Hari Om Parents,
Please find the below update from our class on Friday Oct 28th, 2022.
Class began with Opening Prayers - 3 OMs, followed by the chanting of Sahana Vavatu. Then invoked the blessings of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati and all our Gurus, by chanting..
Śri Ganeshaya Namah!
Śhri Saraswathyai Namah!
Śhri Sad-Gurubhyo Namah!
We then continued with the Mahabharata Summary. Because of the House Inaugural activities, we only had an hour class.
Mahabharata Summary:The Pandavas completed their 12 years in the forest and were preparing for the thirteenth year of exile. They met with all the brahmanas who had stayed with them and informed them that it was time to part with them for they had to spend the next twelve months undiscovered by the spies of Duryodhana. They sought the blessings of the brahmanas that they may escape the notice of those who wish to betray them to the sons of Dhritarashtra.
Daumya consoled Yudhishthira and advised that the Pandavas should disguise themselves. He cited several examples.
Indra, the Lord of gods, when pestered by the demons, disguised himself as a brahmana and lived unknown in the country of Nishadha. Safely concealed thus, he managed to destroy his enemies.
Mahavishu, the Lord of the Universe, became a child in the womb of Aditi, suffered human birth and took away from the emperor Bali, his kingdom for the salvation of the world.
Lord Vishnu, the all-pervading God, descended as the son of Dasaratha and spent long years suffering many sorrows for the sake of killing Ravana.
Daumya blessed the Pandavas that they will conquer the enemies and win prosperity. Yudhishthira took leave of the brahmanas and gave the members of the retinue leave to go home. The Pandavas retired to a secluded spot in the forest to discuss their future line of action. Yudhishthira asked Arjuna for his suggestion on which would be the best place to spend the thirteenth year. Arjuna suggested several charming states including Panchala, Matsya, Salva, Kalinga ,Magadha etc. But his top choice was Matsya country of king Virata. Yudhishthira agreed to Arjuna's suggestion. They then discussed what roles each of them would play in the Virata's kingdom to live incognito for a year.
Arjuna was in deep sorrow at the thought of Yudhishthira, the great and guileless king, who had performed the Rajasuya yagna, having to disguise himself and take service. Yudhishthira answered that he was planning to ask Virata to take him to service as a courtier. He would delight the king with his conversation and his dexterity at dice. He would take the garb of a sannyasin and engage himself with astrology as well as Vedas, Vedangas, ethics, politics and other sciences. He would tell the king that he was an intimate friend of Yudhishthira and learnt those things when he had the privilege to be with him.
Yudhishthira, then asked Bhima what work he would take. He glorified Bhima's achievements and was in tears as he put the question to Bhima. Bhima laughingly replied that he would take the service as a cook in the court of Virata. He would also delight the king by contending with and defeating the wrestlers who come to his court. Yudhishthira became anxious as he feared that danger might befall them if Bhima engaged himself in wrestling bouts. At once Bhima assured Yudhishthira that he would not kill anyone but only give a bad jolt to any wrestler who deserves it. He would also restrain mad bulls, buffaloes and other wild animals and thus entertain king Virata.
Yudhishthira addressed Arjuna, first praised him for his valor and all his brilliant exploits and asked him what profession he proposed to take up. Arjuna replied that he would hide himself in the guise of a eunuch and serve the ladies in the court. Urvasi had cursed Arjuna with a loss of manhood when he rejected her amorous overtures saying that she was like a mother to him. But through Indra's grace the curse would hold good only for a year and the time would be for him to choose. So Arjuna decided to utilize that opportunity during this thirteenth year and he would teach the women singing and dancing. He would seek service saying that he used to serve Draupadi in Yudhishthira's court. Hearing this, Yudhishthira was in tears.
Yudhishthira then turned to Nakula and asked him what he would engage in, as he thought of his mother Madri, tears rolled down his eyes. Nakula replied that he would work in the king Virata's stables for his mind took delight in training, and looking after horses. He could understand the heart of the horses and had knowledge of their ailments and cure. He added that he would tell the king that he looked after the horses of the Pandavas.
Yudhishthira asked Sahadeva what work he would take. Sahadeva replied that he would tend the cows and guard Virata's cattle from the ravages of disease and attacks of wild beasts.
Finally Yudhishthira turned to Draupadi and could not find words to ask her what she proposed to do. She was a princess, the daughter of a king, nobly born and tenderly nurtured. Yudhishthira felt choked by shame and despair. Draupadi saw his grief and spoke bravely that she would be a Sairandhri in the court of the queen of Virata - the companion and attendant of the princess and would mention that she had served Draupadi in Yudhisthira's court.
