Hari OM Dear Families,
Opening prayers and Shlokas
Slokas: Class began with 3 OMs followed by
Om Saha Navavatu
Vakratunda, Saraswatyai Namastubhyam, Gurur Brahma, Buddhir Balam
Saints of India: We had 2 of our children present on Auvaiyar. It was a wonderful presentation
Auvaiyar, a Tamil poet. Auvaiyar's birthdate and birthplace is unknown. Auvaiyar grew up to be an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha, as well as a beautiful and intelligent woman. Naturally, a lot of marriage proposals followed. She figured her youth was the factor for this attraction, but she had no intention of getting married. Auvaiyar prayed intensely to Lord Ganesha to change her into an old lady and her prayers were answered. As a poet, she wrote all her texts in Tamil. Some texts she wrote were Vinayagar Agaval (72 lines), Aathi Chudi (109 lines), and Kondral Vendham (91 lines). Aathi Chudi is her most famous text. Each verse is one or two lines long, and each line corresponds to each alphabet in Tamil. The meanings of some of the verses are to "intend to do right things,""be virtuous," and more. A popular legend in Tamil is the story of when Auvaiyar was pondering her retirement from Tamil literary work, while resting under a Jamun tree. She believed she had achieved everything that is to be achieved. Lord Muruga, disguised as a young boy, then appeared and jousted with her wittily. He later revealed himself and made her realize that there was still a lot more to be done and learned. Following this awakening, Auvaiyar is believed to have undertaken a fresh set of literary works targeted at children. These works, even after a millennium, are often among the first works of literature that children are exposed to in Tamil Nadu schools. Her last public service was the prevention of the war between King Adiyaman and King Thondiaman, who were two Tamil kings.
Mahabharata continues:
(Combined week of Jan 22 and 29)
Sisupala is the son of Vasudeva's sister and therefore Krishna's cousin. When he was born, he had three eyes snd four arms. His parents were horrified at the monstrosity born to them. They were told by a heavenly voice that as soon as the child was placed in the lap of the man who was to kill him, the extra eye and arms would disappear. The baby was placed on Krishna's lap, and to everybody's astonishment, the baby lost the extra eye and arms. The mother pleaded with her nephew to spare her son. Krishna consoled her and agreed to pardon up to hundred insults hurled by Sisupala. Now, Sisupala considers Krishna as his nemesis. This is further aggravated as Rukmi wants his sister, Rukmini, to marry Sisupala but as Rukmini is in love with Krishna, she elopes with him. Krishna patiently waits for Sisupala to finish off his hundred insults and as Sisupsla invites him to a combat, Krishna hurls his chakra at Sisupala, bringing his end. This death is followed by terrible upheavals in nature. The Rajasuya, which started with happiness all around, ends disastrously and with the appearance of numerous bad omens, suggesting impending doom!
The kings are all ready to leave for their kingdoms and Yudhishthira is busy honoring them. Krishna is ready to leave for Dwaraka. Little do they know that it is the last time they are bidding him farewell from Indraprastha, due to the dreadful fate waiting for them. Everybody leaves except for Duryodhana, Dussasana, Shakuni and Radheya. Yudhishthira is very flattered that they are staying back and takes utmost care of them. Vyaasa is also about to leave, but Yudhishthira wants to know the meaning of the omens that followed Sisupala's death. Vyaasa's face became grave and sad. He tells Yudhishthira that he will have bad luck for fourteen years. Vyaasa also warns him about a massive destruction of all the Kshatriyas on the face of the earth. Yudhishthira sinks in despair. Meanwhile, Duryodhana walks in the Sabha and is consumed with envy seeing the beauty and splendor of it all. This Sabha was built in such a way that if a person who looks at it is envious of the owner, he will be deceived by many things there. Duryodhana thinks there is water, but actually it is only beautiful slabs of marble, and vice versa. One such time, Draupadi laughs at him, and this largely bruises his ego, leading to more anger and hatred for his cousins. Upon returning to Hastinapur, he continues brooding about the good fortune of his cousins.
