Hari OM Parents,
Please find below updates from our class on Dec 6th.
We started our class with 3 OMs and the following slokas
Sahana Vavatu
Vakratunda Mahakaya
Saraswathi Namastubhyam
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu
We recited the Daily Prayers ( page#11) in the order of:
- Karagre Vasate
- Samudra Vasane
- Gange cha Yamune
- Sarasvati Namastubhyam
- Brahmaarpanam
- Shubham Karoti
- Kara-charana-krtam vak
Temples of India: We shared a brief presentation about temples of India and discussed their significance and how they help us, and their architecture.
Temples are the speed-breakers in the journey of our life. Temples serve as holy halls. When a devotee visits the temple and in a true spirit of devotion, kindled by the epics and Puranas, is inspired by the vision of the idol, the devotee feels a thrill of joy and inner peace. They serve as "speed breakers" to soften our hectic rush forward in life.
Temple Architecture: The term "Temple" or "aalayam" signifies where the individual soul merges with the Universal Soul, the Lord. It is the place where the ego (I and mine) gives way to the Supreme Spirit, which is symbolically represented by the idol installed in the temple.
The ancient texts on architecture classify temples into the Nagara or northern style and the Dravida or the Southern style. The northern style which developed in the fifth century is characterized by a beehive-shaped tower while the southern style has a pyramid-shaped tower.
Temples have five distinct portions. They are
* Garbhagrha (sanctum sanctorum) containing the image of God
* The Vimana (tower) over the sanctum
* Ardhamandapa in front of the sanctum
* Prakaaras (circumambulatory) around the sanctum
* The Gopuram (dome), the main gateway of the temple
Indian temples are only a reflection of the physical form of the human body. The sanctum sanctorum is the most important part of the temple. By concentrating on the image with appropriate mantras, the image becomes a storehouse of spiritual power from which flows a stream of grace to the soul of a devotee.
According to scientific theory, the sound produced never dies. The hymns rendered by our great saints before the idol remains immortal by Divine grace. It is to preserve the sound waves that the sanctum sanctorum of our temples are so cleverly built.
* The Vimana attracts the holy powers from the cosmos
* The Gopuram is considered the gross body of the deity. Gopuram consists of an odd number of stories - 3, 5, 7, 9 etc. Three represents the three states - waking, dreaming, and deep sleep - in which we all gain our experiences. Five indicates the five senses through which we experience the outer world. Seven signifies the mind and intellect in addition to the five senses. Nine represents the above seven, the ego, and the heart.
* The Garbhagrha is dark, and its walls are largely undecorated. The simple darkness of the sanctum reflects its function as a "womb house" , one of its meanings.
We then continued with our Mahabharata review.
With the thirteenth year coming to an end, the Pandavas left Virata's capital and settled in Upaplavya, another place in Matsya territory. They sent emissaries to summon their friends and relatives. From Dwaraka, came Balarama and Krishna with Arjuna's wife Subhadra and her son Abhimanyu, accompanied by many Yadava warriors. The Kasi prince, Saibya ruler, arrived with their forces. Drupada came bringing with him Sikhandin, Draupadi's sons and her brother Dhristadyumna. There were many other princes gathered. Abhimanyu's marriage to princess Uttara was solemnized according to Vedic rites. After the wedding celebrations were over, they met in Virata's hall of assembly.
Krishna addressed the assembly and narrated the story of the great deceit, how Yudhishthira was cheated at the board game and deprived of his kingdom and exiled with his brothers and Draupadi to the forest. He asked the assembly to counsel a course which will be in consonance with dharma and contribute to the welfare of both the Pandavas and the Kauravas. He suggested that they should send an able and upright emissary to Duryodhana and persuade him to a peaceful settlement by the restoration of half of the kingdom to Yudhishthira.
Balarama next spoke and he reiterated in agreement to what Krishna had spoken and suggested that the envoy should convey to Duryodhana, Yudhishthira's wish for peaceful settlement and get the cooperation of Bhishma, Dhritarashtra, Drona and Vidura, Kripa and Aswatthama and even of Karna and Sakuni if possible. Balarama added that Yudhishthira, being fully aware that he was no match for Sakuni, still played the game, staked his kingdom and lost everything. So, Yudhishthira could only plead for the return of what he had lost and that it gave him no right to the return of their kingdom. Balarama did not relish an armed conflict among scions of the same family and rightly held that war would lead only to disaster.