When the Pandavas thus decided, Daumya blessed them and advised them that those who are engaged in service under a king should always be vigilant, not talking too much, giving counsel only when asked, should praise the king on befitting occasions. All things, no matter how small, may be done only after informing the king, who is veritable fire in human form. A servant of the king should ever be active and self-restrained. He should not be excessively elated, nor unduly depressed, by being honored or dishonored by the king. Daumya blessed the Pandavas to live thus in patience for one year, serving the king Virata and after that they will be able to reclaim their lost throne.
Yudhishthira put on the garb of a sannyasin. Arjuna transformed himself into a Eunuch. Others also disguised themselves but no disguise could take away their natural charm, grace and nobility. When they went to king Virata seeking service, the king hesitated at first because they seemed to him to be born to command and rule and not to serve. But the king finally yielded to their urgent solicitations.
Yudhishthira assumed the name Kanka and became the king's companion and spent his days in playing dice with the king. Bhima assumed the name of Valala and worked as the chief of the cooks. He also entertained the king by wrestling with the reputed men of might and by controlling wild animals. Arjuna assumed the name Brihannala and taught dancing, singing and instrumental music to Princess Uttara, the daughter of Virata and the ladies. Nakula assumed the name of Dharmagranthi and looked after the horses and Sahadeva assumed the name Tantripala and looked after the cows and the bulls.
Princess Draupadi as Sairandhri, passed her days in serving Sudeshna, Virata's queen. She lived in the inner apartments of the palace as maid and companion.
Kichaka, queen Sudeshna's brother was the commander-in-chief of Virata's army and it was to him that Virata owed his power and prestige. Kichaka wielded such vast influence that people used to say that Kichaka was the real king of the Matsya country and old Virata king only in name.
Kichaka was proud of his strength and influence over the king. He was so attracted by Draupadi's beauty and developed an overwhelming passion for her. When he repeatedly unlawfully approached Draupadi, she was greatly vexed with Kichaka. She reminded him that she was married and told him that her husbands were gandharvas who would mysteriously kill those who tried to dishonor her. But Kichaka was not to be frightened and continued to pester her. His persecution became so intolerable that at last she complained to Queen Sudheshna and implored her protection.
Kichaka had great influence over his sister and he shamelessly confided to her of his unlawful passion for her maid and sought his sister's aid to satisfy his wish. The queen tried to dissuade him but Kichaka would not listen. Finally the queen Sudeshna yielded to her brother's request. Both of them decided on a plan to entrap Draupadi.
One night, many sweetmeats and intoxicating drinks were prepared in the house of Kichaka and a great feast was arranged. Sudheshna asked Sairandhri to bring a glass of wine from Kichaka's house and gave a beautiful golden jug to her. Draupadi hesitated to go and begged the queen to send someone else instead of her. Sudeshna pretended to be angry and commanded Draupadi to go. She had no choice but obey the queen's orders.
When Draupadi reached Kichaka's house, as she had feared, Kichaka began to pester her with urgent solicitations. She rejected him and reminded him of his noble birth whereas she was born of low caste. She also said that her gandharva husbands would kill him in their anger. But Kichaka paid no heed to that. He seized her by the arm, but she got away and fled his palace. Kichaka followed her, pushed her down and kicked her in front of all with abusive words.
Draupadi could not bear the insult and that night she reported the incident to Bhima. Bhima became furious and he vowed to kill Kichaka. But Draupadi warned him that they should not do anything that would expose them. So they came up with a plan. Kichaka should be beguiled to come alone at night to a retired spot in the dancing hall where he should find waiting for him Bhima disguised as a woman instead of Draupadi.
Next morning when Kichaka again begged and bullied Draupadi, she pretended to yield and asked him to keep their relation a secret. She suggested for him to come to the dancing hall at night where no one will be there. Kichaka reveled in happiness. That night Kichaka entered the dancing hall and in the dim light saw someone lying on the couch. He thought it was Sairandhri and when he touched her, he felt the iron form of a man. Bhima immediately left forth like a lion and they both had a terrible fight. Kichaka was not ill-matched, at that time only Bhima, Balarama and Kichaka were reputed to be in the same class in strength and wrestling skill. In the end Bhima killed Kichaka and made a shapeless lump of flesh of his body. He gave the glad news of Kichaka's death to Draupadi, took his bath, rubbed sandal paste all over his body and slept with satisfaction.
Draupadi awoke the guards and told that Kichaka who came to molest her, had been killed by her gandharva husband. She showed the corpse of Kichaka which had been reduced to a shapeless mass that it had no human semblance.
