Hari Om All,
This week we started our class with Likhita Japa followed by Shlokas.We continued review and discussion of Mahabharata in class. The following topics were covered:
- Bhima kills Jarasandha:The Pandavas along with Lord Krishna go in disguise as Brahmins to Magadha and challenge King Jarasandha to a fight. Jarasandha picked Bhima as he was known for his skill and the fight lasted 13 days. Towards the end when Bhima tore Jarasandha's body, they miraculously came together. He then remembered Krishna's instruction. Bhima threw the two halves in opposite direction to keep them from getting back together. Thus after a hard battle, Bhima killed Jarasandha. The kings imprisoned by Jarasandha were freed.
- Jayadratha punished: One day when Pandavas were away, Jayadratha, king of Sindhu saw Draupadi and wanted to marry her. He tried to convince her to accept him but when she refused, he forcefully took her in his chariot. As soon as Pandavas returned and heard this, they rushed to capture Jayadratha. Bhima and Arjuna grabbed him and saved Draupadi. They punished Jayadratha by shaving his head with just a tuft of hair remaining. When they took him to Yudhishthira, he spared Jayadratha's life. Jayadratha was humiliated and prayed to Lord Shiva for a boon to defeat Pandavas. But Lord Shiva refused to grant him the boon.
- Karna's Kavacha and Kundala: Since twelve years of Pandavas exile was over, Indra wanted to take away Karna's armor to help Pandavas win in battle later. Indra came as a Brahmin and after Karna had prayed to Sun God, asked for his Kavacha and Kundala. Karna was a Daana Veer and gladly gave it to Indra. But he indicated that he knew who Indra was and asked him to grant a boon in return. Indra granted him the weapon Shakti with the condition that it could be used only when there was no other choice.
- Yaksha Prashna: Just when the Pandavas were getting ready to spend their thirteenth year of exile incognito, a Brahmin asked them to find the deer that had taken his fire-sticks. When the Pandavas chased the deer, they got lost in the forest and were very thirsty. On climbing a tree, they found water in a nearly lake. Yudhisthira asked Nakula to get some water. When he reached the lake, a voice warned him that unless he answered some questions, he would die if he drank the water. Nakula ignored and drank the water and fell down dead. Similarly one by one the other brothers followed and they all fell dead near the lake. Finally Yudhisthira came there and gave profound answers to the dharmic questions asked by the voice. The voice was very pleased and revealed himself as Dharma God. He also restored the lives all the dead Pandavas and gave them a boon that they could take any form during the thirteenth year of exile.
We also had a discussion and quiz in the class and all the kids participated enthusiastically!
We concluded the class by chanting Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1 - verses 7-8.
Announcements:
1. No class next Sunday (12/1). Our next class will be on 12/8.
2. In the next class, we will be video recording all the kids chanting Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 1, verses 1-4 from memory. Please work with your children to help them memorize these verses.
2. In the next class, we will be video recording all the kids chanting Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 1, verses 1-4 from memory. Please work with your children to help them memorize these verses.
Wish you all Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you!
Krishna and Shasi
