Jan 21, 2022 - Grade 6 (Friday)
Hari Om Parents,
We trust that each and everyone of you is keeping well and staying safe!
Please find below the update from our class, last Friday.
With the Almighty, our Pujya Gurudev and our Swamiji's blessings, our class session went without a hitch and we managed to finish our planned lessons and activities.
Class began with Opening Prayers - 3 OMs, followed by the chanting of Sahanavavatu. Then we invoked the blessings of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati and all of our Gurus, by chanting..
Śri Ganeshaya Namah!
Śri Saraswathyai Namah!
Śri Sad-Gurubhyo Namah!
Shlokas: ( My Prayers Book)
The kids, then took turns to recite the Daily Prayers ( page#11) in the order of:
- Karagre Vasate
- Samudravasane
- Gange cha Yamune
- Saraswati Namastubhyam
- Brahmaarpanam
- Shubham Karoti
- Kara-charana-krtam vak - kindly encourage the kids to memorize these and recite them at appropriate occasions during the day. Emphasis should be on, not just the learning part but to put all that they learn, into practice in their daily routine.
We proceeded to review the Mahishasura Mardini Slokam verses 1 and 2, that we learnt in our previous classes. The kids took part in this routine enthusiastically and did a fantastic job with their recitation. Please encourage your kids to memorize all the shlokas taught in class and practice diligently. The third verse was taught in class and the kids were called upon to chant, so their recitation can be checked and corrected.
Our class kids recited the Bhagavad Gita Verses 43-46, and the recording was sent for evaluation to earn House points. The Google classroom has been updated with the Gita videos for the kids to access and learn the verses.
As to the Mahabharata portion of our lesson plan, the episodes detailing the peace negotiations between warring factions carried out by Krishna, failure of which resulted in war preparations and the first couple of days of war was discussed in class.
Satyaki accompanied Krishna to Hastinapura as the Pandava's envoy for peace negotiations with the Kauravas. All the Pandava brothers agreed to this idea and made true to the fact that truly great warriors desire peace and to seek peace is not a sign of fear. Draupadi, on the other hand was distraught and lamented the humiliation she suffered in the Kauravas' court. She vowed that though the Pandavas step from revenge, her father and her children would avenge her disgrace by going to war. In the instance of her father withdrawing due to old age, her sons with Abhimanyu at their helm will complete the task. She reiterated that thirteen years is too long a time to repress her anger and the time to act is near and here. As she sobbed, Krishna consoled her saying that the Kauravas are too arrogant to consider making peace with the Pandavas and thus the final outcome would be war, which will lead to their downfall from power. He promised that Draupadi's insult will be avenged and the Pandavas will be victorious.
The news of Krishna's visit to Hastinapura spread like wildfire, the city was in great excitement. Dhritharashtra ordered for decorations to be erected, gifts to be readied and tents to be put up at several locations outside the city, long the route which Krishna's chariot was to take. Vidura cautioned the blind King to refrain from bribing Krishna with expensive gifts and comforts as a futile effort to establish peace with the Pandavas and to truly grant them their share of the Kingdom.
On reaching Hastinapura, Krishna visited Dhritharashtra's palace and paid his respects. The king extended a warm welcome to Krishna, and offered to host him in the grand palace of Dushasana. Krishna, being the peace emissary, expressed his desire to stay at Vidura's house and proceeded accordingly. Kunti Devi met with Krishna and inquired about her children's well-being. Krishna consoled the grieving mother and comforted her. He arrived at Duryodhana's palace to a great fanfare reception and bountiful feast awaiting hom. Krishna reminded Duryodhana of his messenger duty and that he would partake in all the hospitality once the real purpose of his visit was achieved. Back at Vidura's house, Krishna was warned of the danger to his life through deceit and to refrain from entering the main court of the King. Vidura also counseled on Duryodhana's arrogant behavior stemming from the confidence that Bhishma and Drona were under moral obligation to stand by him at all costs.
