November

November 8

At the start of class, we reviewed Shantanu, his descendants, and the foundational lineage of the epic. 

We covered Vichitravīrya marrying Ambika and Ambalika, Vyasa granting children (Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidur), and Amba's ongoing grievance against Bhishma.

Then we pivoted to the main topic of the class, where we noted how Pandu became king and married prita (Kunti), Dhritarashtra married Gandhari through Bhishma's arrangement, and Kunti received Durvasa's mantra. Leading to the birth and river journey of Karna, who was found and taken care of by Adhiratha. 

We finished class by exploring Kansa and Chanur, and by playing The Forbidden Seven using Diwali-themed items to celebrate diwali as a class.

Homework:

 Read 1.6 in the book (birth of pandavas)

Every week: Paksh, titi, hindu month

October 

October 25

We had a meditation session, so there are no updates for this class.

October 18

We started class with the assembly shlokas and reviewed last week's homework on Bhishma’s guru. We then watched a video covering the legendary duel between Bhishma and his guru, Parashurama, over the injustice towards princess Amba.

After the some time after the duel, King Vichitravirya dies without an heir. Satyavati asks Bhishma have an heir and take the throne, Bhishma was tested but held firm to his vow of celibacy. Queen Satyavati then summoned her eldest son, Sage Ved Vyasa, to preserve the Kuru lineage:

Dhritarashtra: Born blind to Queen Ambika (who closed her eyes in fear); became father to the 100 Kauravas (including Duryodhana).

Pandu: Born pale/sickly to Queen Ambalika (who turned pale with fear); became father to the 5 Pandavas (including Arjuna).

Vidura: Born to a composed maidservant sent in place of the queens; grew up to be a deeply wise advisor of Dharma.

Homework:

Watch the assigned lesson videos.

Find out who Chanura and Kansa

Find the month Tithi, Paksha, and Month.

October 11

Hello Everyone. We had a great class of Hats yesterday. We learned about a trick on how to figure out the Paksh that is currently happening. Krishna means black and when the moon is disappearing, that will be Krishna Paksh. When the moon is reappearing. That’s Shukla Paksh.

We also learned about a story of Shantanus kids. He had 1 child from Ganga and his name was Bishma. Shantanu has 2 children from Satyavati and they were Chitraganda and Vichitravirya. Chitraganda was the first king of Hastinapur put he was killed in a battle. His brother Vichitravirya became king.

After he became king, Bishma decided to go to Kashi and find 3 princesses to secure a wife for Vichitravirya. An angry king Shalva was mad at Bishma taking the princess, so he chased him. They had gotten into a fight in which Bishma spared Shalva. In Hastinapur, princess Amba said that she only had feelings for Shalva. Bishma understood and left her go back to Kashi.

King Shalva was deeply upset that Amba had not spoken earlier since he was embarrassed of being destroyed by Bishma. He demanded that he would not marry Amba. In heartbreak, Amba went back to Hastinapur and demanded that Bishma would marry her. Bishma took a vow that he would not marry or have kids. Amba leaves the palace and finds Lord Parshuram. She begs that justice will be served towards Bishma.

Kaushal Uncle left all of the kids some homework for next class:

1. What festival is on full moon of this month

2. Who were the guru of Beeshma

3. What was the original name of Parshuram

4. What is the Hindu 5. month

6. What’s Titi is happening

What Paksh is happening 

October 4

Today we had another engaging and insightful class.

Homework Review:

We discussed last week's question on whether Ved Vyas is a proper name or a title. We learned that it is a title (meaning "the compiler/arranger" of the Vedas) rather than a personal name.

Class Highlights:

We continued our narrative of the Mahabharata and learned about King Shantanu and his son Devavrata. Devavrata noticed his father was deeply sad and set out to find the reason why.

Devavrata discovered that Shantanu wished to marry Satyavati. However, Satyavati’s father agreed to the marriage only on the condition that Satyavati's future sons would inherit the throne instead of Devavrata, the rightful heir.

To ensure his father's happiness, Devavrata took a vow. He not only gave up his right to the throne, but also vowed never to marry or father children so that Satyavati’s line would rule without challenge.

Deeply moved by his son's immense sacrifice, King Shantanu granted Devavrata the boon of Ichha Mrityu (the ability to choose the exact time of his own death). Because of this vow, Devavrata became known as Bhishma.

Homework:

Read the textbook.

September

September 20

Today we had a productive and engaging class.

We commenced the session by distributing the textbooks for the year, followed by a review of the previous week's homework about paksha, tithi, and the Hindu month. After the review, we explored how the Hindu calendar months are related to and based on the movement of the Earth. 

We then transitioned to the Mahabharata, discussing the epic's original title and examining whether "Ved Vyas" functions as a proper name or an honorific title. Following this, we introduced King Janmejaya and his revenge against the snakes to avenge his father, noting his vital role in the unfolding narrative of the epic.

Next, we viewed a segment illustrating the King of Hastinapur falling in love with Mother Ganga and the critical condition she imposed for their union. We examined the poignant sequence in which Ganga casts their newborn children into the river while the king watches in silent sorrow, bound by her condition not to question her actions.

Rajeev Uncle provided deeper contextual analysis, explaining that the eight children were Vasus (celestial beings) cursed to mortal rebirth as retribution for stealing a rishi’s sacred cow, known as Kamadhenu.

Homework:

Identify the original name of the Mahabharata.

Determine whether Ved Vyas is a name or a title.