Harih Om Parents,
The following material was taught to the children in the Balavihar class on Dec 22 nd, 2019:
1. After initial prayers we finished teaching all verses of Bhagavad Gita Dhyana sloka.
2. Swamiji has completed 16 verses of Bhagavad Gita chanting – please have your children practice at home.
3. Today we analyzed why Kauravas lost the war despite the bigger army and greater warriors on their side – we concluded the main reason was that they were on side of Adharma while Pandavas were on side of Dharma.
4. When we analyze the characters of the Mahabharatha, we find that the Kaurava army was not in the right mental condition to win the war. Bheesma and Drona who were the main pillars of Kaurava army, were split in their loyalties. Physically they were fighting on the Kaurava side but their hearts and blessings were with the Pandavas. Just before the war began, both Bheesma & Drona blessed Yudhisthira to be victorious in war. Bheesma declared he would not kill any of the Pandavas even though he was the leader of Kaurava force. And because of this, Duryodhana was suspicious of Bheeshma's motives all through the war. In other words, Duryodhana did not have complete faith in Bheesma. He instead decided to place all his hope and trust in Karna. This was despite the fact that in many prior encounters it was obvious that Karna was no match for Arjuna's skills (Draupadi's swayamvaram, fight with Gandharvas in forest, Uttara Gokarana fight after Agnathavasa). In addition, Karna did not participate during first 10 days of the war because he felt insulted by Bheesma. He also promised Kunti that he would not to kill any of the Pandavas except Arjuna! Karna through earlier incidents had been cursed by several people (Sage Parashurama, and also a Brahmana) and also was demoralized by his own charioteer Shalya. Finally Karna died because he sided with adharma. All these factors led to his demise. Finally, even Gandhari was unable to blesss Duryodhana with victory, saying instead that victory would always be on the side of dharma.
5. Pandavas on the other hand even though they had smaller army had a clear conscience going into the war. They had dharma on their side because even if they did wrong there was always Lord Krishna who showed them the right path. Their actions were in accordance with dharma. They did not want to go to war against their cousins and uncles but it was forced upon them by their evil cousins. Everyone was united and had a clear vision of what their goal and responsibility was – there was no split in loyalty on their side. But the most important reason why the Pandavas won the war was – because Lord Krishna was on their side. He guided them at every step and more importantly they listened to Him.
6. Bheesma and Karna others followed their vows in word and spirit. It seems that they were more interested in sticking to their vows and principles at the cost of welfare of the society as a whole. Pandavas also had their share of vows but luckily Lord was there to help them execute their vows/pledges in a proper fashion. One incident which clearly shows how Lord was instrumental in helping and guiding them was as follows: On the 15th day of the battle Karna defeated Yudhisthra who retreated to the camp. Earlier Arjuna declared that he would kill Karna in battle that day, but not seeing Yudhisthira in the battlefield he went back to the camp to check on him. Yudhisthira seeing Arjuna back at the camp thought that he (Arjuna) had killed Karna. However, he learnt that even Arjuna had to retreat from Karna. So he got very angry at Arjuna and cursed his valor and his Gandeeva bow. Arjuna then drew the sword to kill Yudhisthira! Because Arjuna had previously taken a vow that he would kill anyone who abused his Gandeeva bow. Lord Krishna stopped Arjuna immediately and told him that killing his own brother would be of no use and that he could give vent to his anger by verbally abusing his elder brother because " speaking in an abusive manner to an elder is as good as killing them." So Arjuna gets angry and verbally abuses Yudhisthira. After this incident however Arjuna was filled with remorse. He prostrated before his elder brother and asked for his forgiveness. In this way the Lord was able to help the Pandavas dilute potentially damaging situations by suggesting less vicious ways of seeking revenge. Then Arjuna went back to the battlefield with renewed vigor and was able to kill Karna. Thus Lord Krishna, the expert navigator helped and guided the Pandavas through many a dangerous situation during the Kurushestra battle.
7. So in conclusion Yatha Krishna, Tato Dharma; Yato Dharma, Tato Jayah: Wherever there is Lord Krishna, Dharma will be followed, and victory is guaranteed on that side
8. "Yaksha Prashnas" :
- The world is veiled by what? – Ignorance veils the world. Consider the word "rambutan". Only if we have knowledge / know meaning of this word we will know what it is. Rambutan is a type of fruit. Our vasanas/ ignorance prevent us from Knowing our own Self; resulting in the world to be projected for us to see.
