Story to illustrate Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya: The coffee cups (See previous class)

Transcription

1 Review: What are the six enemies of happiness? What is the moral of the seven pots story? Story to illustrate Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya: The coffee cups (See previous class) Review Mahabharat Part 8 (previous class) Which enemy of happiness did Yudhisthira fall to when he kept gambling? Review Proverbs (previous class) HOMEWORK: One Wisdom quote or story each (less than ½ page) for newsletter Page 1 of 5

2 Puppies for Sale: A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read, "Puppies for Sale". Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner's sign. "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked. The store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30 to $50." The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "I have $2.37," he said, "Can I please look at them?' The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came 'lady', who ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately, the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog?" The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited and said, "That is the little puppy I want to buy." The store owner said, "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I'll give him to you." The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner's eyes, pointing his fingers and said, "I don't want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I'll pay the full price. In fact, I'll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have paid for him fully." The store owner countered, "You really don't want puppies." To this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied. "Well, I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!" MORAL: Show compassion walk a mile in the other person s shoes before judging them. Page 2 of 5

3 Mahabharata (Part 9): Pandavas in Exile The Pandavas faced hard times as they started their exile. It was difficult for the Pandava brothers to get enough food to satisfy their hunger. Yudhishthira prayed to the sun god, Surya who presented Yudhishthira with a miraculous copper plate. "Give this plate to Draupadi. It will go on giving you whatever dishes you want every day till Draupadi finishes her meal." After returning home from his daily worship, Yudhishthira gave the copper bowl to Draupadi and told her everything that sun god had said. Draupadi was very pleased to hear of the boon and took the bowl to her kitchen with great reverence. The Pandavas soon invited all sages and saints to share food with them. One day Vyasa arrived to pay his sympathy for the Pandavas. He predicted, "After thirteen years, following your period of exile, there will be a fearful war with the Kauravas when you return to Hastinapur. Finally you will come out victorious. The war will leave only a few survivors of the descendants of Bharata. It will be wise if you start preparing yourself for the oncoming battle. Hence start to acquire as many divine weapons as you can during your exile." The Pandavas thus spent 12 years in exile acquiring divine weapons that they would eventually use against the Kauravas. They were worried about the successful ending of their thirteenth year of exile, the period which they had to pass unrecognized. Duryodhana has mandated that if the Pandavas were recognized during the thirteenth year of their exile, they would have to remain in exile for another thirteen years. Thirteenth Year in Disguise According to Vyasa s advice the Pandavas went to the kingdom of Virata in disguise. In the mean time Duryodhana sent his spies to discover Pandavas hideout. Hiding their weapons, the Pandavas entered the kingdom of Virata. They were not recognized by king Virata and he welcomed them. The Pandava brothers and princess Draupadi requested King Virata to give them some jobs. Virata willingly agreed. Page 3 of 5

4 Yudhisthira, disguised as a Brahmin, became one of king s trusted advisors. Bheema became the chief cook. Arjuna who had learnt the art of dance and music from Chirtrasen at Indralok, was cursed by Urvashi, a beautiful dancer of heaven, to remain a eunuch for a year. So Arjuna found it convenient to become a dance and music teacher for princess Uttara. Nakula became the royal groom and Sahadeva, the royal cowherd. As for Draupadi, she became Queen Sudeshana s maid. Things were going well until the queen s evil brother, Keechak, the commander of Virata s armies, became interested in Draupadi. Keechak asked for Draupadi s hand in marriage. Draupadi, being happily married to the Pandava brothers, refused. Keechak, thinking her to be only a maid, felt insulted to have been turned down. He decided to force himself into Draupadi s chamber one night. As soon as Draupadi heard of this plan, she begged Bheema to rescue her. Bheema, disguised as Draupadi, lay on the bed. When Keechak stealthily entered Draupadi s room, Bheema sprung out of the bed and killed him. The next day Keechak s corpse was discovered in Draupadi s room, with no clue as to who was the assailant. To save Bheema from the Queen s wrath, Draupadi told her that Keechak had entered her room, without her permission. When she had screamed, someone had come in and killed Keechak and she had no idea of his identity. The queen apologized for her brother s misdeeds, but never learnt the truth about Bheema s action. Meanwhile, Duryodhana had sent his men to every corner of the earth to discover the Pandavas hideout. He knew that if he could locate the Pandavas, who were men of honor, they would never go back on their words and would start their exile all over. He was happy to hear of Keechak s death, as he had been a great threat to his kingdom. But he knew no ordinary man could kill the mighty Keechak and so he suspected that Bheema could be the assailant. He decided to invade the kingdom of Virata. In no time Duryodhana s army attacked Virata while Duryodhana planned to personally attack Virata s palace from the rear. As the war approached, Yudhishthira offered his services and those of his family to Virata. This was an expression of his gratitude towards Virata for providing them shelter. All his brothers, except Arjuna, joined the army and in no time captured Susharma. Page 4 of 5

5 Duryodhana, unaware of Susharma s captivity, attacked Virata s palace from the rear. The young prince Uttar was the only man left in the palace as all the others had already left for the war. When the women teased Uttar for hiding in the palace, he came up with the plea that he did not have a charioteer and hence could not go war. When Arjuna heard of this, he promptly offered his services. He first took the chariot to the tree where he had hid his weapons almost a year ago. Uttar was puzzled but kept quiet, as he was afraid to face the Kaurava army. Arjuna guessed the situation and asked Uttar to take his place as a charioteer while he does the fighting. Uttar agreed. When Arjuna blew his conch the Kaurava army immediately recognized Arjuna. Duryodhana was happy to locate the Pandavas. But to his utter disappointment Duryodhana soon learned that the thirteenth year had just been completed. Arjuna single handedly defeated the army and Duryodhana fled from the battlefield. During the victory celebration Yudhishthira explained to Virata the details of their thirteenth year of exile under his protection. All the Pandavas expressed their gratitude to Virata. Virata was happy and agreed to give his daughter Uttara in marriage to Arjuna s son Abhimanyu. Subhadra and Abhimanyu were called and they came with Krishna and Balarama. The marriage celebration went on for several days uniting the Pandavas with their friends and relatives. Page 5 of 5