Mar 4, 2022 - Grade 6 (Friday)
Hari Om Parents,
We trust that each and everyone of you is keeping well and staying safe! With the Almighty, our Pujya Gurudev and our Swamiji's blessings, our class sessions have been going on well as planned and all lessons and activities are completed as per our schedule.
Class began with Opening Prayers - 3 OMs, followed by the chanting of Sahana Vavatu. 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
Samudra Vasane
Gange cha Yamune
Sarasvati 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 previously learnt verses of Mahishasura Mardini stotram, by choosing kids who volunteered to recite them. All of our class kids have been great chanters and took part in this exercise enthusiastically. The fifth verse was taught in class and the kids were called upon to chant, so their recitation can be checked and corrected.Please encourage them to chant these verses at home as well as incorporate this as part of their daily prayer routine.
Our class is preparing to share their powerpoint presentation on Temples of India. "Project Bhakti", as we decided to call this undertaking, involves each kid being assigned two temples and the third part is either a historical, scenic or spiritual location in India, of their personal choice. All the salient features of these temples, like etymology, architecture, the story etc,. Is to be addressed in their presentation with lots of pictures. The first 15 minutes of the class was spent on discussing the project details and answering any questions the kids might have.
Regarding the Mahabharata portion of the curriculum, we discussed the installation of Drona as the commander in chief of the Kaurava forces, 11th to 13th day of war, and the demise of Arjuna's young valiant son, Abhimanyu.
Duryodhana and Karna held counsel as to who should be put in supreme command of the forces. Karna opined as thus: "Well, each one of these princely warriors is great enough to be put in charge of our forces as supreme commander. All these kings are of equal prowess, strength, energy, skill, courage, valor, ancestry and wisdom. They cannot all be put in joint command and favoring one over the other would lead to resentment, rendering our forces weak and unstable. So, my advice is that we install Dronacharya, as supreme commander, who, indeed, is the greatest of all those that carry arms today". Duryodhana approached Dronacharya and, in the presence of the assembled warriors and princes, bowed and addressed him": "Revered Master, you are unrivaled among all those assembled here in caste, ancestry, knowledge of sciences, age, wisdom, valor and skill. I beg of you to accept the supreme command. Under your command, this army will be victorious." The assembled kings received this proposal with loud cheers and war cries which gladdened Duryodhana's heart. Drona was installed in due form amidst thunderous acclamation accompanied by the sound of trumpets, that made the Kauravas feel as though they had already vanquished the enemy.
Drona proceeded to array the army in circular formation in his new role as the Commander. Karna, who had until then, abstained from the war due to Bheeshma, presented himself in his great chariot on the battlefield and this put new courage and joy into the hearts of the Kaurava soldiers.
Dronacharya was in command for five days of the battle. Though of advanced years, he covered the length and breadth of the battlefield and displayed the fierce energy of a young warrior. Under his command, the Pandava forces were scattered like clouds before a storm. He personally engaged the greatest warriors on the Pandava side like Satyaki, Bhima, Arjuna, Dhrishtadyumna, Abhimanyu, Drupada and Kasiraja and defeated them on many occasions. He harassed and inflicted severe punishment on the Pandava army during his time as the Supreme Commander of the Kaurava Army..
Elated with the valiant rallying of the Kaurava forces, Duryodhana, Karna and Duhsasana convened a war council and strategized on plans to take down the opposing army. Duryodhana approached Dronacharya to put it in operation. He expressed his desire to capture Yudhishtra alive, to weaken the Pandava Army.He entrusted this job to the Acharya, telling him, "We desire nothing more, not even a total victory. If you achieve this for us, we shall all be exceedingly satisfied with your conduct of the war."
When Drona heard Duryodhana address him thus, great was his joy, for he hated the very idea of slaying the Pandava brothers. Having joined Duryodhana's side to fulfill his obligation, his heart was full of love and admiration for the sons of Kunti and especially the pure-minded Yudhishthira. So, when he heard Duryodhana request that Yudhishthira should be captured alive, he felt greatly relieved.
