Hari Om All,
This week we started our class with Likhita Japa. This was followed by prayers and Shlokas.We continued review and discussion of Mahabharata in class. The following topics were covered:
- Yuddhisthira gambles again: Although Yuddhisthira lost everything in the first game of dice, Dhritharashtra forgives them and returns all the riches to them. However on Duryodhana, Karna and Sakuni's asking Dhritharashtra sends one more invitation to Pandavas to gamble. This time also Pandavas lose and are banished to the forest for 12 years with the 13th year to be spent incognito.
- Pandavas go to the forest: Pandavas departed for the forest with the promise to meet the Kauravas on their return from exile. The Pandavas setup a hut in the forest and started living a simple life. But they had great difficulty finding food especially for Bhima. On Yuddhishthira's prayers, the Sun God appeared before him and gave him the Akshayapatra. This vessel would be full of food every morning to feed as many people as required until Draupadi ate for the day.
- Vidura visits the forest: Since Vidura was a well wisher of the Pandavas, he visited them in the forest. However his visit was cut short when he was asked to return to Hastinapur by Dhritarashtra.
- Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva: Yuddhishthira sent Arjuna to Indra to get divine weapons. Indra told him that Lord Shiva's blessing was required to master the knowledge of using the weapons. Arjuna performed a penance and soon met Lord Shiva in the form of a hunter. There was a fight between the hunter and Arjuna on who shot the boar first. When Arjuna prayed to Lord Shiva to help him out he realized that the hunter was Lord Shiva himself. At that time Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati blessed him with the Pasupata weapon.
- Sage Durvasa visits Hastinapur and Pandavas in forest: Meanwhile Sage Durvasa came to visit Hastinapur and Duryodhana took good care of him. On Duryodhana's suggestion, Sage Durvasa along with his retinue of several disciples decided to visit the Pandavas in the forest.They informed Yuddhisthira that they would come for meals after a bath in the river. But by then Draupadi had finished her meal and the Akshayapatra could not make any more food for the day. So Draupadi prayed to Lord Krishna for help. He appeared before her and asked Draupadi to bring the Akshayapatra. Krishna found a small leaf sticking to the vessel. He ate that leaf. Immediately Sage Durvasa and his followers felt that their stomachs were full and to avoid embarrassment they left the forest immediately without going to the hut of the Pandavas.
We also chanted Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1 - verses 1-6. We read the Bhagavad Gita verses from the Chinmaya Vrindavan Balavihar Handbook (2019 - 2020).
Announcements:
1. Likhita Japa notebooks are now available in the bookstore - one book per child. Please sign up at the bookstore and pick up the book. Write neatly and legibly to earn points - every 50 times will earn you 5 points. When submitting it back please make sure to staple the pages and write your name, grade and House and put it in the box. Points will be awarded in beginning of January, March and May. Participation prizes will be given
2. Registration for Shlokathon is now open. Shlokathon will be held on April 4, 2020 between 1pm-4pm. 25 points for participation. Please memorize the selected Shlokas. List of Shlokas is given in the handbook. Participation prizes will be given.
2. Registration for Shlokathon is now open. Shlokathon will be held on April 4, 2020 between 1pm-4pm. 25 points for participation. Please memorize the selected Shlokas. List of Shlokas is given in the handbook. Participation prizes will be given.
Thank you!
Krishna and Shasi
