Please find the below update from our class on Friday, May 19th 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!
JAYADRATHA SLAIN
Sunset was approaching and Arjuna was not anywhere near Jayadratha. Duryodhana and the Kauravas felt confident that Arjuna would lose the oath and he would be disgraced enough to kill himself. With Arjuna gone, it would be easier to defeat the Pandavas. Duryodhana asked Karna to keep Arjuna away from reaching Jayadratha, but Karna was already wounded and tired fighting with Bhima. But he promised to put all his strength to fight Arjuna.
Arjuna was engaged in a great attack on the Kaurava army and putting forth all his strength, so that before sunset he could break through to Jayadratha. Krishna blew his Panchajanya in the rishabha swara, which was the signal for his own charioteer Daruka to arrive at once with his chariot. When it came, Satyaki took his place in it, and attacked Karna vigorously and skillfully, keeping him fully engaged. Karna's four chariot horses were disabled, and the charioteer was unseated. Then the flagstaff was broken, and the chariot was smashed. The great Karna stood chariotless and the event produced a great flutter in the Kaurava army. Karna had to run and climb up into Duryodhana's chariot.
Arjuna broke through the Kaurava opposition and reached Jayadratha. Inflamed by the thought of the slaughter of Abhimanyu, and all the great wrongs inflicted by the Kauravas, Arjuna fought with fury. Combat raged between Aswatthama and Arjuna and the other great warriors who protected Jayadratha. They were all defeated and could not prevent Arjuna from reaching Jayadratha. The attack on Jayadratha began and the battle raged long. Both sides were constantly looking westwards, for the day was nearing its end. The sun sank towards the horizon and reddened, but the battle did not cease. Everyone felt sure that the sun had set, and Arjuna had lost.
Jayadratha turned to the western horizon and thought within himself that he was saved for he did not see the sun then and thought the time-limit of danger from Arjuna was over. At that moment, however, Krishna said to Arjuna that he had caused the darkness and the sun had not set. As Jayadratha was looking at the horizon and off his guard, Krishna told Arjuna that it was the right moment to slay him.
A shaft flew from the Gandiva and carried away Jayadratha's head. Krishna asked Arjuna to send his shafts in swift relays, so that the head may be supported from falling to the earth and home into Vriddhakshatra's lap. And Arjuna sent his wonderful arrows which carried away the head in the air. It was a strange sight. Vriiddhakshatra was in his ashram sitting in the open absorbed in his evening meditation with eyes closed, when his son's head with beautiful black hair and golden earrings gently dropped into his lap. The old king finished his meditation and got up, when the head rolled down and fell on the ground. And, as ordained, Vriddhakshatra's head burst into a hundred fragments. Jayadratha and his father together reached the abode of the brave. Krishna, Arjuna, Bhima, Satyaki and others blew their conches and Dharmaraja who heard the triumphant noise knew that it meant that Arjuna had redeemed his oath and that Jayadratha had been slain. Then, Yudhishthira led his army fiercely against Drona.
DRONA PASSES AWAY
On the fourteenth day, when the sun set, they did not cease fighting but went on with it in torchlight. The generals and soldiers on both sides were engaged in battle, with thousands of torches burning and using signals specially devised for night-time. Ghatotkacha and his troops of asuras who are strongest at night, found darkness an additional advantage and violently attacked Duryodhana's army. Duryodhana's heart sank within him when he saw thousands of his men destroyed by Ghatotkacha and his demon army moving in the air and attacking in weird and unexpected ways. He asked Karna to kill him. Karna who had reserved the spear which Indira had given him to use it exclusively against Arjuna was impelled to use it against Ghatotkacha and killed him plunging the Pandavas in grief. Thus Arjuna was saved, but at great cost.
The battle did not stop. Drona spread fear and destruction in the Pandava army by his relentless attacks. Krishna told Arjuna that there was none who could defeat Drona unless dharma was discarded. If Drona heard that his son Aswatthama was dead, he would lose all interest in life and throw down his weapons. Someone had to tell Drona that fake news. Arjuna shrank in horror at the proposal as he could not bring himself to tell a lie. Yudhishthira stood for a while reflecting deeply and he consented to bear the burden of this sin. Bhima lifted his iron mace and brought it down on the head of a huge elephant called Aswatthama and it fell dead. After killing the elephant Aswatthama, Bhimasena went near the division commanded by Drona and roared that he had killed Aswatthama so that all could hear. Drona heard these words as he was in the act of discharging a brahmastra. He asked Yudhishthira the truth for he knew that Yudhishthira would not utter an untruth even for the kingship of the three worlds.
When Drona asked thus, Krishna was perturbed if Yudhishthira would utter the lie. Drona's brahmastra was of unquenchable potency and the Pandavas would be destroyed. Yudhishthira himself stood trembling in horror of what he was about to do, but within him also was the desire to win. He confirmed that Aswatthama has been killed. But, as he was saying it, he felt again the disgrace of it and added in a low and tremulous voice, "Aswatthama, the elephant"-words which were however drowned in the din and were not heard by Drona.
