Hari Om!
Here is a brief summary of class activities on December 15th, week 11.
1. Beginning Prayers:
- We started learning the Ganesha stava (Ajam nirvikalpam) and practiced the first verse. A recording of the prayer is attached.
2. Mahabharata:
- As the Pandavas eagerly went to Kampilya to attend Draupadi's swayamvara, we learnt about Draupadi's birth and the interesting boon she had received from Lord Shiva. Drupada who was infuriated by his defeat at Drona's hands, wanted to have a son who would slay Drona. He went to Jaya and Upajaya, two brahmana brothers and asked them to perform a yagna that would grant this boon. They agreed and as the yagna progressed, the queen was not ready to receive the sanctified offering. As the offering should not be kept waiting, the brothers put it in the sacrificial fire. From that fire emerged a young man with full armor and a divinely beautiful young woman - the children that Drupada wanted. They were named Drishtadyumna and Krishnaa (Draupadi). Drishtadyumna was educated by Drona in warfare. Sage Vyasa visited the Pandavas and told them that in her past birth, Draupadi had requested a boon of Lord Shiva to have a virtuous husband, but as she repeated it five times, she was blessed to have five husbands!He blessed that they would win her and earn much happiness.
- Draupadi's swayamvara was set up to be an archery contest, where the one who would hit the moving target with five arrows shot at once through a mechanism would win her. All the assembled kings including Shishupala and Jarasandha tried and failed. Karna stepped up to try but Draupadi stopped him, saying she would not marry a charioteer's son. Furious, he went back to his seat. All the kings and princes withdrew and then Arjuna, who was in the guise of a Brahmana stepped up. Krishna and Balarama were present as invited guests and Krishna immediately recognized the Pandavas. Arjuna succeeded in the contest and this made the kings and princes who were present very angry. They decided to fight Drupada, but Bhima and Arjuna warded them off. Karna too withdrew after meeting his match in Arjuna. Krishna declared Draupadi to be properly won and the skirmishes stopped.The Pandavas returned to their dwelling with Draupadi and told Kunti to see the "alms" they had brought in for the day. Without seeing, Kunti told them to share it. Once she noticed Draupadi, she was startled at her own words, but did not want her words to be proven false. Thus it was decided that all the Pandavas wed Draupadi. Krishna and Balarama who had followed them, and were gladly received by Kunti and the Pandavas. Drishtadyumna too found out the real identity of the Brahmana who had won his sister and Drupada invited them for a feast. At this feast, the true identity of the Pandavas was known by all.
3. Saints of India:
- We learned about Avvaiyar, the poetess who was a staunch devotee of Lord Ganesha. She decided not to marry and prayed to become as an old person even while she was young. She was greatly revered for her felicity with the Tamil language. She was free to travel even between warring kingdoms and counsel kings. Her creations in the Tamil language are taught to this today in schools.
4. Geeta Chanting:
- We completed verses 11-13. Please have the children practice at home.
Regards,
Abhirami Shrinivas
Rekha G
