Hari Om Parents.
Below is what we covered in the class.
Shloka Chanting:
- We started the class with our opening prayers.
- We chanted verse 8 of Mahishasuramardini Stotra from My Prayers book - Page 48
Lesson:
India the Sacred Land - The Journey Through India - Historical & Scenic Exploration:
In this section, covered the following points with the help of this presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yTBTreCO3Ak5aQ4mXDptI83zy9uUzPqeTUL4-Vm13EE/edit?usp=sharing
In the previous session, we explored the spiritual motivations for traveling to India. In this session, we continued our journey by delving into the historical and scenic aspects that contribute to India's richness and sacredness. As part of the Exploration, we learnt about the following places:
Historical Exploration:
- Taj Mahal, Agra
- Red Fort, Delhi
- Qutub Minar, Delhi
- Mysore Palace, Karnataka
- Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
- Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
Scenic Exploration:
- Srinagar, Kashmir
- Red Fort, Delhi
- Qutub Minar, Delhi
- Backwaters Of Kerala
- Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
- Munnar, Kerala
- The Dilwara Jain Temple, Mount Abu, Rajasthan
- Girnar Forest, Gujarat
- Girnar Hill, Lord Dattatreya Abode
As part of our exploration, we learned about several significant locations and uncovered fascinating stories and facts about each one. Students enjoyed learning trivias such as the estimated modern-day cost of building the Taj Mahal, the unique dual capitals of Jammu and Kashmir—one for summer and one for winter—and the remarkable top-down construction of the Kailasa Temple.
Mahabharata:
Abhimanyu bravely enters the battlefield, leading to his tragic death and Arjuna's vow for revenge against Jayadratha.
Karna Enters Battlefield
- Karna seeks Bhishma's blessing to kill Arjuna after Bhishma's fall.
- Duryodhana appoints Dronacharya as the commander of the Kaurava army.
- Drona promises to capture Yudhishtira but struggles due to Arjuna's protection.
Abhimanyu in Chakra Vyuha
- Drona forms the Chakra Vyuha to trap Yudhishtira.
- Abhimanyu, knowing how to enter but not exit, bravely enters the vyuha.
- He fights valiantly, killing many Kaurava warriors, but becomes trapped.
Death of Abhimanyu
- Kaurava warriors conspire to kill Abhimanyu, breaking the rules of war.
- Abhimanyu is overwhelmed and ultimately killed by multiple attackers.
- His death is deemed an adharmic act, violating the principles of warfare.
Arjuna's Oath
- Arjuna learns of Abhimanyu's death and vows to kill Jayadratha.
- He promises to avenge his son's death by sunset the following day.
Activity:
Class was divided into two groups and were given 2 prompts to enact with accuracy of facts. They all had fun enacting and had to pay attention to the details as they were being presented by teachers in the class.
1. Duryodhana asks Drona to capture Yudhishthira alive and to deceive them later.
2. Arjuna learns about the death of Abhimanyu after coming back to the war camp.
Regards,
Sirisha and Sachin
