Hari om everyone,
We started the class with meditation. In our chanting segment, we finished learning 'geetaa dhyaanam' and verses 39 - 55 from 'BG chapter 2'.
In our learning segment, we learned about how Bhagavadgeeta is narrated and placed in the epic, Mahabhaarata. We learnt how Veda Vyaasa blessed Sanjaya with divya dRuShTi (divine vision) so he could see the happenings on the battlefield, sitting in the palace! He was to narrate the events to DhritraraaShTra when summoned. In the very first verse, DhritraraaShTra asks Sanjaya "What are 'my children' and 'those Paandavas' doing?" Sanjaya started narrating the events on the battlefield.
We saw that at the beginning of the war, Arjuna wanted to inspect the lineup of warriors on both sides. Arjuna asks his charioteer, Krishna, to take his chariot to the middle of the battlefield. Krishna could have taken the chariot in front of Duryodhana, Dusshaasana, etc. This would have aggravated Arjuna and enraged him to fight the war ferociously. Instead, Krishna strategically parked the chariot in front of Bhishma, Drona, Krupaachaarya and others. This made Arjuna realize the reality of war! The very thought of fighting with his elders and dear ones shook up Arjuna deeply... He threw away his bow and arrows and started sweating and shivering!
At this point, we questioned, 'how can this be relevant to us?!' Some Arjuna on some battlefield got scared and confused. So, why should we learn about it?!!
Well..., the war may be different, but the state of mind is extremely familiar to us! We fight many such wars in our minds, day in and day out. Our state of mind is exactly like that of Arjuna at that time! With this, Bhagavadgeeta becomes relevant to us immediately!!
Arjuna started giving excuses to not fight the war and gave justifications for his escapism... Isn't this exactly what we do many a time?!
Well..., to draw parallels, below are a few of the questions we asked and the answers our students gave (in our interactive segment):
- Why did Arjuna resort to escapism?
- scared, family, elders, teachers, reality, didn't want to take the blame, death of too many people
- How did Arjuna try to reason out his escapism?
- death, orphaned families, fighting, it's unnecessary, bad outcomes, no need to win the kingdom
- What daily routines make you resort to escapism?
- doing homework, studying, waking up in the morning, laundry, time crunch, plain existing!
- What are your favorite ways to indulge in escapism?
- sleeping, Netflix, playing games, watching TV, food, procrastinating
- What is the outcome of avoidance (of essential chores)?
- stress, stress, stress (seemed to be the most common answer :), unfinished hw, staying late
- What's your viShaada (sorrow)?
- SCHOOL, HOMEWORK (loud and clear :)
See you all next week.
Regards,
Rashmi and Raghav.
Rashmi and Raghav.