Mar 3, 2023 - Grade 6 (Friday)

Hari Om Parents, 




Please find the below update from our class on Friday Feb 24th 2023 and Mar 3rd 2023.

           Update from Friday, Feb 24th. 

We had the House Spirit Day on Feb 24th. 

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!

There were two activities for the children in the classroom.

1. Paper Tower Challenge - 15 minutes

• The children were given cardstocks, scissors, tapes and few blocks
  
• They were instructed to make triangular paper blocks and then build a structure using the paper blocks
  
• They were scored on how tall and how strong the tower was.
  
• The children were divided into 4 groups and each was assigned with specific tasks. They had to work together to build the structure.
  

2. Chopstick Challenge - 15 minutes

• Two baskets - one with about 20 assorted items and the other one an empty basket were placed at either ends of the classroom.
  
• The children were lined up near the filled basket.
  
• They were given a pair of chopsticks.
  
• One child at a time had to pick up an object from the filled basket and drop it into the empty basket. 
  
• The child then handed over to the chopstick to the next person in line.
  

The children had lots of fun with the two activities. We had parent volunteers who helped the kids with the activities.

At around 8 pm the kids assembled in the Prayer Hall for a common team building activity followed by aarathi and concluding prayers.

Update from Friday, March 3rd, 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 then recited the Devi Dhyana Shloka (page #39). We also recited Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (page 40)
We then proceeded to learn to chant the MahishasuraMardini Stotram (verses 1 & 2).

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

On the morning of the third day, Bhishma arrayed his army in eagle formation and himself led it while Duryodhana and his forces protected the rear. Dhananjaya and Dhrishtadyumna decided in favour of a crescent formation of their army so as to cope with the eagle formation of the enemy's forces. On the right horn of the crescent stood Bhima and on the left Arjuna, leading the respective divisions. The battle began. Dhananjaya's attack was powerful but the enemy stood firm. A counter-attack was made by the Kauravas concentrating on Arjuna's position. 

At another point Sakuni led a large force against Satyaki and Abhimanyu. Satyaki's chariot was broken to shivers and he had to scramble up Abhimanyu's chariot and thereafter both fought from the same chariot. They were able to destroy Sakuni's forces. Drona and Bhishma jointly attacked Dharmaputra's division and Nakula and Sahadeva joined their brother in opposing Drona's offensive. Bhima and his son Ghatotkacha attacked Duryodhana's division. Bhima's shafts hit Duryodhana and he lay in a swoon in his chariot. His charioteer quickly drove the chariot away from the scene fearing that the forces would be completely demoralized if they saw that the prince had been disabled. But even this movement created great confusion. 

Bhimasena took full advantage of the position and worked havoc among the fleeing Kaurava forces. Drona and Bhishma who saw the confusion of the Kaurava army came up quickly and restored confidence. The scattered forces were brought together and Duryodhana was again seen leading them. Duryodhana was upset with Bhishma and asked Bhishma to honestly say what was in his mind since he loved the Pandavas very much. The chagrin of defeat, and the knowledge that the grandsire disapproved of his ways made Duryodhana speak thus bitterly, but Bhishma merely smiled and said that he had not approved of the war and had tried hard to prevent it. But Duryodhana had rejected his advice. He also added that he was fulfilling his duties to his utmost. Saying thus, the grandsire resumed his operations. The turn of events in the forenoon had been so much in their favour that the delighted Pandavas were now somewhat careless. They did not expect Bhishma to rally his forces and attack them again. But, stung by Duryodhana's reproaches, the grandsire raged about the field like a destroying fire. He rallied his men and delivered the most severe attack yet made on the Pandava army. The latter thought that the grandsire had multiplied himself into a number of Bhishmas fighting at several points: so swift were his movements that afternoon. Those who opposed him were struck down and perished like moths in the fire. 

