Sanskar Gurukul Weekly Update

Class Name: Kanwa Week# 27: May 5, 2013

General Assembly We started with the 3 Omkars, and the shanti mantra.

Then to recognize of Agastya class who was celebrating Sri Ram’s coronation and had brought in posters, mandirs, etc and a child even dressed up as Lord , we proceeded to celebrate His greatest devotee – Hanumanji by reciting the Chalisa.

Following this, we spent a few minutes in guided meditation : Sitting still and relaxing parts of our body from feet to eyes, and then opening our minds eye – stepping through it onto a beautiful mountainside, finding a cave – walking in and finding a room lit with soft red ambient lights like it was lit up with rubies. Finding a seat, one sat down and did dhyana on Lord . Reciting slowly “Om Nama Shivaya”. Then one slowly got up, returned back in and ended the meditation.

Then Aparna aunty read out the names of all the students who had submitted entries (drawings of Lord ) for the yearbook. A select few have been included in the yearbook – this announcement was to recognize all those who participated. .

Class We started the class with Omkars, Shanti mantra and before studies prayer.

We covered Chapters 26 and 27 which talked about Rajasuya Ceremony and Lord ’s best friend Sudama respectively.

Rajasuya:

We recalled story of Vadh (covered in last Bhagavatam class) by which was necessary for to perform Rajsuya ceremony. Following defeat of Jarasandha, Pandavas had now conquered all the kings and were ready to perform the ceremony. Grounds were prepared and all the gods, sages, kings and other invitees were seated in the huge ceremony hall. Then came time to select one guest to sit on the “seat of honor”. Following some discussion, youngest brother, , rose and offered the seat to Lord Krishna respectfully while praising his virtues. Majority of the guests were happy with the selection and Yudhishtira, the eldest Pandava brother washed Lord Krishna’s feet, sprinkled water on his head, offered him silks and ornaments and started the ceremony. Amongst few who were unhappy with Lord Krishna’s selection was King and his friends. He hated Lord Krishna. Shishupala was a friend of Jarasandha, whom Bhima killed with Lord Krishna’s help and , who was ’s brother, who had decided to marry his sister Rukmini with Shishupala but Lord Krishna (with Rukmini’s assistance) botched those plans and married Rukmini per her wishes. (Further context to Shishupala story is given at the end of this update).

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In the middle of the ceremony, Shishupala, who was so very upset with Lord Krishna’s selection stood up and objected. He then started insulting and verbally abusing Lord Krishna and his devotees. Pandavas and other holy men, sages, righteous kings, gods could not tolerate Shishupala insulting their revered guest of honor. Pandavas drew their swords and rushed to Shishupala and challenged him but Lord Krishna calmly asked Pandavas to step back. He then took his ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ (divine discus) and slain Shishupala following which Rajasyua was continued and successfully completed by Pandavas, Lord Krishna and their guests. At the time of death, a lightning bolt came out of Shishupala’s body and entered into Lord Krishna’s body suggesting Shishupala’s union with the Lord. This incidence was similar to the one at the time of ’s death. Shishupala, like Kamsa, was obsessed with hatred for Lord Krishna and could not forget him for a minute. So although in hatred, he continually meditated upon Lord Krishna which eventually granted him heavenly status after death.

Duryodhana and Hall of Illusion:

We also learnt a side story related to an incidence that happened at the time of Rajasuya which later became the primary cause for main battle of (Mahayuddha). Pandavas had built a beautiful ‘Hall of Illusion’ in the Council Hall which many Rajasuya guests went to visit and praised for its flawless and illusive architecture. , Pandavas cousin, was among the visitors, who hated Pandavas and could not tolerate their success and wealth. While visiting the ‘Hall of Illusion’ he mistook a smooth floor for pool of water and vice versa. When he stepped on a illusive floor, which was a pool of water, he fell into water and ladies of the palace and Bhima, laughed at him. Duryodhana was very angry and left the hall at once without a word to anyone. was not happy about this incidence which happened at his palace and reprimanded his family for their transgression. This episode later led to a war between and Pandavas.

Sudama:

We also completed Chapter 27, a story of Lord Krishna’s best friend and great devotee, Sudama. Sudama was Lord Krishna’s friend from Rishi Sandeepany’s ashrama where they studied together. Sudama lived in hut in dire povery but never stopped believing in God. However, situation kept on going downhill to a point where Sudama’s children started going hungary and his wife suggested for him to go and ask Lord Krishna, the King of Dwaraka, for monetary assistance. Sudama didn’t want to ask but couldn’t come up with alternative and decided to at least go and visit Lord. He asked his wife for something to offer to Lord. She borrowed some rice from the neighbor and made flattened rice (poha) for offering which Sudama carried with him.

Lord Krishna was very happy seeing Sudama and welcomed him with lots of love and respect. Lord gave him very special treatment and offered him snacks, washed his feet and helped him rest. He then asked Sudama about ‘what gift Sudama’s wife got for Lord?’ Sudama was embarrassed and didn’t want to offer mere rice to his friend, the King. However, Lord Krishna insisted on opening Sudama’s gift and eating handful of poha praising the recipe as ‘the most tasteful thing he ever ate’. Lord ate another handful and then Rukmini stopped him from taking third one as she knew that in return of 2 handfuls, Lord had already given all the wealth in the world to Sudama and with the third one, Lord himself could become Sudama’s servant.

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Sudama was very happy seeing and spending time with Lord Krishna and could not bring himself up to ask for wealth from him. He left Dwaraka without asking for anything, empty- handed and travelled back home though with his heart full of love for Lord Krishna. However, when he turned corner to reach his home, he could not find his hut which had become a beautiful and spacious mansion and Sudama’s wife greeted him wearing silks and gold. Sudama could not believe his eyes and realized that this was Lord Krishna’s gift to him. He praised the Lord and thereafter he and his wife lived a simple life even among all the riches continually meditating upon god.

Shishupala Story:

Shishupala was son of Damaghosha , king of Chedi . He was not only cousin of Krishna , but also Krishna's implacable foe, because Krishna had carried off Rukmini , his intended wife. Sisupala was born with three eyes and four arms. His parents were inclined to cast him out, but were warned by a voice not to do so, as his time was not come, indicating Shishupala's death was destined at the hands of Lord Krishna. Shishupala's mother was given a vow by Krishna, her nephew, that he would pardon his cousin Shishupala a hundred times before he decides to kill him. When Yudishthira decided to make Lord Krishna the chief guest at the Rajasuya Yajna Shishupala insulted Krishna as a cowherd and worthless to be honoured as a king. On an earlier instance he felt humiliated when Krishna rides away with Rukmini, his beautiful bride to be and marry him. Shishupala was a great friend of Rukmini's brother Rukmi . Sisupala was in a former existence the unrighteous monarch of the Daityas , Hiranyakasipu , who was killed by the divine guardian of creation (in the Narasimha ). He was next the ten- headed , whose unequalled prowess, strength, and power were overcome by Lord Rama . He had now received birth once more as Sisupala, the son of Damaghosha, king of Chedi. In this character he renewed his hostile hatred towards Lord , and by consequence was slain by him. But from the circumstance of his thoughts being constantly engrossed by the supreme being, Sisupala was united with him after death, as he was “Jaya”, the heavenly attendant.

Homework Exercise following Chapter 26. Homework due May 12.

Announcements None

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