Please find the below update from our class on Friday, June 2, 2023. This was our last class for the year.
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!
ASHWATHAMA
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.
AVENGED
Ashwatthama told Duryodhana that all the Panchalas had been slaughtered. The sons of the Pandavas had also been killed. The entire army of theirs had been destroyed and only seven survived on the Pandava side. Duryodhana on hearing this, slowly opened his eyes and, with struggling breath, gasped out these words that he had indeed done something that Bhishma or Karna could not achieve. His heart was gladdened and saying that Duryodhana died.
When Yudhishthira saw the unexpected destruction of his army because of the attack during sleep, he gave way to grief and broke down: At the very moment of victory, they had been totally defeated. Draupadi's children, who survived the onslaught of the formidable Karna, had been crushed and destroyed like vermin. Draupadi was overwhelmed by inconsolable grief. She came to Dharmaputra's side and wept and wanted them to avenge her children's slaughter.
When she said this, the Pandavas immediately went out in search of the murderer. They looked for him in all sorts of places and found him, at last, on the bank of the Ganga, hiding himself behind Vyasa. When he saw the Pandavas and Janardana approaching, Aswatthama quietly took up a blade of grass and charged it with the mantra of destruction and sent it forward to destroy the race of the Pandavas. It went straight to the womb of Uttara who bore in her the son of Abhimanyu. The race of the Pandavas would have been destroyed thereby but for the intervention of Sri Krishna who saved the child in the mother's womb. This child was Parikshit who was later crowned by Yudhishthira when the Pandavas retired to the forest.
Aswatthama gave out the shining jewel, which was part of his head to Bhima, acknowledging his defeat, and went away to the forest. Bhima took the great jewel and, going to Draupadi gave it to her and said that Ashwatthama had been vanquished. Draupadi took the jewel and, going up to Yudhishthira bowed and said that it would befit him to wear it in his crown.
WHO CAN GIVE SOLACE?
WHEN the battle was over, Hastinapura was a city of mourning: all the women and children were weeping and lamenting their slain, nearest, and dearest. With many thousands of bereaved women accompanying, Dhritarashtra went to the field of battle. At Kurukshetra, the scene of terrible destruction, the blind king thought of all that had passed and wept aloud. Sanjaya asked Dhritarashtra to arrange for proper funeral ceremonies for the dead. Vyasa also approached Dhritarashtra and tenderly consoled him. He said that henceforth Yudhishthira was his son. Making his way through the crowd of weeping women Yudhishthira approached Dhritarashtra and bowed before him. Dhritarashtra embraced Yudhishthira, but there was no love in that embrace. Then Bhimasena was announced to the blind king. When Bhima came near the king, Krishna gently pushed him away and placed an iron figure before the blind Dhritarashtra, knowing the old king's exceeding anger; Dhritarashtra hugged the metal statue to his bosom in a firm embrace and then the thought came to him of how this man had killed every one of his sons, and his wrath increased to such a pitch that the image was crushed to pieces in his embrace.
Krishna then told the lamenting king that he had not killed Bhima but only crushed an iron image. The king was composed somewhat, and he blessed Bhima and the other Pandavas who then took leave of him and went to Gandhari. Vyasa was with Gandhari and asked her not to be angry with the Pandavas. She said she was not angry with them but only that in Vasudeva's presence, Bhima called Duryodhana to battle, and they fought and knowing that Duryodhana was stronger and could not be defeated in single combat, Bhima struck him below the navel and killed him. Vasudeva was looking on. This was wrong and it was that she found it impossible to forgive.
Bhima, who heard this, came near her and said that he only did it to save himself in battle. He also narrated all the wrongdoings that had happened including what they had done to Draupadi. He sought her forgiveness. Gandhari mentioned that if only he had saved at least one of her sons, she would have found solace.
She then asked for Yudhishthira. Hearing this, Yudhishthira trembled as he, with clasped hands, approached Gandhari, whose eyes were bound in a napkin in loyal lifelong penance for her husband's blindness. He bowed low before her and touched her feet. Gandhari heaved a deep sigh and stood mute. She turned her head aside knowing that through the cloth with which her eyes were bound, her vision fell on the prostate Yudhishthira and he would be reduced to ashes on the spot. But through a little space in the napkin, even as she turned her face away, her eyes fell on the toe of the prostate Yudhishthira. At once the toe was charred black. Arjuna knew the power of bereaved Gandhari's wrath and hid himself behind Vasudeva. The wise and good Gandhari suppressed all her anger and blessed the Pandavas and sent them to Kunti. Gandhari turned to Draupadi, who was in lamentation, having lost all her sons and asked her not to grieve. There was no solace for her and Draupadi.