"Duryodhana, may you be blessed!" Acharya said. "Do you too wish to abstain from killing Yudhishthira? How it gladdens my heart! Truly, Yudhishthira is one without an enemy and the moment you have made up your mind that he should not be killed but should be captured alive, his unrivaled glory has become ten times enhanced."
He continued after a thoughtful pause, "I see, dear Duryodhana, what you intend. You intend to defeat the Pandavas in battle, then give them their share in the kingdom and live in peace and harmony with them. Hence your wish to capture Yudhishthira alive.Indeed Yudhishthira is the most fortunate man on earth. True to his other name, Ajashatru, he has managed to win the hearts of even enemies."
Duryodhana's motives in wishing to take Yudhishthira alive were far different, and as soon as Drona acceded to his proposal,he began to reveal his real intentions. If Yudhishthira were slain, nothing would be gained by it, and the anger of the Pandavas would be all the greater. The battle would rage more fiercely than before, and Duryodhana knew that it would only mean the utter defeat of his army. Even if the fight were to be continued relentlessly until both armies were destroyed, Krishna would still remain alive and he would put either Draupadi or Kunti in sovereign possession of the kingdom. On the other hand, if Yudhishthira was captured alive Duryodhana thought, the war would end more speedily and victoriously for the Kauravas. Thereafter, he could surely play on Yudhishthira's goodness and his loyalty to the traditional code of kshatriya conduct, draw him into the battle of dice again and banish them to the forests once more. Ten days of fighting had demonstrated to Duryodhana that further fighting would only result in the destruction of the race, not the fulfillment of his desires. When Duryodhana made his motives clear to Drona, the acharya was greatly disappointed and he cursed Duryodhana in his heart. He was grudgingly satisfied that no life will be lost at least in this process.
The news of Drona's assurance to Duryodhana that he would take Yudhishthira prisoner, was carried by the spies to the Pandava army. The Pandavas knew that this pledge is the most serious affair, in part due to the person that was entrusted with, the Acharya. So, they arrayed the forces in such a manner that Yudhishthira was never left without proper support to prevent a surprise abduction.
In the first day's battle under the leadership of Drona, the acharya amply demonstrated his great skill and energy in destroying the Pandava forces. His rapid movements made the Pandava army feel as if Drona was everywhere at the same time showering arrows like rain on them. Many were the single combats among renowned warriors. There was a fierce battle between Sahadeva and Sakuni, the latter being skilled in illusion-warfare. When their chariots broke, they alighted on the ground and, like two bills sprung to life and motion, they struck each other with maces and closed with one another in single combat. Between Bhima and Vivimsati there was a great battle in which chariots were broken on both sides. Salya fought his nephew Nakula and harassed him exceedingly, smiling most provokingly all the time. But, in the end, Salya's car was smashed and having his flag brought down, he withdrew, admitting defeat. Between Kripacharya and Dhrishtaketu there was a battle in which the latter was worse. So also fierce fighting took place between Satyaki and Kritavarma and between Virata and Karna. Abhimanyu's valour was in great display, as he fought Paurava, Kritavarma, Jayadratha and Salya single-handedly and forced them to withdraw.
A great combat between Salya and Bhimasena took place that resulted in Salya's defeat and his subsequent retirement from the battlefield. The Kaurava forces began to lose courage and the Pandava army, invigorated, attacked the Kaurava army with renewed energy and broke its ranks. When Drona saw this, he decided to restore lost morale by leading a straight attack on Yudhishthira. His golden chariot went forward, in the direction of Yudhishthira. Yudhishthira tried to deter the advancing enemy with barbed arrows but to no avail. Yudhishthira's bow was cut down by Drona and the latter was approaching with great speed. Dhrishtadyumna tried to hinder his progress but his efforts were in vain.