Duryodhana is very upset with the good fortune bestowed upon the Pandavas. While negative thoughts run rampant in Duryodhana's head, Shakuni visits him. Worried about his nephew, he suggests another idea. This time, they decide that the plot will take place in their own court, ensuring a successful end to the Pandavas. Duryodhana is piqued and wishes to hear more. Shakuni reveals that it is time to destroy the Pandavas, using Yudhishthira's weakness- gambling. Shakuni is confident that he can make Yudhishthira gamble away his entire kingdom. The only hindrance is receiving Dhritarashtra's consent in getting the Pandavas over to Hastinapur and then getting them to play a game of dice. Of course, Shakuni and Duryodhana know Dhritarashtra's weakness and play him to the hilt. Shakuni first approaches Dhritarashtra and requests him to bring Duryodhana out of depression. Duryodhana, using his father's weakness, tells him about his experiences at Indraprastha and how this has consumed him with envy. They tell him about the game of dice. Dhritarashtra is helpless- on the one hand he wishes to fulfill his child's desire, while on the other hand he knows that Vidura and the other elders will rebuke him for the malicious intent behind this. Duryodhana's insistence and persuasion leads Dhritarashtra to agree to the plan. Without further delay, an order to build a beautiful hall in Jayanta, a suburb of Hastinapur, is given. The plan is to invite the Pandavas to this Sabha and have the game of dice played here itself. Vidura, on hearing about the invitation to be extended to the Pandavas, pleads with Dhritarashtra not to do so. But Dhritarashtra refuses to listen. Instead, Vidura is given the task of going to Indraprastha and inviting the Pandavas to Jayanta to have a look at the Sabha and also have a friendly game of dice. With a heavy heart, Vidura leaves for Indraprastha!
A bit of background on Shakuni:
Shakuni, the only surviving male member of his family, was given a pair of dice made of his father's bones. His father, King Subhala, was imprisoned along with his 100 sons. They were barely given any food, leaving them all starved and weak. King Subhala then decided to let only one son, Shakuni, live by giving him all their food rations. At his deathbed, King Subhala asked Shakuni to make a pair of dice with his bones, knowing that all outcomes from that pair will always favor his son - the dice show the numbers that Shakuni wants.
Yudhishthira receives his uncle with a great deal of affection. Vidura sadly gives the message of Dhritarashtra, and Yudhishthira is intrigued by the message. He knows his uncle well and is convinced the game of dice is another attempt to defeat the Pandavas. He realizes that the four people ie. Shakuni, Vivimsati, Purumitra and Chitrasena ( three brothers of Duryodhana) who have been selected to play against Yudhishthira are extremely clever in the game of dice. Yudhishthira knows he is extremely weak in the game. He recognizes that what happens in this world has been ordained by the Creator and that Fate has already planned the way in which events must take place. As he has no choice, he agrees to go to Hastinapur accompanied by Kunti, Draupadi and his brothers.
The welcome given by the citizens of Hastinapur brings much joy, amidst the unpredictability of the visit's outcome. The Pandavas are shown around the new palace, with particular attention given to the Sabha. A friendly game of dice is mooted by Shakuni. This is rejected by Yudhisthira, stating that such games only brought unpleasantness. Shakuni does not give up, and keeps insisting that a friendly game will not affect relationships. Yudhisthira refuses to back down, and wants no part in this game that promotes cheating extensively. Shakuni uses his wiles, and has Yudhisthira termed a coward. He says that Yudhisthira is so used to all the wealth and power he enjoys in Indraprastha, that he does not want to give up of any of it. This strikes a chord, and Yudhisthira rejects that claim, saying he is not a coward or proud of his power. This gives Shakuni the edge, prodding Yudhisthira to accept a friendly game of dice. Defeated with words, Yudhisthira gives in.
The game of dice, as addictive as it gets, can lose many a man his very head. Knowing Yudhisthira's weakness for the game, the Kauravas use this information to turn it from a 'friendly game' to a rather competitive one. From a simple ante of money and jewelry, the wagers start getting bigger and more promising for the Kauravas. Shakuni uses the dice given by his departed father and wins at every turn. Yudhishthira puts Nakula on stake, followed by Sahadeva, Arjuna and then Bheema. Yudhishthira then wages himself; Shakuni wins all. Everybody is stunned and shocked but unable to say anything. Shakuni implores Yudhishthira to bet Draupadi, which he does and loses her as well. All is lost for Yudhishthira!
Vidura objects to this unlawful wager. He is appalled by the insult meted out to Draupadi. He warns them of being vanquished by the Pandavas and an afterlife in hell. But Duryodhana silences his low born uncle and does not pay heed to his admonition. Duryodhana sends a messenger to Draupadi's apartment to get her to court. Draupadi is stunned with the news and refuses to come. She wants to know if Yudhishthira first gambled himself away or her. The messenger comes back as Yudhishthira who is silent with agony. Duryodhana gets angry and commands the messenger to tell Draupadi to come to the court and ask for herself. Draupadi still refuses and asks the messenger to again go back and ask Yudhishthira what he suggests she do. Yudhishthira is still speechless. Duryodhana now sends his brother, Dussasana, to bring Draupadi. Dussasana mockingly and very indecently commands her to come. He grabs her by her hair and drags her to the court. With her long hair dragged by Dussasana and her dress all wet with tears because of his rough handling, Draupadi enters the Sabha!
Bhajan Time:
We had a wonderful music session with Swamini Radhikananda Ji!
Swamini taught us all a wonderful song on Happiness.
Gita Chanting -VS 17 & 18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAjNVHwtnLI&list=PLwv-WSJSokEMjzRiL_CQC--igySyIgJqA&index=9
Hari OM
Best regards
Indira and Raji
