Sri Temple, Nashville, TN

MAHABHARATA (Part 2):

In due course of time, queen became the mother of two princes - Chitraangada and . After 's death, Chitraangada succeeded the throne but was killed in a war. Bheeshma crowned Vichitravirya as the king of . When Vichitravirya came of age, Bheeshma brought the three princesses of Kashi – Ambaa, and Ambaalikaa, to be married to Vichitraveerya. The first princess, Ambaa wanted to marry Bheeshmaa instead – however, Bheeshma refused because of his promise never to marry. Ambaa swore revenge on Bheeshma at least in the next birth. Unfortunately, Vichitravirya died without a successor. Satyavati had a son called Sage Vyaasa who is said to have written the story of the Mahabharata with the help of Lord Ganesha. Bheeshma and Satyavati and decided to ask the wise sage Vyaasa for advice. Satyavati explained to Vyaasa that the was without a ruler. She requested Vyaasa to bless Ambika, the elder of the two widows of Vichitravirya, with a child who could succeed the deceased king. Vyaasa agreed.

When Vyaasa approached Ambika, she was frightened by his ugly face and shut her eyes while the saint uttered the boon. As a result, the son born to Ambika was blind. He was named . The queen was disappointed and asked Vyaasa to offer the boon to Ambaalika, the younger widow. Ambaalika became scared and turned pale out of fear while the saint was uttering the boon. As a result, the child born of Ambaalika was sort of cowardly and was called , meaning fearful.

Queen Satyavati was puzzled - what could be done now? Requesting the saint for another chance, she sent for the elder widow Ambika once more to receive the boon from the saint. Ambika was so scared of the saint that she dared not go to him. Instead, without telling her mother-in-law, Ambika sent her maid to the saint, disguising her with royal garments. The maid remained fearless and greeted Vyaasa, with great devotion. Feeling happy, the saint gave her a boon and she bore a perfect child called , who later became a wise minister.

In course of time Pandu ascended the throne as his elder brother Dhritarashtra was blind. Vidur became the prime minister due to his wisdom and talent.

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Sri Ganesha Temple, Nashville, TN

Story: , Yudhisthira and :

Once God Krishna asked Duryodhana, the eldest brother to look all over the city for one good person. (helpful, good-hearted) Duryodhana looked all over the city and then returned to Krishna. He told Krishna: “I could not find even one good person in this whole city. Even a person who gives to the poor does so only because he wants to look good to others – his intentions are not really good.” Then Krishna asked Yudhisthira, the eldest Paandava brother to look all over the city for one bad person. Yudhisthira returned and told Krishna: “I could not find even one bad person in the whole city. Even a thief or murderer only behaves as such because he wants to feed his family – he is not really bad at heart.”

MORAL: What you carry in your heart is what you will find outside. Your heart and mind are like mirrors - good positive attitude means you will find good everywhere and in everybody.

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Sri Ganesha Temple, Nashville, TN

TRINITY GODS AND GODDESSES

Brahma - God of Creation Sarasvati - Goddess of Learning – God of Preservation – Goddess of Wealth – God of Destruction Parvathi – Goddess of Strength and Power

GODS of the ELEMENTS:

Wind: VAAYU

Weather:

Sun:

Fire:

Water:

Why do you think these elements are important?

Aesop’s Fable: Hanging Together The cranes were eating grain from his field, so the farmer set a trap and caught several of them. Among them was a stork. “You can see I don’t belong here,” said the stork. “ I’m a law- abiding bird. Please let me go.” “ You may well be what you claim to be,” said the farmer. “ But I caught you along with these robbers, so you will have to hang with them.” Moral: You are judged by the company you keep.

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Sri Ganesha Temple, Nashville, TN

HOMEWORK#2:

Across 2. God of Creation 5. Goddess of Knowledge 6. The Happy Gardener shows this quality (8, 8) 7. The Sun God 8. Mother of Bheeshma and the name of a river Down 1. You are judged by the ___ you keep 2. Grandfather figure who made a firm promise 3. God of Fire 4. The weak king 5. God of Destruction

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