Week 18

Children can be asked to keep a photo of Krishna’s on their desk at home and
taught how to pray and offer flowers or fruits to Him. They will especially enjoy it
if they make a cut out of Krishna’s picture on a card board on their own. So in this
week’s activity, you can ask them to stick pictures of Krishna on card board and
then help cut it out for them. You can stick a cardboard stand for it as well and
teach them how to pray and offer to the Lord.

Tulasi arati: 10 minutes

Set up the Tulasi stand holding Tulasi in the middle of the room. Keep all the
paraphernalia for worshiping her ready in advance. Lead the kirtan as the children
follow you. Perform the arati offering Tulasi incense, ghee lamp, and flowers.
Make the children offer water to Tulasi and also go around her three times while
singing the song.

Ice- breaker: 15 minutes

When you are seated in a circle, ask them one by one to speak for a minute on:
“What do I like most about my grand parents? What nice things did they teach
me.”

Kirtana: 15 minutes

If any of the children know to play some musical instruments, you can ask them to
bring it and play as an accompaniment for the kirtana. Involve the children in
kirtana by asking them to clap their hands and to dance some simple steps. Also
ask them to go up to the altar and offer some flowers or an incense stick which all
of them can use for offering to the Lordships.

Story: 30 minutes

Story telling has to be interactive for maximum effect.

This means that you have to ask them questions every now and then so that they
remain alert and learn all the important facts. With this in mind we have included
questions after every few paragraphs . You can read out the text of every
paragraph, explain it in your own words and then ask the questions. Ask them to
raise their hands if they know their answer. No shouting or screaming out the
answers and no speaking out of turn. You have to emphasize this from the very
beginning, so that they learn proper discipline from the very beginning. Also you
can encourage the quiet ones to participate. Speak encouraging and appreciative
words especially to the shy and quiet ones and also to all the others in general. This
will make them very enthusiastic and responsive.

Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1

Arjuna punishes Ashwathama

In India about 5,000 years ago, there lived an extraordinary woman named Queen
Draupadi. Draupadi had five husbands, known as the Pandavas. This kind of
marriage was considered unlawful but we will explain later, in this case,why it is
acceptable. The Pandavas are considered as brothers even though the mother of
Yudhistra, Bheema and Arjuna was Kunti, and the mother of Nakula and Sahadeva
was Madri, Kunti’s husband’s second wife.

1)How many years ago did the Pandavas live?

2) Who were the sons of mother Kunti?

3) Who were the sons of mother Madri?

Also, each of the Pandavas had different fathers, powerful demigods, as stated
below:

King Yudhistra was the son of Yamaraja, the Lord of Death

Bheema was the son of Vayu, the Lord of Wind

Arjuna was the son of Indra, the Lord of Heaven

Nakula and Sahadeva were the sons of the twin Ashwini Kumaras, the Heavenly
Physician.

1) Mention the fathers of Yudhishtira, Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva.

Queen Draupadi had five sons, one from each of the Pandavas, and she lovingly
cared for them in every way. At one time, Draupadi and her five teenage warrior
sons lived in a military camp at Kurukshetra during a terrible war.

1)How many sons did Draupadi have?

Prior to the war, which lasted only for eighteen days, relations between the
opposing sides had been declining for more than a decade. The dispute began in
the royal Kuru family whose monarch ruled what was then known as the world.
The royal cousin princes, the Pandavas and Kauravas, had been quarrelling over
the inheritance of the throne, which rightfully belonged to the Pandavas. To avoid
war, the Pandavas offered the Kauravas nearly all their share of the kingdom to
which Duryodhana replied,” We will not even give you enough land to hold the
point of a needle.” The Pandavas were therefore forced to fight.

1)How many days did the Mahabharatha war last?

2) Why did the war take place?

The historic Kurukshetra battle that followed, which claimed the lives of many
millions of soldiers, involved worldwide participation. Since then the world has
never seen so large and dreadful a war. On the eighteenth day of the war the
Pandavas achieved victory.

1)How many soldiers took part in the war?

2)From where did they come?

3) Who was victorious in the war?

Ashwathama was one of the surviving powerful generals of the Kauravas army,
and he vowed to get revenge at any cost. He was extremely angry at the way his
father, Dronacharya, had been killed in the war by Dristhadymna, one of the
Pandava’s soldier. He thus devised a shameful, unlawful plan to kill the guarded
military camp unnoticed.

1) Why did Ashwattama want to take revenge on the Pandavas?

From one tent to another he desperately searched in the moonlight shadows for the
five Pandavas. When Ashwathama found five persons sleeping in one tent, he
immediately beheaded them all. This cowardly act was against the agreed battle
rules and even displeases his evil-minded battle commander, Duryodhana, who
soon discovered that the slain soldiers were not, in fact, the Pandavas. They were
the five teenage sons of the Pandavas.
1) What horrible act did Ashwattama commit?
2) Was Duryodhana pleased with this act?