Suddenly, Arjuna appeared on the battlefield, with the earth rumbling under the wheels of his chariot, as it maneuvered swiftly over the bloody field. From his Gandiva, issued a continuous stream of arrows and the battlefield was darkened by flying missiles. Drona retreated. Yudhishthira was safely guided back into the Pandava Army's protection. The battle ended for the day and the Kaurava forces went to their camp in a chastened mood. The Pandava army marched proudly to the camp. Thus closed the eleventh day of the battle.
Thus the attempt to capture Yudhishthira alive was foiled by the Pandava warriors. Drona conferred with Duryodhana and reiterated his strategy of drawing Arjuna away from the main battlefield to isolate Yudhishtra from the Pandava forces. Drona would then pierce the Pandava defense and capture him alive.
The chief of the Trigartadesa who heard Drona say this, talked it over with his brothers, and they made a plan. They resolved to take the samsaptaka oath and challenge Arjuna to battle and draw him away from Yudhishtra's side. Accordingly, they gathered along with a large army, sat before the fire, dressed in matted grass, and performed funeral rites for themselves as if they were already dead, and took their oath: "Not till we have killed Dhananjaya will we turn back. If we flee in fear from battle, may we be punished for deadly sin!". They marched towards the battlefield and shouted "O Arjuna!" challenging him to battle. Arjuna turned to Yudhishthira and addressed him thus: "King, the samsaptakas are calling me to battle. I am pledged to accept a challenge thus thrown out at me. Susarma and his men are calling me to battle. I shall destroy them all and return. Permit me to go." Yudhishtra cautioned Arjuna against his decision, reminding him of Drona's desire to capture him alive. Arjuna stationed the valiant Panchala Prince, Satyajit next to his older brother, promising that no one would dare approach him with a capable guard such as the Prince guarding him. He then marched off like a hungry lion to meet the giddy samsaptakas pointing out to Krishna, their eagerness to ascend Swarga by his hands. Arjuna approached the large samsaptaka force. This was the twelfth day of the great battle. It was a fierce fight. After a time, Arjuna's attack began to take a toll and the Trigartas fell in swathes before him. Susharma rallied the Samsaptakas by reminding them of the terrible oath they undertook before the fire. Having sworn to fight Arjuna to death, they cannot afford to flinch under the onslaught and be publicly ridiculed.
The samsaptakas cheered their leader, and faced Arjuna with the sublime courage of accepted deaths. Arjuna's chariot moved at lightning speed like Indra's car in the great war of the gods against the asuras. Wherever he went, his great bow, the Gandiva, scattered death among the doomed Trigartas. The burst of blood in their ranks was like the burst of colored blossoms in a spring-time forest. The fighting was so severe that at one time Arjuna's car and flag-pole were immersed in darkness under the downpour of arrows. Arjuna, pulling the string of his Gandiva, discharged shafts that dispelled the arrow-shower. The field was full of severed limbs and headless bodies and presented a terrible spectacle.
As Arjuna proceeded to oppose the samsaptakas, Drona gave orders for a violent assault on the Pandava forces at the point where Yudhishthira stood. Dhrishtadyumna, son of Drupada did not wait for Drona to advance, but marched forward in his car himself to meet Drona. Dronacharya avoided him, for he was aware of his destiny to die at the young Prince's hands and that time hadn't arrived yet.
So. he wheeled his chariot in the direction of Drupada's army. Drupada's forces suffered heavy punishment at Drona's hands and blood flowed in streams on the battlefield.
