Here is the update for last week's class.
Stotram: We chanted Mahishasuramardini stotram together. Please encourage the children to practice at home.
Mahabharata: The battle on the thirteenth day ended, with Drona still unable to capture Yudhishtra. Arjuna returned from defeating the Trigarta brothers. He noticed the eerie silence in the Pandava camp and is worried about the safety of his brothers. He finds out about Dronacharya and the Padma Vyuha and how Abhimanyu is trapped by the Kauravas. Yudhishtira took the blame with a heavy heart and told Arjuna that Jayadrata is the one who stopped the Pandavas from entering the Padmavyuha. Arjuna vowed to slay Jayadrata before the sunset on the following day, failing which, he vowed to do Agni pravesam (self immolation). Krishna told His charioteer Daaruka to keep His chariot ready as he was preparing to fight if Arjuna were to fail his oath.
On Day 14, Drona constructed three vyuhas- chakra, sakata and suchi to protect Jayadrata. With Arjuna off to kill Jayadrata, Satyaki and Satyajit protect Yudhishtra. Yudhishtra,concerned for Arjuna's safety, sent Satyajit and Satyaki after him. In a one on one battle with Bhurisravas, Satyaki was about to be killed by Bhurisravas when Arjuna stepped in and shot and severed Bhurisravas' arm to save Saryaki. Arjuna defended his actions by saying it was his duty to protect Satyaki who is under his care. Disappointed at this breach of war rules by Arjuna, Bhurisravas gave up fighting and sat down in meditation. Satyaki, rushed towards Bhurisravas who was weaponless, and beheaded him. He was looked down upon by all the warriors. Meanwhile, Bhima and Karna faced each other one on one. First, Bhima won, injuring Karna severely. Duryodhana sent his brothers to help Karna move away and fight with Bhima. Vikarna, Durjay, Durmukha and seven others fought with Bhima. Bhima killed all of them and Karna entered back with more fire and injured Bhima heavily, but he remembered the promise given to Kunti mata that he would not kill other brothers, but for Arjuna. Just then, Arjuna came in and rescued Bhima. With sunset time imminent, Lord Krishna then took the chariot in a flash towards Jayadrata. The Lord used his Sudarshana chakra to eclipse the sun and create the effect of sunset. Jayadrata and the others relaxed and Jayadrata came out of hiding to get a good look at the setting sun. Arjuna used this opportunity to strike and behead Jayadrata and on Krishna's advice, the Sindhu king's head was carried far away, all the way to the meditating King Vridakshatra's (Jayadrata's father)lap. The shocked older king stood up and the head rolled down in a split second and his head burst into pieces. Vriddhakshatra had a boon which caused the head of a person who causes his son's head to roll (away from his body) to burst into pieces. As Krishna was aware of this, he counseled Arjuna wisely.
We had a very interesting discussion in class regarding war as the children realized that the code of conduct that was agreed to in the beginning of the war was being violated, and there was generally a great loss of lives. The points that came up were - why was war not avoided? why were friends fighting friends (since they wanted to mingle freely after sunset)? War is the last resort of a king, who has a duty as protector of his people, to uphold the safety and values of the kingdom. He should fight to protect righteous values. As Krishna explained to Arjuna, one should do one's duty without doubt and full effort.
India Sacred Land - Languages of India: There are 22 Indian languages that are referred to as Scheduled languages and given recognition in the Constitution of India. In addition, the Government of India has given the status of "Classical Language" to Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Sanskrit, Tamil and Telugu. Every state in India has a language that is predominantly spoken and many dialects enrich the languages. We had kids trying to write their names in their native languages, will share that on WhatsApp.
Bhagavad Geeta: We completed learning all the assigned verses for this class. Please have the children practice and register for the Geeta Chanting Yajna on April 22nd. We will notify once registrations open.
Regards
Abhirami Shrinivas and Keerthi Kobla
