Dear Parents,
We had our first Spirit Day session of fun activities for the last half hour of class. It was an interesting game of solving riddles that point to common household items, and collecting as many of those items to show and score points.
This week's schedule was 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)
Śloka:
Mahishasura mardhini- Learned verses 3 & 4.
Mahabharata:
We started Bheeshma Parvā, a crucial point in the Mahābhārata. With the armies at warfront, and its warriors ready to change the course of destiny, this Parvā is the start of the epic war at Kurukshetra.
Field of Kurukshetra: With the armies stationed in their respective sides of the battlefield, the warriors decided to set the rules to be followed in the course of battle. The night before the first day of battle, Sage Vyasa asked Dhritarashtra if he wished for sight to be restored, to witness the war. Dhritarashtra, knowing fully well the grave outcome of the war, refused the offer. Instead Sanjaya was given 'inner sight' - where he would see, in his mind's eye, the happenings on the battlefield, including the thoughts of those on the warfront. Dhritarashtra was to be given a play-by-play of everything that happened by Sanjaya.
Yudhisthira's chivalry: As the first day of war dawned, and the Pandavas and Kauravas took their respective positions on the battlefield, resplendent in their glowing armor and mighty weapons. As Yudhisthira took a quick glance around at the opposition, he quietly got down from the chariot, removing his armor and weapons. While his actions puzzled his brothers, it was Krishna who reassured them that Yudhisthira was not surrendering to the opposition, but offering his humble prostrations to his elders, and also receive their blessings. All the other Pandavas and Krishna followed Yudhisthira, in a mark of solidarity and respect. Bheeshma, Drona and Kripa gave them heartfelt blessings and also commended them on their Dharmic stand, even in the face of war. After they returned to their chariots and resumed their war stances, the conches were blown, and drums and trumpets sounded loud and clear.
Bhagavad Gita: Arjuna, on the second tier of the Vajra Vyuha, asked Krishna to take him closer to the Kaurava army. He wanted a better look at how to attack such formidable opponents. As Krishna drove closer, Arjuna's resolve withered. He confessed that a weakness was stealing over him, rendering him incapable of fighting his own flesh and blood. While Krishna gave him answers to all his questions, he also showed his divine Vishwaroopam, to let Arjuna understand that his words were that of the Supreme, the One Distinct.
These words have been immortalized as the Gita, that we now thrive to follow as our guide in our every thought and action. A PowerPoint file will be added to the google classroom with slides on the Gita, as discussed in class.
Please have the children do their daily prayers regularly and also practice the ślokas and Gita chanting.
See you all on Friday February 26, 2021.
Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi and Nivedita
Friday Grade 6 sevikas
