Jan 3, 2025 - Grade 6 (Friday)

Hari Om Parents,

Please find below summary updates from our classes on Dec 20th, and Jan 3rd.

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

We proceeded to learn the Devi Dhyana Shloka (page #39). We also recited Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (page 40) verses in the class. 

We continued with our Mahabharata review.

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.

Salya, the ruler of Madradesa, was Madri's brother – Nakula and Sahadeva's uncle. When he heard the Pandavas were camping in Upaplavya, he set out with his very big army towards the city to join the Pandavas. The army was so large that when they halted for rest, the encampment extended to several miles. When Duryodhana heard about Salya and his marching force, he decided to persuade Salya to join his side. So Duryodhana instructed several beautifully decorated rest houses to be erected in many places enroute and Salya and his men were treated to wondrous hospitality.
Salya was very pleased with this hospitality, and he thought it was Yudhishthira who had arranged it. But when he realized it was Duryodhana who had provided the kingly hospitality, Salya was moved and asked Duryodhana how he could repay him. Duryodhana immediately told Salya that he and his forces should fight on his side. Salya was stunned but he was tricked to repay the hospitality. He promised Duryodhana that he would be on his side. He took leave and went to see the Pandavas and narrated to them what had happened.
Yudhishthira tried his best to conceal his disappointment, but he asked him that if he ever drove Karna's chariot during the battle, if he would be the cause for Arjuna's death. Salya promised that if that situation ever happened, Karna would go dis-heartened, and Arjuna would be saved. He blessed Yudhishthira with victory.

When the Pandavas were camping in Upaplavya, they sent emissaries to all friendly rulers and soon they had a mighty force of seven divisions. The Kauravas collected an army of eleven divisions. Drupada's brahmana messenger arrived in Hastinapura. He gave a detailed account of all the injustices rendered to the Pandavas and stated that they were equally entitled to their father's property. He also mentioned that the Pandavas desired peace and were unwilling to resort to war. 

After this appeal of the messenger, Bhishma agreed that to restore them to their property was the right thing to do. This angered Karna who accused the messenger and spoke ill of the Pandavas. Karna added that if Yudhishthira wanted to claim anything of a property, he should beg for it as a gift, since he had lost all the property at the dice game. Bhishma intervened and warned Karna that if they did not do as the messenger had informed, war would bring destruction to the Kauravas. At this point, Dhritarashtra intervened and asked Sanjaya to go as a messenger to the Pandavas on his behalf to secure the avoidance of war.

Sanjaya's message was that Yudhishthira should not abandon the supreme path of dharma even if they did not get back the kingdom and a kingdom won after killing their own relatives would not reap any good or gaining the whole earth bounded by the ocean, old age and death were inescapable. He also added that Duryodhana and his brother were fools but that was no reason why Yudhishthira should lose patience. On hearing these words from Sanjaya, Yudhishthira turned to Krishna to understand what dharma was, as Krishna wished both sides well.

Krishna said that he desired the welfare of the Pandavas and wanted the Kauravas to be happy. He decided to go to Hastinapura to obtain peace from the Kauravas on terms which did not conflict with the welfare of the Pandavas.

Yudhishthira asked Sanjaya to convey the message to Dhritarashtra that he preferred peace and that they should not be denied their share of the kingdom. He also asked Sanjaya to remind Duryodhana of all the insults and hardships they had to bear patiently. They were willing to forget everything and to give them back what lawfully belonged to them. At the least Duryodhana should give them 5 villages. Sanjaya took leave of Krishna and the Pandavas and went back to Hastinapura.

After he had sent Sanjaya to the Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, filled with anxiety, spent the night with Vidura talking to him. Vidura counseled him to give the Pandavas their share of the kingdom and to treat them as his own sons. The next morning Sanjaya returned to Hastinapura and gave a full account of what had taken place in Yudhishthira's court. Sanjaya mentioned that Arjuna wanted Duryodhana to know that along with Krishna, he would destroy Duryodhana and his followers. His Gandiva was impatient for war.

Bhishma counseled Dhritarashtra against opposing the combined might of Arjuna and Krishna. Bhishma said that Karna was not equal to a sixteenth part of the Pandavas and reminded of instances where Karna was unable to help Duryodhana either during the battle with the Gandharva king or during the attack on Virata's capital. Dhritarashtra knew that what Bhishma and Vidura had counseled was the right thing to do, but he felt helpless as his sons would not listen to him.

