Dear Parents,
Hari Om! The following material was taught to your children on Sunday, December 9th, 2018.
Required Reading:Very IMPORTANT: Chapters up to 25 of the Mahabharatha by C. Rajagopalachari. Since the book is not available at the Chinmaya book store, it is available on amazon.com using the following link.
https://www.amazon.com/Mahabharata-C-Rajagopalachari/dp/8172763689/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542507264&sr=8-1&keywords=mahabharata+by+c.+rajagopalachari
In addition, please ask your relatives, friends (whose child/children attended 9th grade Balavihar last year) to loan you a copy of the book, Or check your local library for a copy of the Mahabharata so that the children will be up to date with their reading.
Beginning of Class: Chanting Om three times and beginning Prayers:
My Vaacha:Children updated their "My Vaacha" sheet. Please remind the children to keep track of their Vaacha. This is one of the projects the 8th graders are working on to keep track of their speech.
We taught them all the verses of Geeta Dhyanam and verses 41 through 54 of Bhagavad Geeta chapter 18. In addition, we made a recording of the children chanting verses 41,42, 43 and 44 of chapter 18 to be sent to the Geeta Chanting committee so that they gain points for their house, Krishna's Cowboys.
In the Mahabharatha, we discussed the episode where the growing popularity of the Pandavas amongst the people of Hastinapura created great anxiety in the mind of Duryodhana. He feared that Yudhisthira would be crowned King. Supported by his Uncle Shakuni, he devised a plan to build a palace in Ekachakra made of flammable material (the Lac Palace). His minister Purochana was the chief architect of this Palace. The Pandavas were sent to Varnavrata under the pretext of its beauty of the city and the eagerness of its citizens to welcome them. Before they left with Kunti, the Pandavas were warned by Vidura to be vigilant. The Pandavas moved to the Lac Palace and settled there comfortably but employed a laborer to dig tunnel to create an escape route.
Once the Lac Palace burns down, the Pandavas escape in the dead of the night into the forest through the tunnel they had dug. Bhima was the support system for the all the brothers and mother Kunti. He carried them when their feet ached, he protected them etc. They settled in Ekachakra at a Brahmin's house dressed as Brahmins. Inspite of their problems, the Pandavas continued to be helpful and considerate to those around them. This is especially demonstrated in the story of "Slaying of Bakasura" by Bhima. They hear about Draupadi's svayamvara and decide to move to the Kingdom of Panchala. Arjuna was eager to try his luck at winning Draupadi's hand in marriage. Inspite of the fierce competition, Arjuna is able to complete the feat of lifting the bow, stringing it and hitting the revolving discus by looking at its reflection. The jubiliant Pandavas return home with the Draupadi and excitedly announce to their mother to come and see what they had won. Kunti asks them to share equally what they had won and so Draupadi jointly marries the five Pandavas!
.Episode 1: Jealousy of Duryodhana and the Lac Palace
Cause: Duryodhana's jealousy
Effect: The Pandavas were aware via the advice of Vidura and through their own instincts that Duryodhana could not have become a "good" person overnight, so they prepared for the "worst". They employed a laborer who was able to dig a tunnel inside the house of Lac creating an escape route for them.
Lesson Learnt: People do not change overnight, trust your instincts, have an alternate plan and be vigilant at all times.
Episode 2: Arjuna's marksman ship helps him win Draupadi at the Svayamvara
The effect : Arjuna worked hard and was able to achieve his goal of becoming the best archer in Hastinapura. His efforts and focus paid off, and he was able to defeat many capable princes and kings and win Draupadi's hand.
The Lessons we learnt: We must set goals and work hard towards achieving them. Inspite of winning Draupadi's hand at the Svayamvara, she had to give her approval as well. In other words girls were not forcibly married off.
Pranaams,
Mekhala & Vyjayanti
