Hari OM,
This week we started our class with prayers. We learnt to chant the fifth verse of the Mahishasura Mardini stotram. We then had a discussion on the preparation for our Class Program on Apr 18. The script for one of the plays was completed in this class and the others will be completed by next class. In the next class we will do rehearsal of the scripts with roles assigned to different students.
This was followed by the continuation of the Mahabharata:
- In the evening, Lord Krishna tells Daruka to prepare his chariot with his weapons just in case. Arjuna contemplates his vow to kill Jayadratha and prays to Lord Shiva to bless him with the divine astras to be successful. Yudhishtira is worried about Arjuna's well-being but Lord Krishna reassures him that he is there and will not let Arjuna fail.
- On the fourteenth day, Drona again organizes his army in the impenetrable chakravyuha formation. Arjuna and Krishna face Drona at the entrance to the formation and Arjuna fights Drona for a very long time. Eventually Lord Krishna reminds Arjuna that time cannot be wasted if he is to fulfill his vow, and advises Arjuna to escape the fight mid-battle and continue into the Kaurava formation. Arjuna is also challenged by Kritavarma and is able to destroy his army, before making haste to avoid wasting time. Seeing Arjuna's progress, Duryodhana laments that Drona purposefully did not kill Arjuna because of his fondness for his favorite student. Drona is hurt by these words, and tells Duryodhana to fight Arjuna himself instead of criticizing.
- Drona gives Duryodhana, a divine armor to protect himself. Meanwhile Drona resumes his task of trying to capture Yudhisthra but is held off by Dhristadyumna and Satyaki. Arjuna and Krishna realize that their horses are tired and let them rest to drink water. Even on foot, Arjuna is able to defeat all the Kauravas who attack him. Arjuna then gets back into his chariot and is stopped by Duryodhana. Duryodhana puts up a valiant effort but Arjuna defeats him and Duryodhana flees the battle. Arjuna then begins fighting eight Kaurava heroes simultaneously including Bhoorisravas, Karna, Kripa, Salya, Ashwattama. The fight goes on for a long time. Yudhishtra senses that Arjuna may be in danger and is very worried that he will suffer the same fate as Abhimanyu the previous day.
- Yudhishthira pleads with Satyaki and Bhima to go and assist Arjuna in his quest to kill Jayadrata. Satyaki and Bhima arrive as reinforcements. Bhima has a memorable duel with Karna, who at first appears to not try his best. However once Bhima kills several more of Duryodhana's brothers, Karna becomes emotional and easily defeats Bhima. Karna is about to kill Bhima but remembers his promise to Kunti that he would not kill any other Pandava. Instead, Karna merely insults Bhima and leaves the battle.
- Bhoorisravas and Satyaki have a memorable fight, and Bhoorisravas is able to defeat Satyaki. Bhoorisravas is about to kill Satyaki while he is unconscious but Arjuna stops him and criticizes the adharmic style of fighting. Bhoorisravas realizes his mistake and sits down in contemplation, and Satyaki in turn kills the defenseless Bhoorisravas in retaliation.
Pranaams!
Krishna and Vijay
