Hari Om!
Warm wishes for a blessed 2020!
Here is a brief summary of class activities on December 15th, week 11.
1. Beginning Prayers:
- We are now learning Ganesha Stava, practiced verse 2 this week.
2. Mahabharata:
- News of Pandavas being alive and having gained a powerful ally in Drupada through marriage to Drauapadi reached Hastinapura. Concealing his disappointment, Dhritarashtra pretended to welcome the news. Duryodhana and his cohorts thought about different ideas to separate or kill the Pandavas. Karna advocated outright attack. Dhritarashtra sought the advice of Bhishma and he advised giving the Pandavas half the kingdom. Drona and Vidura too concurred and asked Dhritarashtra to invite the Pandavas back. Much against the wishes of Duryodhana, the Pandavas received Khandavaprastha. With Sage Vyasa's blessings, they established a beautiful city called Indraprastha, well-planned and well-protected. Many people came to settle in this city, making it prosperous and well-established. Yudhishtra ruled over Indraprastha, assisted by his brothers. One day, Arjuna and Krishna left for a trip. On their way, they were met by a brahmana who was really Agni in disguise. He asked for their help in burning down the Khandava forest. It was designated by Lord Shiva as a medicine for his ailment (he suffered from diminished vitality as he was overfed by too much offerings from years-long yagna!). Indra protected the forest as his friend, the snakeTakshaka lived in the forest with his family. Every time, Agni tried to burn the forest, Indra sent down rain. Arjuna asked Agni for a divine bow and inexhaustible quiver and divine chariot to help him do his best to help Agni. Agni asked Varuna to give Arjuna the divine bow Gandeeva, the everfull quiver and a divine chariot and Krishna, the mace called Kaumodaki. Agni gave Krishna the discus. With these divine weapons, Krishna and Arjuna thwarted all efforts by the devas to protect the Khandava forest. After much effort, the devas were told by a divine voice to give up the fight as Takshaka was away and safe, but the rest of the forest was destined to be burnt. Indra graced Arjuna with his presence and blessed him that when he gets Shiva's Grace, he is destined to get divine weapons. Arjuna also gave asylum to Maya, an asura. Grateful to Arjuna, Maya revealed himself to be the architect of the Asuras. Krishna asked him to build a magnificent hall for Yudhishtra. Maya agreed and in the process of gathering his supplies for the hall, he also gifted a mace for Bhima and a conch, the Devadatta for Arjuna.
3. Geeta Chanting:
- We completed verses 14-16. Please have the children practicing at home.
4. Reminders:
- Please have the children in class by 9:15am
- We are doing likhita japa in class - children should have a notebook with a few pages dedicated to writing the japa. Those who are registered for likhita japa can bring those notebooks.
Regards
Abhirami Shrinivas
Rekha G Pai