Satyaki, the Yadava warrior on hearing Balarama's words, rose in anger and said that Balarama's words filled him with disgust. He added that anyone who found fault with Yudhishthira did so in cowardly fear of Duryodhana. Yudhishthira did not have to bow and supplicate before Duryodhana now that he had fulfilled his pledges. It was not of his own volition, but because the Kauravas pressed and invited Yudhishthira to the game of dice, did Dharmaputra have to oblige to the unfair game fraught with disaster. To supplicate before the enemy was to incur disgrace. If Duryodhana desired war, Satyaki mentioned that he would be ready for it.
Krishna addressed the assembly and narrated the story of the great deceit, how Yudhishthira was cheated at the board game and deprived of his kingdom and exiled with his brothers and Draupadi to the forest. He asked the assembly to counsel a course which will be in consonance with dharma and contribute to the welfare of both the Pandavas and the Kauravas. He suggested that they should send an able and upright emissary to Duryodhana and persuade him to a peaceful settlement by the restoration of half of the kingdom to Yudhishthira.
Balarama next spoke and he reiterated in agreement to what Krishna had spoken and suggested that the envoy should convey to Duryodhana, Yudhishthira's wish for peaceful settlement and get the cooperation of Bhishma, Dhritarashtra, Drona and Vidura, Kripa and Aswatthama and even of Karna and Sakuni if possible. Balarama added that Yudhishthira, being fully aware that he was no match for Sakuni, still played the game, staked his kingdom and lost everything. So, Yudhishthira could only plead for the return of what he had lost and that it gave him no right to the return of their kingdom. Balarama did not relish an armed conflict among scions of the same family and rightly held that war would lead only to disaster.
Satyaki, the Yadava warrior on hearing Balarama's words, rose in anger and said that Balarama's words filled him with disgust. He added that anyone who found fault with Yudhishthira did so in cowardly fear of Duryodhana. Yudhishthira did not have to bow and supplicate before Duryodhana now that he had fulfilled his pledges. It was not of his own volition, but because the Kauravas pressed and invited Yudhishthira to the game of dice, did Dharmaputra have to oblige to the unfair game fraught with disaster. To supplicate before the enemy was to incur disgrace. If Duryodhana desired war, Satyaki mentioned that he would be ready for it.
Drupada's heart was gladdened by Satyaki's resolute words. He rose and said that Satyaki was right and fully supported him. He added that they should continue their preparations for war and send word immediately to Salya, Dhrishtaketu, Jayatsena and Kekaya. He agreed that they should send a suitable envoy to Dhritarashtra. A learned brahmana who conducted religious ceremonies in Drupada's court could be sent to Hastinapura with confidence. They should instruct him well on what he should say to Duryodhana and how he should convey the message to Bhishma, Dhritarashtra and Dronacharya.
When Drupada concluded, Krishan rose and said to Drupada that what he proposed was practical and conformed to the kingly code. Dhritarashtra held Drupada in high esteem and Drona and Kripa were his boyhood friends. So, it would only be right for Drupada to instruct the brahmana on his mission of peace. If he fails to persuade Duryodhana, they should all prepare for the inevitable conflict. The conference ended and Krishna left for Dwaraka with his people.
The Pandavas and their allies went on with their preparations. Duryodhana and his brothers also began preparing for the upcoming conflict and sent word to their allies. Drupada called his brahmana and instructed him to go as emissary of the Pandavas. Drupada asked the Brahmana to show Dhritarashtra, the path of dharma and wisdom. He would find Vidura a great ally in this task. Drupada added that so long as he was in Duryodhana's capital talking of peace, their war preparations would receive a set-back which would be good from the Pandavas' standpoint. Drupada did not expect Duryodhana to agree to a peaceful settlement. Still, to send one on a peace mission would be advantageous to the Pandavas.
Having sent Drupada's brahmana to Hastinapura on the peace mission, the Pandavas sent word to the princes likely to favor their cause to collect their forces and hold themselves in readiness for war. Arjuna went to Dwaraka by himself. Duryodhana also went to Dwaraka to meet Krishna at the same time. They both reached Dwaraka the same day. Krishna was fast asleep. Duryodhana sat on a decorated throne chair at the head of the bed, while Arjuna kept standing at his foot with arms folded in respectful posture. When Krishna woke up, his eyes fell on Arjuna first and he greeted him. He then turned to Duryodhana and greeted him as well. Duryodhana was the first to mention that since war was imminent, he was there to secure Krishna's support and since he was there first, he (Duryodhana) should be given the first preference. Although Duryodhana came first, it was Arjuna whom Krishna saw first, so he said that their claims were equal, and he was bound to render assistance to both sides.
