Hari OM All,
This week we started our class with prayers. We then discussed the significance of Navaratri. We also reviewed the story of Sri Mahishasura Mardini and the victory of Sri Rama over Ravana and how both these events are the reason why we celebrate Navaratri.
This was followed by a continuation of the recap of Mahabharata - we covered Kuru princes guru dakshina till Draupadi swayamvara.
Guru Drona was very happy with the tournament, and decided it is time to collect guru dakshina: to avenge his humiliation in Drupada's court. The Kauravas volunteered to go right away with their army, but they were outmatched by Drupada's mighty army. The Pāndavās went next, Arjuna was able to capture Drupada and brought him to his knees in front of Drona. Drona offered a hand of friendship and gave half of the kingdom he won. Drupada accepted Drona friendship, but inside felt humiliated and silently vowed revenge. We then did compare & contrast for Bheehma & Drupada, the quality of keeping promises - a.) Drupada conveniently forgot his promise to Drona, b.) Bheeshma kept his word in spite of all odds.
- We also did compare & contrast & discussed revenge - for Amba (Tapas to Gain Revenge) & Drona (Students Used to Gain Revenge) - a.) How revenge can become a consuming passion in your mind b.) Negative qualities such as jealousy, revenge and arrogance can tarnish one's image ---> All our good qualities & Abilities become sacrificed in that fire & c.) They accumulate over time and snowball into something big.
- The Kauravas were dejected at having lost to Drupada while the Pāndavās were victorious, about a year after Yudhisthira was installed as heir apparent. This made Duryodhana even more jealous; he with his uncle Sakuni by his side hatched a plot to kill Pandavas. Duryodhana convinced Dhritarāshtra to send Pandavas to Varanavata to attend a local festival and vacation. Using Purochana, they created a palace of lac and other flammable materials, with the idea of torching the palace while the Pāndavās were trapped within. Vidura, the main counselor to Dhritarāshtra, conveyed to Yudhisthira of imminent danger in Varanavata. He also sent a miner to Varanavata to build a tunnel for the Pāndavās to escape. On a beautiful moonlit night, the Pāndavās and Kunti escaped the lac palace via the tunnel, torching it and leaving behind the bodies of a mother, her 5 sons and Purochana. Bheeshma, court elders and citizens of Hastinapura were shocked and inconsolable. Vidura quietly informed Bheeshma of the plot and the subsequent escape of the Pāndavās.
- The Pāndavās got out of the tunnel on Bheema's mighty shoulders. They entered the forest named Hidimbavana, and decided to take a break. While Bheema went to fetch water, a rakshasa named Hidimba and his sister Hidimbaa sat on a tree nearby. They saw the lady and 4 young men sleeping nearby and Hidimba sent his sister to kill them for his next meal. Soon, she spotted Bheema carrying water towards the sleeping lot. She fell in love with Bheema and approached him, warning him about her brother and his intentions. Bheema laughed it away, asking to duel with her brother. Hidimba, overhearing this, came rushing towards Bheema. But he was no match, as Bheema lifted him high and threw him to the ground, killing him instantly.
- Hidimbaa marries Bheema and requests Kunti and her sons to stay with her for a year before proceeding on their journey. Soon a son is born to Bheema and Hidimbaa - Ghatotkacha The child grew into a young man the instant he was born. The Pandavas and their mother soon found their way to their next stop Ekachakra, posing as Brahmins so as to not be identified as the Pāndavās. There they lived with a Brahmin and his family. Bheema and Kunti once overheard the Brahmin talking to his family who were crying inconsolably. It was apparent from the conversation that he was next in line to be sacrificed to an asura named Bakāsura. Kunti joined the Brahmin and informed him that her son would take his place and vanquish the asura. Bheema loaded up a cart full of food and took off towards the place of Bakāsura. He challenged the asura to a fight and managed to break him in two pieces. He then left the pieces at the gate of the city of Ekachakra and went back to the Brahmin's home. While the city of Ekachakra rejoiced, a Brahmin travelled to the house of the Brahmin where the Pāndavās were staying. He recounted his travels and the far and distant lands and cultures that he encountered. He also spoke of how the demise of the great Pāndavās has created a sense of gloom in Hastinapura. As he was departing he spoke of Kampilya's big event - the Swayamvara of the most beautiful Panchala princess Draupadi. This perked up the Pāndavās who then decided to proceed towards Kampilya, with their mother and her blessings.
- In Kampilya they proceeded to the swayamvara hall, looking very odd in their Brahmin disguise. Seated in the grand hall were kings like Sri Krishna, Balarāma, Jarasandha, Śiśupāla, Śālya, and many more. Dhrishtadyumna announced the competition - the one that pierced the dead center of the fish's eye while looking at the reflection in water will be the winner of Draupadi's hand in marriage. One by one, all kings failed. Karna was insulted again when Drupadi refused to marry a soota. Finally Arjuna stood and accomplished the task. While the other kings complained of him being a Brahmin and not a Kshatriya, and had a short battle with Pandavas in which they were victorious. Draupadi garlands Arjuna and they take her to meet Kunti at their residence in Kampilya. They jokingly announced that Bhiksha had been brought home, to which Kunti responded with a 'Share it amongst yourselves'. Upon glancing at their 'bhiksha', Kunti was shocked at her own words. The Pāndavās always took their mother's word very seriously, and decided that they would all marry Draupadi.
- Sri Krishna and Balarāma secretly followed the 'brahmins' back to their cottage and discovered to their delight, that their cousins, the Pāndavās were alive and well. Dhrishtadyumna, having followed them, and discovering that the 'Brahmins' are none other than the Pāndavās, was elated beyond belief. Drupada invited them all back to the palace for the wedding, but was stumped that all five Pāndavās were planning to marry his daughter. Yudhisthira then explained how Sage Jatila married seven husbands - the Saptarishis. Sri Veda Vyāsa also arrived then and told him of Draupadi's blessing in a previous janma that she would receive five husbands who would, collectively, have all the qualities that she asked for in a husband. Drupada agreed and the marriage took place.
We then discussed the homework on Navaratri - this will be posted to the parents WhatsApp group. We also chanted Bhagavad Gita chapter 2 - verses 39 & 40. We concluded the class with Arati and Pledge.
Reminder: Our next class is on Oct. 17 (no class on Oct 10 because of Navaratri).
Pranaams!
Krishna and Sachin