May

May 4

The King and the Rishi

- King Parikshit gets angry that the rishi does not respond to him (the rishi has lost his senses due to meditation)

- The King puts a dead snake on the rishi as revenge

- The rishi's son was angry and put a curse on the Parikshit that in 7 days he would be bitten by a snake (Takshak)

- The rishi was not angry at the king

- The rishi was angry at his son for giving a death curse to someone without even knowing who he was

- Moral: do not take revenge

- King Parikshit spent his last 7 days doing meditation and visiting rishi's and bettering himself to attain moksha

- The king's son - Janmajeya was very angry and decided he will kill all the snakes

- The king's son had a yagna and all the snakes were dying in the fire

- One snake wanted Indraji’s help but Indraji refused

- Astik saved the snakes by ending the Yagna and the snakes promised to never bite people that chant Astik’s name 3 times

- The Aztecs are the descendents of Astik

The death of the Pandavas

- Krishnaji left the mortal world

- Yudhisthira realized that it was time for the Pandavas to leave behind the mortal world

- They left and went on a journey to go to Heaven

- Agni dev came and told Arjuna that the Gandiv must be returned to him

- The Pandavas then went to the Himalayas and Draupadi fell and Bheema asked Yudhisthira why this has happened 

- Draupadi was tied to the mortal world because she favored Arjuna.

- Sahadeva then fell and Yudhisthira said that Sahadeva had excess pride in his knowledge, so he died too

- Nakula fell and Yudhisthira said that Nakula had vanity, so he died too

- Arjuna fell and Yudhisthira said that Arjuna was arrogant, so he died too

- Bheema fell and Yudhisthira said that Bheema was ruled by food and glory, so he died too

- Yudhisthira was accompanied by a dog and made the journey

- He was offered a place in heaven and refused because his brother and Draupadi did not make it, but Indradev said that they were already there and that he alone had earned the right to come in his human body

- He refused again because the dog was not allowed and Yudhisthira pleaded

- The dog revealed himself to be Dharmaraj and Yudhisthira understood he was being tested

Homework

- Bring a snack to share with the class (ensure no plums, meat, gelatin, eggs, walnuts, or peanuts)

April

April 6

Title: Learn hindi translation of commonly used sentences in day-to-day life.

Materials covered: Commonly used english sentences mentioned by the students themselves.

Homework: Practice writing and speaking Hindi sentences students would use in a conversation with someone else.

March

March 23

Karna’s curse

- Karna was cursed that at the time he needs it most, he will forget all of his knowledge on how to use his weapon

- Parashurama gave him the curse after he pretended to be a Brahmin because the Parashurama only wanted to teach Brahmins and Karna lied to him

Karna's second curse

- Karna was practicing shooting by only sounds and heard a cow which he thought was a wild animal

- He killed the cow by accident so the owner of the cow cursed him that his chariot will get stuck in the mud and Karna's weapon will come and kill him

Karna and Yudhisthira fight

- He never killed Yudhisthira even though he had many chances because he made a promise to not kill Yudhisthira

Arjuna kills Karna

- Karna's chariot got stuck in the mud and Krishna told Arjuna to kill him

- Arjuna does not want to due to the rules but Krishna tells him he didn't care about the rules when he killed Abhimanyu, so Arjuna killed him

- Krishna told him to kill Karna even though Karna was in this position because Karna was a bad person

- Arjuna apologizes and Karna says it is okay and it is the result of his own actions

- Moral: accept the consequences of your bad actions

Homework

- Continue reading in the book

- Continue practicing your shlokas. You should be nearly fully memorized by the next class.

March 16

In class we discussed about Jayadrath’s death, his fued with Arjun, the rivalry between Arjun and Karna, and Indian Heroes such as Pritviraj Chauhan.

For HW please practice shlokas that were assigned

March 9

Discuss class presentation

- Listen to part of Shiv Tandav Stotram and Lingashtakam

Indradev and Karna

- Karna cuts off his earrings and armour

- Indradev offers a blessing and Karna is given his bow that can be used once

- Karna has to use his bow to kill Ghatotkacha

Vittala Temple

- Pillars

- Sarigama

- Advanced geopolymers that hadn't been invented yet

Homework

- Decide which of Shiv Tandav Stotram, Mahisasur Mardini, Lingashtakam, Rudrashtakam, Rudri Path, Hanuman Chalisa, Vishnu Sahastranaam, and Shiv Sahastranaam (or other, please specify) you want to memorize

- Which Rishi gave the boon and how was Karna born

February

February 23

15th day of the war

- Dronacharya is the guru of all of the princes so he has a lot of power in the war

