Hari Om Parents,
Please find the below update from our class on Friday Jan 6th, 2023.
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!
Shlokas: ( My Prayers Book)
We recited the Daily Prayers ( page#11) in the order of:
• Karagre Vasate
• Samudra Vasane
• Gange cha Yamune
• Sarasvati Namastubhyam
• Brahmaarpanam
• Shubham Karoti
• Kara-charana-krtam vak
We proceeded to learn the Devi Dhyana Shloka (page #39). We also recited Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (page 40) verses 1- 11 in the class. We then continued with our Mahabharata review.
Kindly encourage the kids to memorize these and recite them at appropriate times throughout the day. Thus instilling in them, not just the learning part but to put all that they learn, into practice in their daily routine.
Mahabharata Summary
THE FIRST DAY'S BATTLE
Duhsasana was leading the Kaurava forces and Bhimasena did the same on the Pandava side. The noise of battle rolled and rent the air. Arrows flew in the air like burning meteors. Fathers and sons, uncles and nephews slew one another forgetful of old affection and ties of blood. It was a mad and terrible carnage. In the forenoon of the first day's battle the Pandava army was badly shaken. Wherever Bhishma's chariot went, it was like the dance of the destroyer. Abhimanyu could not bear this, and he attacked the grandsire. When the oldest and the youngest warriors thus met in battle, the gods came to watch the combat. Abhimanyu's flag, displaying the golden karnikara tree brightly waved on his chariot. Kritavarma was hit by one of his arrows and Salya was hit five times. Bhishma himself was hit nine times by Abhimanyu's shafts. Durmukha's charioteer was struck by one of Abhimanyu's sword-edge arrows and his severed head rolled on the ground. Another broke Kripa's bow.
Then the Kaurava warriors made a combined attack on the valiant youth, but he stood against them all. One of his well-aimed arrows brought the grandsire's palm tree flag down and, seeing this, Bhimasena was overjoyed and made a great lion-roar which further inspired the valiant nephew. Great was the grandsire's joy, seeing the valour of the young hero. Unwillingly, he had to use his full strength against the boy. Virata, his son Uttara, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Drupada and Bhima came to relieve the young hero and attacked the grandsire who then turned his attentions on them.
Uttara, the son of Virata, rode an elephant and led a fierce charge on Salya. Salya's chariot horses were trampled to death and thereupon he hurled a javelin at Uttara. It went with unerring aim and pierced him in the chest. The goad he had in his hand dropped and he rolled down dead. But the elephant did not withdraw. It continued charging until Salya cut off its trunk and hit it in many places with his arrows, and then it uttered a loud cry and fell dead. Salya got into Kritavarma's car.
Virata's son Sveta saw Salya slay his younger brother. His anger rose, and he drove his chariot towards Salya. Seven chariot warriors at once came up in support of Salya and protected him from all sides. Arrows were showered on Sveta but he defended himself marvelously. The warriors in both armies were amazed at the skill displayed by Sveta. Duryodhana lost no time now and sent forces to relieve Salya, whereupon there was a great battle. Sveta succeeded in putting Duryodhana's men to flight and he pushed forward and attacked Bhishma. Bhishma's flag was brought down by Sveta. Bhishma, in his turn, killed Sveta's horses and charioteer. Thereupon, they hurled javelins at one another and fought on. Sveta took a mace, and swinging it, sent it at Bhishma's car which was smashed to pieces. But the grandsire even before the mace dashed against the chariot, had anticipated it and jumped down, and, from the ground he pulled the string of his bow to his ear and sent a fatal arrow at Sveta. Sveta was struck and fell dead.
Duhsasana blew his horn and danced in joy. This was followed by a great attack on the Pandava army by Bhishma. The Pandava forces suffered greatly on the first day of the battle. Dharmaputra was seized with apprehension, and Duryodhana's joy was unbounded. The brothers came to Krishna and were engaged in anxious consultations. Krishna advised Yudhishthira to not fear. He still had his valiant brothers, Satyaki, Virata, Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna besides Krishna himself. Krishna also reminded him that Sikhandin was waiting for his predestined victim Bhishma and thus comforted Yudhishthira.
THE SECOND DAY
THE Pandava army, having fared badly on the first day of the battle, Dhrishtadyumna, devised measures to avoid a repetition of it. On the second day, the army was most carefully arrayed, and everything was done to instill confidence. Duryodhana, filled with conceit on account of the success on the first day, stood in the centre of his army and encouraged his warriors to fight valiantly and their victory was assured.
