Hari OM,
!!HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
This week we started our class with prayers. We followed this with a description/discussion of the vast Scriptures associated with our Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism). These included the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Itihasas, Bhagavad Gita, Smritis and Darshana shastras. This helped the students realize the richness of our spiritual literature and the importance of knowing the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita.
This was followed by the continuation of the Mahabharata:
- The Pandavas call on their allies and amass 7 Akshauhinis. The brahman messenger to the Kauravas informs them of Yudhisthra's desire for peace and half of their deserved Kingdom. Bheeshma and Karna get into an argument, and Dhrithirashtra sends Sanjaya with their reply. Sanjaya's message to the Pandavas is met with disappointment and anger, and Lord Krishna vows to go himself as a peacemaker.
- Lord Krishna is received by Vidura and first consoles Kunti. Lord Krishna delivers the message of peace again to the Kauravas. Dhritharashtra and Gandhari also appeal to Duryodhana, but Duryodhana desires only to fight and, if fate ordains it, to die honorably as a kshatriya should on the battlefield.
We concluded the class by chanting the first 14 verses of Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 2. We also learnt two new verses 15-16 in this class. This was followed by the Chinmaya Pledge.
Reminder: Our next class is on Jan 24, 2021.
Pranaams!
Krishna and Vijay