YUDHlSHTHlRA'S ANGUISH
THE Pandava's performed the til-and-water ceremonies for the peace of the souls of the dead warriors and camped on the bank of the Ganga for a month. One day, Narada appeared before Yudhishthira. Yudhishthira told Narada that although the kingdom had come into his possession, he had lost all his men and sons who were dear
He now knew that Karna was their brother and that bothered Yudhishthira that they had killed their own brother. Karna kept his promise to their mother that he would abstain from killing them and Yudhishthira's mind was deeply troubled. Narada told him all about Karna and the curses that had been pronounced on him on various occasions. Once, when Karna saw that Arjuna was superior to him in archery, he approached Drona and entreated him to teach him how to wield the Brahmastra. Drona declined saying it was not open to him to instruct any but a brahmana of faultless conduct or a kshatriya who had purified himself by much penance. Thereupon, Karna went to the Mahendra hills and deceived Parasurama by saying that he was a brahmana and became his disciple. From him he obtained instruction in archery and the use of many astras. One day, when Karna was practising with his bow in the forest near Parasurama's asrama, a brahmana's cow was accidentally hit and killed. The brahmana was angry and uttered a curse on Karna that in battle, his chariot-wheels would stick in the mud, and he would be done to death.
Parasurama was exceedingly fond of Karna and taught him all the archery he knew and instructed him fully in the use and the withdrawal of the Brahmastra. One day, however, he discovered that the disciple was not a brahmana. It happened thus: an insect hit a hole into Karna's thigh when, one afternoon the teacher had fallen asleep on Karna's lap. Karna bore the acute pain quietly and did not stir lest the master should wake up. The warm blood trickling from the wound woke up Parasurama. When he saw what had happened, he was angry because he knew that Karna had lied. So, he cursed him that at the time when he needed most, the knowledge of the astras would fail him and whatever he had learnt would not be available for him.
Karna was free in making gifts. One day, Indra, who was Arjuna's father, came in the garb of a brahmana and begged Karna for a gift of the divine earrings and armor with which he had been born. Karna took them out and gave them away accordingly. From that time, Karna's strength was reduced. So, Narada comforted Yudhishthira that he had not caused Karna's death.
Kunti also tried to comfort Yudhishthira saying that Karna's father the Sun god and her had pleaded with him to give up Duryodhana and join the Pandavas. But Karna had refused. Yudhishthira felt his mother had deceived them by hiding the truth about Karna's identity. He cursed that women may never be able to keep a secret henceforth.
YUDHISHTHIRA COMFORTED
YUDHISHTHIRA'S pain of mind increased every day as he thought of all the kinsmen that had been killed. He was stricken with intense remorse and decided he must give up the world, go to the forest and do penance to expiate his sin. All his brothers opposed the idea and insisted that the path of work was the right one to follow and the way of sanyasa was beset with difficulties. Draupadi also said that it was right they killed Duryodhana and his men. Among the duties of a king included the inflicting of just punishment. It cannot be avoided and was an essential part of the ruler's duty. It was now his sacred duty to take up the burden of governing the land according to dharma.
Then Vyasa spoke to Yudhishthira at length and explained where his duty lay, pointing out precedents, and persuaded him to go to the city and take up the burden of ruling the land. Yudhishthira was duly crowned at Hastinapura. Before taking up the duties of the State, Yudhishthira went to where Bhishma lay on his bed of arrows awaiting his death and took his blessing and instruction in dharma. This instruction of Bhishmacharya to king Yudhishthira is the famous Santiparva of the Mahabharata. After the discourse was over, Bhishma's soul passed out. The king went to the Ganga and offered libations, in accordance with ancient custom, for the peace of the departed soul.
After the ceremony was over, Yudhishthira went up to the bank. There, as he stood for a while, all the tragic events came back to his mind, and overcome by intense grief, he fell senseless on the ground, like an elephant struck down by the hunter. Bhima went up to his big brother and caressed him tenderly and spoke to him with soothing words. Dhritarashtra also came up and consoled Yudhishthira saying that he was his son now and that he achieved victory in battle in accordance with the dharma of warriors. His duties pertaining to that victory awaited his attention and asked him not to grieve.
Yudhishthira rules
When the Pandavas won and obtained the kingdom, they treated their old uncle Dhritarashtra with utmost respect. They did nothing to make him feel humiliated. Yudhishthira issued no orders except with Dhritarashtra' s approval. He conducted himself to give Dhritarashtra the feeling that in truth the kingdom was ruled on his behalf, and he was still the supreme authority. Gandhari who had lost all her sons was looked after by Kuntidevi with sisterly love and devotion. Draupadi dutifully took care of them both.
