Hari Om Parents,
Please find below summary updates from our class on Jan 24th.
We started our class with 3 OMs and the following slokas
Sahana Vavatu
Vakratunda Mahakaya
Saraswathi Namastubhyam
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu
- Karagre Vasate
- Samudra Vasane
- Gange cha Yamune
- Sarasvati Namastubhyam
- Brahmaarpanam
- Shubham Karoti
- Kara-charana-krtam vak
Yudhishthira arrayed the Pandava army in vajra vyuha. This day's battle was fiercely fought simultaneously in many sectors. Bhishma personally opposed Arjuna's attacks. Drona and Virata were engaged with each other at another point. Sikhandin and Aswatthama fought a big battle in another sector. Duryodhana and Dhrishtadyumna fought with each other at yet another point. Nakula and Sahadeva attacked their uncle Salya.There were great battles between Ghatotkacha and Bhagadatta, between Alambasa and Satyaki, between Bhurisravas and Dhrishtaketu, between Yudhishthira and Srutayu and between Chekitana and Kripa. In the battle between Drona and Virata, the latter was worsted and he had to climb into the chariot of his son Sanga, having lost his own chariot, horses and charioteer. On this seventh day, Sanga also was slain just as his father came up to his side.
Sikhandin, Drupada's son, was defeated by Aswatthama. His chariot was smashed and he jumped down and stood sword and shield in hand. Aswatthama aimed his shaft at his sword and broke it. Sikhandin, badly beaten, got into Satyaki's chariot and retired. In the fight between Satyaki and Alambasa, the former had the worst of it at first but later recovered ground and Alambasa had to flee. In the battle between Dhrishtadyumna and Duryodhana, the horses of the latter were killed and he had to alight from his chariot. He, however, continued the fight, sword in hand. Sakuni came then and took the prince away in his chariot. Kritavarma made a strong attack on Bhima but lost his chariot and horses and, acknowledging defeat, fled towards Sakuni's car, with Bhima's arrows sticking all over him. Bhagadatta attacked Ghatotkacha. Salya attacked his nephews. Nakula's horses were killed and he had to join his brother in the latter's chariot. Both continued the fight from the same car. Salya was hit by Sahadeva's arrow and swooned. The charioteer skilfully drove the car away and saved Salya.
At noon, Yudhishthira led an attack on Srutayu. The latter's well-aimed arrows intercepted Dharmaputra's missiles, and his armour was pierced and he was severely wounded. Yudhishthira then lost his temper and sent a powerful arrow which pierced Srutayu's breast-plate. That day, Yudhishthira was not his normal self and burnt with anger. Srutayu's charioteer and horses were killed and the chariot was smashed and he had to flee on foot from the field. This completed the demoralisation of Duryodhana's army.
Ninety-six arrows of Dhrishtaketu struck Bhurisravas. Even in that condition, he compelled Dhrishtaketu to admit defeat and retire. Three of Duryodhana's brothers attacked Abhimanyu who inflicted a heavy defeat on them but spared their lives, because Bhima had sworn to kill them. Thereupon, Bhishma attacked Abhimanyu. Arjuna saw this and said to his illustrious charioteer: "Krishna, drive the car towards Bhishma." At that moment, the other Pandavas also joined Arjuna, but the grandsire was able to hold his own against all five until the sunset and the battle was suspended for the day, and the warriors of both sides, weary and wounded, retired to their tents for rest and for having their injuries attended to. After this, for an hour, soft music was played, soothing the warriors to their rest. That hour was spent, says the poet, without a word about war or hatred and was an hour of heavenly bliss, and it was a glad sight to see. One can see herein what the great lesson of the Mahabharata is."
When the eighth day dawned, Bhishma arrayed his army in tortoise formation. The Pandava forces were arrayed in a three-pronged formation. Bhima was at the head of one prong, Satyaki of another, and Yudhishthira at the crest of the middle division. Our ancestors had developed the science of war well. It was preserved by tradition in the families of Kshatriya. Bhima killed eight of Dhritarashtra's sons early in the battle that day. Duryodhana's heart quailed before this. Arjuna had a great bereavement in this day's battle. His dear son Iravan was killed. This son of Arjuna by his Naga wife had come and joined the Pandava forces at Kurukshetra. Duryodhana sent his friend, the rakshasa Alambasa, to oppose the Naga warrior. Iravan was slain after a fierce fight. When Arjuna heard this, he broke down completely before Krishna and questioned the need for war just for the sake of property, but he continued fighting only because men would otherwise think he was a coward. Seeing Iravan killed, Ghatotkacha uttered a loud war-cry and with his division, fell upon the Kaurava army ferociously. The Kaurava formation was broken. Seeing this, Duryodhana personally led an attack on Bhima's son. Duryodhana fought most bravely on this eighth day of the battle. He killed a great number of warriors on Ghatotkacha's side. Ghatotkacha hurled a javelin which would have ended Duryodhana's career but for the Vanga chief's prompt intervention with one of his elephants. The missile hit the beast which fell dead and Duryodhana was saved. Bhishma was anxious about Duryodhana and sent a large force under Drona to support the Kaurava prince. So tumultuous and fierce was the fight at this sector of the battle that Yudhishthira feared for Ghatotkacha's safety and sent Bhimasena in his aid. Then the battle became even fiercer than before. Sixteen of Duryodhana's brothers perished on this day.
On the morning of the ninth day, before the battle began, Duryodhana was upset with the grandsire. He gave vent to his bitter feelings of disappointment over the way the battle was going. The grandsire was patient and said he was doing his utmost for him. He said that Duryodhana was now reaping the harvest of the hatred he deliberately sowed. He added that it was not possible for him to fight Sikhandin, for he could never raise his hand against a woman. Nor could he kill the Pandavas. Duryodhana was heartened. He sent for Duhsasana and said to him that Bhishma should not be exposed to Sikhandin's attacks. There was a great fight between Abhimanyu and Alambasa. There were fierce battles between Satyaki and Aswatthama and between Drona and Arjuna. All the Pandavas attacked the grandsire, but Bhishma fought furiously and beat the Pandavas back.
Krishna told Arjuna not to hesitate to kill the grandsire. Krishna drove the chariot towards Bhishma. Arjuna's heart was not in the fight against Bhishma for he preferred to be in exile in the forest than kill the grandsire and the teachers he loved. Bhishma's arrows came thick and fast and covered the advancing chariot so completely that neither horses nor vehicles could be seen. Krishna was unperturbed and drove on with circumspection and skill. Arjuna's shafts hit Bhishma's bow and shattered it many times. But the grandsire went on renewing his weapon. Krishna saw that Arjuna was not fighting as he should and so jumped from the chariot taking up his discus. He advanced towards the grandsire. Bhishma saw Vasudeva approaching and welcomed him for he knew it would be a privilege to die at the hands of the Lord.
Arjuna jumped down from the chariot and, rushing forward overtook and held Krishna, casting both his arms round him. He asked Krishna not to break his promise to not use weapons in the battle. Arjuna promised that he will not fail and will send his arrows and kill the beloved grandsire himself. Arjuna took Krishna back and the battle was resumed. The Pandava forces had been handled roughly, but now the sun was down in the west and the fighting ended for the day.
The children continued to show great interest in the proceeding of the war. They questioned the principles and the secrets of warfare and we discussed how the science and art of the use of military weapons were handed down from generation to generation by tradition and personal instruction and it was preserved within the Kshatriya family. They remain attentive in class and make careful notes. They raise pertinent questions to understand the different characters point of view.
