Dear Parents,
This class was a short one, owing to the 9th grade presentation. The schedule went as such.
Opening Prayers:
* Om Sahanā vavatu śloka
* Om Sree Ganeśaya Namaha, Sree Saraswatyai Namaha, Sree Sat Gurubhyo Namaha.
* Daily prayers (as given in the 'My Prayers' book)
Mahabharata:
In the final chapters of Virāta Parvā now, as we approach the battle between Prince Uttar Kumar and the Kaurava army, as the latter, seek to expose the identity of the Pandavas and renew their Vanavās for another 12 years.
Ashwattama had laid down his weapons, refusing to fight with the Kauravas. Bheeshma and Drona took turns pacifying the angered Ashwattama, while gently rebuking the Kauravas and Radheya for their brash comments. In the spirit of uniting the army, Radheya and Duryodhana apologized to the elders - receiving their blessings and elevating the morale of all. At this time, Bheeshma also took the opportunity to inform Duryodhana that the Pandavas had successfully completed more than the required 13 years, and stated his implicit trust in his nephew, the upholder of Dharma and truth - Yudhisthira. If the Pandavas revealed themselves, it was because they had completed their Vanavās already.
Meanwhile, Bheeshma formulated a battle plan - to disallow Arjuna from ever combatting with Duryodhana. He created a Vajravyuha(phalanx like) formation, with Radheya, Ashwatthama, Kripa, Drona and himself to lead in the fight. Duryodhana was asked to head back to Hastinapura with a small contingent of soldiers, and another small contingent was asked to take the acquired cattle from Virāta back to Hastinapura.
Arjuna viewed all this from his vantage point, discovering to his awe, that Bheeshma was still the ace that he was at battle strategy. While looking at the army of foes, he realized that Duryodhana was missing. A quick survey found Duryodhana fleeing the scene, and moving in the direction of Hastinapura, with Arjuna taking the opportunity to give chase. Surrounded by the Kaurava army, Arjuna, without much effort, was able to defeat the entire lot. To avoid bloodshed, he released the Sammohana weapon, to relieve the attacking army of their senses for a brief period. The young prince Uttar Kumar then removed some of the fine silk garments from the 'fainted' and together they exited the battle scene towards Virāta. As the Kaurava army came around, they realized their defeat and found their way back home.
Arjuna and Prince Uttar Kumar then restored the weapons at the Sami tree, switched places, and headed back with the silent agreement that Arjuna's role in the battle would not be revealed until his true identity was revealed. Meanwhile in Virāta, the King was upset that the young prince had no one but a eunuch to help him in a battle against immense war veterans, but Yudhisthira's (Kanka) comforting words alleviated some of his worry. The news of his son's victorious return gave him so much pride that he flung a pair of dice at Yudhisthira for having attributed the success to Brihannala. Sairendri, being nearby, rushed to ensure Yudhisthira's safety and nursed his wound. King Virāta was oblivious to the identity of his year-long guests, and that was to change imminently.
The following day, dressed in royal garb, the Pandavas enters the Virāta court, where Yudhisthira took the throne with Draupadi at his side. The King and his courtiers, upon learning of their true identities, served them with utter humility and gratitude. Upon learning that it was Arjuna who defeated the army, the King decided to give his daughter in marriage to him. Instead, Arjuna decided that his son Abhimanyu would marry her. With much pomp and fanfare, the marriage of Prince Abhimanyu and Princess Uttara took place.
Krishna, Balarama, Satyaki, Drupada, Dhrishtadhyumna, Śikhandi and many other allies visited the Pandavas in the city of Matsya city of Upaplavya offering them their allegiance and vast armies.
This war was inevitable. Was it ego that caused this? Did Draupadi play a central role resulting in the war? If Krishna what foreseen the Kurukshetra war, why did he not take steps to prevent it?
Bhagavad Gita: Chanted verses 13&14 with Swamiji.
We missed informing last week that the childrens' presentations on two temples and a personal visit(while in India) had commenced. We had our first presentation on the 11th, with each child presenting for approximately 10 minutes or so on their research topics.
Please have the children do their daily prayers regularly and also practice the ślokas and Gita chanting.
Wish you all a wonderfully blessed 2021 and pray it brings us good health, and happiness!
See you all on Friday January 8, 2021.
Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi and Nivedita
Friday Grade 6 sevikas