The Pandava army was thoroughly broken and began to scatter. Vasudeva, Partha and Sikhandin tried hard to restore order and confidence, but were unsuccessful. Krishna now reminded Arjuna to attach the grandsire and to be true to his decision not to flinch from his duty to kill Bhishma, Drona and all the other friends and relatives and respected elders. Arjuna agreed and as Dhananjaya's chariot sped on towards Bhishma, it met a hot reception from the grandsire, who covered it with his arrows. But, Arjuna bent his bow and discharged three shafts which broke the grandsire's bow. Bhishma picked up another bow but it too met the same fate. The grandsire's heart was gladdened when he saw Arjuna's skill in archery and he poured shafts on Arjuna's chariot with unerring aim. Krishna was not happy at the way Arjuna met the attack. The grandsire's bow was working fiercely, but Arjuna's hands did not do their best, for his heart was not in it. He had too much regard for his great grandsire. Krishna thought that, if Arjuna went on like this, the army, which had been so badly demoralized already, would be utterly destroyed and all would be lost. Krishna managed the chariot skilfully, but in spite of it, both he and Arjuna were hit many times by Bhishma's arrows. 

Janardana's anger rose. He couldn't stand it any longer. Dropping the reins, he took up his discus and jumped down from the chariot and dashed forward towards Bhishma. Bhishma was ecstatic and welcomed Krishna to slain him. Arjuna was distressed to see this and he jumped down and ran after Krishna and entreated Krishna to turn back. Arjuna promised not to flinch again and persuaded Krishna to return. The chariot reins were again in Krishna's hands. Arjuna attacked the Kaurava forces furiously and thousands were slain by him. The Kauravas suffered a severe defeat on the evening of the third day.

On the fourth day, Bhishma arrayed the Kaurava forces again. Surrounded by Drona, Duryodhana and others, the grandsire looked verily like great Indra, holding his thunderbolt surrounded by the devas. Arjuna watched the hostile movements from his chariot, whereon the Hanuman flag was waving, and he too got ready. The battle commenced. Aswatthama, Bhurisravas, Salya, Chitrasena and the son of Chala surrounded Abhimanyu and attacked him. The warrior fought like a lion opposing five elephants. Arjuna saw this combined attack on his son and, with a wrathful lion-roar joined his son where the tempo of fighting flared up. Dhrishtadyumna also arrived with a large force. The son of Chala was killed. Chala himself now joined and he, with Salya, made a strong attack on Dhrishtadyumna. The latter's bow was severed into two by a sharp missile discharged by Salya. Abhimanyu saw this and sent a shower of arrows on Salya and put him in such danger that Duryodhana and his brothers rushed to Salya's help. Bhimasena also appeared on the scene at this juncture. 

When Bhima raised his mace aloft, Duryodhana's brothers quailed. Duryodhana, who saw this, was exceedingly angry and immediately charged at Bhima with a large force of elephants. As soon as Bhima saw the elephants coming up, he descended from his chariot, iron mace in hand, attacked them so fiercely that they scattered in a wild stampede, throwing the Kaurava ranks into disorder. The slaughtered mammoths lay dead on the field like great hills. Those that escaped fled in panic and caused great havoc in the Kaurava army, trampling numerous soldiers in their wild career. 

Duryodhana, thereupon, ordered a wholesale attack on Bhima, but he stood firm as a rock and presently, the Pandava warriors came up and joined him. A number of Duryodhana's arrows struck Bhima's chest and he climbed up his chariot again. Bhima's arrows would have killed Duryodhana then and there, had it not been for his armour. Eight of Duryodhana's brothers were slain in that day's battle by Bhima. Duryodhana fought fiercely. Bhima's bow was smashed by one of Duryodhana's arrows. Taking up a fresh bow, Bhima sent an arrow with a knife edge at Duryodhana which cut the latter's bow into two. Not baffled by this, Duryodhana took up a fresh bow and discharged a well-aimed shaft which struck Bhima on his chest with such force that he reeled and sat down. The Pandava warriors now poured a great shower of arrows on Duryodhana. 

Ghatotkacha, who saw his father sit dazed with the force of the blow, got exceedingly angry and fell on the Kaurava army, which was unable to stand against his onslaught. The grandsire ordered his army to retire for the night. Duryodhana sat musing in his tent, his eyes filled with tears. He had lost many of his brothers in that day's battle. Dhritarashtra, on hearing the narration from Sanjaya, was plunged into great grief.

