Hari Om,
Here is a brief summary of class activities for Week 21, March 29, 2020.This was an online Balavihar session and the students could connect using the ZOOM link without any difficulties.1. Started with OM chanting and opening Prayers.2. We went over the classroom etiquettes with our students.3. Wished the students a very happy Ugadi and a happy Gudi Padwa. The students shared how they greeted each other on this festival, what rituals they performed on that day with their family, food that they enjoyed, and what they liked about it. Discussed briefly why this spring (Vasant) Hindu festival is observed, and which states in India celebrate this as a traditional new year. It is the first day of the Hindu Lunar calendar month of Chaitra, and the first day of the Chaitra/Vasant navaratri, and the nine days of the festivities culminates on Ram Navami. People celebrate by drawing colorful rangolis, visit temples, prepare special dishes, buy gifts, new clothes, eat pachadi- that combines all flavors (sweet, sour, bitter, astringent, salty)
4. As part of our learning of Saints Of India, one of our students presented about the life and teachings of Guru Nanakji. After the presentation, the students asked questions, and shared what they liked about Guru Nanakji's life, and teachings.5. Quizzed the students about the Mahabharata topics- Indraprastha Lost, Pandavas in the Forest, Arjuna's Quest for Weapons, and Arjuna in Indraloka. Students enthusiastically participated in this online quiz.6. Our students then took turns to chant the Bhagavat Geeta shlokas from 11 through 20.
7. We then continued with the story in Mahabharata till Arjuna's reunion:
- Rishi Lomasha arrives at Indra's assembly and starts wondering what merit Arjuna had done to get the privilege to sit on the throne beside Lord Indra. Perceiving Rishi Lomasha's thoughts, Lord Indra explains that Arjuna and Lord Krishna were re-incarnations of Nara and Narayana and were born as mortals to cleanse the Earth of all evils, and to ensure prevalence of Dharma. Lord Indra then requests Rishi Lomasha to go to Kamyaka forests, and accompany the Pandavas on the teertha yatra and to go and visit the various shrines.
- In the meanwhile, in the Kamyaka forests, Rishi Narada arrives and sees Draupadi and the four Pandavas lamenting and missing Arjuna. He comforts them and tells them Rishi Lomasha will be arriving there shortly and then should go with him on the pilgrimage, and explains them the merit of visiting the teerthas, to cleanse themselves of all sins by means of penance, sacrifices, and regain prosperity. As told, Rishi Lomasha appears, and tells them that he was there at the behest of Lord Indra and Arjuna. Lord Indra had suggested the Pandavas undertook the pilgrimage to the holy shrines. He reassured them that Arjuna was doing well in Indraloka, had acquired celestial weapons, and had learnt the art of music and dance. On an auspicious day, after taking bath and performing their daily rituals, the Pandavas set out East on their pilgrimage. Rishi Lomasha accompanied them to protect them from the rakshasas, demons, they could encounter during their pilgrimage.
- They reached the holy spot of Prabhasa, where they engaged in penance, charity. Hearing about the news of the arrival of the Pandavas, Lord Krishna and Balarama came to visit them with the Vrishnis from Dwaraka. Seeing the bodies of the Pandavas covered in dirt, and Draupadi sad and tired, Balarama is very upset and says to Lord Krishna, 'just by being righteous, and following the path of dharma, doesn't mean one will get happiness'. Look at the Pandavas, how miserable they are; whereas, the sons of Dhrithrasthra, who are enjoying all the worldly pleasures, ruling the world, and are living in the palace. Lord Krishna consoles Balarama and says that this wasn't the time to lament, and when the right time comes, he will be there to inflict defeat on the enemy.
- After leaving Prabhasa, the Pandavas proceed onwards on their pilgrimage, and reach the foothills of the holy Himalaya mountains. Rishi Lomasha suggests that only Yudhistira and he should proceed further and the other three Pandavas should stay back with Draupadi at the mouth of Goddess Ganga, as the tenure is very difficult and challenging. However, Draupadi and the other Pandavas insist they continue on the teertha yatra. They offer their prayers to Goddess Ganga, and start ascending mount Kailasa. As they start walking towards the Gandmadana forests, Draupadi who is not accustomed to travel on foot, slips and fall and hurts herself. Yudhisthira is very sad, that everyone had to go through this ordeal because of his addiction to the game of dice. He knows that there are greater perils ahead on their journey through the snow-clad mountains, and starts wondering what to do.
- Bheema's face lighted up, and he closes his eyes, and remembers his son Ghatotkacha, who appears immediately with his attendants and carries them all over the mountains. Till one day, they reached the hermitage of Nara and Narayana, they are welcomed by the inhabitants. The Pandavas dwelt there for some time. Then one day, Draupadi and Bheema were walking in the beautiful forest, where she spots a beautiful red Saugandhika flower, she asks Bheema if he could get more of those flowers to take them back to the Kamyaka forest. Bheema goes in search for them in the forest, when he is suddenly halted by a monkey with a long tail. He roars and asks the monkey to move, and the monkey only moves slowly, sees lazily, and asks Bheema to move his tail instead. When Bheema is not able to move the tail after many attempts, he realizes that he is no ordinary monkey and asks him for the introduction. The monkey tells that he is Hanuman, and that he shall sit on Arjuna's flagstaff, and his roar will strike fear in the hearts of the enemies during the war. After Hanuman hugs Bheema, his fatigue is gone, and Bheema is filled with strength.
- Bheema then proceeds on the path shown by Hanuman and reaches the lake full of Saugandhika flowers that belonged to Lord Kubera. The soldiers protecting the lake did not let Bheema drink water and to pluck the flowers without Lord Kubera's permission. Fight ensued in which Bheema killed several hundreds of the soldiers, some of them fled and reached the abode of Lord Kubera, and narrated him the incident. Lord Kubera smiled and let Bheema collect the celestial Saugandhika flowers.
- When Bheema reached back, they continued on their journey remembering Arjuna. Then one day, the Pandavas see a bright, illuminated object in the sky. Soon Lord Indra's chariot drawn by hundred horses appeared in front of them. Arjuna decked with garlands alighted from the chariot, and bowed to the elders. The Pandavas and Draupadi are rejoiced seeing Arjuna. Arjuna then narrates his time at Indraloka, and how he acquired the celestial weapons. As Arjuna began to exhibit his celestial weapons, the Earth trembled, sun seemed blotted, air was hushed. Then Lord Indra, Lord Shiva, brahmarishis, maharishis, gandharvas, and all gods arrive at the Gandamadana forests. And then Rishi Narada appeared and tells Arjuna to not to discharge his celestial weapons without a reason, and to only use it for a good cause, in the right manner. After Arjuna was dissuaded from demonstrating his celestial weapons, the others return to their abode. Pandavas continued to dwell in the Gandamadana forests.
8. We shared the Aarthi video, and our students joined in, followed by Pledge.Our next class will also be online!- Our students have been asked to sign-up to present about the Saints of India of their choice -about the saint's life, teachings, what aspect touched them the most, and to share any personal experiences (e.g. visit to their ashrams during their visit to India)The zoom link has been shared with the parents in the WhatsApp group and has been saved as the display picture.RegardsAbhirami ShrinivasRekha Pai
