Hari Om,
Here is a brief summary of class activities for Week 17, Feb 16, 2020.
1. Opening Prayers
2. Mahabharata:
- The Pandavas arrived at Hastinapura to play the game of dice. At the game, Duryodhana said that Shakuni will play for him and he will front all the items to play with. Yudhishtra does not dispute this and sits down to play. As expected, he lost a lot. He lost jewellery, cattle, and other valuable items, and eventually his kingdom. Goaded on by Shakuni, he gambled every one of his brothers and loses them also. Angered but silent, the brothers watch on mutely, surrendering their royal selves to the game. Yudhishtra gambled himself and loses his own self. The elders in the court watching were aghast at the turn of events. Further goaded by Shakuni, Yudhishtra gambled Draupadi. The whole court was shocked at this brash act. He lost Draupadi also much to the Kauravas' joy and Bhima's fury. Bhima vented his anger against Yudhishtra, but Arjuna calmed him. The Kuru elders cautioned against proceeding after this, but Duryodhana with Karna's support was almost delirious with the victory so complete and easily won against the Pandavas. He sent a charioteer, Pratikami, to fetch Draupadi to the court from her chambers. She refused to comply, asking if Yudhishtra had lost himself first, what right did he have to even stake her? Infuriated at her response, Duryodhana commanded Dusshasana to go and drag Drauapdi into the court. Dragged in much against her will, Draupadi's sorry state was too much for the elders to bear, but all they could do was to voice their concerns.
Karna insulted Draupadi as a slave and suggested that she should be disrobed. Dusshasana attempts this, but with Krishna's blessing, Draupadi stays robed and protected. Duryodhana indicated that she sit on his lap and hearing this and roaring in fury, Bhima swore an oath to break this thighs in battle. Gandhari and other court elders heard a lot of bad omens like wolves howling and the sound of fire and thunder. Alarmed that this predicted awful things in the future, Gandhari, Vidura and the other elders counseled Duryodhana and Dhritarashtra to make peace with the Pandavas. Forced to this end and fearful for his children's lives due to the wrath of the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra offered Draupadi two boons. She asked for Yudhishtra's freedom with one boon and for the rest of the Pandava brothers' freedom with the next. She refused any more boons. Dhritarashtra forcibly gave back their kingdom and all the wealth that Yudhishtra had lost in the game. As the Pandavas were leaving, Duryodhana counseled by his coterie, called them back again for another game, with the loser having to go into exile for 13 years, one of which should be spent undercover (not being identified as to who they really were). Yudhisthtra, bound by the code of conduct, agreed again and lost this game also. As they were leaving, the Kauravas made fun of them. Angered, Arjuna swore to kill Karna in battle, and Sahadeva swore to kill Shakuni. Bhima had already marked Duryodhana and Dusshasana as his targets in the battle to come.
Seeing the Pandavas leave, the citizens were all saddened and many wanted to go with him. He asked them all to return as he could no longer afford to take care of their food arrangements. One of the brahmins advised him to pray to Surya. Accordingly, Yudhishtra worshipped Surya and pleased with his devotion, Surya gave him the akshaya patra and said that this copper bowl would be inexhaustible, with meats, grains, vegetables and fruits coming from it everyday, until Draupadi eats for the day. Delighted with this, the Pandavas made preparations to spend the next several years in exile.
3. Reminders:
- Tomorrow, March 1st, is Spirit Day. Wear Green!!
- No need to bring bags for bala vihar classes, but language classes are on. Please plan accordingly.
- Geeta Chanting Yajna is March 28th at the ashram. Please register the children and keep them practicing chanting at home.
Regards
Abhirami Shrinivas
Rekha G Pai
