Hari OM,
This week we started our class with prayers. We continued learning Mahishasura Mardini stotram in this class. Everyone in the class was asked to chant the first verse until they were comfortable with the pronunciation. This was followed by a Quiz on Mahabharata. The class was very enthusiastic about this and were able to answer almost all the answers!
This was followed by the continuation of the Mahabharata:
- The first day of the war begins with much fighting and bloodshed. Uttara Kumara, son of Virata, is killed by Shalya. Shweta, the other son of Virata, is also killed as he tries to avenge his brother's death. Bhishma wreaks havoc on the Pandavas and no one is able to contain him. At the day's end, Yudhishtra is overcome with depression at the thought of the coming days and further death. However, Lord Krishna consoles him and says that Sikhandi will be responsible for the fall of Bhishma soon enough.
- On the second day, the Pandavas mount a comeback due to the efforts of Bhima, Arjuna, Abhimanyu, and Ghatotkacha. Arjuna, with Lord Krishna, rains arrows across the battlefield. Duryodhana despairs that Bhishma is purposefully holding back against Arjuna due to his affection for the Pandavas. Stung by Duryodhana's cruel words, Bhishma is invigorated but by then the day's fighting is over with the Pandavas having gained ground.
- On the third day, there looks to be a great battle ensuing between Arjuna and Bhishma, but Arjuna does not appear to give it his utmost devotion. Lord Krishna, seeing this, tells Satyaki that he must consider breaking his vow in order to defeat Bhishma. Lord Krishna jumps down from the chariot and shows his divine form with the Sudarshana Chakra. Bhisma is overjoyed at the sight of the Lord of the Universe and wants nothing more than to die at the hands of the divine, as he is tired of living.
- Bhishma welcomes Lord Krishna's fighting, but Arjuna intervenes and apologizes profusely for his lack of courage. Arjuna tells Lord Krishna that he will no longer be hesitant in his fighting with Bhishma. Finally, Lord Krishna does not break his vow and re-enters the chariot, but by then the third day is finished.
- Duryodhana is wondering whether Bhishma is actually up to the task of fighting, and laments that his dear friend Karna is not fighting instead.
We concluded the class by practicing to chant the first 2 verses of Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 2. We also learnt two new verses 19-20 in this class. This was followed by the Chinmaya Pledge.
Pranaams!
Krishna and Vijay
