Sanskar Gurukul Weekly Update
Class Name: Prahlada Week# 15: January 19th, 2014
General Assembly
We started the GA with three Omkars followed by the Shanti Mantra
We chanted some verses of the Shishya Anushasanam that the children learned last year.
After a quick recap of the story from last week, Aparna Auntie continued with the story of Adi Shankaracharya. His mother used to go to the river every day to take a bath. One day she was very sick and could not go. So through prayers, he made the river flow closer to their house so she could just take a short walk to take a bath.
One day he told his mother that he wanted to take up sanyas - renounce the world, get rid of all attachments, and devote himself full time to the pursuit of God. He had to get her permission, but she refused. After a few days, while he was taking a bath in the river, a crocodile got hold of his foot and did not let go. Adi Shankara asked her for permission to take up sanyas since he was going to die anyway. His mom agreed, and immediately after that the crocodile let go of the boy's foot. Adi Shankara then promised his mother that anytime she needed him, all she had to do was to think of him and he would be there to help her.
So he roamed across India in search of a guru to help him achieve salvation. In a cave near the banks of the River Narmada, he saw a rishi and he asked him if he would be his guru in his quest. The rishi asked him "Who are you?" In response Adi Shankara composed the "Nirvana Shatakam". It starts off with "Neither I am the mind, nor Intelligence or Ego...and ends with "I am Shiva, the Ever Pure Blissful Consciousness". To be continued next GA.
Then we went through a guided meditation session. Today the purpose was for everybody to be able to sit still without moving for 3 mins.
Sanskar Academy 1 Sanskar Gurukul Weekly Update
Class
The turning point in the Kurukshetra war came on day fourteen. The day Abhimanyu was killed, Arjuna took an oath that he would either kill Jayadratha or be killed himself. Jayadratha was scared when he heard about Arjuna’s oath. He considered running away from the battle. Duryodhana convinced him that the whole Kaurava army would protect him. Arjuna’s oath presented Kauravas the opportunity to win the war. By keeping Jayadratha safe for one day, they would be able to kill Arjuna, thereby securing their victory over the Pandavas.
Dronacharya planned to organize the army in three interconnected vyuhas. Jayadratha would be placed in the innermost vyuha, making it extremely difficult for Arjuna to reach him by the day’s end. Satyaki was asked to protect Yudhisthira while Arjuna went to kill Jayadratha.
Arjuna fought valiantly as he worked his way through the vuyhas. When he encountered Duryodhana, a fierce battle took place. Arjuna’s attacks on him forced him to flee the battlefield. Arjuna continued to close in on Jayadratha.
In the meantime Satyaki and Bhoorisravas began their fight. Their families had an ancient feud. Soora’s cousin Sini abducted Kamsa’s sister Devaki to be Vasudeva’s bride. Bhoorisravas’ father Somdatta resented Sini’s act, and fought with Sini. Sini insulted Somdatta by grabbing his hair and putting his foot on Somdatta’s chest. Somdatta received a boon from God that one of his descendants would do the same to one of Sini’s descendants.
Bhoorisravas was Sini’s son and Satyaki was Soora’s grandson. During their fight, Bhoorisravas overpowered Satyaki and avenged his father’s insult. He then proceeded to cut off Satyaki’s head. Arjuna intervened to save Satyaki by shooting an arrow that cut off Bhoorisravas’ hand. As Bhoorisravas was preparing to leave his body, Satyaki cut his head off.
We will continue discussing rest of the day fourteen of the war during our next session.
Homework
None.
Announcements
None.
Sanskar Academy 2