Dec 13, 2020 - Grade 8 (Sunday AM)

Dear Parents,  

Harih Om! 

The following material was taught to your child on Sunday, December 13, 2020 during Balavihar. 

1. Beginning Prayers 
2. The first four verses of Geeta Dhyanam were taught. Two children were asked to chant verses separately. 
3. The first 12 verses of Bhagavad Geeta chapter 2 were taught. 
4. We continued with Mahabharata Story –In spite of the victory, Yudhisthira was saddened by the colossal destruction of human life and suffering. Many people tried to to pacify him, but he remained dejected. Finally, Lord Krishna took him to the wounded Bheesma, who was resting on a bed of arrows created by Arjuna. Bhisma had the boon of "Iccha Mrityu" given by his father and he could choose the time of his death. He was waiting for the auspicious period of Uttarayanam to start to die. While lying on his death bed Bheesma, he taught Yudhisthira about a variety of topics which include but are not limited to how a king should rule, duties etc The Vishnu Sahasranamam prayer is was also sung by Bheesma during this time. Satisfied with what he learnt from Bheesma, Yudhisthira took leave of him and ruled his kingdom for 36 years. Meanwhile Krishna ruled Dwaraka for 36 years after the Kurukshethra war. The Vrishnis, Bhopas and other branches of the Yadavas spent their days in drinking, merriment and self-indulgence. Once a group of Rishis came to Dwaraka. The loud and drunk Yadavas made fun of the Rishis and dressed a young man as a woman. They then asked the Rishis if they could predict whether he/she would have a son or daughter. The Rishis saw through the prank and cursed the Yadavas and told them that the person would give birth to a mace which would be the reason for the destruction of the Yadavas. Lo and behold, the very next day the man gave birth to a mace. The frightened Yadavas crushed the mace into a million pieces and threw it into the ocean. The Yadavas continued with their merry ways and forgot about the mace. After some time, the strewn dust from the mace sprouted into a dense crop of rushes. One day after a long time the Yadavas went to the beach and spent the day getting drunk. Amongst the Yadavas were, Kritavarma who had fought on the side of the Kauravas and Satyaki who had fought on the side of the Pandavas. Soon the liquor began to work. Satyaki taunted Kritavarma and belittled him for attacking sleeping soldiers during the Kurukshetra war. Kritavarma scoffed at Satyaki for butchering Bhurisravas when he was seated in yoga. Soon the Yadavas were divided and  it was a free for all. Krishna's son Pradyumna too joined the fight  and he too was killed along with Satyaki. Soon Krishna came to scene and plucked the rushes which had grown from the mace. He laid them randomly around the beach and which got transformed into maces. The Yadavas fought viciously and all were killed. Balarama too entered yoga and passed away. Lord Krishna knew his time on this planet had come to an end. He fell asleep in the forest and a hunter who mistook his toe for an animal, pierced it with an arrow and so Lord Krishna disappeared. 
   When the Pandavas heard the news about Lord Krishn they lost their desire to spend another day on this plane. They crowned Abhimanyu's son Parikshit as the King. The five brothers along with Draupadi went on a pilgrimage visiting all holy places and finally reached the Himalayas. A dog joined them along the way. As they started climbing the mountain path one by one they (Draupadi, Sahadeva, Nakula, Arjuna & Bheema) fell exhausted and later died. Yudhishthira continued his journey with serenity knowing that he was not too far away from his destination. The dog too continued to accompany him. Finally, when he reached heaven, Indra stood by welcoming him into his chariot. As Yudhisthira got into the chariot, the dog too got into it. Indra insisted that the dog needed to disembark as there was no place in Swarga for dogs. However, Yudhisthira stayed firm and said that he would enter heaven only if the dog was permitted there as well. The dog disappeared and Yama Dharmaraja appeared in the dog's place. Yamraj told him that he was pleased with Yudhisthira (his son) and that he passed the test with flying colors. He blessed him for his 'sama dhristhi' and 'dharma nista'. The dog is representative of Dharma in our life. Dharma is the only constant companion in one's life. It is only our Dharmic acts which will accompany us when we leave this planet.
    Yudhisthira entered heaven and was stunned to see Duryodhana enjoying the heavenly pleasures seated on an ornate throne. He was horrified and said that he did not want to spend time with Duryodhana, the man who had limited vision and who had insulted Draupadi. The sight of Duryodhana in heaven greatly disturbed him. Sage Narada reprimanded Yudhisthira and told him that Duryodhana had earned a place in heaven based on his merits based on Kshatriya Dharma. And that in heaven, Yudhisthira should not have such feelings of animosity and hatred towards his cousin. To which Yudhisthira replied that if Duryodhana, a person who did not know right from wrong and who fed hatred and enmity had attained a place in the Swarga for warriors, then he (Yudhisthira) needed to be led to that better place in heaven where is brothers and Panchali who were all steadfast in Dharma were located. The attendant then led Yudhisthira to the place where his family were. The path was strewn with bones and there were decomposing human bodies.  He was led through a dark passage and he waded through blood and gore. Yudhisthira was confused and asked the attendant how far he needed to go. To which the attendant replied that if he wished he could turn back. As if reading his mind, familiar voices rose around him. They were the voices of his brothers and his family members. "Oh! Dharmaputra please do not go away. Your presence is a relief for us." Yudhisthira was bewildered! Hearing the voices of pain belonging to his family he felt he was deranged. He was angry and confused that his beloved family members who always followed their duty were in such a filthy place. He turned and told the attendant that he would stay with his family. When he announced this, suddenly amid the putrid odor a fragrant breeze blew. His father, Yama (the God of Dharma) appeared before him and smiled at him. He told him that he had continually tested him and that he had passed all the tests with flying colors. Suddenly, what appeared to be hell transformed into heaven. He was thrilled to see his brothers including Karna, his wife, his mother and all friends in heavenly planes while Duryodhana and other wicked people were in a demonic plane/hell. Yudhisthira attained peace by giving up his attachments and stayed in heaven. Thus,ends the great Mahabharata epic which is also known as Jaya. Jaya means victory or success. If we listen to the Mahabharatha with devotion and shraddha then one can achieve success or Jaya in all of life's endeavors.  
   
   
5. We then analyzed the important characters amongst the Pandavas and Kauravas. The children were asked to give their take on this topic and many responded with enthusiasm. 
   
6. "Yaksha Prashnas" : 

1. What is that quality of a person who is praiseworthy? The best quality of a person who is praiseworthy is dexterity. Skillfulness comes through repeated hard work. When one is efficient, one knows not to take short cuts, one is following Dharma and automatically one knows what to do with time. Hence for such a person, the result will always be success. 
2. What is best amongst riches? Knowledge is the best amongst riches because it is the only wealth the increases when we share it! Also, knowledge is a wealth that cannot be stolen, it cannot be divided nor can it be a burden! 
3. What is the best gain? Health is the best gain. Our body is a God given gift. We should not abuse this gift. We should take care of our health by regularly exercising, eating nourishing food, getting adequate sleep etc. Without good health, we cannot enjoy anything! 
4. What is the best amongst joys? Contentment is the best among joys. Once a material object has been acquired, the mind makes/creates new demands. This is an unending game. One should realize that constantly satisfying the cravings of the mind creates new demands. The intelligent and serious seeker realizes that if we constantly try to meet these demands of the fickle mind there will be no time left to seek and make time for achieving the divine goal of life. 
   
    
   
   We then concluded class with concluding prayers and pledge. 
   
    
   
   Thank you! 
   
   Sitaram Kuchibhotla 
   
   And  Mekhala Girish (Grade 8 Sunday A.M. sevaks)