Sanjaya mentioned to the blind Dhritarashtra while relating the events of the battle to him that it was a great sin committed. When the words of untruth came out of Yudhishthira's mouth, the wheels of his chariot, which until then always stood and moved four inches above the ground and never touched it, at once came down and touched the earth. Yudhishthira, who till then had stood apart from the world so full of untruth, suddenly became of the earth, earthy. He too desired victory and slipped into the way of untruth and so his chariot came down to the common road of mankind.
When Drona heard that his beloved son had been slain, all his attachment to life snapped, and desire vanished as if it had never been there. He threw his weapons away and sat down in yoga on the floor of his chariot and was soon in a trance. At this moment Dhrishtadyumna, with drawn sword, came and climbed into the chariot and heedless of cries of horror and deprecation from all around he fulfilled his destiny as the slayer of Drona by sweeping off the old warrior's head. And the soul of the son of Bharadwaja issued out in a visible blaze of light and mounted heaven-wards. When we read them, our inner being is seized and cleansed, so to say, by being passed alternately through joys and sorrows, and we are finally lifted above both and taken to the Transcendent and Real.
THE DEATH OF KARNA
When Drona died, the princes of the Kaurava army installed Karna as Generalissimo. The battle again began. Arjuna led the attack on Karna, supported by Bhimasena immediately behind his chariot. Duhsasana made a concentrated attack on Bhima and sent a shower of arrows at him. Bhima remembered the wretched hand that held Draupadi by the hair. His anger blazed up uncontrollably and throwing down all his weapons, he jumped from his chariot and leapt upon Duhsasana and tore his arm out and threw the bleeding limb on the battlefield. And then he fulfilled the terrible oath he had taken thirteen years before. He sucked and drank the blood from his enemy's body like a beast of prey and danced on the ensanguined field, mad with passion.
The scene made everyone shudder. Even great Karna was shaken as he saw Bhima in this ecstasy of wrath, but Salya guided Karna and drove the chariot towards Arjuna. Aswatthama approached Duryodhana and earnestly asked him to end the battle, but Duryodhana refused. A great battle was fought between Karna and Arjuna. Karna sent a dazzling arrow which spat fire and made for Arjuna. Krishna at the nick of time, pressed the vehicle down five fingers deep in the mud, so that the serpent-shaft just missed Partha's head but struck off his helmet.
Arjuna was red with shame and anger, and he fixed a dart on his bow to make an end to Karna. And Karna's fated hour had come, and as had been foretold, the left wheel of his chariot suddenly sank in the bloody mire. He jumped down on the ground to lift the wheel up from the mud. Karna at that asked Arjuna to wait till he lifted the wheel out of the mud to have a fair battle as per dharma. Krishna intervened and asked him why he did not think of dharma when he uttered all the shameless acts towards the Pandavas and Draupadi in the past including the killing of Abhimanyu. Karna bent his head in shame and uttered not a word. He silently ascended the chariot leaving the wheel still stuck in the mud and took his bow and sent an arrow at Arjuna with unerring aim and such power that it stunned him for a moment.
Karna utilized the respite to jump down again and hurriedly tried to lift the chariot wheel up, but the curse was too strong for him, and fortune had deserted the great warrior. The wheel would not budge, though he strove with all his great strength. Then he tried to recall the mantras of mighty astras he had learnt from Parasurama, but his memory failed in the hour of his need. Krishna urged Arjuna to waste no time and to send his shaft and slay Karna. Arjuna hesitated to do what was not chivalrous. But when Krishna said this, Arjuna accepted this command of the Lord and sent an arrow which cut and severed the head of Karna.
DURYODHANA
WHEN Duryodhana heard of Karna's death, his grief knew no bounds. Kripacharya was deeply moved by Duryodhana's anguish of heart and said that it was still not late to make peace with the Pandavas, but Duryodhana did not agree with it. Salya was now made the supreme commander. The army was arrayed under his leadership and the battle raged fiercely. On the side of the Pandavas, Yudhishthira now led the attack personally against Salya. It astonished everyone to see how the man, who was till then the very incarnation of gentleness, fought so furiously. The battle was equal for a long while, when Yudhishthira hurled at Salya, his spear which went straight and killed him.
The surviving sons of Dhritarashtra, however, joined together and attacked Bhima from all sides. He slew them all. Sakuni led the attack on Sahadeva's division, but he was killed by Sahadeva. Sanjaya narrated everything to the blind old king.
Duryodhana, left almost alone, took up his mace and walked towards a pool of water. His whole frame was burning like fire, and water attracted him. Yudhishthira and his brothers arrived there in relentless pursuit of their great enemy. Yudhishthira asked him not to escape death by hiding in the pond but to come back and fight.
When Duryodhana heard the harsh and cruel words spoken by Dharmaputra, he at once rose from the water, mace in hand. Stepping out of the pool, the unfortunate Duryodhana asked them to fight with him one on one and not lead a combined attack. Yudhishthira sharply asked how he could lead a combined attack on Abhimanyu when he was standing alone with no weapons in hand. Yudhishthira told Duryodhana not to preach dharma and chivalry to others while he was facing misfortune.
