Harih Om Parents,
The following material was taught in the 8th grade Balavihar class on November 24th, 2019:
- After initial prayers we continued with Bhagavad Gita Dhyana sloka teaching - so far we have taught the children 7 verses.
- Swamiji has completed 6 verses of Chapter 1, Bhagavad Gita chanting – please have your children practice at home the first four verses – we will be recording and submitting it for Balavihar House contests – they will be earning points for their house.
- We continued with Mahabharata Story – during the first 9 days of the Mahabharata war Bheesma dominated the scene for the most part. Pandavas were unable to defeat him and he inflicted heavy damage to the Pandava army. In a fit of desperation, the Pandavas went to him and asked how he could be defeated. Bheesma out of his love for the Pandavas and their upright ways told them that if a woman stood in front of him, he would not wield his weapons. On the 10th day of the war, keeping Shikandin (who was Amba in her previous birth) as his charioteer Arjuna is able to successfully wound Bheesma mortally. Dronacharya then lead the Kaurava army during the next 5 days. He planned the "Chakravyuha formation" of the army to defeat the Pandavas. Abhimanyu, Arjuna's son, entered the Chakravyuha – fought bravely, but gets killed in an unjust and deceitful manner by the Kauravas. Eventually Dhristadhumya kills Dronacharya on the 15th day. Karna leads the Kaurava army for 2 days, and persishes at the hands of Arjuna. Bhima kills all of Dhritharastra's sons. All the great warriors on Kaurava side eventually die and finally Bhima kills Duryodhana on the 18th day of the battle. On the same night Ashwathama, Drona's son, kills all the children of Pandavas and Dhristhadhumya – while they were asleep. He thought he had killed the Pandavas. Aswathama even sent Brahmastra missile to destroy the progeny of Abhimanyu in his wife Uttara's womb. However, Lord Krishna protected the baby who later grew up to be Parikshit.
- Inspite of the victory, Yudhisthira was saddened by the colossal destruction of human life and suffering. Many people tried to to pacify him, but he remained dejected. Finally, Lord Krishna took him to the wounded Bheesma, who was resting on a bed of arrows created by Arjuna. Bhisma had the boon of "Iccha Mrityu" given by his father and he could choose the time of his death. He was waiting for the auspicious period of Uttarayanam to start in order to die. While laying on his death bed Bheesma, he taught Yudhisthira about a variety of topics which include but are not limited to how a king should rule, dharmas etc The Vishnu Sahasranamam prayer is was also sung by Bheesma during this time. Satisfied with what he learnt from Bheesma, Yudhisthira took leave of him and ruled his kingdom for 36 years.
- Meanwhile Krishna ruled Dwaraka for 36 years after the Kurukshethra war. The Vrishnis, Bhopas and other branches of the Yadavas spent their days in merriment and self indulgence. Once a group of Rishis came to Vrindavan. The arrogant and deluded Yadavas mocked the Rishis and dressed a young man as a woman and asked the Rishis if they could predict whether he/she would have a son or daughter. The Rishis saw through the prank and cursed the Yadavas and told them that the person would give birth to a mace which would be the reason for the destruction of the Yadavas. Lo and behold, the very next day the man gave birth to a mace. The frightened Yadavas crushed the mace into smithereens and threw it into the ocean and conveniently went back to enjoying life. A few days later, the strewn dust from the mace sprouted into a dense crop of rushes. The Yadavas went to the beach and spent the day getting drunk. Amongst the Yadavas were, Kritavarma who had fought on the side of the Kauravas and Satyaki who had fought on the side of the Pandavas. Soon the liquor began to work. Satyaki taunted Kritavarma belittling him for attacking sleeping soldiers during the Kurukshetra war. Kritavarma scoffed at Satyaki for butchering Bhurisravas when he was seated in yoga. Soon the Yadavas were divided and it was a free for all. Krishna's soon Pradyumna too joined the fight and he too was killed along with Kritavarma and Satyaki. Soon Krishna came to scene and plucked the rushes which had grown from the mace. He laid them randomly around the beach and which got transformed into maces. The Yadavas fought viciously and all were killed . Balarama too entered yoga and passed away. Lord Krishna knew his time on this planet had come to an end. He fell asleep in the forest and a hunter who mistook his toe for an animal, pierced it with an arrow which made it all the way up to His heart and so Lord Krishna died.
- Pandavas also crowned Abhimanyu's son Parikshit as the King and decide to go towards the heaven – Mahaprasthana. One by one – Draupadi, Sahadeva, Nakula, Arjuna & Bheema fell down due to the long and tedious journey. Only Yudhisthira reached the gates of heaven, and then realized that a dog had also followed him all the way to the gates of heaven from Hastinapura. At the gates of heaven he is met by Indira who insisted there was not place in heaven for a dog. But Yudhisthira stayed firm and said that he would enter heaven only if the dog was permitted there as well. The dog disappeared and Yamadharmaraj appeared in the dog's place. Yamraj told him that he was pleased with Yudhisthira and that he passed the test and blessed him for his 'sama dhristhi' and 'dharma nista'. Yudhisthira entered heaven and saw Duryodhana enjoying the heavenly pleasures, while his own brothers and Drupadi were suffering in hell. This greatly disturbed him. Indira and Dharmaraja tell him that he needed to give up his attachment to his earthly relations – on their advice Yudhisthira takes a bath in heavenly Ganga. He then saw that all his relatives were actually in heavenly planes while Duryodhana & other wicked people were in a demonic plane/hell. Yudhisthira attained peace by giving up his attachments and stayed in heaven. Thus ends the great Mahabharata epic which is also known as Jaya – stands for victory or success. By listening to this story with sraddha /faith one can also attain victory or success in their life endeavors.
- "Yaksha Prashnas" :
- What is that quality of a person who is praiseworthy? The best quality of a person who is praiseworthy is dexterity. Skillfulness comes through repeated hard work. When one is efficient, one knows not to take short cuts, one is following Dharma and automatically one knows what to do with time. Hence for such a person, the result will always be success.
- What is best amongst riches? Knowledge is the best amongst riches because it is the only wealth the increases when we share it! Also, knowledge is a wealth that cannot be stolen, it cannot be divided nor can it be a burden!
- What is the best gain? Health is the best gain. Our body is a God given gift. We should not abuse this gift. We should take care of our health by regularly exercising, eating nourishing food, getting adequate sleep etc. Without good health, we cannot enjoy anything!
- What is the best amongst joys? Contentment is the best among joys. Once a material object has been acquired, the mind makes/creates new demands. This is an unending game. One should have realize that constantly satisfying the cravings of the mind creates new demands. The intelligent and serious seeker realizes that if we constantly try to meet these demands of the fickle mind there will be no time left to seek and make time for achieving the divine goal of life.
Thank you!
Devender Akula
And
Mekhala Girish
8th Grade Balavihar Teachers (A.M. Sunday)
