing their own relatives would not reap any good or gaining the whole earth bounded by the ocean, old age and death were inescapable. He also added that Duryodhana and his brother were fools but that was no reason why Yudhishthira should lose patience. On hearing these words from Sanjaya, Yudhishthira turned to Krishna to understand what dharma was, as Krishna wished both sides well.
Krishna said that he desired the welfare of the Pandavas and wanted the Kauravas to be happy. He decided to go to Hastinapura to obtain peace from the Kauravas on terms which did not conflict with the welfare of the Pandavas. Yudhishthira asked Sanjaya to convey the message to Dhritarashtra that he preferred peace and that they should not be denied their share of the kingdom. He also asked Sanjaya to remind Duryodhana of all the insults and hardships they had to bear patiently. They were willing to forget everything and to give them back what lawfully belonged to them. At the least Duryodhana should give them 5 villages. Sanjaya took leave of Krishna and the Pandavas and went back to Hastinapura.
Not a needle point of Territory
After he had sent Sanjaya to the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, filled with anxiety, spent the night with Vidura talking to him. Vidura counseled him to give the Pandavas their share of the kingdom and to treat them as his own sons. The next morning Sanjaya returned to Hastinapura and gave a full account of what had taken place in Yudhishthira's court. Sanjaya mentioned that Arjuna wanted Duryodhana to know that along with Krishna, he would destroy Duryodhana and his followers. His Gandiva was impatient for war. Bhishma counseled Dhritarashtra against opposing the combined might of Arjuna and Krishna. Bhishma said that Karna was not equal to a sixteenth part of the Pandavas and reminded of instances where Karna was unable to help Duryodhana either during the battle with the Gandharva king or during the attack on Virata's capital. Dhritarashtra knew that what Bhishma and Vidura had counseled was the right thing to do, but he felt helpless as his sons would not listen to him.
Duryodhana, who had been listening to all this, asked his father not to worry about them or doubt their victory. He said that Yudhishthira was scared because they had eleven divisions and hence was begging for five villages. Dhritarashtra again mentioned to Duryodhana not to have war, but to be satisfied with half the kingdom. Duryodhana became furious and mentioned that the Pandavas would not receive even a needle point of territory and left the court.
Krishna's mission
After Sanjaya left Upaplavya for Hastinapura, the Pandavas divined what was in Dhritarashtra's mind. Dhritarashtra was trying to secure peace without giving them any territory. Although Yudhishthira made an offer that they would be content with only five villages, he knew that the Kauravas would refuse even that. They realized that a crisis was approaching and surrendered to Krishna to guide them in dharma and statesmanship.
Even the mighty Bhima wanted peace. But Draupadi was unable to forget her humiliation. Krishna consoled and promised her that she would see the Pandavas victorious, and the insult done to her fully avenged.
Krishna for the good of both the Pandavas and Kauravas decided to go to Hastinapura to secure the Pandavas' rights without war. Yudhishthira was concerned about Krishna's safety and requested not to go. Krishna knew that the wicked Duryodhana would stop at nothing and asked the Pandavas not to be concerned about his safety for if the Kauravas gave any threat of bodily harm, they would be reduced to ashes. Krishna mentioned that he should make all attempts at a peaceful solution to give the world no cause to accuse them of not having done everything possible to avert war. Thus saying, Krishna took leave of the Pandavas and set off in his chariot to Hastinapura.
Satyaki accompanied Krishna to Hastinapura. Dhritarashtra had arranged Duhsasana's palace for the disposal of Krishna. When Krishna arrived at Hastinapura, he first went to Dhritarashtra's palace and then proceeded to Vidura's house. Duryodhana welcomed Krishna and invited him for dinner, but Krishna refused to eat until his mission was fulfilled. Declining Duryodhana's invitation, he returned to Vidura's house where he rested.
The next morning, Duryodhana and Sakuni came to Krishna and informed him that Dhritarashtra was waiting for him. Krishna went with Vidura to the court. After the initial introductions were over, Krishna explained the object of his visit. He made clear what the Pandavas wanted. He asked Dhritarashtra not to bring ruin to his people. He added that the Pandavas were prepared for war, but they desired peace. They wished to live in happiness under Dhritarashtra.