The combat began between Bhima and Duryodhana. Sparks of fire flew when their maces clashed. Duryodhana and Bhima were equal in strength and skill, and the battle raged long, and the issue hung doubtful. Krishna said to Arjuna that Bhima would redeem the oath he swore in the Hall of Assembly and smash Duryodhana's thighs. Bhima heard this and, at that moment, the memory of the great outrage came vividly to his mind. He leaped like a lion and came down with his mace on Duryodhana's thighs and broke them and Duryodhana fell heavily on the ground, wounded to death. Bhima jumped on the prostrate body of his enemy, stamped on his head with his heavy foot and danced a terrible dance. Yudhishthira told Bhima it was not right to put his foot on Duryodhana's head as he was a prince and his cousin.
Duryodhana even in that critical moment of immense pain accused Krishna of base tricks to win the war. Krishna reminded him that greed and pride of power had led him to many wicked deeds, and he was reaping those results. Duryodhana was still full of anger and said that he would triumphantly go to swarga to join his friends and brothers who have gone there already. It is the Pandavas and Krishna with objects defeated who would remain as the object of contempt of all kshatriyas. When Duryodhana said this, flowers were showered down from the heavens by the gods. Inordinate desire took Duryodhana into the wrong path, whence ensued anger and numerous breaches of dharma; but no one could question the unconquerable spirit of Dhritarashtra's son.
THE PANDAVAS REPROACHED
WHEN the war was nearing its end, Balarama arrived at Kurukshetra after completing his tour of holy places. He came just when Bhima and Duryodhana were engaged in their last mortal combat. He saw Bhima aiming the deadly blow which broke Duryodhana's thighs, and his anger flamed up at this great breach of the rules of single combat, how a kshatriya could hit below the navel. He advanced towards the offending Bhima with upraised plough. The plough was Balarama's weapon on supreme occasions, as the discus was Krishna's. Krishna was alarmed when he saw his elder brother advancing in a passion towards Bhima. He rushed forward and, intercepting him and reminded him of all the insufferable wrongs that the Pandavas had to endure at the hands of Duryodhana, the insult of Draupadi, and Bhima's oath in the Assembly Hall, and Abhimanyu's brutal slaughter.
Krishna's words did not change Balarama's opinion, but his anger subsided. He said that Duryodhana would attain the happy regions reserved for the brave and Bhima's fame had been tarnished for all time. So, saying Balarama left for Dwaraka. Yudhishthira was greatly oppressed in mind. Arjuna, of penetrating intellect, was silent. He did not show approval of Bhima's act. Nor did he say anything by way of detraction. Duryodhana, who was stretched on the ground in intense agony was still very angry with Krishna for all the tricks he had played in killing Bhishma, Drona, Jayadratha and Karna and poured his denunciation against Krishna. Krishna agreed to what Duryodhana had said that the Pandavas could not have defeated him by fair means.
ASWATTHAMA
WHEN Aswatthama heard how Duryodhana lay mortally injured, and learnt the details of the combat, his righteous anger swelled like the sea. The deception, practiced by the Pandavas to bring about his father's end, had been rankling in his mind. Now, when he learnt how Duryodhana had been stricken down mortally against all rules of chivalry, he went to the spot where Duryodhana was lying and there took an oath that he would that night send the Pandavas to the abode of Yama. Duryodhana, who was in the last physical agony of departing life, was transported with joy when he heard Aswatthama take this oath. He immediately ordered those who stood nearby to install Aswatthama as Supreme Commander of the Army with due ceremony. Duryodhana said that he had all hopes in him now.
It was sunset and the forest was in utter darkness when under a big banyan tree Kripacharya, Kritavarma and Aswatthama halted for rest. They were so greatly fatigued that Kripacharya and Kritavarma fell fast asleep as soon as they lay down. But Aswatthama did not get sleep, for sorrow, indignation and hatred burnt within him. He decided to kill them while they were sleeping in their tents. When he mentioned this to Kripacharya, he was astonished. To attack men who have retired to sleep, had never been done before. The right thing would be to go to Dhritarashtra and wait for further commands. But Aswatthama was bent on carrying out the most treacherous task. Finally, Kripacharya and Kritavarma accompanied him to the tents where the Pandavas and the Panchalas were resting. Aswatthama leapt on the sleeping Dhristadyumna and, before he could put himself into a posture of defence, cruelly kicked him to death. The same process was relentlessly repeated until all the Panchalas and all the sons of Draupadi were killed one by one when they were plunged into sleep in their tents.
After having done this deed, the likes of which had never been considered possible among kshatriyas, Kripacharya, Kritavarma and Aswatthama came out of the tents and set fire to the camp. When the fire spread, the sleeping soldiers were awakened and fled hither and thither in confusion, and they were mercilessly slaughtered by Aswatthama. The three of them left to convey the news to Duryodhana.
Thank you! See you on Friday June 2nd, 2023.
Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi Hari and Anupama Sivakumar
Friday Grade 6 sevikas
