Dear Parents,
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)
Mahabharata:
Fourth Day: The day dawned to newer battles - Abhimanyu, Arjuna, Dhrishtadhyumna killing Śala's son, and facing Śala's wrath. While Bheema joined the ranks and wreaked havoc on the elephants, Duryodhana tried to ward off his onslaught on the army. Bheema took advantage of his position, and managed to kill 8 of Duryodhana's brothers and also break Duryodhana's bow with a knife-shaped arrow. In angered retaliation, Duryodhana fired a sharp arrow with such force that it hit Bheema on the chest, throwing him off his feet. Ghatotkacha ran to his father's aid, paving a bloody mess of Kaurava soldiers in the process. As it got closer to sunset and knowing that rakshasas (like Ghatotkacha) would only get stronger in darkness, Bheeshma and Drona decided to halt the fighting for the day.
Fifth Day: With each day came a different struggle on the battlefield for Duryodhana. But his plea to Bheeshma and Drona remained constant - use your entire might to protect the Kaurava army while destroying the Pandavas. While Satyaki and Bheema were attacked by Drona and Bheeshma, Śikhandi came to Satyaki's side and rained arrows on Bheeshma. Knowing fully well that Bheeshma would not fight a woman and move away, Drona attacked Śikhandi. Meanwhile Duryodhana sent a large army to kill Satyaki, who vanquished the entire lot in no time. Satyaki then charged towards Bhurisrivas, an enemity fueled by their respective elders. With his ten sons, Satyakitbought he could defeat Bhurisrivas. Being an unrivaled swordsman, Bhurisrivas managed to slay all ten sons and kept Satyaki at bay. Knowing the unfavorable outcome, Bheema quickly withdrew Satyaki from the battlefield. Arjuna was celebrated at the end of the day for killing off large numbers from the Kaurava army
Sixth day: Bheema entered the Kaurava vyuha and even stepped off his chariot, determined to kill more Kauravas. Seeing his friend disappear, Dhrishtadhyumna came to his help warding off all the forces that were closing in. Abhimanyu also joined the fight, with many chariots of their allies in tow. In the process, Bheema wounded Duryodhana, who fainted and was carried away by Kripa. Many were killed on both sides, with the Kauravas, again, facing more losses.
Seventh day: While Duryodhana was comforted by his grandfather's words of support, the armies stood in their respective positions, eager to resume the fighting. Bhishma opposed Arjuna, Drona and Virāta battled, Śikhandi and Ashwatthama were matched well, Duryodhana and Dhrishtadhyumna fought bravely, while Nakula and Sahadeva attacked their uncle Salya. With many duels raging on the battlefield, Virāta lost yet another son, Sanga. Śikhandi, beaten badly by Ashwatthama, quietly retreated in Satyaki's chariot. Kritavarma lost the fight against Bheema and fled on foot. While Bhagadatta won against Ghatotkacha, Salya and his forces lost against his nephews. While Dhrishtaketu survived the ninety six arrows from Bhurisrivas, Duryodhana's brothers lost badly against Abhimanyu. But their lives were spared, because they were meant to be killed by Bheema.
Eighth day: Bhima, once again, killed another sixteen of Duryodhana's brothers. While Arjuna bereaved the death of his son Iravan at the hands of the rakshasa Alāmbusa, he was reminded bod Vidura's words that both sides would experience terrible grief. At that moment he understood why Yudhisthira was fine with just 5 villages, a graceful tactic to avoid such unbearable loss of kith and kin. Ghatotkacha, angered that Iravan had fallen, ferociously attacked the Kauravas, targeting Duryodhana. A javelin meant to grievously wound Duryodhana was intercepted, killing an elephant. Fearing for Duryodhana's safety, Drona sent warriors to his side, while Yudhisthira sent Bheema to help his son.
Ninth day: Duryodhana was chided by Bheeshma for looking to win a war with no dharma on his side, and immediately placated him by telling him to fight like a Kshatriya for glory and honor. Despite big battles between Abhimanyu - Alāmbusa, and Satyaki - Ashwatthama, it was the swift advancing of Arjuna's chariot towards Bheeshma that caught the attention of the armies. Bheeshma was in full form, while Arjuna seemed hesitant to mortally wound his grandfather. Irritated at the poor show by Arjuna, Krishna leaped out of the chariot to finish the job himself. Bheeshma , with folded hands, was happy to be chosen to be killed by the Lord himself. But Arjuna quickly recovered from his shock and ran to Krishna, pleading for his forgiveness and vowing to fight his elders with honor and courage. Appeased, Krishna resumed his position as Partha's sarathy.
Bhagavad Gita: Chanted Chapter 2: verses 26-28 with Swamiji.
Please have the children do their daily prayers regularly and also practice the ślokas and Gita chanting.
See you all on Friday March 12th, 2021.
Pranāms,
Viji Lakshmi and Nivedita
Friday Grade 6 sevikas
