Hari Om Parents,
Following was discussed in the Bala Vihar class on Dec 5, 2021:
1. After initial prayers we continued with Bhagavad Gita Dhyana slokas. We have taught them upto verse 7 of Geeta Dhyanam. The following children chanted verses from the Geeta Dhayam individually – Satvik; Srividya; Shreya; Hasini; Anwita and Anish.
2. Bhagavad Geeta Chapter 2 chanting: We have taught the children verses 49 & 50 this week – Venkat, Nitya, Anwita, Anish, Kavin & Hasini chanted verses individually. Please encourage your children to practice these verses at home as well.
3. We continued with Mahabharata Story – during the first 9 days of the Mahabharata war Bheesma dominated the scene for most part. Pandavas could not defeat him, he inflicted heavy damage to Pandava army. Pandavas went to him and asked how he can be defeated. Bheesma in his magnanimity told them that if a women stands in front of him, he will not wield his weapons. Keeping Shikandi in his chariot Arjuna kills Bheesma on the 10th day of the battle. Reverence to elders – Yudhisthira went and got blessings from Bheesma and Drona on the battlefield before the war began, result was Pandavas won the battle. Lesson learnt (LL) – Revere elders and parents, and you will be successful with their blessings.
Dronacharya leads Kaurava army during the next 5 days – one day he plans Chakravyuha to defeat Pandavas. Abhimanyu, Arjuna's son, enters the Chakravyuha – fights bravely, finally gets killed in an unjust and deceitful manner by the Kauravas. Eventually Dhristadhumya kills Dronacharya on the 15th day. Karna leads the Kaurava army for 2 days, and persishes at the hands of Arjuna. Bhima kills all of Dhritharastra's sons. All the great warriors on Kauravas eventually die and finally Bhima kills Duryodhana on the 18th day of the battle. On the same night Ashwathama, Drona's son, kills all the children of Pandavas and Dhristhadhumya – while they are sleeping! He thought he was killing Pandavas. Aswathama even sends Brahmastra to destroy the progeny of Abimanyu in Uttara's womb – but Lord Krishna protects the baby who later grows up to be Parikshit. Lord always makes sure that Dharma is protected and dharmic people flourish. At end of war Gandhari curses Lord Krishna, due to her attachment to her sons, that his Yadhava clan will also be destroyed. Lord reminds here that it was their blind attachment that encouraged Duryodhana and others to follow adharma. LL – everyone pays price for their action, attachment effects our judgement. Lord accepts curse of His devotees. We watched few video clips of Mahabharata war from the televised Mahabharata epic.
4. After the war Yudhisthira was very unhappy at the colossal destruction of human life and suffering – many try to pacify him, but he remains dejected. Finally Lord Krishna took him to Bheesma, who was on bed of arrows, to teach Yudhistrita. Bheesma's elaborate teaching to Yudhisthira comprises of wide variety of topics – how a king should rule, ashrama dharmas etc… Famous Vishnu Sahasranamam prayer is also sang by Bheesma during this time. Satisfied with this teaching Yudhisthira then rules his kingdom for 36 years.
5. Meanwhile Yadhavs become increasingly proud and arrogant – they start treading the path of destruction. One day Yadhava youth try to deceit a Sage by dressing up a man as women, who is pregnant and ask the Sage what type of baby will be born. Sage curses them that a mace will be born – which will destroy their clan. As per Sage's curse Yadhavas fight with each other and kill one another. Lord Krishna also leaves this mortal world, when a hunter shoots an arrow to his foot, while He is lying under a tree.
6. Pandavas also crown Parikshit as the King and decide to go towards the heaven – Mahaprasthana & Swargaarohana. One by one – Draupadi, Sahadeva, Nakula, Arjuna & Bheema fall away – only Yudhisthira reaches the gates of heaven, and then realizes that a dog also was there with him. It followed him all the way from Hastinapur to the gates of heaven! So Yudhisthira insists that he will come into the heaven only if the dog is allowed to come along with him – Indira says that the dog cannot come into the heaven. Yudhistrira stays firm that he will come only if the dog is allowed into the heaven. Dog disappears and Yamadharmaraj appears in its place and tells Yudhisthira that he passed the test and blesses him for his 'sama dhristhi' and 'dharma nista'. Yudhisthira enters heaven and sees that Duryodhana is enjoying the heavenly pleasures, while his brothers and Drupadi were suffering in hell. This greatly disturbs him. Indira and Dharmaraja tell him that he needs to give up his attachment to his earthly relations – on their advice Yudhisthira takes a bath in heavenly Ganga. He then sees that all his relatives are in heavenly planes while Duryodhana & other wicked people are in demonic planes/hell. Yudhisthira attains peace by giving up his attachments and stays in heaven. Thus ends the great Mahabharata epic which is also known as Jaya – stands for victory or success. By listening to this story with sraddha /faith one can also attain victory or success in their life endeavors.
7. We continued with "Yaksha Prashnas" :
a. How does one fit to be a companion? A – by patience.
With patience we can understand our companion better, accept the strengths and weaknesses. Will helps us to get along with different people and understand their view point.
b. How does one become intelligent? A – by serving elders.
Elders have lot of wisdom acquired through personal experience, this can be passed on to the next generation when they associate with the elders and serve them. This knowledge comes to the elders from their own lifetime joys and tribulations; and is not something one can learn from the 'books'.
c. Which is one step to Dharma? – being efficient.
It means doing the right work at right time. When we perform appropriate actions we are automatically doing our duty, which means we are following our Dharma. These people tend to be successful and happy.
d. Which is one step to fame? – by charity.
Charity is sharing what we have; also sharing in others sufferings and pain. When we are good hearted people will automatically like us and we become famous. Monetary/material charity should be given to only the deserving, not to someone who will misuse the funds.
e. Which is one step to heaven? – truthfulness.
Speak truth which is pleasant; speak not truth if it is unpleasant or hurts; speak not untruth even if it is pleasant – this is the core teaching of Sanatana Dharma. We discussed this with the kids using real life examples.
f. Which is one step to happiness? – noble character.
Character is shaped by our repeated thoughts and actions. Noble thoughts will lead to noble actions. If actions are good; results will also be good (law of karma) - good results = happiness. Thus noble character will lead to happiness.
8. Hasini led the Prayer and Venkat did the Pledge.
Pranam,
Mekhala Girish
Devender Akula