The fate of Kichaka made everyone fear Draupadi. They approached queen Sudeshna and suggested that she may be a threat to the people and the country because of her gandharva husbands and that she should be sent out of the city immediately. Sudeshna agreed and asked Draupadi to leave. With only a month left to complete the thirteenth year, Draupadi begged the queen to let her stay for one more month after which her gandharva husbands would come and take her away. She also said that her gandharva husbands would be very grateful to King Virata and his kingdom. Sudeshna was too afraid of Draupadi to refuse her request and let her stay.
From the beginning of the thirteenth year, the spies of Duryodhana had searched for the Pandavas in all possible places of hiding and they reported their failure to Duryodhana. Then came the news that the powerful Kichaka had been killed in a single combat by a gandharva. Duryodhana immediately understood that it must be Bhima who killed Kichaka and the lady who was the cause must be Draupadi. He suspected that the Pandavas must be in Virata city. So they decided to invade Virata's country and carry away his cows. King Susarma, the ruler of Trigarta heartily supported him as the Matsya king was his enemy. They agreed that Susarma should attack Matsya from the south and draw off the army of Virata to the south for defense. Duryodhana with the Kaurava army would launch a surprise attack on Virata from the northern side which would be relatively undefended.
Susarma invaded Matsya from the south, seized the cattle. The cowherds ran to the king in distress. When the king mentioned the situation to Kanka (Yudhishthira), he mentioned that although he is a hermit, he was an expert in warfare. He also suggested to the king to instruct his cook Valala, stable keeper Dharmagranthi, and cowherd Tantripala to get into chariots and help him. The king gave orders and all the Pandavas except Arjuna went with the army of Virata to oppose Susarma. There was a terrible fight. Susarma attacked Virata and surrounded his chariot, compelling him to get down and fight on foot. Susarma captured Virata, the Matsya army lost heart and began to scatter in all directions. At that time, Yudhishthira commanded Bhima to attack Susarma with bow and arrow from the chariot without performing any other tricks, release Virata and rally the scattered Matsya forces.
Bhima got into the chariot, attacked the enemy, set Virata free and captured Susarma. The dispersed forces of Matsya rallied into new formations, charged and defeated the army of Susarma.
As soon as the news of Susarma's defeat reached the city, the people were extremely jubilant. They decorated the city and went forth to welcome their victorious king back home. When they were thus making the preparations, the big army of Duryodhana came down on them from the north and began despoiling the cattle ranches on the outskirts of the city. The Kaurava army marched in force and rounded up the countless cows that were there. The leader of the cowherds ran to the city and sought Prince Uttara, king Virata's son's protection against the Kaurava enemies and to recover the cows.
Prince Uttara felt flushed with valor and pride and said that if had a charioteer he would recover the cows single-handed and that the people would know there is little to choose between Arjuna and himself. Draupadi laughed to herself on hearing this, but rushed to princess Uttara and narrated all that happened. At this critical time, Draupadi mentioned that Brihannala had been Arjuna's charioteer and she had heard that when she was in the service of queen of the Pandavas. She requested the princess to order Brihannala to go and drive the prince's chariot.
The princess ran to her brother and narrated what Draupadi had told her and suggested that he take Brihannala as his charioteer. The prince agreed and at once the princess ran to the dancing hall and informed Brihannala that his services were required as a charioteer. She mentioned that the Kauravas have taken their cattle taking advantage of their king's absence. She ordered Brihannala to not be afraid and to drive the prince's chariot and that the prince would protect him.
Hiding a smile and with a proper show of hesitation, Brihannala assented. He harnessed the horses and told the ladies that the prince will be victorious. They would despoil the enemy of their embroidered robes and distribute them to the women as a prize of victory. He then drove the chariot with the prince to the battle.
Bhagavad Gita: There was no Bhagavad Gita video telecast this week due to the House Inaugural activity.
House Inaugural activity
The children assembled at the lobby at 8pm. The 8th and 9th graders handed them with flags and then all the Houses assembled in the temple hall. There was a small activity. The children were provided with 4 puzzles that they had to complete. They were also given jumbled paragraph with few sentences that they had to put it in the right order. They had to tape the finished puzzles and the ordered sentences onto a poster board within the allotted time. The children participated in the activities with great enthusiasm and earned points for the house. Contests for the rest of the year was also announced.
Pledge: We concluded the House Inaugural with the Pledge.
Please have the children do their daily prayers regularly and also practice the ślokas and Gita chanting.
Thank you! See you back on Friday Nov 4, 2022.
Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi Hari and Anupama SivakumarFriday Grade 6 sevikas
