Hari Om ,
We started our class with 3 Om chantings, followed by our regular shlokas.
We continued with our study of the Saints of India. This week, we had 2 presentations. The first one was on Saint Kabira, who was born in 1398. He was the adopted son of a poor Muslim weaver couple. He was drawn towards Ramamnanda's teachings who initially refused to take him as his disciple, but eventually deeply touched by his devotion, they accepted him. Kabira was very generous and immersed in the thoughts of God. His compositions are eye openers and are called Kabira ke Dohe. He lived for more than 100 years. In one of his dohas he says, "When you were born, you cried whereas others rejoiced. When you die, make sure that you smile while the world weeps for you". Kabira condemned mechanically engaging in idol worship and prayers.
The next presentation was on Saint Tulsidas. He was born in 1497 to a Hindu couple in Rajapur, India. When he was born, instead of crying, he uttered the word "Rama". He wrote many works, such as the poem Ramcharitamanas, and Hanuman Chalisa, a devotional hymn addressed to Hanuman, and more. In several of his pieces, Swami Tulsidas briefly mentions that he has met Lord Rama and Hanuman. He founded the Sankatmochan temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in Varanasi, which is believed to be the place where he had sight of the deity.
Mahabharata continues- Draupadi, with her mane unraveled, stood in front of the elders in raging fear. She did not know the reason why she was dragged to the court, or why none of her husbands responded to her disgraced position. All the unasked questions in her eyes made Dussasana smirkingly admit that her husband had wagered her in a game of dice and lost, and that she was now a slave of the Kauravas along with her husbands. She turned to Bhishma, questioning him if she was a slave. Bhishma has no answer for her.
Vikarna, one of the Kaurava brothers, could take no more. He stood up for Draupadi and declared that she was not a fair wager, and that she could not be a slave to the Kauravas. This angered Radheya, who defied Vikarna and asked him not to interfere in a matter beyond his scope. He also spoke of how Draupadi could act so modest being the wife of five men. He then suggested that a slave should dress like a slave and not wear royal garments, prompting all the Pandavas to shed their royal robes. When Dusshasana suggested the same to Draupadi, she gave him a menacing glance. This did not stop him from attempting to disrobe her. Knowing fully well that her husbands and the court elders would not come to her rescue, she called out to the one Lord that she knew would protect her. Her prayer to Krishna reached the ears of all present, while Dusshasana was pulling her saree away from her. All the elders and the Pandavas closed their eyes, not willing to be a spectator of this gruesome scene. Little did they know that Krishna, the ever present savior, was there in spirit to protect his sister. He never let her garment end, despite Dusshasana's fervor in disrobing Draupadi. Finally Dusshasana got tired, let Draupadi go. Bheema finally vowed to kill Dussasana, tear his heart out and drink his blood. Radheya orders Dusshasana to take her away to the servant's quarters. Poor Draupadi again implored that she was not a slave to all the elders present.
Everybody was scared of Duryodhana except for Vidura who kept saying that Vikarna was right. Duryodhana rubbed salt to the wound and suggested to Draupadi to pick one of the Kauravas as her husband. These words were like darts to Bheema. Duryodhana slyly displayed his left thigh to Draupadi suggesting she sit on it. This crude remark angered Bheema even more and he vowed to break the thigh of Duryodhana with his Gada and drink the blood from Dussasana's heart.
Radheya prodded Dussasana to take Draupadi to the women's quarters so that Duryodhana could take her for himself. Draupadi again appealed to all the elders present, Bheeshma, Drona, Dhritarashtra. No one spoke. Vidura again tried to ask Dhritarashtra to make peace but of no use. Bheema, now along with his vow also proclaimed that Arjuna will kill Radheya, and that Sahadeva will kill Shakuni in the war that is bound to happen. Arjuna and Sahadeva took up the challenge. Nakula, not to be left behind took a vow to kill Sakuni's son, Uluka. Flowers rained on the Pandavas. Dhritarashtra, realizing the seriousness of the situation, understood that his sons were doomed now. To appease Draupadi, he asked her to ask him for two boons. She requested him to release Yudhishthira for the first boon and the other Pandavas for the other boon. Dhritarashtra asked the Pandavas to forgive all of them, gave back all that was lost, and asked them to go back to Khandavaprastha.
Duryodhana was furious on seeing the Pandavas leave. He was sure that the Pandavas would seek revenge. He was also aware of the wrath of Drupada and Dhristadyumna on hearing the trauma Draupadi was put to. He suggested to his father to again invite the Pandavas for a game. The loser would go live in the forest for twelve years and the thirteenth year would be in disguise and if recognized, another twelve years in the forest. No one approved this, including Gandhari. But Dhritarashtra, again out of the love for his son abided by his request. The Pandavas were again invited and they again left for Hastinapur very well knowing the outcome.
The game was played, against the wishes of all the elders. It was to be only one game, with a mighty wager. The dice was rolled and the result was as expected. Yudhishthira accepted the outcome and asked his brothers and Draupadi to prepare for Vanavas. Vidura suggested Kunti to stay back in his house.
Vidura, disappointed at the turn of events, told Dhritarashtra to prepare for the death of his children, which was imminent. His words of warning were ignored earlier, which is why he needed to give Dhritarashtra the bitter truth of the near future. Yudhisthira covered his face in fear of razing the city to ashes with his angry look, Bheema looked at his hands while walking because he could only think of revenge, Arjuna spread sand as he walks to let them know that arrows would fall in a similar manner, Nakula and Sahadeva smeared themselves with ash and dust to be unrecognizable, while Draupadi walked weeping her eyes out and her hair loose, reminding the Kaurava wives of their similar plight in 13 years. Dhaumya, their guru, plucked Kusa grass and recited hymns from Saama Veda in praise of Yama and Rudra to show the funeral rites of the Kauravas. Hearing all this, peace left Dhritarashtra. He realized that his actions were going to reap terrible consequences that had already been set in motion.
This is the end of Sabha Parva.
We continued with our practice of Geeta chanting verses 21-24. We have also asked the kids to talk about Maha Shivaratri and Holi festivals next class.
See you all next week and wish you all a very happy Maha Shivratri!
Regards,
Raji and Rekha
