Hari OM All,
This week we started our class with prayers followed by chanting two new verses of Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam (verses 3 & 4). . We then discussed the significance of Deepavali and how it's celebrated in various parts of the world. We also reviewed the origin of Diwali - Sri Rama's return to Ayodhya and Sri Krishna's killing of Narakasura. The students were also given a Diwali homework which will be reviewed on Nov 17.
This was followed by a continuation of the recap of Mahabharata - we covered Draupadi's wedding till Pandavas' preparations for Rajasuya yagna.
- The elders (Bhīshma & Guru Drona) & Vidura advised Dhritarāshtra that it was time to bring the Pāndavās back and give them their half of the kingdom. Dhritarāshtra agreed and gave the Pāndavās one half - Khāndavaprastha. The land was barren, uncultivable. and desolate. With Sri Krishna's blessings, help and Pandavas hard work, it was transformed into a glorious and beautiful kingdom. It was renamed Indraprastha. With Yudhishthira as King Indraprastha soon became a prosperous place.
- The Pandavas, each had their own palace in Indraprastha, On the advice of Sage Narada they made an agreement to share Draupadi for a year each, starting with Yudhisthira. There was also a clause that none of the other brothers should disturb the brother (in his own palace) while Draupadi resided with him. The glorious days of ruling a prosperous kingdom were aplenty; till the day when a Brahmin came running asking Arjuna to help trace his lost cows. Arjuna agreed to help, without realizing that the weapons room was in Yudhisthira's palace, where Draupadi still stayed. After much insistence from the Brahmin, Arjuna decided to violate the rule, went to Yudhisthira's palace and eventually decided to go on a year-long teerthayatra as punishment.
- On the teerthayatra, he fell in love with Ulupi and had a son Iravan, married King Chitrasena's daughter Chitrangadha and had a son Babruvahana. The last leg of his journey took him to Dwaraka, where his cousin and dearest friend Krishna resided. There he fell in love with Subhadra, Balarāma & Sri Krishna's sister. Although Balarāma wanted her to marry Duryodhana, she too fell in love with Arjuna and eloped with him. Arjuna, Krishna and Balarāma brought Subhadra to Indraprastha for the wedding.
- Krishna wished to spend more time with his cousins and decided to stay on in Indraprastha. One day he asked Arjuna to join him on a walk towards the Khandava forest by the river Yamuna. While nearing the river, a Brahmin came running and requested to be fed. Arjuna agreed immediately, upon which the Brahmin revealed himself to be Agni, the fire god. He then asked Arjuna and Krishna to consume the Khandava forest, an act that was always thwarted by Indra for the sake of his friend Takshaka, a snake king. Agni provided Gandiva a divine bow with inexhaustible supply of arrows to stop Indra's rain and other efforts, Arjuna and Krishna fought off Indra while Agni burned down the forest. ****End of Adi Parvā****
- Maya, an asura who managed to escape from the Khandava forest, and asked Arjuna for help. Krishna & Agni spared his life as he got asylum from Arjuna & asked to make a unique hall in Indraprastha, one which was named Maya Sabha in his honor. It was at this time that Sage Narada visited the Pāndavas and admired their beautiful palaces while also talking of his travels. He spoke of his time in Indraloka when King Harischandra sat with Indra on the throne . Wanting to know more about that, Yudhisthira asked how one was given such an honor. Narada responded that the Rajasuya yagna would ensure a good place for his ancestors, and his family. Now Yudhisthira had a desire for Rajasuya yagna and Sri Krishna agreed with the desire for Rajasuya yagna but cautioned to handle Jarasandha first, Sr Krishna, Arjuna & Beema went to Jarasandha as Brahamanas and challenged him for a duel with any one of them. The malya yudha between Bheema & Jarasandha was intense, Bheema killed evil Jarasandha. After Jarasandha's death, four Pandavas went in one direction each and managed to get support from all over, for the yagna.
- We also discussed Duryodhana's flaws such as envy, jealousy & hatred that pollutes any other goodness he might have had.
We also chanted Bhagavad Gita chapter 2 - verses 41 & 42. We concluded the class with Arati and Pledge.
Reminder: In our next class on Oct. 31, we will have the House Inaugural!
Pranaams!
Krishna and Sachin