Hari Om! Parents,
Reminder: Grade 6 Annadanam is on April 19th, please sign up for donations with the link shared in the Parents WA group.
Week 22 Class
We began with "Rama nama" likhita japa, followed by opening prayers.
In our study of the Mahabharata, we explored three post-war parvas that reflect themes of responsibility, renunciation, and destiny. In the Ashvamedhika Parva, Yudhishthira performs the Ashvamedha Yagna to restore his sovereignty and atone for the war's destruction, while Arjuna's campaign across India highlights unity, conquest, and detachment. The Ashramavasika Parva follows Dhritarashtra, Gandhari, and Kunti as they retreat to the forest, embracing renunciation and finding closure before perishing in a forest fire—symbolizing release from worldly ties. In Mausala Parva, the Yadava dynasty destroys itself in a fratricidal war, fulfilling Gandhari's curse on Krishna. Krishna's peaceful departure marks the end of the Dvapara Yuga, showing that even the divine must face karma.
Debate
We introduced a new activity where students engaged in a structured debate on the topic: "Was the war justified? Who was truly responsible for the destruction of the Kuru dynasty?" This exercise helped students practice public speaking, critical thinking, and collaboration while deeply analyzing key themes from the Mahabharata.
Each student was assigned a character from the epic and asked to present their viewpoint, reflecting the character's moral dilemmas and justifications. Arguments in favor of the war emphasized the need to restore dharma in response to Kaurava injustice, while opposing views highlighted missed chances for peace and the collective failure of elders. The debate also explored how fate, personal choices, and ego contributed to the dynasty's downfall.
Students skillfully articulated core themes such as dharma (duty vs. desire), karma (actions and consequences), family and legacy (ambition, greed, and loyalty), and war and peace (justification, repentance, and the cycle of violence). They were given 10 minutes to prepare, 2 minutes to present, and 1 minute to respond to questions. Overall, the activity brought out thoughtful perspectives and demonstrated a strong grasp of both the characters and the epic's deeper moral lessons.
India The Sacred Land - We did not cover this topic
Gita Chanting
The session ended with aarti and pledge recitation in the prayer hall.
- Rashmi Kuroodi and Sangeetha Srikanth
Supplies needed for every class:- Bala Vihar Handbook, My Prayers book, the Junior Class Workbook Part 1 & 2, a notebook and pencils for likhita japa; everything in their Bala Vihar bag.
*Reference books - Mahabharata by Rajagopalachari / Mahabharata by Kamala Subramaniam