The Journey of grade 6, boarding the game of dice, led by Sakuni in Mahabharata

Section 1         

Hari Om,                                                    December 9, 2012

We started our class with the usual opening prayers and bhajans. After that, our class learnt to chant verses 7-11 in Geeta.   We are almost halfway through our goal of 25 verses!

Then, it was time for our favorite time in class............. STORY TIME!!   We did our routine recap of last week's story (see previous post); then the new tale was spun.  In brief, we discussed the story of how the Kauravas plotted against the Pandavas so that the Pandavas would lose all of their treasure in the treasury by gambling.  What the Pandavas didn't know was that Sakuni, the uncle of the Kauravas, had magic dice that would always turn in his favor, he could never lose in gambling. The game went on and Yudishtra lost all of his possesions, including his kingship, his brothers, and himself.  He was about to accept defeat, but the Kauravas taunted him to bet Draupadi. As usual, Yudhishthira lost and Vidura was sent to fetch Draupdi. She refused to come.  Then, a palace servant tried his best. Still no Draupadi.  At last, Dusssasana was sent to fetch her. He dragged her by her hair all the way to the court room. She gave a big speech on how this was against the laws and she began to question if Yudishtra had rights over her if he was no longer a king.  But soon the Kauravas were fed up with her lectures and Dussasana was ordered to disrobe her completely.  In great devotion, she prayed to lord Krishna, who granted her an endless sari.  Soon.  Dhritharashtra, ordered his sons to return all of the lost gambling prizes.  But Dhritharashtra, as per the Kauravas plan, re-invited the Pandavas to a new game.  Once again, Sakuni played with 'marked cards' as we could call them, and the Pandavas were banished for 13 years of exile, per the bet.  The last 13th year to be spent incognito, means no one should know their true identity.  If they were recognized in the thirteenth year, they would have to go back to the forest again for another 12 years.  This is where we stopped.

Section 1 and Section 2: 

After that, we invited Section 2, and watched a video of the dice game on YouTube together.  It was just great to see this on the screen.  Watching these characters come alive made us travel back in time.   On the screen we were able to see the costumes and the life style of the kings, queens, and other royal characters of those days.  In addition, the greatest of all, is to listen to their dialogues watch their emotions which brings the history back.  Wow, what a great epic!

We had a short meeting about the Annadanam (soup kitchen).  Our class will be contributing to this seva (service) on Saturday December 15, 2012

We had a great class and we can't wait for next week! 

-BKS

Dec 2nd - Review of Rajasuya Yagna and Jarasandha

The 6th grade Vrindavan class had been focusing on the Mahabharatha this year. On 12/2/12,  the day started with the two classes being merged together. All 30 kids socialized and then, we all recalled what we learnt last class. It started with the choir group singing chants and prayers with us repeating and humming. 

The Mythology lesson started by our Substitute teacher reading the story when Yudishtra (a Pandava) tried to perform the Raja-Suya Yagna. Yudishtra was afraid of this because all the kings must accept him as an emperor. This was a difficult and feared task throughout all history. But, Bheema (another Pandava) reassured him all the kings would accept him well, since they were the mighty Pandavas! Yudishtra was still tranquil and was not hasty to make a quick decicion. He then asked the cow-herd boy, Krishna, who had always given them good knowledge (Krishna is actually Lord Krishna – Bhagawan himself). He agreed with Bheema's idea but he warned them "I have encountered the son-in-law of Kamsa, Jarasanda, he is a cannibal who eats exactly 100 kings and he has already captured 86." Even, Krishna was afraid of Jarasanda. Krishna also informed them of the story of how he was born...

A king had two wives but alas, they had no children. The king went deep into a forest where he met a sage(saint). The sage had told him to eat the mango he was holding and he would have one very healthy child. The king split the mango in half vertically and gave each half to the wife. In due course, each wife had half of a baby. The wives were scared, they then set it in the Ganges river and let it flow. A cannibal name Jara put it together to eat in on bite, but it stuck together and, it was a cute baby so, she sent it back to the king. This is why he was named Jararsanda. Yudishtra, then told Arjuna, Bheema, Krishna to retrieve the captured rulers. So, the three of them went disguised as Brahmins, because kshtriyas must bow down to the higher caste. Jarasanda was a king so he had to treat them as honorable people. Afterwards, Jarasanda thought Bheem's size was too massive and when his guard served Arjuna food, he told Jarasanda, he had an "Archers Callis." Jarasanda then quickly comprehended the idea they were kshtriyas in disguise as brahmins to do an evil act. All of them revealed who they were and then, it was decided Bheema was going to fight Jarasanda. The duration of the duel was 13 days. Bheema and Jarasanda were equal in their might and could not be defeated. Krishna, then manipulated the idea to Bheema, tear each half of him and throw it on a different side. He represented this by using a twig. Jarasanda was defeated hence, making Yudishtra capable of performing Rajasuya yagna. 

Yudishtra nominated Krishna as his "guest of honor." Many kings were furious that an inferior Vaisya was the "second to none" ranked guest. Especially, Shisupala then threw a "hangama" that he was the highest class kshtriya. He had then insulted Krishna so many times, Krishna killed him with his chakra. There, is a story behind this... Shisupala and Krishna were cousins. Shisupala was born with two times more limbs than normal. A great sage told the parents that the one who touches him will cure him but, will also be his killer. Krishna was then recognized as the killer. Krishna stated "Since you are my relative I will give you 100 chances, if you ever break all 100 I will kill you on the spot." This is why Krishna had to kill Shisupala. Our class had 20 minutes to do a little review sheet with "fill in the blanks”.Then, we did Aarthi along with our Chinmaya Balavihar Pledge.

-          T.R