Drona, eventually turned his attention to Yudhishthira. The Pandavas stood firm and answered Drona's attacks with showers of arrows. Satyajit made a charge on Drona's car and there was a fierce combat in which Drona's figure assumed the grimness of the Destroyer. Many warriors were slain by him in succession. Vrika, a prince of Panchala, as well as Satyajit, fell dead. Seeing this, Satanika, son of Virata, marched against Drona. In a moment, Satanika's severed head rolled on the ground with the golden kundalas shining in the earlobes. Ketama, another chief, followed the attack but he too perished. Then, Vasudhana rushed forward to stop the advance of Drona, but he too fell dead. Yudhamanyu, Satyaki. Sikhandin and Uttamaujas tried to push Drona back, but were repulsed and all these great warriors had to retreat. Drona reached the vicinity of Yudhishtra. At that moment, Panchalya, another son of Drupada, rushed madly up to stop the acharya and fought most desperately. But, he too was mortally wounded and fell from his chariot like a falling star.
Duryodhana was delighted and with great exuberance, pointed out the valiance of Drona to Karna and gloated that the Pandava army would never dream of engaging in battle anymore in the near future. Karna shook his head and admonished his friend to refrain from vain hope that the Pandavas could be so easily vanquished. He said, "They will never surrender. The wrongs they have undergone are too great to be forgotten. You tried to poison and kill them. You tried to burn them alive. You have grieved and humiliated them at the game of dice and you have forced them out to live in the forest for long years. They will not surrender. See there, their army has rallied and all their forces are leading a combined attack on Drona. We should not stand idly watching, when we have put such a heavy burden on the acharya. Let us proceed and support our Acharya in the battle."
Drona made many attempts to take Yudhishthira prisoner, but failed. Duryodhana led a large elephant division against Bhima. Bhima defended himself from his chariot, with well-aimed arrows. He sent crescent-headed shafts and tore down Duryodhana's flag and cut down his bow. Seeing the king harassed in this manner, the Mlechchha King, Anga marched against Bhimasena seated on a huge elephant. But Bhima sent shafts that slayed the elephant and killed the King, which resulted in the army scattering out of fear and confusion in that section of the Kaurava forces. When the elephants stampede, the horses also took fright and thousands of footmen were trampled under the feet of the elephants and the horses, fleeing in wild panic. The King of Pragjyotisha, the brave Bhagadatta, grew indignant. He mounted his renowned elephant Supratika and charged against Bhimasena. The gigantic beast rushed forward with widespread ears and twirling trunk and crashed into Bhimasena's chariot. In an instant, the horses and vehicles were reduced to an unrecognizable mass, but Bhima escaped by jumping off the car in the nick of time. He slid towards the underbelly of the fierce elephant and showered blows on its vital points until the great beast got mad and whirled round like a potter's wheel, trying to shake off Bhimasena, who was sticking to its legs and harrying it from below. It bent down and caught Bhima by its trunk and was about to crush him under its knees.n Bhima Wriggled free out of its hold and continued to hurt the elephant's under-regions, causing excruciating pain to the beast. When Bhima disappeared from view, being hidden in between the beast's legs, the soldiers thought Bhima was slain. They exclaimed "Bhima is dead! Bhagadatta's elephant has crashed Bhimasenal" and the cry was repeated all over Kurukshetra.
Yudhishthira heard the cry and, thinking Bhima was slain, urged the forces to destroy Bhagadatta. The king of Dasarna charged against Bhagadatta that resulted in a great battle between Supratika and Dasarna's elephant. But Supratika's tusk pierced Dasarna's beast in the side and it crashed down dead. At that moment, Bhima emerged from below Supratika and bound to safety.
Bhagadatta was now attacked on all sides, but a courageous warrior he was, ignored all the enemies around him and he drove his beast on Satyaki's chariot. The elephant seized the chariot with its great trunk and lifting it high dashed it upside down. Satyaki jumped out of the chariot in time to save himself. Bhagadatta's elephant wrought great havoc in the Pandava army, hurling warriors about and killing them in great number, striking terror wherever it went. Bhimasena, equipping himself once again with a chariot, renewed his attack on Bhagadatta. A great cloud of dust rose from the field where this great elephant battle raged. Arjuna saw this incident unfolding from where he was, fighting the samsaptakas and he also heard the tumult created by Bhagadatta's elephant. He feared things had gone awry and requested Krishna to drive the chariot to the main battle-front.