The Kaurava army, led by Bhishma, again made strong attack on the Pandava forces and broke their formation, killing large numbers. Arjuna, turning to Krishna said that if they did not kill Bhishma, their army would soon be totally destroyed by the grandire. Krishna agreed and rode the chariot straight towards Bhishma's chariot. The grandsire sent his shafts welcoming the challenge. Duryodhana had ordered his men to protect the grandsire most vigilantly and never to let him expose himself to danger. Accordingly, all the warriors, supporting the grandsire, at once intervened and attacked Arjuna who, however, fought on unconcerned. It was well known that there were but three on the Kaurava side who could stand against Arjuna with any chance of success-the grandsire Bhishma, Drona and Karna. Arjuna made short work of the warriors, who intervened in support of Bhishma. The way in which he wielded his great bow on this occasion, extorted the admiration of all the great generals in the army. His chariot flashed hither and thither sundering hostile ranks like 'forked lightning-so rapidly that the eye ached to follow its career.
Duryodhana's heart was beating fast as he watched this combat. His confidence in the great Bhishma was shaken and he accused the grandsire that he was not taking steps quickly to destroy Arjuna.The gods came down to watch the combat between Bhishma and Arjuna. These were two of the greatest warriors on earth. Both chariots were drawn by white steeds. From either side flew arrows in countless number. Shaft met shaft in the air and sometimes the grandsire's missile hit Arjuna's breast and that of Krishna and the blood flowing made Madhava more beautiful than ever as he stood like a green palasa tree in full bloom with crimson flowers.
Arjuna's wrath rose when he saw his dear charioteer hit and he pulled his bow and sent well-aimed arrows at the grandsire. The combatants were equal, and the battle raged for a long while. In the movements the chariots made they were so close to one another and moved about so fast that it was not possible to say where Arjuna was and where Bhishma. Only the flag could be distinguished. As this great and wonderful scene was enacted in one part of the field, at another place a fierce battle was being fought between Drona and his born enemy Dhrishtadyumna, the son of the king of the Panchalas and brother of Draupadi.
Drona's attack was powerful, and Dhrishtadyumna was wounded badly. But the latter retaliated with equal vigor and with a grin of hatred he shot arrows and sped other missiles at Drona. Drona defended himself with great skill. He parried the sharp missiles and the heavy maces hurled at him with his arrows and broke them to pieces even as they sped in the air. Many times, did Dhrishtadyumna's bow break, hit by Drona's arrows. One of Drona's arrows killed the Panchala prince's charioteer. Thereupon Dhrishtadyumna took up a mace and, jumping down from the chariot, went forward on foot. Drona sent an arrow which brought the mace down. Dhrishtadyumna then drew his sword and rushed forward like a lion springing on its elephant-prey. But Drona again disabled him and prevented his advance. Just then Bhima who saw the Panchala's predicament sent a shower of arrows on Drona and carried Dhrishtadyumna to safety in his chariot.
Duryodhana who saw this sent the Kalinga forces against Bhimasena. Bhima killed the Kalinga warriors in great number. Like Death itself he moved about among his enemies and felled them to the ground. So fierce was the destruction that the entire army trembled in fear. When Bhishma saw this, he came to relieve the Kalingas. Satyaki, Abhimanyu and other warriors came up in support of Bhima. One of Satyaki's shafts brought Bhishma's charioteer down and the horses of Bhishma's chariot, left uncontrolled, bolted carrying Bhishma away from the field. The Pandava army was wild with enthusiasm when Bhishma's chariot sped thus out of the field. They took advantage of the situation and made a fierce attack on the Kaurava army. Great was the loss the Kaurava army suffered in that day's battle as a result of Arjuna's deeds of valour. The generals of the Kaurava army were greatly perturbed and their previous day's enthusiasm had all disappeared. They eagerly looked forward to sunset when there would be an end to the day's battle. On the side of the Pandavas, Arjuna and others returned in great cheer to their camp, with bands playing. At the end of the second day's battle, the Kauravas were in the mood that the Pandavas were in the previous evening.
Bhagavad Gita: Verses 11 & 12 from chapter 3 were taught and rehearsed this week, following our Swamiji, Swami Shantanandaji's chanting video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIinHtYCoC0&list=PLwv-WSJSokEMjzRiL_CQC--igySyIgJqA&index=6Please have the children continue to practice these verses (read or memorize).Class Reflection:Then and NowThe children were very excited to start discussion on the Mahabharata war. They had several questions regarding the age of the warriors, the significance of the flag posts, and the code of conduct in the war. They were intrigued by the army formation on both the sides and tried to relate the war tactics to the modern day warfare. After the discussion, the children were divided into 4 groups and were given activity sheets with questions from the Mahabharata lessons they had studied so far.
Aarathi: We assembled at the main prayer hall for aarathi and concluding prayers.Please have the children do their daily prayers regularly and also practice the ślokas and Gita chanting.Thank you! See you back on Friday Jan 20th, 2023.Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi Hari and Anupama SivakumarFriday Grade 6 sevikas
