Dharma 6 - Mahabharata

Class Information -

This class covers: Give a connected account of this scripture covering the major episodes. Use these episodes to reinforce moral values and to highlight evils to be avoided. Philosophical sections such as the Shanti Parva should be avoided. Adult content should be modified appropriately. Selected verses from the Vishnu Sahasranama could be taught.

Ages: 10 / Grade: 5

Download PDF copy of book: CLICK HERE

Teachers -

Teachers:

• Sayee Bellamkonda

• Shankar Rajagopal

EMAIL teachers: Click HERE

Teenage Volunteers:

• Shashank Murali

• Vikrant Mahajan

Class & Homework-

Sunday, February 12th-

Material Covered in Class:

• In the last few classes, Sayee-ji and myself have dealt with one of the very important treasures, that comes from Bheeshma Parva (6th Chapter) of the Mahabharata, our celebrated Purana of our sacred history – Section 6.6, pages 109 – 117 of the text book. This treasure is Bhagavad Gita, as you would have guessed. Two other celebrated treasures from Mahabharata are Vithura Gita and Vishu Sahsranama. During the last Ekadasi day in January, Bheesma recited Vishnu Saharsranama before he gives up his human life at the bed of arrows, and receives the Viswa Rupa Dharsanam of Lord Vishnu.

• We have covered up to Section 6.12 Fifth Day of the Kurukshetra war in the text book till last class. We have read and discussed Gita in the last two classes. Of course, Gita is for a life long journey and means something deep and new each time you go for it. To make this easy for the young minds to extract the essence, I had offered to send this “Gita Saar”, one page summary that captures some important points. This page was created by one our volunteer teachers, Neha-ji some years back and it is a very good short summary.

Homework:

• Please print the “Gita Saar” (just a page) out, and go over with your children. Read and discuss if you can with the young minds. It has both Hindi and English text depending on your preference. Download HERE.

Note: I have suggested a book for Parents’ own reading in the past. Let me send you the book name. “The Difficulty of Being Good – On the Subtle Art of Dharma”, I had received it from Vishal-ji once for an occasion. You can find it in Amazon for under $10. It’s a great analysis. Attached is a PDF version of the book. Start from Chapters 4, 6, 2 and then read others. Reason is very simple. Since the preface is introduction to Mahabharata and you may get bored starting w/ the familiar part. If you go in the order I mentioned, you will be spellbound and you will have a tough time to put it down! This book looks at Mahabharata in ways you would not have thought of in a contemporary setting and today’s leaders. View book HERE.

Sunday, February 19th-

Materials Covered in Class:

• In the last class we covered all the way thru' Section 6.19 'Bheeshma Asks for Water' and we concluded the Bheeshma Parva, one of the highlight chapter of Mahabharata (6th Parva). This chapter alone has so much to say to us to teach us about Dharma and the effects of lack of it, and options we can follow for Dharmic code of conduct..

• Children have handout of pages 2 - 5 of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam (4 pages) and Gita Saar (1 page) and we went over them.

• "Background of Gita (beginning of the Parva) narrated by Sri Krishna, and Vishnu Sahasranam (end of the Parva) narrated by Bheeshma Pitamaha, with the troubling war setting of the first ten days of Kurukhshetra war that was captured in the middle" is the essence of Bheeshma Parva.

• Children were introduced to both of these great treasures that withstood transitions of over 1000's of generations of Hindus and others who accepted this.

Homework:

• Attached is the Sanskrit/English version of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam that Vishal-ji provided. Download HERE.

• If your child did not come to last class, please print one page of "Gita Saar" (last mail) and pages 2-5 of Scri Vishnu Sahasranamam (this mail) and give them and if you have a chance visit them with your child.

Sunday, April 16th-

Materials Covered in Class:

• We covered following topics-

  • - After completing Kurukshetra, Pandavas return to Hastinapur

  • - Dhritarashtra's attempt to kill Bhima. Krishna saves him.

  • - Gandhari's curse to Krishna

  • - Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti's Vanaprastasrama

  • - How Yadavas dynasty collapsed

  • - Srikrishna Niryana

  • - Pandavas final journey through Himalayas

  • - Parikshit's ruling as Pandavas successor

  • - Parikshit's death due to Takshaka's bite

Homework:

• Each kid is assigned a character from Mahabharata. Please remind them to complete the one page.

• During next class, we will be making a poster board from all homeworks.

Additional Info:

• If any of you are interested, Peter Brooks 90 minute play Battle field is running last week and this week at Guthrie theatre in Minneapolis. This play is directed by Peter Brooks who had created the 8 hour opera type famous play of Mahabharata in the 80's.

• Of course, children will love this as well as they know the story from the class.

• Guthrie Link: http://www.guthrietheater.org/plays_events/plays/battlefield

• Some youtube links if you are interested:

• Battlefield trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7_KrVtzFUE

• Peter Brooks Mahabharata: Krishna talks to Prince Arjuna https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B4Z1PB97KY

• Draupadi in the court - Vastraharana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOCcSmP_t8U