When Sanjaya related the happenings of the great battle on the fifth day, Dhritarashtra lamented, unable to bear his grief. Sanjaya tried to calm the king. He reminded the king that since the Pandavas rested on the strength of a just cause, they won. But his sons, although brave, their thoughts were wicked. They had done great injustice to the Pandavas, and were reaping the harvest of their sins. 

When the fighting was stopped on the evening of the fourth day, Duryodhana went by himself to Bhishma's tent and, bowing reverently, asked him what was the mystery behind this daily defeat of our army at the hands of the Pandavas, although their army had the best of warriors. Bhishma replied that he had advised Duryodhana to make peace with the Pandavas, but he had disregarded it. Duryodhana had wronged the Pandavas and was reaping the results of his past actions. Bhishma said that the Pandavas were protected by Krishna himself. He reminded Duryodhana that Destruction awaited him if he insulted Dhananjaya and Krishna, who were none other than Nara and Narayana.

Duryodhana took leave and went to his tent, but he could not sleep that night. The battle resumed the next morning. Bhishma arrayed the Kaurava forces in a strong formation; so did Dhrishtadyumna, the Pandava army. Bhima stood at the head of the advance lines as usual, and Sikhandin, Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki stood behind, securely guarding the main body, aided by other generals. Dharmaputra and the twin brothers held the rear. Bhishma bent his bow and discharged his shafts. The Pandava army suffered greatly under the grandsire's attack. Dhananjaya saw this and retaliated by fierce shafts aimed at Bhishma. 

Drona's powerful attack on the Pandava army was too much for Satyaki who was meeting it and Bhima, therefore turned his attention to Drona. The battle grew fiercer still. Drona, Bhishma and Salya made a combined attack on Bhima. Sikhandin supported Bhima by pouring a shower of arrows on Bhishma. As soon as Sikhandin stepped in, Bhishma turned away, for Sikhandin was born a girl, and Bhishma's principles did not permit him to attack a woman. In the end, this same objection proved to be the cause of Bhishma's death. When Drona saw Bhishma turn away, he attacked Sikhandin fiercely and compelled him to withdraw.  

In the afternoon, Duryodhana sent a large force to oppose Satyaki. But Satyaki destroyed it completely and advanced to attack Bhurisravas. Bhurisravas, who was a powerful opponent, put Satyaki's men to fight, and pressed Satyaki himself so fiercely that he was in distress. Satyaki's ten sons saw their father's plight and sought to relieve him by launching an offensive against Bhurisravas, but Bhurisravas undaunted by numbers, opposed the combined attack and was not to be shaken. His well-aimed darts broke their weapons and they were all slain, strewn on the field like so many tall trees struck down by lightning. Satyaki, wild with rage and grief, drove forward at a furious pace to slay Bhurisravas. The chariots of the two warriors dashed against each other and crumbled to pieces and the warriors stood face to face with sword and shield in desperate single combat. Then, Bhima came and took away Satyaki by force into his chariot and drove away, for Bhima knew that Bhurisravas was an unrivalled swordsman and he did not want Satyaki to be slain. Arjuna killed thousands of warriors that evening. The soldiers, despatched against him by Duryodhana, perished like moths in the fire. As the sun went down and Bhishma gave orders to cease fighting, the princes of the Pandava army surrounded Arjuna and greeted him with loud cries of admiration and victory. The armies on both sides retired to camp along with the tired horses and elephants.

Bhagavad Gita: Verses 21 & 22 from chapter 3 were taught and rehearsed this week, following our Swamiji, Swami Shantanandaji's chanting video. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyxOfsIlyvs&list=PLwv-WSJSokEMjzRiL_CQC--igySyIgJqA&index=11

Please have the children continue to practice these verses (read or memorize).

Class Reflection:Then and Now

The children showed great interest in understanding the different formations that were used by the Pandavas and Kauravas army during the battle. We discussed how following the principles of dharma was very important and how that caused the Pandavas to win the war.

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 Mar 10th, 2023.

Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi Hari and Anupama Sivakumar 

Friday Grade 6 sevikas