Hari Om!
Here is the update for last week's class.
Stotram: We chanted the Mahishasuramardini stotram. Please encourage the children to continue chanting at home.
Mahabharata: Day 14 - The war continued after Jayadratha's death and the subsequent sun set. As the day turned into a darkening evening and night, the rakshas got more power in the dark. Bhima and Hidimbi's son Ghatotkacha was in full form and showed no mercy to the Kaurava camp. With his increasing power, he wreaked havoc on the Kaurava's army, and Duryodhana was devastated. He accosted Drona and Karna and regretted giving them permission to continue the battle beyond sunset. He insisted that Karna kill the demon using the Sakthi astra. Karna, to keep his friend's word, used the Sakthi astra, given by Indra,which was meant to destroy Arjuna .Gatotkacha succumbed to the astra and fell on part of the Kaurava army and crushed it. Vyasa consoled the grieving Pandavas. The war went on, even after the fall of Ghatotkacha. As the armies grew increasingly tired, Arjuna made a common announcement to both armies to call a very temporary halt to the hostilities and rest a while. Soldiers in both campes appreciated this call and rested for some time. Duryodhana and Karna even fruitlessly considered killing their opponents even during the brief respite. After a while the war continued into the next sunrise.
India, Sacred Land: Contributions to the World from Ancient India:
Universities: Takshashila- was the oldest university, established in 700 BCE. The kings governed the universities and each teacher had full autonomy in their respective subjects (Teachers were recognized authorities). Chanakya, Paanini and Acharya Charaka learned and became renowned teachers in the university. Nalandha - located in current day Bihar. It was internationally recognised at the time and more than 10500 students studied at a time. 60 subjects and more were taught here. Students came to learn from India and all over the world. It had a huge library and huge dorms for students with all facilities. It was founded by King Shakraditya of the Gupta Dynasty in 5th century AD.
Geniuses: Indian astronomers knew that the earth was round and it revolved around the Sun, 1000 years before Copernicus. The approximate speed of light is mentioned in the Rg Veda . "Zero" is mentioned in the Chandas shastra of Pingala in 200 BC. There were several towering intellects who contributed greatly to the knowledge systems prevalent to this day.
Aryabhatta was a master in Astronomy and Math. He was a student of Nalandha- later became the Head teacher. He postulated the earth is round and the Moon is dark and shines because of the sun, the scientific explanation for eclipses, the value of Pi (3.1416), value of Sines and the Sine function and expression of large numbers in words. Acharya Charaka was an exponent of medical system "kayachikitsa". He believed in the theory that "Physicians entering the body of a patient with a lamp of knowledge and understanding, could treat diseases better". He prescribed medicines to restore the imbalances created by the Doshas- Vaada, pitta and kapha. He practised preventative medicine (Great timing as we're taking precautions to prevent the prevailing CoronaVirus). He authored the Charaka samhita and Agnivesa tantra. He was a master in genetics and anatomy. Acharya Susruta was the father of surgical medicine. He was an expert anesthesiologist. He conducted surgeries for Cataract, brain surgeries, plastic surgeries,Artificial limbs, c-sections. His susruta samhita gives tips for more than 300 types of surgeries/operations. He designed over 125 types and more instruments from jawbones of animals and birds. Bharathwaja Rishi was a contemporary of SriRama. He was an expert in Aeronautics and wrote the book "Yantra sarvasva.". Bhaskaracharya the 2nd- He was a master in Algebra, Geometry and astronomy. His works are compiled as "surya siddhanta". He wrote on the force of gravity and defined the center of gravity. Patanjali was the father of yoga, to control the fluctuating thoughts in the mind. He postulated the 8 points-Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranaayama,Pratyahara,Dharana, Dhyana and Samaadhi.
We saw a video of the genius contributors on our Ancient India
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2KsoNr1RyI
Bhagavad Gita: Registrations for Geeta Chanting Regionals are now open - https://bit.ly/GCYHome
Thanks
Abhirami Shrinivas and Keerthi Kobla