- Why does knowledge not shine? – due to Tamas. Lazy people do not achieve anything great. Laziness or tamas prevents knowledge from shining. Remember knowledge is real wealth. The Lord is the cause of this Universe. If we are tamsic we do not recognize this fact.
- Why does one abandon friends? – Greed. Greed makes us lose friends and friends leave us if we are greedy. One has to share and care if we want friends to stick with us; nobody wants to be around a selfish and greedy person.
- Why does one not go to heaven? – due to attachment. Relationship of vasana driven mind with object of its fascination is called attachment. It will tie us down to the outer objects and our desires keep multiplying – preventing us from performing good deeds and to live by virtues. The solution is to try and detach ourselves from lower urges and attach ourselves to a higher purpose (that is the Lord).
9. Dharma:
The word Dharma is derived from the Samskrtam root "Dhr" which means "to uphold" or "to support". Everything in this Universe has its own "Dharma"-called "Svadharma" which is that essential nature of a thing without which it cannot exist. Simple example- Heat is the essential nature of fire – maintains the existence of fire and can be defined as the "Dharma" of fire. Similarly, every human being has his or her own "Dharma". For humans, one's Dharma manifests as one's thoughts and actions that uphold character, nourish life, give meaning to life and strengthen the individual and society. This can be seen through duties towards others- family, community, country, environment, charity, goodwill etc. Often times we get attached to particular actions and consider them alone as Dharma. Dharma is that not only ensures the well being of the individual but also that of society as a whole. If we follow our Dharma, then it is imbibed into our family, our friends, the society we live in etc. If one follows one's Dharma, the Consciousness –which is the basis of existence - is expressed.
The word Dharma is derived from the Samskrtam root "Dhr" which means "to uphold" or "to support". Everything in this Universe has its own "Dharma"-called "Svadharma" which is that essential nature of a thing without which it cannot exist. Simple example- Heat is the essential nature of fire – maintains the existence of fire and can be defined as the "Dharma" of fire. Similarly, every human being has his or her own "Dharma". For humans, one's Dharma manifests as one's thoughts and actions that uphold character, nourish life, give meaning to life and strengthen the individual and society. This can be seen through duties towards others- family, community, country, environment, charity, goodwill etc. Often times we get attached to particular actions and consider them alone as Dharma. Dharma is that not only ensures the well being of the individual but also that of society as a whole. If we follow our Dharma, then it is imbibed into our family, our friends, the society we live in etc. If one follows one's Dharma, the Consciousness –which is the basis of existence - is expressed.
10. Yaksha Prashnas:
- What is the characteristic of tapas (austerity)?: To abide by Dharma is tapas. The duty of a student is to attend school regularly, make sure homework is done and study diligently for tests and exams. Even though the student may want to spend time playing or hanging out with friends and have a "fun" time, it is his/her duty to make sure the work given by the teacher has been completed and lessons taught have been reviewed. Following Dharma could be tiring, arduous and challenging because in doing so one has to make sacrifices. But the effects of leading a Dhaarmic life are mental peace, calmness and happiness.
- What is Damah (self discipline)?: control of one's external sense organs is called Damah. Sama is control over one's mind. If the mind is out of control it creates endless thoughts and desires. If one's thoughts are under control then automatically one has gained control over their sense organs.
- What is the best mode of Kshama (forgiveness)? : The best mode of kshama is to develop love towards everybody. If we can recognize the divinity within each and everyone then one can forgive easily. One who cannot forgive does not have the capacity to love and instead creates more hatred in their own heart.
- What is "lajja" or shame?: To stay away from one's duties brings lajja. We must align ourselves with dhaarmic thoughts and actions at all times. Wrong actions bring unhappiness. By following our Dharma (that is right actions), we will achieve victory (i.e. happiness and peace) in our life.
Happy New Year 2020 to all. May this New Year bring Joy, Happiness, Success, Blessings and Auspiciousness to your family and you!
Namaste!
Devender Akula
and
Mekhala Girish
(8th Grade Sunday A.M. Balavihar teachers)