In distributing favors, the traditional usage is to begin with the junior-most among the recipients. Krishna offered the choice to Arjuna. He said that he would keep his army, the Narayanas, his tribesmen who were his equals in battle on one side and Krishna would individually stand on the other weaponless and would take no part in actual fighting. Arjuna without any hesitation and with reverence said that he would be content if Krishna were with them even if he was weaponless. Duryodhana was beyond happy for securing the invincible mighty force.
Then Duryodhana met Balarama who confided that he pleaded Duryodhana's case during Virata's daughter's marriage. Balarama added that it would be impossible for him to side with one whom Krishna opposes. He said that he will not help Arjuna and asked Duryodhana to bear himself in accordance with the kshatriya code if war was imminent. Duryodhana returned to Hastinapura in high spirits after securing Krishna's army and Balarama's good wishes. He thought Arjuna made a fool of himself asking for Krishna alone, weaponless and unable to fight.
When Krishna asked Arjuna why he chose him over his army, Arjuna replied that his ambition was to achieve glory like Krishna and he desired Krishna to drive his chariot unarmed. Krishna was very pleased with Arjuna and blessed him with success.
When Drupada concluded, Krishan rose and said to Drupada that what he proposed was practical and conformed to the kingly code. Dhritarashtra held Drupada in high esteem and Drona and Kripa were his boyhood friends. So, it would only be right for Drupada to instruct the brahmana on his mission of peace. If he fails to persuade Duryodhana, they should all prepare for the inevitable conflict. The conference ended and Krishna left for Dwaraka with his people.
The Pandavas and their allies went on with their preparations. Duryodhana and his brothers also began preparing for the upcoming conflict and sent word to their allies. Drupada called his brahmana and instructed him to go as emissary of the Pandavas. Drupada asked the Brahmana to show Dhritarashtra, the path of dharma and wisdom. He would find Vidura a great ally in this task. Drupada added that so long as he was in Duryodhana's capital talking of peace, their war preparations would receive a set-back which would be good from the Pandavas' standpoint. Drupada did not expect Duryodhana to agree to a peaceful settlement. Still, to send one on a peace mission would be advantageous to the Pandavas.
Having sent Drupada's brahmana to Hastinapura on the peace mission, the Pandavas sent word to the princes likely to favor their cause to collect their forces and hold themselves in readiness for war. Arjuna went to Dwaraka by himself. Duryodhana also went to Dwaraka to meet Krishna at the same time. They both reached Dwaraka the same day. Krishna was fast asleep. Duryodhana sat on a decorated throne chair at the head of the bed, while Arjuna kept standing at his foot with arms folded in respectful posture. When Krishna woke up, his eyes fell on Arjuna first and he greeted him. He then turned to Duryodhana and greeted him as well. Duryodhana was the first to mention that since war was imminent, he was there to secure Krishna's support and since he was there first, he (Duryodhana) should be given the first preference. Although Duryodhana came first, it was Arjuna whom Krishna saw first, so he said that their claims were equal, and he was bound to render assistance to both sides.
In distributing favors, the traditional usage is to begin with the junior-most among the recipients. Krishna offered the choice to Arjuna. He said that he would keep his army, the Narayanas, his tribesmen who were his equals in battle on one side and Krishna would individually stand on the other weaponless and would take no part in actual fighting. Arjuna without any hesitation and with reverence said that he would be content if Krishna were with them even if he was weaponless. Duryodhana was beyond happy for securing the invincible mighty force.
Then Duryodhana met Balarama who confided that he pleaded Duryodhana's case during Virata's daughter's marriage. Balarama added that it would be impossible for him to side with one whom Krishna opposes. He said that he will not help Arjuna and asked Duryodhana to bear himself in accordance with the kshatriya code if war was imminent. Duryodhana returned to Hastinapura in high spirits after securing Krishna's army and Balarama's good wishes. He thought Arjuna made a fool of himself asking for Krishna alone, weaponless and unable to fight.
When Krishna asked Arjuna why he chose him over his army, Arjuna replied that his ambition was to achieve glory like Krishna and he desired Krishna to drive his chariot unarmed. Krishna was very pleased with Arjuna and blessed him with success.
We played an activity called "Taboo" with the children using the topics/words from Mahabharata that we had reviewed in class. We also discussed the "temple project" with the children and they were encouraged to select temples from India and make a presentation that includes the following:
History, architecture, location, deities, and cool facts.
Bhagavad Gita: Verses 8 & 9 from chapter 5 were taught and rehearsed this week, following our Swamiji, Swami Shantanandaji's chanting video.
Next class is on Friday, Dec 20 at 7 pm.
Thank you,
Purnima & Anupama