Susarma and his brothers came up behind the chariot and shouted at him to stop and discharged shafts at Arjuna's chariot. Arjuna is thrown into a deep dilemma as to what situation warrants his attention first. "Here is Susarma challenging me to battle and I hated declining this kind of invitation, but there, to the north of us, our formation seems broken and our men are in need of immediate relief." While Arjuna was pondering thus, a javelin came hurtling at Arjuna and another towards Krishna. Wild with anger, Arjuna sent three well-aimed shafts, which compelled Susharma to turn back. They lost no more time but drove quickly to where Bhagadatta was wreaking havoc. Bhagadatta attacked Arjuna on Supratika like the Destroyer incarnate. But Vasudeva's skill avoided the shock, each time the beast charged. Bhagadatta showered arrows on Arjuna and Krishna. But Arjuna's arrows broke the elephant's armor and began to hurt the beast. Bhagadatta saw that his elephant could no longer stand the attack and he hurled a javelin at Krishna. Arjuna met it with a shaft from his bow and broke it into two. Bhagadatta then discharged another javelin which struck Arjuna's helmet.
Bhagadatta was advanced in age and his gray hair and the wrinkles on his noble old face gave him the intrepid appearance of a lion; indeed, so old was he that the skin hung loose down over his eyes and he had tied its folds over his forehead with a silk kerchief so that they might not interfere with his sight. Bhagadatta was not more renowned for valor than for purity of character and conduct and was one of the most illustrious among the brave men of his time.Arjuna hurled shafts at him, which broke his bow, shattered his quiver and pierced the joints of his armor. In those days, all warriors wore heavy armor and the secret of hitting weak points such as joints and moving parts was specially studied by kshatriyas and was an important part of military training. When deprived of all his weapons, Bhugadatta hurled his elephant goad at Arjuna. It was sent with deadly aim and charged with the Vaishnava mantra. It would have killed Arjuna, but Krishna came in between and presented himself as a target for the missile. It settled on his chest as a shining necklace. Charged with the mantra of Vishnu, it could not hurt Vishnu but just became the Lord's jeweled garland round his neck.
Then, Partha sent an arrow which entered the head of Bhagadatta's elephant as a serpent entered into the ant-hill. Like a great hill the elephant stood rigid for a moment and then, it suddenly sank down driving its tusks into the earth and gave up its life with an agonizing squeal. Arjuna's shafts tore the silken napkin that bound up the folds of the aged king's forehead and he was blinded at once by his own hanging wrinkles. Soon, a sharp crescent-headed shaft came and pierced his chest and Bhagadatta fell like a great tree in a storm.
The Kaurava forces fell into utter confusion. Sakuni's brothers, Vrisha and Achala, tried their best to oppose Arjuna and attacked him in front and rear. But their chariots were soon dashed to pieces and they were themselves stricken dead on the field like two lion cubs. Sakuni was full of anger, when he saw his brave and incomparable brothers lying dead on the field. He attacked Arjuna fiercely and used all the weapons of illusion, in which he was skilled. But Arjuna's strokes broke all the charms and rendered them useless, and Sakuni had to leave the field, as fast as his horses could bear him.
The Pandava forces then attacked Drona's army and wrought great havoc till the sun set, and the twelfth day's fight ended. Drona gave orders to cease fighting and the Kaurava forces, which had lost heavily, retired in sullen dejection to their camp. The Pandava army, on the other hand, was in high spirits and its warriors gathered round camp-fires in cheerful talk and praise of Arjuna and the other heroes, who had led them to victory.