Dhritarashtra said that he desired what Krishna wanted but his sons would not listen to him. So, he asked Krishna to advise Duryodhana. Krishna turned to Duryodhana and said that as a descendent of the noble line, he should pursue dharma and not resort to baseless thoughts and bring danger to his race.
Bhisma and Dhrona also repeatedly pressed Duryodhana to listen to Govinda. But Duryodhana's heart could not be softened. He became furious with everyone pressing him to agree to a peaceful solution. Duryodhana rose and said that the Pandavas of their own volition, staked their kingdom at play and being defeated, justly forfeited it and so he should not be blamed for that. He repeated that he would not give the Pandavas an inch of land, not even a needle point of it.
Krishna reminded Duryodhana that the play was fraudulently arranged in conspiracy with Sakuni and the insult that was rendered to Draupadi. Seeing that Bhishma and others were accepting Krishna's indictment of Duryodhana, the Kaurava brothers left the court in anger.
Dhritarashtra said to Vidura to bring Gandhari to the court with the hope that Duryodhana may listen to the words of his mother. When Gandhari came to court, Duryodhana was sent for. He returned and Gandhari tried everything in her power to bring him to reason, but Duryodhana refused to listen and walked out of the court.
Duryodhana and his friends had plotted to seize Krishna. News of this reached the court and Krishna who anticipated this, laughed, and disclosed his divinity. The blind Dhritarashtra, by the grace of Krishna temporarily regained his eyesight and was able to see Krishna in his Vishvarupa presence in every form. Having seen the Lord's Vishvarupa, Dhritarashtra did not wish to see anything else and asked to be blind again. Seeing that Duryodhana was obstinate, Krishna along with Satyaki and Vidura left the court. He went to Kunti and told her what had happened. She asked Krishna to convey her blessings to her sons. They all knew that war had become a certainty.
Bhagavad Gita: Verses 6 & 7 from chapter 4 were taught and rehearsed this week, following our Swamiji Swami Shantanandaji's chanting video.
https://bit.ly/Ch4verses6-7Class participation:We discussed the answers to the questions from the activity sheets that the children completed from the previous week in their respective groups.
After having sent Drupada's brahmana to Hastinapura on the peace mission, Arjuna and Duryodhana went to Dwaraka to seek Krishna's assistance in the event of war. Krishna was asleep and they both waited for him to wake up.
Scenarios included:
1. Although Duryodhana arrived first and could have chosen to wait at Krishna's feet until he woke up, he went and sat on the throne next to Krishna's head, while Arjuna stood at His feet.
Response from children: Duryodhana was arrogant and Arjuna was humble. We need to have humility and faith in our lives.
2. Although Duryodhana arrived first, Krishna gave the first choice to Arjuna - why?
Response from children: "Arjuna was younger and he should not be influenced by older people ". We discussed that in those days, the younger people were given the first choice in discussions so they got a chance to voice their opinion and were not influenced or their suggestions be overridden by the elders in the group.
3. Arjuna rejected Krishna's vast army and chose only Krishna instead and wanted him to be his charioteer.
Response from children: Arjuna only chose Krishna because he believed and had faith in Him. Arjuna wanted Krishna to steer him on the right path.
4. Duryodhana was happy that Arjuna made the "wrong" choice - he asked only for Krishna instead of his powerful Yadhava army.
Response from children: It shows Duryodhana only cared about power, prestige and materialistic things.
The children have been actively participating in the class, asking the right questions and engaging in discussions.
Nov 17th homework: There are two questions posted in google classroom for the children to review and provide answers in the class when we meet next on Dec 1st.
1. Who is Shishupala?
2. Why did Dhritarashtra get to see Krishna's visvarupa and why did he want to go blind again after seeing Krishna?
The Mahabharata summaries are posted in Google classroom. Please remind the children to join the classroom if they have not done so already and encourage them to review their topics and also complete their homework assignments.
Aarathi:Nov 3rd: Children performed Saraswati pooja in the prayer hall.Nov 17th: Children assembled in the prayer hall for Aarathi and pledge.
Please have the children do their daily prayers regularly and also practice the ślokas and Gita chanting.
Thank you! See you back on Friday, Dec 1st, 2023.
Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi Hari and Anupama Sivakumar
Friday Grade 6 sevikas