Yudhishthira had instructed his brothers most strictly that nothing should be done to cause the slightest pain to their uncle. The brothers, with the exception of Bhima, followed his orders faithfully. Bhima on some occasions said hurtful words that grieved both Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, but they were comforted by Kuntidevi. Fifteen years passed in this manner.
Dhritarashtra, unknown to the Pandavas, secretly fasted and underwent hard penances. Gandhari too observed many fasts. Dhritarashtra mentioned to Yudhishthira his desire to leave the kingdom and go to the forest for penance. That shocked Yudhishthira and he said that he would go with them to the forest to serve them as it would give him joy and peace of mind. Although Dhritarashtra was deeply moved, he still sought Yudhishthira's permission to retire to the forest. Yudhishthira trembled if he had caused any offense to his uncle for him to come to that decision. Vyasa who came there at that moment comforted Yudhishthira and asked him to let his uncle do as he desired and retire to the forest. The dharma of the kings was either to die in battle or to spend their last days in retirement in the forest. Finally, Yudhishthira consented to his uncle's request.
Krishna passes away
Krishna ruled Dwaraka for thirty-six years after the Kurukshetra battle. The Vrishnis, the Bhopas and other branches of the Yadavas belonging to Krishna's tribe spent their days in unrestrained self-indulgence and luxury. Once, some rishis came to Dwaraka. The Yadavas mocked the rishis and incurred a curse that would destroy their tribe. Soon, the curse came true. The Yadavas had gathered for some leisure – a fight ensued between Kritavarma who had supported the Kaurava army and Satyaki who had supported the Pandava army. That fight led to the slaughter of all the Yadavas. Balarama on seeing this was overwhelmed with shame and disgust. He sank to the ground and passed away. Krishna, when he saw the passing of Balarama, roamed about in deep meditation in the wilderness. One day as he was resting under a tree, a hunter saw Krishna, but he mistook for an animal resting on the ground. He shot his arrow and it pierced Krishna's foot and went full through his body. Thus did the great Vasudeva depart from the world of men.
Yudhishthira's final trial
The death of Vasudeva and the Yadavas reached the Pandavas, and they lost all remaining attachment to life on Earth. They crowned Parikshit, son of Abhimanyu as emperor and the five brothers along with Draupadi left the city and went on a pilgrimage. They visited holy places and finally reached the Himalayas. A dog followed them and kept them company all along. As the toiled up the mountain path, one by one fell exhausted and died. Draupadi, Sahadeva and Nakula, followed by Arjuna and then Bhima were released from their mortal body. Yudhishthira kept moving for the light of Truth burned bright before him. Finally, when he reached a great height, Indira appeared in his chariot to take Yudhishthira to swarga. He did not allow the dog that followed him all along to enter the chariot, but Yudhishthira refused to enter if the dog was not allowed. On hearing this, the dog vanished from sight. It was Dharma who had come to test Yudhishthira's loyalty and was pleased with his son's conduct.
When Yudhishthira reached Swarga, he saw Duryodhana seated on a beautiful throne, but did not see his brothers, Draupadi, Abhimanyu, Karna, the Panchala princes, and other warriors. So, he demanded to be taken where they were. A messenger took Yudhishthira along a dark, gloomy path of slippery slime of blood and offal. The path was strewn with carrion and bones. The foul odors were sickening. Yudhishthira was horrified and confused. Soon he heard voices of lamentation around him, and the voices identified themselves as Draupadi, Karna, Arjuna, Bhima, Nakula and Sahadeva.
Yudhishthira could not bear to see the sight and angrily asked what sin they had committed to be in hell. He commanded the messenger to go back to his masters and said that he would stay with his brothers. Thus passed the thirteenth part of a day. Indra and Yama appeared before Yudhishthira where he stood in anguish. When they came, the darkness rolled away and the horrid sights disappeared.
Yama then told his son that it was the third time he had tested him. He chose to remain in hell for the sake of his brothers. He explained it was not hell, but an illusion that he had to suffer the pangs of hell for the thirteenth part of a day. Thus, Yama transfigured Yudhishthira to a god. The mortal frame was gone. Then Yudhishthira saw Karna and all his brothers and the sons of Dhritarashtra serene and free from anger, all having attained the state of good. In this reunion, Yudhishthira at last found peace and real happiness.
Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi Hari and Anupama Sivakumar
Friday Grade 6 sevikas