Early next morning, Duryodhana went to Dronacharya in a state of bitterness and anger and, after the customary salutation, addressed him thus in the presence of a large number of generals: "Esteemed brahmana, Yudhishthira was quite within your reach yesterday and, if you had really wished to take him no one could have prevented you. Yet, you did not take him, and to me the events of yesterday are inexplicable. Dronacharya was exceedingly hurt by this insulting insinuation. He said, "I am putting forth on your behalf all the strength and skill I possess. You entertain thoughts unworthy of a king. As long as Arjuna is present, supporting Yudhishthira, it is not possible for us to seize him. I have told you that already. It is only if we manage somehow to get Arjuna out of the battlefield that we can hope to carry out this plan as you desire and I am devising ways to attain this objective." Thus did Drona nobly conquer his anger and seek to comfort Duryodhana in his distress.
On the thirteenth day, the samsaptakas again challenged Arjuna to battle and he accordingly went to attack them, where they were arrayed to the south of the main battlefront. Drona rearranged his army in lotus formation and attacked Yudhishthira fiercely.The valiant warriors on the Pandava side fought well but their resistance seemed paralysed by the violence of Drona's offensive. Yudhishthira called Abhimanyu, the young son of Arjuna and Subhadra and said to him: "Dear son, Dronacharya is harrying our army greatly. Arjuna is absent and, if we should be defeated in his absence, he will be grieved beyond measure. No one among us has been able to break Drona's array. You know you can do it and no one else. I ask you to take up this task." Abhimanyu readily agreed to do so but pondered thus, "I have been instructed by my father how to penetrate this formation and can certainly do so. But if, after forcing my way, it should unfortunately become necessary for me to come out, I shall be at a loss what to do, being as yet uninstructed in the art of extrication." Yudhishtra said, "Valiant boy, break this impregnable formation and open a passage for us. We shall all break in your wake. We shall be with you to face any danger and no question can arise of your having to come out." Bhimasena supported Yudhishthira's proposal. Abhimanyu thought of his father and Krishna and, feeling encouraged by what had been said by Bhimasena and Yudhishthira, and impelled by his own gallant nature, undertook the adventure.
As the golden chariot to which were yoked to beautiful young horses approached, the soldiers in the Kaurava army shouted: "Abhimanyu is coming! He has come!" The Pandavas followed Abhimanyu close behind him. Like a young lion on a herd of elephants, Abhimanyu rushed on. There was a ripple in the Kaurava ranks which bent under his headlong onslaught. The bend soon became a break and under Drona's very eyes, the formation was breached and Abhimanyu entered. But the breach was closed effectively by Jayadratha, King of the Sindhus, before the other Pandava warriors could force their way in and Abhimanyu was alone! Kaurava warriors opposed him, but they fell like moths in the fire, one after another. Abhimanyu's shafts searched the weak points in the armor of his enemies, and the bodies of soldiers lay strewn on the field. Duryodhana was furious and rushed in person to oppose the youthful warrior. Drona, having learnt that the king himself was engaged in battle with Abhimanyu, became anxious and sent veterans to protect Duryodhana. Throwing away all sense of shame and chivalry, a large number of veteran warriors made a combined and simultaneous attack on the lone hero, surrounded by enemies on all sides. Asmaka rode his chariot at great speed against Abhimanyu's but Abhimanyu sent his shafts and disposed of him in no time. Karna's armor was pierced. Salya was badly wounded and collapsed in his chariot. Salya's brother came up in great fury to avenge his brother's disgrace but he fell and his chariot was broken to pieces. Thus did Abhimanyu, alone and unsupported, oppose a host of veteran warriors and show the skill in the use of arms which he had learnt from his illustrious father and from Vasudeva, his uncle. Seeing this, Dronacharya's eyes filled with tears of affectionate admiration. Duryodhana could not contain his anger at this public display of affection and blurted out, "The acharya's partiality for Arjuna prevents him from killing Abhimanyu, and he sings his praises instead of fighting him. Indeed, if the acharya were focused on disposing Abhimanyu, would it take him this long to do it!"