Duryodhana, who had been listening to all this, asked his father not to worry about them or doubt their victory.  He said that Yudhishthira was scared that they had eleven divisions and hence was begging for five villages. Dhritarashtra again mentioned to Duryodhana not to have war, but to be satisfied with half the kingdom. Duryodhana became furious and mentioned that the Pandavas would not receive even a needle point of territory and left the court.

After Sanjaya left Upaplavya for Hastinapura, the Pandavas divined what was in Dhritarashtra's mind. Dhritarashtra was trying to secure peace without giving them any territory. Although Yudhishthira made an offer that they would be content with only five villages, he knew that the Kauravas would refuse even that. They realized that a crisis was approaching and surrendered to Krishna to guide them in dharma and statesmanship. Even the mighty Bhima wanted peace. But Draupadi was unable to forget her humiliation. Krishna consoled and promised her that she would see the Pandavas victorious, and the insult done to her fully avenged.

Krishna for the good of both the Pandavas and Kauravas decided to go to Hastinapura to secure the Pandavas' rights without war. Yudhishthira was concerned about Krishna's safety and requested not to go. Krishna knew that the wicked Duryodhana would stop at nothing and asked the Pandavas not to be concerned about his safety for if the Kauravas gave any threat of bodily harm, they would be reduced to ashes. Krishna mentioned that he should make all attempts at a peaceful solution to give the world no cause to accuse them of not having done everything possible to avert war. Thus saying, Krishna took leave of the Pandavas and set off in his chariot to Hastinapura.

Satyaki accompanied Krishna to Hastinapura. Dhritarashtra had arranged Duhsasana's palace for the disposal of Krishna. When Krishna arrived at Hastinapura, he first went to Dhritarashtra's palace and then proceeded to Vidura's house. Duryodhana welcomed Krishna and invited him for dinner, but Krishna refused to eat until his mission was fulfilled. Declining Duryodhana's invitation, he returned to Vidura's house where he rested. The next morning, Duryodhana and Sakuni came to Krishna and informed him that Dhritarashtra was waiting for him. Krishna went with Vidura to the court. After the initial introductions were over, Krishna explained the object of his visit. He made clear what the Pandavas wanted. He asked Dhritarashtra not to bring ruin to his people. He added that the Pandavas were prepared for war, but they desired peace. They wished to live in happiness under Dhritarashtra. Dhritarashtra said that he desired what Krishna wanted but his sons would not listen to him. So, he asked Krishna to advise Duryodhana. Krishna turned to Duryodhana and said that as a descendent of the noble line, he should pursue dharma and not resort to baseless thoughts and bring danger to his race.

Bhisma and Dhrona also repeatedly pressed Duryodhana to listen to Govinda. But Duryodhana's heart could not be softened. He became furious with everyone pressing him to agree to a peaceful solution. Duryodhana rose and said that the Pandavas of their own volition, staked their kingdom at play and being defeated, justly forfeited it and so he should not be blamed for that. He repeated that he would not give the Pandavas an inch of land, not even a needle point of it. Krishna reminded Duryodhana that the play was fraudulently arranged in conspiracy with Sakuni and the insult that was rendered to Draupadi. Seeing that Bhishma and others were accepting Krishna's indictment of Duryodhana, the Kaurava brothers left the court in anger.

Dhritarashtra said to Vidura to bring Gandhari to the court with the hope that Duryodhana may listen to the words of his mother. When Gandhari came to court, Duryodhana was sent for. He returned and Gandhari tried everything in her power to bring him to reason, but Duryodhana refused to listen and walked out of the court. Duryodhana and his friends had plotted to seize Krishna. News of this reached the court and Krishna who anticipated this, laughed, and disclosed his divinity. The blind Dhritarashtra, by the grace of Krishna temporarily regained his eyesight and was able to see Krishna in his Vishvarupa presence in every form. Having seen the Lord's Vishvarupa, Dhritarashtra did not wish to see anything else and asked to be blind again. Seeing that Duryodhana was obstinate, Krishna along with Satyaki and Vidura left the court. He went to Kunti and told her what had happened. She asked Krishna to convey her blessings to her sons. They all knew that war had become a certainty.

