Hari Om All,
Summary of Dec 13, 2020 Class.
We started off with Draupadi Swayamvara at Kaampilya. The pandavas attended this Swayamvara disguised as Brahmins. The challenge was to shoot a rotating fish suspended in a device that was rotating high above a pond by looking at its reflection in the pond. There were 5 arrows to be used and a bow to be strung before anyone could shoot. There were many able kings like Shalya, Shisupala and Jarasanda who tried but failed. Karna also attempted but was rejected by Draupadi even before he tried. Eventually, Arjuna was able to succeed in the challenge and win Draupadi.
We did an exercise to discuss why Arjuna was successful. The hardwork, intense practise and focus was what made him successful.
Later, when pandavas came back to Kunti with draupadi. There was a discussion also held about how Kunti asked pandavas to share whatever they got without looking. The lesson we need to derive is to look before saying anything.
Soon after, everyone came to know that pandavas were alive and won draupadi. Dritarashtra decided to give pandavas some ruins (kandharaprastha). Pandavas converted this into a prosperous city - Indraprastha. Yudhishtara also did a big yajna called Rajasuya yajna. Seeing this prosperity Kauravas decided to trap them with a game of dice. Pandavas lost their entire kingdom and themselves in the dice game. They also lost Draupadi. Draupadi was insulted in the assembly and none but Krishna saved her when she needed it. We discussed that it is calamitous to insult a woman and why she was a "Karan Janma" - born with a purpose to destroy Kauravas (Evil). The pandavas were then freed. We also discussed the pitfalls of Gambling.
The pandavas were trapped again in a game of dice. They were then sent to an exile for 13 years. We started the story of Yaksha prashna.
We did Geeta chanting for the day.
Pranams,
Partha & Nikhita
