Apr 28, 2023 - Grade 6 (Friday)

Hari Om Parents, 




Please find the below update from our class on Friday, April 21st and April 28th, 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 - 10).

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: 

YUDHISHTHIRA'S MISGIVINGS 

WHEN the Pandavas saw Duryodhana proceeding in the direction of Arjuna, they attacked the Kaurava army in force so as to hold Drona and prevent him from going to Jayadratha's rescue. So, Dhrishtadyumna led his forces repeatedly against Drona. As a result of all this, the Kaurava army had to fight on three fronts, and was greatly weakened. Driving his chariot right against Drona's, Dhrishtadyumna attacked him violently. Drona's chestnut horses and the Panchala's dove-coloured ones were entangled with one another and presented a picturesque sight like the clouds at sunset. Dhrishtadyumna threw away his bow and, sword and shield in hand, he sprang upon Drona's chariot. Now standing on the shafts of the vehicle, now on the horses and now on the yoke, he attacked Drona bewilderingly, all the while seeming to scorch him with baleful and bloodshot eyes. Drona pulled his bow in great wrath and sent a shaft, which would have drunk the Panchala's life but for the unexpected intervention of Satyaki who sent an arrow and diverted the acharya's shaft. 

Drona then turned and attacked Satyaki, which enabled the Panchala warriors to take Dhrishtadyumna away. Drona advanced on Satyaki who was among the front rank warriors on the Pandava side and who, when he saw Drona desiring battle, went forward to accept the challenge. Satyaki and Drona shot shafts at one another so quickly that they covered the sun, and the battlefield was in darkness for a while. The chariot hoods and the flagstaffs on both sides were battered down. Drona as well as Satyaki were bleeding profusely. The warriors on either side stood still watching the duel and they did not blow their conchs or raise their war cries or sound their lion-roars. The devas, vidyadharas, gandharvas and yakshas watched the great battle from above. 

Drona's bow was broken by a well-aimed shaft from Satyaki, and the son of Bharadwaja had to take another bow and, even as he strung it, Satyaki shot it down again. Drona took up another bow which too was shot down. And so it went on till Drona lost a hundred and one bows without being able to shoot an arrow. The great acharya was glad that he had Satyaki as an opponent who was a warrior in the class of Sri Rama, Kartavirya, Dhananjaya and Bhishma and worthy of him. For every specially-charged shaft that Drona sent, Satyaki had a ready answer of equivalent quality. Long did this equal combat continue. Drona of unrivalled skill in archery then resolved on killing Satyaki and sent the fire astra. But Satyaki saw this and, losing no time, sent the Varuna astra to counteract it. But now Satyaki's strength began to fail and, seeing this, the Kaurava warriors were glad and shouted in satisfaction. 

When Yudhishthira saw Satyaki was hard pressed, he told those nearby and Dhrishtadyumna to go to Satyaki's relief. Yudhishthira ordered the army to make a powerful attack on Drona. Satyaki was saved with difficulty. Just then, the sound of Krishna's conch was heard from the sector where Arjuna was fighting. Not hearing the twang of Arjuna's bow, Yudhishthira was greatly worried that Arjuna may be surrounded by Jayadratha's friends and was in danger. He asked Satyaki to go immediately to Arjuna's help. 

Satyaki, who was weary after his battle with Drona replied that he would readily do anything for Arjuna's sake and that his life was a merest trifle in his eyes. But he reminded Yudhishthira that Krishna and Arjuna had asked him not to leave Yudhishthira's side until they returned after slaying Jayadratha and to be vigilant in protecting him. They had warned him about Drona's intention. So he asked Yudhishthira how he could disregard their command. He also consoled Yudhishthira not to have any fear about Arjuna's safety because no one could defeat him. The Sindhu king and the others would not be able to cope with even a sixteenth part of Arjuna. Saying so, Satyaki requested Yudhishthira to consider well before he commanded him to leave. 

Yudhisthira replied that he had thought it over well and had weighed the danger against the need and had concluded that Satyaki should go to help Arjuna. He had Bhima, Dhrishtadyumna and many others to protect him. So saying, Yudhishthira placed a boxful of arrows and other weapons in Satyaki's chariot and got fresh horses yoked thereto and sent Satyaki uttering benedictions on him. Satyaki asked Bhimasena to be in charge of Yudhishthira and went to join Dhananjaya. Satyaki met with violent resistance as he proceeded to dash through the Kaurava forces, but he cut his way through bearing down all opposition. But the resistance was very stiff and his progress was slow. When Drona saw Satyaki part with Yudhishthira, he began to assault the Pandava formation without rest or interval, until it began to break and retreat. Yudhishthira was greatly agitated.

Class Participation:

The children have started their presentation of the Indian State they had selected. They have been doing a wonderful job presenting and speaking up in front of the class. The children have also been participating attentively in these discussions.

Aarathi: We assembled at the main prayer hall for aarathi and concluding prayers.

On April 21st, we had grade 7 perform their monthly program. On April 28th, we had a presentation on Earth day.

Thank you! See you on Friday May 5th, 2023.

Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi Hari and Anupama Sivakumar 

Friday Grade 6 sevikas