Any ray of hope there might have been of a peaceful settlement when Krishna went to Hastinapura was extinguished when he returned and narrated what happened. Kunti was overwhelmed with grief when she learnt that it was to be war to the death. She was worried how the Pandavas could defeat the mighty three combined - Bhishma, Drona and Karna. Dronacharya might refrain from killing the Pandavas' children from either love or unwillingness to meet one's own disciples in battle. The grandsire will certainly not want to kill them. In her mind, Karna was the Pandavas' chief enemy. She knew Karna would be anxious to please Duryodhana by killing the Pandavas. She decided to seek Karna out and tell him the truth about his birth, on knowing which, he would be bound to abandon Duryodhana's cause.
Kunti went to the banks of the Ganga where Karna usually offered his daily prayers. Karna was there, facing east and with uplifted hands he was in deep meditation. Kunti quietly stood behind him and waited. His prayers over, Karna looked back to find Kunti standing behind him. He was filled with great confusion and amazement on seeing Kunti. He bowed to her as the son of Radha and Adhiratha, with reverence and asked what he could do for her. Kunti then told Karna that he was not a charioteer's son, but he was the Surya's son born out of the womb of Pritha of royal blood, otherwise known as Kunti. She then narrated the story of his birth and told him that he was born in full panoply with amour and golden earrings. Not knowing that he was brother of the Pandavas, he had joined Duryodhana and have come to hate them. She urged him to join the Pandavas and put down the wicked.
When his mother spoke thus to him, with an effort of the will, he controlled his temptations of self- interest and the promptings of natural affection. He said sadly but firmly that he could not swerve from the path of duty. He said that Kunti had deprived him of all that was his birthright as a kshatriya when she threw him as a baby into the river and now thinking of her other sons good, she was telling him this story.

Having eaten the salt of Dhritarashtra's sons, won their confidence as their champion and enjoyed all the consideration and kindness they showed him, he refused to desert the Kauravas and join the Pandavas. He asked for Kunti's forgiveness and said that Kunti should part with Arjuna for his sake. Either Arjuna or he would survive the battle. Karna promised that he would not hurt the other four Pandavas, that way after the war she would still have five sons. When Kunti heard her first-born speak thus firmly, adhering to the kshatriya code, her heart was full of tumultuous and contrary feelings and, without trusting herself to speak, she embraced him and departed in silence after blessing him.

Krishna reached Upaplavya and told the Pandavas what had happened in Hastinapura. He had spoken urging what was right and what was good for them, but Duryodhana would not listen to the advice tendered to him by the elders in the assembly. He added that the Pandavas now should prepare for war without delay. Yudhishthira, addressing his brothers, and issued orders for marshalling their forces in battle array. They formed the army in seven divisions and appointed Drupada, Virata, Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandin, Satyaki, Chekitana and Bhimasena at the head of each division; they then considered who should be appointed Generalissimo. Yudhishthira after counseling with his brothers and Krishna, Dhrishtadyumna was appointed as the chief in the battlefield. He was a hero who had his senses under control and was born to bring about Drona's end. The lion-roar of warriors, the blowing of conchs and shells and the trumpeting of elephants rent the air. With warlike cheers, the Pandava army entered Kurukshetra in a martial array.

Bhishma stood in command of the Kaurava army. Duryodhana bowed reverently and requested Bhishma to lead the Kaurava army. Bhishma agreed and said that he would discharge his obligations in the war, but he would not kill the Pandavas as he considered them the same as the Kauravas and the war did not have his approval. He also said that Karna who is opposed to his leadership and ideas, should take over the leadership of the army and conduct the battle from the outset. Karna should not be allowed inside the battlefield.
Karna agreed that he would keep out if Bhishma was alive and would come in only after he was gone. Duryodhana accepted the condition laid down by Bhishma and appointed him the Generalissimo of his forces which rolled like a great flood into Kurukshetra.

Balarama visited the Pandavas in their encampment. He was overcome with grief that war had been declared. He told Yudhishthira that dreadful destruction was ahead. He had told Krishna that both the Pandavas and the Kauravas were equal to them and not to take sides. That tragedy made him lose all interest in the world and he decided to go on a pilgrimage and visit holy places. He then left the Pandavas, his heart laden with regret and his mind seeking consolation in God.

The children show great interest in the Mahabharata stories, and the play of the characters. They pay great attention in the class and ask pertinent questions throughout the narration. We quiz them periodically and they remember the characters and incidents very clearly. We also discuss with them the qualities of the main characters, and their view of dharma and adharma.

The children chanted the Bhagavad Gita verses from chapter 5 following our Swamiji, Swami Shantanandaji's chanting video. 

Thank you,

Purnima & Anupama