- King Virat favors the Pandavas and he yells at Dronacharya so he is killed

- Drupad gets mad and also yells at him, saying he is not worthy of respect so he is also killed

- “There's no harm in doing evil to protect the truth”

- “Killing” of Ashwathama story

- Dhristadyama kills Dronacharya while he is unarmed and grieving and Arjun becomes very angry

Homework

- Tell the story of Shikhandi (Drupad’s daughter), who she was, where she is from, and how she can come in the battlefield

- Read the story of Ashwathama in the book

- Who is Ghatothkach and how did he fight the battle (was it in or against the rules)

- Listen to Sri Rudram and tell the qualities of Shivaji

- Continue reading in the textbook

February 2

Understanding Earth’s movement around the sun and how it causes Uttarayan and Dakshinayan (Google Sky)

Studying position of the earth and moon at birth can allow astrologers to tell you your future

Dhritrashtra was asking Sanjay about what is happening in the war, Sanjay had a boon to see what’s happening anywhere

Duryodhan talks before the war about the strength of the Kaurava army compared to the Pandavas, largest army and the best warriors

Bheesma says that he will not kill any Pandavas but he will fight the army

They blow their conch shells to begin the war, but Arjuna asks Krishna to bring the chariot to the center of the battlefield and looks at both armies

Arjuna doesn’t want to fight and kill his friends and family - dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna is the Bhagavad Gita 

Next week we will discuss the Bhagavad Gita... Well known Western celebrities/ personalities inspired by Bhagavad Gita

Homework

Read the textbook

Ask your parents about horoscopes

Read what happened between Arjuna, Krishna, and Duryodhana

January

January 19

Parent-teacher conferences

Maha-khumb update

- Watched the video of sadhu in the bed of thorns

- Watched the video of foreigners attending kumbh.

Discussion of War

- Everyone wants to finish it but Krishna Bhagawan says that is the last option

- Balaram says to send the Pandavas to talk nicely, but someone else is very angry and wants war with Duryodhan

- Big discussion to try to avoid the war ensues

Homework

- Read the textbook

- Research about kumbh mela and share interesting information

December

December 15

The Pandavas and the lake

- The Pandavas went one by one to the lake and were all warned not to drink the water unless they answered the questions of the owner of the lake

- Due to ego, they all drank the water and died

- Finally, Yudhisthira goes to the lake and using his smarts, he answers all of the questions correctly

- The owner of the lake is pleased and says that he will revive one of his brothers and Yudhisthira chooses Nakul

- The owner of the lake reveals himself as Yamaraj and he is very pleased with Yudhisthira, so he revives all of the brothers

Banishment to the forest

- The Pandavas are banished to the forest on the condition that they may return after 13 years as long as no one meets them in the last year (meaning their last year must be incognito, otherwise they have to restart the 13 years)

- Arjun does Tapasya to Shivji and Bheema does Tapasya to Hanumanji because they know that war is coming after their banishment

Homework

- Finish reading the entire book by next class after break

- Learn and memorize the shlokas (we will perform them in front of the class on Jan 5)

- Please bring a device to the next class so we can play a kahoot!

December 8

- Pandavas are given land as they leave Hastinapur and they build a whole city from the empty land which is named Indraprasth

- Lord Krishna joins the Pandavas as well

- The Pandavas invite many Kings to Indraprasth, one of the Kings is Shishupal who comes and insults everyone including Krishna.

- Krishnaji kills Shishupal because he does 100 sins

- Draupadi wraps Krishnaji’s finger with cloth to stop it from bleeding

- This action leads to him protecting her later on

- Some things are not explainable through science, but they happen due to Bhagavan.

- Duryodhan gets jealous of the Pandavas so he asks Dhritarashtra to invite them to gamble

- Krishna was not there because he had to fight in Dwaraka

- Yudhisthir initially was winning and even bet his kingdom and brothers

- He loses all these bets due to the magical dice of Shakuni 

- Draupadi was dragged to the assembly and was ashamed and no one was able to stop it, but Krishna saves her

- Bheema takes a vow that he will kill the Kauravas and break Duryodhan’s left thigh

- Arjun vows to kill Karna

Homework

- Learn the assembly prayers

- Read as much of the book as you want (at least 10 pages)

November

November 24

Draupadi and Arjun’s marriage

- Arjun won the contest by shooting the “fish” through the eye 

- Draupadi was impressed and agreed to marry him

- Draupadi was told by Lord Krishna that she should marry Arjun

- The 5 Pandavas are told by their mother to share what they got

- All 5 of them then had to marry Draupadi

Dronacharya and Eklavya 

- He took his thumb because Dronacharya promised Arjuna that he would be the best archer