Duhsasana roared in anger and exclaimed "this obstinate lad will perish now!" led his chariot forward to attack Abhimanyu. The battle raged long. Duhsasana was struck senseless in his car, and his charioteer managed to drive away from the field saving Duhsasana's life. Karna attacked Abhimanyu with his shafts and harassed him greatly. But one of Abhimanyu's arrows destroped Karna's bow and the young warrior put Karna and his supporters to flight. The Kaurava forces, when they saw this, were completely demoralized. The army was in confusion and men fled in all directions,
The Pandavas, proceeding according to plan, had closely followed Abhimanyu when he broke into the Kaurava formation, Jayadratha, the gallant king of the Sindhus, swooped down upon the Pandavas with all his forces, and closed up the breach effectively that the Pandavas were stranded outside the ring. Yudhishthira hurled a javelin and cut Jayadratha's bow but faced unending shafts discharged by the King of Sindhu. Bhimasena's arrows made deadly work, crashing down the canopy and flagstaff of Jayadratha's car. But the Saindhava was alert and re-armed himself, each time his equipment was broken. He killed Bhima's chariot horses, and the latter had to go into Satyaki's car. In this manner, Jayadratha, with stubborn valor, prevented the Pandavas from entering in Abhimanyu's defense. The young hero was thus isolated and surrounded by the Kaurava forces. The son of Subhadra was however undaunted. He attacked all the warriors around him and slew them in great numbers. Duryodhana's son Lakshmana, a gallant young warrior, then charged on Abhimanyu. Arjuna's son was undaunted and his shaft came swift and shining, like a serpent fresh-sloughed, and pierced Lakshmana. The handsome youth lay dead on the hold and the Kaurava soldiers were filled with grief.
"To hell with the wicked Abhimanyu," shouted Duryodhana, and the six great warriors, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Aswathama, Brihatbala and Kritavarma closed upon Abhimanyu. "It is impossible to pierce this youth's armor," said Drona to Karna. "Aim at the reins of his horses and cut them off. Disable him thus and attack him from behind." The son of Surya did accordingly. Abhimanyu's bow was broken by a shaft discharged from behind. His horses and charioteer were killed. Thus disabled, the young warrior stood on the field, with sword and shield, facing his enemies. Whirling his sword, he held his own against the numerous warriors who had surrounded him, with a skill that confounded them. Drona sent a shaft that broke Abhimanyu's sword. Karna's sharp arrows tore his shield into bits. Abhimanyu picked up one of his chariot wheels and whirling it like a discus, stood up facing all the enemies that surrounded him. But soon, the combined onslaught of the warriors that surrounded him, overpowered him. The chariot wheel was shattered to pieces. The son of Duhsasana came up then and challenged him in mortal combat. Both fell down together but Duhsasana's son rose again and, while Abhimanyu was struggling to his feet, struck him with his mace and killed him. Having killed him thus, the disgraceful warriors danced round his dead body like savage hunters exulting over their prey.
While there was blowing of conchs and cries of victory all over the Kaurava army, Yuyutsu, the son of Dhritarashtra, did not approve of all this. "This is ignoble," he angrily cried. "Soldiers, you have forgotten your code. Verily, you should be ashamed but, instead, you shout brazen cries of victory." So saying, Yuyutsu threw his weapon away in disgust and left the battlefield. This young son of Dhritarashtra feared sin.
The video of Bhagavad Gita Verses 56-58, rendered by our Swamiji was then shared with the classroom. The kids are asked to memorize and practice the verses taught in the earlier weeks. A recording of their recitation will be sent for evaluation in the next class. The Google classroom has been updated with the Gita videos for the kids to access and learn the verses.
We concluded the class session by reciting the Shanti mantra and the Pledge.
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 a 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.
Next class is this Friday, March 11th, at 7 pm sharp. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or queries you may have. Thank you!
At His Service
Friday Grade 6 Sevikas