Hari Om!
Here is a summary of class activities for Week 28- May 31, 2020.
1. Started with OM chanting and opening prayers.
2. Mahabharata: We caught up with the Pandavas entering their final year of exile- ajnAta vAsa in the kingdom of Matsya, ruled by King Virata. They enter into service at the palace, introducing themselves as people who served the Pandavas and were now unemployed due to the Pandavas going incognito. Yudhishtra took the name of Kanka and became a courtier. He played dice with the King and whatever winnings he got, shared with his brothers. Bheema became a chef, naming himself Vallabha. He also wrestled and entertained the people, winning many matches. Arjuna took advantage of Urvasi's curse and became Brihannala, and trained the princess Uttara in dance and music. Nakula became Granthika, keeper of horses and Sahadeva became Tantripala, keeper of cattle. Draupadi took employment as Queen Sudeshna's maid and hairdresser, under the name of Sairandhari.
- Kichaka, the Queen's brother was also the commander-in-chief of the army of Matsya. No one dared to interfere in his ways. He took a liking to Draupadi. She warned him off, saying she was married to five powerful Gandharvas. He persisted and unable to bear his behaviour, Draupadi secretly met Bheema and complained to him. He asked her to get Kichaka to meet her at a secretive place at night. She did and Bheema showed up in her place and fought with Kichaka and eventually killed him. Shocked and scared at the death of Kichaka and thinking it was the divine husbands of Draupadi, the people of Matsya asked that she be sent away. Draupadi asked for kindness and consideration and assured the Queen that she would leave soon.
- While the Pandavas were in Virata's kingdom, Duryodhana's spies were searching for them desparately. Bheeshma said that any place that had recently grown in prosperity and good cheer would be where the Pandavas were living. Identifying that Matsya is one such place, Susharma, the king of Trigarta and a friend of Duryodhana, decided to attack the kingdom. All Pandavas, except Arjuna/Brihannala went to help Virata defend his kingdom. At the same time, Duryodhana, Bheeshma, Karna, Drona and other great warriors attacked from another direction. There was no one left to defend the kingdom except Prince Uttarakumara. Full of bravado, he prepared to face the mighty Kuru warriors. Draupadi counsled the queen to send Brihannala as the prince's charioteer saying that she had been the charioteer for Arjuna himself! Once Uttarakumara actually saw the great Kuru warriors, he felt faint and was ready to give up and run away. Arjuna calmed him down and drove him to the tree where the Pandavas had hidden their weapons before entering the kingdom in disguise. Looking at the divine weapons, the prince was inspired. Arjuna also revealed himself and asked the prince to drive the chariot back to face the invading army. Needless to say, Arjuna defeat the Kauravas and recover the cattle they were trying to steal.
- The king's army also returned back victorious. On learning that the prince was also coming in with a grand victory, the king was beside himself with joy. Yudhishtra said, "Of course, with Brihannala at his side, the prince was assured of victory!". Annoyed that he was giving Brihannala credit and not the prince, the king threw dice at Yudhishtra. Draupadi who was nearby helped him cleanse the blood and did not let it drip from his face. Yudhishtra also made sure that Arjuna did not see him in that state. The prince however, on entering the court and seeing this, begged Yudhishtra's forgiveness.
- On the third day after the victory, the Pandavas reveal their identities to King Virata. Overjoyed, the king offers to marry Uttara to Arjuna. But Arjuna, being Uttara's teacher, said that it would be inappropriate to marry his student and marries her to his son Abhimanyu.
3. Reminders:
- Tomorrow is the last balavihar class for the 2019-2020 session!
- Please let the children have a snack to eat during class - we plan this to be around 10am.
Regards
Abhirami Shrinivas
Rekha G Pai
