Opening Prayers: We all sat straight, criss-cross, hands folded, chanted together 3 Oms, then Sahana Vavatu, Ganesha Slokha -Vakra Tunda, Saraswathi Slokha- Saraswathi Namasthubayam, Guru Slokha - Guru Brahma.
We discussed our Class Play and appreciated all the good work done by the kids in the Class Play.
Then we continued the next chapters in Bala Bhagavatam: Discussing Akrura and Kamsa story - where Kamsa sends Akrura to bring Krishna to Mathura from Vrindavan.
End of Kamsa: Krishna and Balarama visited all the places of interest in Mathura and finally arrived at the hall where the huge and heavy bow, studded with precious gems, was being exhibited. The bow was heavily guarded by fierce armed men. But before they knew what was going on, Krishna seized the bow and drew its string until it snapped into two pieces. The thunderous breaking sound reverberated in the hall and shook the earth making everyone tremble from head to toe. Not only this, but the terrific thunderclap reached as far as Kamsa's interior compartments and shook him from head to toe with immense fear.Kamsa had a very bad restless sleep. At last the sun rose and it was the day everyone was waiting for. The massive arena and amphitheatre was luxuriously decorated with flowers and garlands. Spectators had started lining up from early morning to make sure to get good seats.
Krishna and Balarama as they came into the amphitheater there was an elephant and a mahout. Krishna asked the manhout to move the elephant from the gate instead the manhout set the elephant to trample the boys under its feet. Krishna however slipped between the legs of the elephant and caught the elephant's trunk. It fell down with a mighty thud. Krishna ripped out the elephant's tusks and with one blow killed both the animal and its manhout. To all the spectators' surprise all the wrestlers were killed by Krishna and Balarama. The trumpets sounded for the victors and the crowd stood on its feet cheering joyously. Kamsa's rage knew no bounds and drew his sword to Kill Krishna.
Before Kamsa takes the next step. Krishna started walking toward the throne and in long leaps and strides jumped onto the raised platform and immediately drew his sword. But Krishna was fearless and he caught hold of Kamsa by the hair, swung him around and threw him down into the arena dead. It was just that quick.
But in spite of his disgraceful end, Kamsa was rewarded in his last moment with a blissful vision of the Lord Himself in entire divine splendor. He obtained oneness with the Lord because he never spent a single moment without thinking about Krishna. Even though he thought of the Lord only with hate, anger, and fear, his focus on the Lord was single pointed and constant. Kamsas eight brothers immediately drew swords to kill Krishna and Balarama but soon were overpowered by Krishna and Balarama and killed.
Krishna and Balarama then released Ugrasena, the family elder and the king now of Mathura. The brothers then bowed to the king and asked for the release of their parents. Then Krishna and Balarama met their parents Vasudeva and Devaki and all the years of pain melted away for that time as they joined in happiness.
Krishna kept his promise to Trivakra(once hunch backed girl now beautiful lady). Then with Balarama and Uddhava, he visited Akrura's home who received them all with great devotion.
With Kamsa gone and Vasudeva, Devaki and Ugrasena freed from the deepest darkest dungeon, Vasudeva decided that it was time for Krishna and Balarama to have their Upanayanam. They received their sacred thread, making them eligible to enroll in a Gurukula to learn the scriptures from a Guru. After the Upanayanam, the boys were sent to Rishi Sandipani to live with and learn from their Guru under strict discipline and service. The brothers were diligent and quick to learn. They mastered the Vedas and the Vedangas, phonetics, grammar, astronomy, logic, philosophy and economic sciences, ALL in 64 days!
The boys approached Guru Sandipani to ask him what they could offer as Guru-dakshina. The rishi knew of their divine nature and did not want anything. When they insisted, the Guru consulted with his wife and they requested that they bring back their son who drowned in the sea. Balarama and Krishna went to the seashore. The sea brought tons of precious gifts to welcome the duo. The sea denied swallowing the rishi’s son. Then the brothers went to Yama and demanded a restoration of their Guru’s son. Their Guru and Guru-ma were overjoyed! Everyone bade them farewell after receiving the most precious Gurudakshina. The brothers were blessed, and were told that their glory would shine wherever they went. They were sent off to purify the whole world. Krishna and Balarama went back to their parents in Mathura. He remembered the fun He had in Vrindavana and knew that His avatara was to restore Dharma and He had a ton of work to do! Krishna appointed Uddhava to carry His message of love to Vrindavana. His visit is one of the most beautiful, mystical, and memorable episodes in Srimad Bhagavatam.
With this, we successfully completed our syllabus in Bala Bhagavatham.
Then we all went out on the open area inside the ashram backside and kids played together outside. It was a beautiful day in the morning. Kids had fun together for 30 minutes.
And then we went back inside to the prayer hall to watch Grade 2 play and aarthi, pledge.
Pranaams
Mahalakshmi Arcot
Anurag Saran
