Hari Om All,
This week we started our class with Likhita Japa followed by Shlokas. We chanted Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam - most kids have memorized the first 6 verses! We continued with Mahabharata - the focus of this class was the preparations for the Kurukshetra War. The following topics were covered:
- Duryodhana is adamant on War: After Abhimany-Uttaraa's wedding, Sri Krishna along with Balarama discussed with the Pandavas on how to ask Duryodhana for their fair share of kingdom because the period of exile was over. They decided to send a message to Duryodhana seeking half the kingdom. After Sri Krishna returned to Dwaraka both Arjuna and Duryodhana went to seek his help. Arjuna chose Sri Krishna and Duryodhana chose the Narayana Sena (Sri Krishna's army). Meanwhile Sanjaya approached Yudhisthira to find a peaceful solution to the conflict however Duryodhana was adamant on a war. Yudhisthira was willing to take just 5 villages from the Kauravas but even that was not acceptable to Duryodhana.
- War or Peace: Sri Krishna decided to visit Hastinapura to find a peaceful solution. Dhritarashtra welcomed him and in the assembly there was discussion between Bhishma and Vidura but Duryodhana was angry at this discussion and he decided to kidnap Sri Krishna. Krishna accepted Vidura's invitation to be his guest because of his love and devotion. Next morning in the assembly Krishna requested Dhritarashtra to avoid the unnecessary war that would cost many lives. But the blind king replied that he was not able to convince Duryodhana. Sri Krishna then offered advice to Duryodhana to follow the path of Dharma but none of the words convinced him.
- The Grand Form of Krishna: Then Krishna revealed his true form for all to see. He shone like a thousand lit lights. - all the Gods were present on his brilliant form - Brahma, Shiva, Adityas, Vasus etc. Everyone in the assembly hall was stunned as they saw the beautiful Vishwaroopa of Lord Vishnu. Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and Dhritarashtra were able to see the form clearly. The blind king who was filled with love and devotion told Sri Krishna that he did not want his sight back because he wanted to treasure the form forever in his eyes. Duryodhana's plans had failed but his desire to defeat the Pandavas was still there. Then Sri Krishna left Hastinapura.
- Kunti meets Karna: Mother Kunti knew the war was inevitable. So she wanted to protect her sons from Karna's Brahmastra. She approached Karna one morning and divulged to him the truth about his birth - that she was his mother and he was the eldest brother of the Pandavas. She encouraged Karna to not participate in the war. However Karna continued to support Duryodhana because he allowed Karna to become a Kshatriya.instead of a Sutaputra. He promised his mother that he would spare all her sons except Arjuna. He declared that either he or Arjuna would survive the war and that Mother Kunti would still be left with five sons. Kunti blessed Karna and walked away with a broken heart.
- War Preparations: Dhristadyumna was made the Commander in Chief of the Pandavas army and and Bhishma for the Kaurava army. They set camp on the banks of the Hiranvati river. Bhishma declared that even though he would lead the Kaurava army he would not harm the Pandavas and told Duryodhana to keep Karna off the battlefield. Karna was annoyed at uncle Bhishma and pledged to enter the battlefield only after Bhishma was slain. In the Pandava army, Arjuna was made the chief fighter with Sri Krishna as his unarmed charioteer. Balarama who refused to take sides in the war, offered his vast Vrishni army to the Pandavas.
We also covered the exercises in the handbook for chapters 15-18 after our discussion.
We concluded the class by chanting Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 1 - verses 1-13.
Announcements:
1. Art Contests registration is now open. Deadline for submission is Jan 12, 2020. Theme this year is 'Daanam' or 'Giving'. Participation points and prizes for everyone.
Please register at:
2. Shlokathon registration is now open. Shlokathon will be on April 4, 2020 from 1-4pm. Shlokas have to be memorized. Participation points and prizes for everyone.
Please register at:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ceAyR0VinKl6iX_DOCCZjNIAkUt_1iJTxL5KBw_C9qw/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ceAyR0VinKl6iX_DOCCZjNIAkUt_1iJTxL5KBw_C9qw/edit
Thank you!
Krishna and Shasi