- Other story: he took his thumb because he did not want his enemy to be as good as Arjuna

Jarasandha

- There was a king without sons and his wife gave birth to a kid in two pieces

- The kid (Jarasandha) was found and put together by a rakshasa

- Krishnaji killed Kansa who was the son in law of Jarasandha

- Jarasandha is invincible (except for by Krishnaji)

- He was the enemy of Hastinapur

- Eklavya was his soldier 

Homework

- Learn the assembly prayers

- Read as much of the book as you want (at least 10 pages)

- If you were not in assembly: count how many mini mandirs are upstairs, find out why we ring bells, and why we do pradakshina

November 17

Class  Summary:

• Karna was rejected by Dronacharya for learning Brahmastra. 

• Dronacharya said that he didn’t see the capability in him

• Parsuram said that he won’t teach Karna since he was not a Brahmin 

• Karna then lied about being a Brahmin 

• Parsuram taught Karna

• When Parsuram was sleeping, Karna let a spider bite him so it won’t bite his guru

• Parsuram knew that only a Kshatriya can tolerate that much pain

• Parsuram is impressed, but won’t teach him anymore

• Also curses him that he will forget his knowledge when he will need it most

Garuda vs Nagas rivalry 

• Originally step brothers   

• ⁠Garuda’s mother was put under a curse that she would be indebted to the mother of the nagas

• Garuda gave the nagas the Amrita, but Indra tricks them and takes it from them.

• Sheshnag always follows Vishnu to care for him

• Took form of Lakshman for Ram, and Balram for Krishna

Laksha Graha

• Duryodhan hired a architect to build a flammable palace

Kauravas told them to live there

• Vidhur told them about the fire

• They mined a tunnel to escape

• Bheem lit the building

• Architect and a lady with her 5 drunk sons died

• People thought it was Pandavas and Kunti

• Pandavas lived in forest for a year

Hidimb and Hidimba

• Bheem fights Hidimb, and marries hidimba

• They agree to stay until she has a son with Bheema 

Homework

• Learn the assembly prayers

• Read as much of the book as you want (at least 10 pages)

• Find out who is son of Bheema and Hidimba

• Write down how you have appreciated your parents in the last one week

November 10

• Dronacharya and Arjun

  • Dronacharya tests all the Pandavas and Kauravas and only Arjun passes

  • His son says that he is favoring Arjun and Dronacharya tells him to bring all his friends and he will teach them all equally

  • Guru creates an illusion of a crocodile that comes to bite him and Arjun jumps in even before his own son (everyone else runs away) and saves him, showing everyone that he is not favoring him

• Vasuki- King of Nagas (snakes)

  • There was one eagle (Garuda) and 100 snakes (Nagas) born

  • 3 referenced Nagas

    • Vasuki (Shivji)

    • Sheshnag (Vishnuji)

    • Takshak (?)

  • Vasuki tells Bheema that he is his ancestor

• Dakshinayan vs Uttrayan

• Homework

  • Solve the math problem from the board

  • Read as much of the book as you want (at least 10 pages)

  • Research the story of Vasuki and the Nagas and Garud- find out who Takshak aids

  • Find the guru of Dronacharya 

November 3

New character: Dronacharya

-Dronacharya is the teacher of the Kauravas and the Pandavas

New character: Draupadi

-Draupadi/Panchali was born out of the fire (father: Drupadi)

8 Vasus: God of the Elements of nature

-Have a similarity to Greek and Roman gods

-Ex. Dyaus Pitru (Bheeshmacharya) to Zeus Pater and Jupiter

Story of Vishvamitra

-Was a very powerful king before he was a saint

-Impressed by Rishi Vashishtha’s hospitality

-He wants to be like the Rishi, Rishi laughs at him, and Vishvamitra attacks Rishi- gets defeated

-Does Tapasya and attacks again- gets defeated

-Does Tapasya again- Menka sent by Indraji to distract him, King breaks his Tapasya

-Does Tapasya again- cannot send a person to heaven, so he creates an alternate universe (Trishanku)

-Does Tapasya again- goes to Rishi and does not fight him- becomes Bhramarishi

-Rishis Vishvamitra and Vashishtha become very good friends

Homework

- Find out Dronacharya’s family (you'll find the answer by watching the first 10 minutes of Kalki)

- Who is Draupadi’s brother (who also came out of the fire with her) and mother?