Krishna confided in Vidura about his doubts on arriving at a peaceful resolution to this conflict, but nevertheless had to try to avoid being blamed for not attempting it and assured Vidura his safety in the Kauravas court. The next morning, Krishna was escorted to the court by Duryodhana and Sakuni and arrived to witness a great assemblage of Kings and Monarchs. Customary pleasantries were exchanged and Krishna addressed Dhritharashtra. He reminded the king to do the rightful deed as the Pandavas desire peace and not war. He admonished him for listening to his son's twisted logic and advised him to restrain their resentful behavior. Dhritharashtra expressed his frustration at not being able to do just that and pleaded with Krishna to advise his sons. Krishna reminded Duryodhana to behave in a manner befitting a descendant of a noble line and discard the lowly thoughts he is harboring against the Pandavas. He counsels him to make peace with the Pandavas, who, in turn would install Dhritharashtra as the King and make him the heir-apparent. B
Bhishma, Drona and the other court elders proposed the same but Duryodhana wouldn't budge an inch. He berated Krishna for taking sides with the Pandavas and blaming him for this situation. He reiterated that the Pandavas are the ones who staked their kingdom out of their volition, played the game and lost everything. They also went to the forest as per the terms that they all agreed on. He blamed the elders for granting them half the kingdom in the first place without consulting him and hence, would not give his cousins an inch of land, not even a needle-point of it.
Krishna mocked Duryodhana for exaggerating the truth and pretending to be blameless, When, in fact, it was fraudulently arranged and executed with the help of Sakuni. Dushassana rushed to his brother's aid and advised him to walk out, lest they bind them hand and foot and deliver them to the Pandavas. Duryodana and his entourage left the court hurriedly. Krishna addressed the assembly and reminded them of their civic duty to safeguard Dharma even if it means to sacrifice a blood relative. He proposed that they do so to protect the country and no harm is done if a village is abandoned in the process. The Blind King ordered Vidura to escort Gandhari to the court, who pleaded with her son to do the right thing and establish peace in the country. Duryodhana refuted her efforts and stomped out of the Court.
The news of Duryodhana and his cronies' plan to seize Krishna reached the court at that moment and the gathered royalty were thoroughly horrified. Krishna revealed his divine form that only the purest of hearts can witness and that honor fell upon Dhritharashtra as well, who temporarily regained his lost sight. Exhilarated at this magnificent darshan of the Lord, he rejoiced all he could and requested Krishna to make him blind again. Krishna, informed Kunti of the happenings at the court, who in turn sent her choicest blessings to her warrior children. Krishna then set out to Upaplavya.
Kunti was overwhelmed with grief as she feared the outcome was to be the war of death. She contemplated an alternative solution which is nothing less than compromising with the Kauravas and forgoing the land that is rightfully theirs. A viable solution to avoid bloodshed and mutual killings but that would also go against her sons' Kshatriyas tradition. Tormented by these thoughts, she felt dejected. She pondered on the intentions of Bhishma, Drona and all the Kaurava elders who would partake in the war to support the throne but felt assured that they would never kill her dear sons. But, her mind trembled at the thought of Karna, a great archer, Who would destroy her sons just to please his dear friend, Duryodhana. She decides to disclose the secret behind his birth which may compel him to abandon Duryodana's cause.
She approached Karna as he was performing his morning ablutions at the Ganges and waited patiently. He was confused and amazed all at once. Kunti accepts his respects and discloses the secret she had been harboring for a long time. She recalls the birth of Karna with the armor and golden earrings, and the circumstances that led her to float him down the river from prying eyes since he was born out of wedlock. Fate had it that he befriended the enemy of his own brothers, the Pandavas and vowed to eradicate them. She implored that he join hands with Arjuna and the world will surely be theirs to rule. In perplexing situations, one must so what satisfies their parents as advocated by the scriptures.
