Hari Om!
Bala Vihar session on the 29 of January:
Attendance for this session was again very sparse.
Likhita Japa:
On this day, many children were tardy and hence decided to jump right into the class and didn't do Likhita Japa.
Shlokas:
As always, the session started with the class chanting the sacred sound of Om three times followed by Ssahana Vavatu. The students then continued with the recitation of the next set of shlokas from My Prayers.
Mahabharata:
During this session, we completed the Shalya parva, the 9th book of Mahabharata.
Shalya-vadha upa-parva:
- On the advice of Ashwathama, Duryodhana appoints Shalya as the 4th commander-in-chief of the Kaurava armed forces.
- Krishna tells Yudhishthira among all of the Pandavas that he alone is the best to take on Shalya because of his balanced demeanor.
- As Yudhisthira advances towards Shalya, Nakula and Sahadeva join him protecting his left flank, Bhima protects his rear and Dhristadhyumna protects his right flank.
- Kripa joins Shalya and kills the charioteer of Yudhisthira.
- Bhima destroys his uncle's armor, shield, sword and kills his horses.
- Yudhishthira, pierces Shalya's chest with his Javelin. Shayla falls off his chariot with his arms spread out.
Hrada-pravesa upa-parva:
- Soon after Shalya's demise, Sahadeva confronts his uncle Shakuni.
- Nakula kills Shalya's son Uluka.
- Bheema kills everyone protecting Shakuni, excepting one: Sudarshana.
- Arjuna kills the remnants of the Trigarta army and Bheema eventually kills Sudarshana with an arrow.
- Shakuni tries to run away, but Sahadeva chases him down and kills.
- By now, all of the Kauravas except Duryodhana, the entirety of their eleven Akshauhini strong army are no more.
- Duryodhana, disappointed, starts wandering aimlessly on his horse and eventually ends up at Dwaipayana Lake.
- Duryodhana decides to enter the lake to take some rest and collect his thoughts.
- When Sanjaya sees him, Duryodhana tells him to convey to his father that he entered the depths of the lake, never to be seen again.
- A few hunters overhear that conversation and tell the Pandavas about it.
Gadayuddha upa-parva:
- Bheema, along with his brothers and Krishna, reaches the lake and challenges Duryodhana.
- With his pride hurt, Duryodhana agrees to fight Bheema.
- Upon learning about the events, Balarama arrives at the sean to witness the great mace fight between his two students.
- After a long and tiring fight, Bheema sees a leaping Duryodhana and seizes the opportunity to strike him on his thighs.
- With his thighs shattered, Duryodhan falls on his back.
- The illegal hit on Duryodhana's thighs angers Balarama immensely. As he charges towards Bheema to strike him down Krishna intervenes and pacifies him.
- At the end of this 18th day, the war is finally over, with Pandavas victorious.
- Of all the Kauravas only Duryodhana remains dying with his thighs shattered along with the warriors Ashwathama, Kripa and Kritavarma.
- The entirety of the eleven Akshauhini strong Kaurava armed forces are wiped out.
- On the Pandavas' side, all five brothers, Krishna, 2000 chariots, 700 elephants, 5000 horses and 10,000 foot soldiers remain.
- A desire for revenge takes over Duryodhana, Ashwathama, Kritavarma and Kripa.
Planning for the Class performance:
We spent some time discussing the various ideas for the class performance in May.
Gita Chanting:
With the swamiji leading, the class chanted the next set of verses from Bhagavad Gita.
As always, the session ended in the prayer hall, with the recital of the Pledge and Aarti.
Regards,
- Venu Sadda
- Rashmi Kuroodi
