Parents,
Hari Om! It was good to be back at Balavihar after being away for a while because of travel and sickness. Tardiness continues to be a problem with nearly a third of the class arriving after the class started.
Shlokas
At the beginning of this 6th session, as always, with the changing of Om, led by one of the children. We also chanted Sahana Vavatu. We then followed up with Likhita Japa,
Mahabharata:
In this session, we started the Udyoga Parva - the Book of Effort. However, progress was slow as a consequence of some discussions on the ethics of various issues among the kids and only two thirds of the parva was completed.
- Sainyodyoga upa-parva
- At the end of the 13th year of the exile of the Pandavas, kings and nobles from all over the world gather to celebrate the wedding of Abhimanyu and Uttara
- Krishna gives an impassioned speech to the gathered nobles about all the injustices meted out to the Pandavas.
- Krishna urges the Pandavas to claim their part of the Kuru kingdom, but expresses his doubts as to whether the Kauravas would concede peacefully.
- Satyaki and Drupada also speak supportively.
- Drupada suggests that he would send an envoy on behalf of the Pandavas to the court of the Kauravas. He also suggests sending envoys to all the friendly kings, seeking alliances for the war effort, should it become necessary.
- Krishna approves the plan. The envoys spread out. Krishna and the other gathered nobles go back home.
- Arjuna and Duryodhana head out to Dwaraka seeking the support of Krishna and Balarama
- Krishna offers himself in a non-combatant role or his entire army, but not both, for Duryodhana and Arjuna to select from. Duryodhana opts for the army and Arjuna chooses Krishna himself. Krishna agrees to be Arjuna's charioteer, if war becomes inevitable.
- Balarama tells Duryodhana that as much as he likes him, he can not fight in a war in which his brother Krishna is on the opposing side and therefore will not participate in a war, if there is one.
- Shalya, while on his way to meet with Yudhishtira, was immensely pleased with the arrangements made for him at a wayside camp and offers a boon to whoever made them, thinking that it was Yudhistira. However, he realizes that it was Duryodhana who made all the arrangements. As a boon, Duryodhana asks for Shalya and his army to fight on his side. Shalya agrees.
- Shalya meets Yudhistira and tells him that he was tricked into supporting Duryodhana. Shalya promises Yudhishtira that he will become the charioteer of Karna and will try to make him ineffective by berating him constantly.
- Both sides gather commitments of enormous armies from their supporters. Kauravas get 11 akshauhinis to Pandavas' 7.
- Sanjaya-yana upa-parva
- Drupda's envoy tells Kaurava court that Pandavas prefer an amicable solution, but have already amassed 7 akshauhinis should war become necessary.
- Bheeshma appreciates the virtue of peace while Karna argues in support of war.
- Dhritarashtra decides to send Sanjaya to the Pandavas with his response.
- Sanjaya visits the Pandavas, offers no concrete proposals except suggesting that war has no desirable outcomes and even if the Pandavas win they will be miserable for killing off all their cousins.
- Pandavas treat Sanjaya respectfully and tell him that they are prepared to take a much smaller share of the kingdom to avert war
- Prajagara upa-parva
- Dhritarashtra summons the wise council of Vidura and tells him that he is distraught and has been spending many sleepless nights.
- Viduara engages in a discourse with Dhritarashtra, known as Vidura Niti, through which how with good character and virtual life a king can run a prosperous kingdom and avoid regrets that cause sleepless nights
- Dhritarashtra claims how is inclined to peace and accommodation and how Duryodhana is against such ways.
- Yanasandhi upa-parva
- Kauravas assemble in court along with the elders to listen to Sanjaya for the response of Pandavas
- Sanjaya tells them to either give Pandavas their rightful share or face a war of destruction
- Bheeshma proposes peace. Drona agrees with him. Karna objects.
- Dhritarashtra wants to know about the war preparations of the Pandavas from Sanjaya
- Sanjaya criticizes Dhritarashtra for his vicious and sinful treatment of the Pandavas. He however tells the details of the armies Pandavas assembled.
- Dhritarashtra suggests Duryodhana to pursue peace. Duryodhana mocks and refuses and Karna joins him.
- Bhisma criticizes Karna. Karna gets upset and pledges that he would never fight in the war as long as Bheeshma is alive.
- Bhagavat-yana upa-parva
- Pandavas meet Krishna and seek his advice.
- Krishna offers to go to the Kauravas as an envoy of Pandavas, but advises Pandavas to prepare for war anyways.
- Dhritarashtra makes great preparations for Krishna's arrival. Bheeshma, Drona, Vidura and other elders also eagerly look forward to Krishna's visit
- Krishna visits Kunti at Vidura's house
- ...
India, the Sacred Land:
Because of the confusion on the starting time of Geetha chanting, India, the Sacred Land was left out for this class
Geetha Chanting:
Students participated in Geetha Chanting led by Swamiji.
As always, the session ended with a procession to the temple for pledge and aarti.
Regards,
-Venu
