Hari Om
Update of class : 02/28/2024
We started our class with 3 OMs, opening slokas. Kids led through daily prayers. We taught them Mahishasuramardini stotram upto verse 3.
After a quick recap of Mahabharata war until day 12, we continued with day 13.
After sunset on day 12, Duryodhana went to Drona and accused his acharya of being biased towards Pandavas. Drona got disappointed and promised Duryodhana that day 13 would see one of the great warriors on Pandava side die. Drona then came up with a plan for the army formation, Chakravyuha.
On day 13, Arjuna went to the south to fight against Trigarta's army, leaving everyone else in the Pandavas side to face Chakravyuha. Chakravyuha is a formation like a circular labyrinth with hidden entry. The outermost circle had Jayadratha and his army and all others, Karna, Drona, Dushasana, Salya, Ashwathama in the inner circles. Jayadratha gave a tough fight to the Pandavas and Yudhistra decided to send the only person, Abhimanyu who knew to break Chakravyuha. Though Abhimanyu raised his concern that he only knew how to enter the vyuha but not exit, Bheema assured him that they would be right behind him to enter it.
Abhimanyu entered the vyuha but the rest of them were not able to. Jayadratha and his kept the rest of them at bay. Abhimanyu fought bravely against all of them and injured Salya, Dushasana and even Karna. Abhimanyu killed Duryodhana's son, Lakshmanakumara.
Karna went to Drona and asked him what would make the young man to lose. Drona suggested the only way they could win over Abhimanyu was to break the bow. Karna went behind Abhimanyu and shot at the bow breaking into two. Abimanyu sword was broken by Drona. The charioteers and the horses were then killed. Abhimanyu's armor and shield were broken. He took the chariot wheel to defend himself which was shattered to pieces by the six people. Atlast, all the six people shot at Abhimanyu and killed him.
This was the saddest day of the war, where a young 16 year old warrior faced an entire army bravely but was killed heartlessly in an adharmic way. Rules of the war were not complied.
That night when Arjuna returned from the war, he took an oath that if he failed to kill Jayadratha the following day, he would take his own life by jumping into the fire. Jayadratha wanted to run away from the field but Duryodhana convinced him to stay. Duryodhana thought if he protected Jayadratha until sunset the following day, Arjuna would take his own life and he would be able to win over the pandavas easily.
It was heartbreaking to relay the story to kids and kids listened intently, posing questions like where Karna stood to break Abhimanyu's bow, how Yudhistra decided to send Abhimanyu, etc.
We are meeting outside of class on Sundays to practice for our upcoming play on March 21st. All our communication to parents have been through kids or WhatsApp. We request parents to stop by class in case of any questions.
We completed our class with 'Purna madam'
Next class : 3/7/2025
Thanks
Anupama and Purnima