- Find the story of Drupad and Dronacharya and Draupadi and Draupadi's brother (you have to figure out who this is) that resulted in Draupadi's birth (find this story in the book- one chapter explains it all)

- Find a story of Kauravas and Pandavas playing nicely together and what happens after that 

- Read as much of the book as you want (at least 10 pages)

October

October 27

Meditation Class

- Benefits- physical, mental, emotional, spiritual

- Spiritual journey: first, identify the soul, second, become one with God

- Qualities of the soul: bliss, love, wisdom, fearlessness

- To reduce fear, we must get in touch with our souls

- Can help you see problems in a different way

- Inner Light Meditation- your inner light is from God (creative power)

- There are 5 planes that you can move through with meditation

- 4th plane=self-realization (in this plane, whatever you say will become true)

- Do meditation for the right reasons, not for the benefits

- 4 steps: sit up and put things down, sit up and close eyes, repeat the names of God, focus on whatever you see and look in the middle of it

- The longer you meditate, the better

- Early morning is the best time to meditate

Homework

- Remember your favorite benefit of meditation

- Meditate every day

October 13

Story of Gandhari's marriage

-Bheeshma wanted Gandari to marry Dhritarashtra

-Shakuni didn't want her to marry him because Dhritarashtra is blind

Story of Bheeshma’s kingdom

-Vidur told the king that a blind person cannot be the king because that is what the scriptures say

-Pandu becomes king

-Pandu accidentally killed a Rishi and his wife while hunting a tiger

-The rishi cursed him that Pandu will die if he is alone with his wife, meaning that Pandu cannot have children

-Vidur tells Pandu to go do penance in the forest for a few years and then come back to set a good example for the people

-Pandu, Madri, and Kunti (Pandu’s wives) go to the forest

-Kunti was given a son by a devata because she chanted a mantra

Sundial in India 

Homework

-Find out what Kunti’s name at birth

-Who gave Kunti the mantra and why? Find the story behind this.

-How many sons did Kunti have?

-How many sons did Madri have?

-Find the 5 names of the pandavas

-Find out the story of Karna

October 6

Here is Mahabharata class update for this week:

Class 4 Summary:

Story of Chitragandh and Vichitravirya

- They were the sons of Shantanu and Satyavati

- Chitragandh did not get married, and Vichitravirya married the 3 princess of Kashi

- Vedvyas tells the 3 princesses of Kashi that the one son will be blind, one will be unhealthy, and the child of the maid will be learned

Bheeshma meets Shakuni and King of Gandhar

- Shakuni is the son of King of Gandhar

- Bheeshma asks for King of Gandhar’s daughter’s (Gandhari) hand in marriage

Life of Shankaracharya

Homework

- Read at least 10 pages from the textbook

- Find the story of Vichitravirya’s marriage

- Find the names of the 3 grandsons (sons of Vichitravirya)

- Find the names of the mothers of the children

- Find the name of the King of Gandhar

- Find out what Gandhari’s special trait is that made Bheeshma want to marry her

September

September 22

Class 2 Summary:

- “Whatever is found in Mahabharata is found in this world, whatever is not found in the Mahabharata is not found in this world” -Vedvyas

- Story of King Bharata (ancestor of Shantanu)

-Decided not to give his sons his kingdom because they did not deserve it

- Story of Shantanu (Mahabhishak in his previous life)

-Had a curse in one of his previous lives

-Married Ganga ma who was also cursed

-Gangama said that Shantanu could not ask her any questions

-Gangama drowned their children due to her curse

-Shantanu finds out why she has been drowning the children 

- Text Books were distributed

- Watched video about Hindu months

Homework

- Write down the names of Vedvyas’s parents

- Find out how many sons Ganga sacrificed

- Find out the story of the sons

- Find out the name of the son that wasn't sacrificed

September 15

Namaste Parents, 

Here is the class summary and homework from this week: 

Class Summary:

- We discussed how history is documented. ( books, stories etc) 

- Timeline of when the Mahabharata happened (7000 years ago)

- Hindu calendar including moon phases- Krishna and Shukla Paksh.

- 2 Aayans - Uttarayan and Dakshinayan.

- Author of Mahabharata: Ganeshji writes down the story for Vedvyas on the condition that Vedvyas doesn't stop speaking (Vedvyas adds his own condition that if Ganeshji didn't understand, he wouldn't write it)

-Resulted in many stories within the Mahabharata

-Vedvyas incorporated riddles throughout the story to slow down Ganeshji in writing

- We will learn about Hindu months next week.

Homework:

- Write down the names of the 4 Vedas

- Write down how many Upanishads we have

- Write down the name of Vedvyas

- Find the PDF version of the book on the HATS website

Thank you,

Dharma 6 Teachers