Karna felt a sign that the Sun God had endorsed Kunti's request but then he resolved it to mean that he was testing his loyalty and strength of mind. He spoke to clarify that what she advocated is contrary to Dharma, and to do that means to infect oneself with more hurt than that delivered by enemy in the battlefield. Having thrown him away as a helpless baby, she had deprived his Kshatriya birthright and worse more, denied him the motherly love that he deserved. The Kauravas saved his honor and so he is indebted to them, life and blood. To betray them now and to join the brothers is not the act of someone who the Kauravas look upon as an ark that will carry them to victory. He would be counted among common thieves who had been purloining food from them all these years. But yet he promised that he would wage war with Arjuna only and not the other Pandavas. Kunti would part with Arjuna or himself so she may yet have five sons at any time. Kunti embraced Karna with a tumultuous mind and departed in silence resigning to her fate.
Krishna reached Upaplavya and briefed the Pandavas on the happenings in Hastinapura. He clarified the aspects regarding Duryodhana's stance and the finality of the alternative solution of war. Yudhishtra, though disheartened rallied the troops to be arranged in a battle array. The army was divided into seven Akshauhinis and appointed Drupada, Virata, Dhrishtadyumna, Sikanhandin, Satyaki, Chekitana, and Bhimasena as the head of each of those divisions, A discussion ensued among them regarding the appointment of the General of the whole army. Yushishtra expressed his desire to appoint one of the above-mentioned seven heroes as the General. He wanted to appoint someone who can face Bhishma courageously and depose the army in different battle arrangements as situation warrants each time. In the olden days, the elders would begin the questioning the youngsters first before they move on to hear the others' opinions. This practice was merely instil confidence in the younger persons to freely express their thoughts without the hindrance of being labelled as disrespectful to speak put after the elders. Sahadeva was called upon first and he expressed his desire to appoint the King of Virata, who provided them shelter and was supportive in their demand for their share of the Kingdom. On the other hand, Nakula wanted to appoint King Drupada who stands for wisdom, courage and supreme strength and had long since been waiting for an encounter with Drona. Arjuna was called upon to offer his thoughts and he advocated Dhrishtadyumna's name, a great warrior who had conquered his senses and born to bring about Drona's death. Bhimasena expressed his desire to install Sikhandin as the commander since her birth is aimed at reining about the death of Pitamah, Bhishma himself.
Yushishtra pondered over the choices of warriors and implored to Krishna to help him make the right decision. Krishna asked the young price to anoint Dhrishtadyumna as the supreme commander, a decision approved by the jubilant Pandavas and their army. The noise of the lion-roar of the warriors, the trumpeting of elephants and the blowing of the conches preceded the arrival of the the massive Pandava army's arrival to the Kurukshetra battlefield in martial array.
The Kaurava camp unanimously decided to appoint Bhishma Pitamah as their supreme commander. The veteran accepted the honor but reiterated his stance of non-violence against the sons of Pandu. He promised to stick to his Dharma as a Kshatriya warrior and discharge his duties with utmost sincerity in the battlefield. He expressed his dislike for Karna, who is opposed to his leadership and ideas to take over the mantle of the commander if he intends to do so at the outset, than to devolve into superfluous egocentric arguments with the war veteran such as himself. Karna rebuked the old warrior by promising to enter the battlefield only after Bhishma's demise and then kill Arjuna as he vowed to do so. Duryodhana accepted the conditions laid out by Bhishma and appointed him the General of the Kaurava army. The immense army consisting of eleven Akshauhinis rolled into the Kurukshetra battlefield like a great flood after terrible rains.
The session concluded with the recitation of the Shanti Mantra and the Pledge by the kids.
Virtual Class Etiquette for participants:
Important: Our class will start at 7 pm sharp on Fridays with opening prayers. Try to log in 5-10 min early to avoid unpleasant disruption during the prayers
- Please sit at a study desk in a quiet room with clean background.
- A table lamp is recommended - light should fall on your face so the teachers can see your face clearly
- Use of headset strongly recommended
- All participants will be muted on entry - please raise your virtual hand if you wish to speak.
- Please have your My Prayers book, handbook, a notebook ( no loose leaf sheets), and pen/pencil ready at hand.
- Kindly avoid bathroom breaks and eating during class hours
- Keep your desk clear of unwanted electronic devices to avoid unnecessary distractions.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or queries you may have. Thank you!
At His Service
Friday Grade 6 Sevikas
Sangita Patankar & Viji Lakshmi Hari