Hari Om Parents,
Please find the below update from our class on Friday Dec 1st, 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
- As per our curriculum, we proceeded to learn the Devi Dhyana Shloka (page #39). We also recited Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (page 40) all verses in the class. We then continued with our Mahabharata review.
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.
Mahabharata Summary:ATTACHMENT AND DUTYAny ray of hope there might have been of a peaceful settlement when Krishna went to Hastinapura was extinguished when he returned and narrated what happened. Kunti was overwhelmed with grief when she learnt that it was to be war to the death. She was worried how the Pandavas could defeat the mighty three combined - Bhishma, Drona and Karna. Dronacharya might refrain from killing the Pandavas children from either love or unwillingness to meet one's own disciples in battle. The grandsire will certainly not want to kill them. In her mind, Karna was the Pandavas' chief enemy. She knew Karna would be anxious to please Duryodhana by killing the Pandavas. She decided to seek Karna out and tell him the truth about his birth, on knowing which, he would be bound to abandon Duryodhana's cause. Kunti went to the banks of the Ganga where Karna usually offered his daily prayers. Karna was there, facing east and with uplifted hands he was in deep meditation. Kunti quietly stood behind him and waited. His prayers over, Karna looked back to find Kunti standing behind him. He was filled with great confusion and amazement on seeing Kunti. He bowed to her as the son of Radha and Adhiratha, with reverence and asked what he could do for her. Kunti then told Karna that he was not a charioteer's son, but he was the Surya's son born out of the womb of Pritha of royal blood, otherwise known as Kunti. She then narrated the story of his birth and told him that he was born in full panoply with amour and golden earrings. Not knowing that he was brother of the Pandavas, he had joined Duryodhana and have come to hate them. She urged him to join the Pandavas and put down the wicked.When his mother spoke thus to him, with an effort of the will, he controlled his temptations of self- interest and the promptings of natural affection. He said sadly but firmly that he could not swerve from the path of duty. He said that Kunti had deprived him of all that was his birthright as a kshatriya when she threw him as a baby into the river and now thinking of her other sons good, she was telling him this story. Having eaten the salt of Dhritarashtra's sons, won their confidence as their champion and enjoyed all the consideration and kindness they showed him, he refused to desert the Kauravas and join the Pandavas. He asked for Kunti's forgiveness and said that Kunti should part with Arjuna for his sake. Either Arjuna or he would survive the battle. Karna promised that he would not hurt the other four Pandavas, that way after the war she would still have five sons. When Kunti heard her first-born speak thus firmly, adhering to the kshatriya code, her heart was full of tumultuous and contrary feelings and, without trusting herself to speak, she embraced him and departed in silence after blessing him.THE PANDAVA GENERALISSIMOKrishna reached Upaplavya and told the Pandavas what had happened in Hastinapura. He had spoken urging what was right and what was good for them, but Duryodhana would not listen to the advice tendered to him by the elders in the assembly. He added that the Pandavas now should prepare for war without delay. Yudhishthira, addressing his brothers, and issued orders for marshalling their forces in battle array. They formed the army in seven divisions and appointed Drupada, Virata, Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandin, Satyaki, Chekitana and Bhimasena at the head of each division; they then considered who should be appointed Generalissimo.
Yudhishthira asked Sahadeva's suggestion first as to who he would think was most fitted for the position of Generalissimo and successfully face the great Bhishma. In the olden days, it was the practice to ascertain the views of younger people first, before consulting elders. If the elders were consulted first, it would not be possible for others to speak with freedom. Sahadeva recommended the King of Virata who had helped them when they lived in disguise, to be the Supreme Commander whereas Nakula suggested Drupada for this age, wisdom, courage and strength. Dharmaputra then asked Dhananjaya for his opinion. Arjuna recommended Dhrishtadyumna as the chief in the battlefield. He was a hero who had his senses under control and was born to bring about Drona's end. Bhima's recommendation was Sikhandin as he had come into the world to kill Bhishma.Yudhishthira finally asked Krishna for his opinion. Krishna agreed that all the warriors mentioned were worthy of selection, however he endorsed Arjuna's choice and suggested that Dhrishtadyumna should be selected as their Supreme Commander. Accordingly, Dhrishtadyumna, Drupada's illustrious son was appointed Supreme Commander of the Pandava army. The lion-roar of warriors, the blowing of conchs and shells and the trumpeting of elephants rent the air. With warlike cheers, the Pandava army entered Kurukshetra in martial array.THE KAURAVA GENERALISSIMOBhishma stood in command of the Kaurava army. Duryodhana bowed reverently and requested Bhishma to lead the Kaurava army. Bhishma agreed and said that he would discharge his obligations in the war, but he would not kill the Pandavas as he considered them same as the Kauravas and the war did not have his approval. He also said that Karna who is opposed to his leadership and ideas, should take over the leadership of the army and conduct the battle from the outset. Karna should not be allowed inside the battlefield.Karna agreed that he would keep out if Bhishma was alive and would come in only after he was gone. Then he boasted that he would oppose Arjuna and kill him. Duryodhana accepted the condition laid down by Bhishma and appointed him the Generalissimo of his forces which rolled like a great flood into Kurukshetra.BALARAMABalarama visited the Pandavas in their encampment. He was overcome with grief that war had been declared. He told Yudhishthira that dreadful destruction was ahead. He had told Krishna that both the Pandavas and the Kauravas were equal to them and not to take sides. But Krishna did not listen to him and due to his great affection for Arjuna, had taken the side of the Pandavas. Balarama could not oppose Krishna and take the side of the Kauravas. He had equal love for both Bhima and Duryodhana. He could not bear to see the Kauravas destroyed. That tragedy made him lose all interest in the world and he decided to go on a pilgrimage and visit holy places. He then left the Pandavas, his heart laden with sorry and his mind seeking consolation in God. Compelled to choose between two equally justifiable, but contrary, courses of action, he was caught on the horns of a dilemma. It is only honest men that find themselves in this predicament. The dishonest ones of the earth have no such problems, guided as they are solely by their own attachments and desires, that is, by self-interest. Not so the great men who have renounced all desire. We can witness the great trials to which, in the Mahabharata, Bhishma, Vidura, Yudhishthira and Karna were put. Their solutions did not conform to a single moral pattern but reflected their several individualities. The conduct of each was the reaction of his personality and character to the impact of circumstances. We may profit by the way in which, in the Ramayana, Dasaratha, Kumbhakarna, Maricha, Bharata and Lakshmana reacted to the difficulties with which each of them was faced. Likewise, Balarama's neutrality in the Mahabharata war has a lesson.Bhagavad Gita: Verses 8 & 9 from chapter 4 were taught and rehearsed this week, following our Swamiji Swami Shantanandaji's chanting video.
Class Reflection:
We discussed few questions from the Mahabharata topics, with the children.
1. Karna's dilemma between attachment and duty after Kunti meets Karna
2. Qualities of Generals and the thought process in appointing Dhrishtadyumna as the Supreme Commander of the Pandava army and Bhishma as the Kaurava Generalissimo.We also discussed the importance of dharma and having a balanced mind in order to make clear and sound decisions in life and to be a good leader.
Aarathi: We assembled at the main prayer hall for aarathi and concluding prayers.
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 8th, 2023.
Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi Hari and Anupama SivakumarFriday Grade 6 sevikas