When Draupadi discovered her five headless sons she screamed, “o my sons!”.
“Ashwathama has mercilessly killed our sons,” said Arjuna, after painfully
observing the horrible massacre. “Draupadi, do no fear. I will find him, and when I
return with his head, your tears will cease,”The furious Arjuna took up his deadly
weapons, mounted his chariot, and began chasing Ashwathama at full speed.

1) How did Arjuna try to comfort Draupadi?

Arjuna’s chariot driver was Lord Krishna. The Lord had descended to Earth to
deliver saintly followers of the Vedas, to punish Earth’s evil leaders, to revive
obedience to His laws in the Vedas. In fairness to both sides, Krishna had promised
to refrain from fighting and so He merely played a neutral role and drove Arjuna’s
chariot.
1) Who drove Arjuna’s chariot?
2) Why did He not take any one’s side in the war?
3) What was the purpose of His coming to the earth?

After a long chase, Ashwathama noticed that his horses were tired and that Arjuna
was right behind him. The terrified Ashwathama thought. “If I do not stop Arjuna,
he will kill me!” It so happened that Ashwathama’s father Dronacharya had been
an expert military teacher. Although Ashwathama was unqualified, his father had
taught him the secret art of using and atomic brahmastra weapon.
1) Why did Ashwattama become terrified during the chase?
2) What is Brahmastra?
3) Who taught Ashwattama the art of using the Brahmastra?

Ashwathama first touched sanctified water and then invoked a brahmastra with
secret Vedic mantras. He then released his brahmastra and recited another mantra –
directing the weapon to kill Arjuna. Soaring high in the sky, Ashwathama’s
Brahmastra spread is glaring heat in all directions. Arjuna sensed he was in danger
but could not immediately think of a way to protect himself. Feeling helpless,
Arjuna called out, “Krishna, what is this dangerous glare racing towards me?
Where has it come from? I don’t understand it!”
1) How did Ashwattama release the Brahmastra weapon?
2) How did Arjuna feel that he was in danger?
3) What did Arjuna do?

Krishna said “Arjuna, it’s a brahmastra! Ashwathama fired it at you. Only another
brahmastra can counteract this deadly weapon. Quickly! Counter it with your
brahmastra.NOW!”

1)What did Krishna advise Arjuna?

Arjuna quickly offered his respects to Krishna, touched the sanctified water
chanted secret Vedic mantras, and fired his brahmastra. The collision of those
dreadful weapons created a sun-like circle of fire that began to scorch the entire
planet in this universe.

1)What happened when Arjuna also sent his Brahmastra weapon?

Upon seeing this all-pervasive danger, the administrative demigods became afraid,
thinking that the universe would be annihilated. “Arjuna,” said Krishna, “withdraw
those weapons quickly, before they destroy this entire universe” Since Arjuna was
expert at both launching and withdrawing a brahmastra with Vedic mantras, he
instantly retracted the weapons.

1)Why did Krishna ask Arjuna to take back both their weapons?

Arjuna quickly captured Ashwathama and tied him with ropes. Remembering his
promise to Draupadi and the horrified sight of their five dead sons, Arjuna became
exceedingly angry and his eyes began to ignite like blazing red balls of copper. But
then he thought, “I can’t kill him. He is the son of my beloved guru, Dronacharya!”

1)Why did Arjuna not kill Ashwattama even after catching him?

Krishna understood and agreed with Arjuna’s thoughts. Outwardly, however, He

objected. The Lord wanted to test Arjuna’s sense of duty and compassion. “Arjuna,
why are you hesitating? Ashwathama deserves to be killed! He murdered your
sleeping sons. Not only that, his evil crime disgusted even his own military
commander, the wicked Duryodhana. And what about your promise to Draupadi?
You must kill him!”

1)Did Krishna agree with Arjuna’s decision?

2)What did Krishna ask Arjuna to do to Ashwattama? What reasons did He give
for that?

3) Why did Krishna give such an instruction to Arjuna?

“Krishna, You are right, but killing my guru’s son is like killing my own guru! His
relatives, if I kill him, will suffer. Their suffering is my suffering! Krishna, I can’t
do it. Let’s take him back to Draupadi and the others and then decide what to do”
Arjuna and Krishna thus returned to their military camp and presented the captured
Ashwathama before Draupadi.

1) What reasons did Arjuna give to Krishna for not wanting to kill Ashwattama?

When Draupadi saw Ashwathama bound with ropes like an animal, she felt sorry
for him. She even honored him, the murderer of her five sons, as if he were a
respectable brahmana.

“Please release him,” she said to Arjuna. “If we kill him, his mother and relatives
will also weep like me. What is the use of causing more sorrow? Besides isn’t he
the son of the great brahmana, Dronacharya, your military teacher who taught you
the art of mastering celestial weapons? The Vedas warn that if we offend
brahmanas, who are our teacher, the fire of their anger will burn our family, casting
unhappiness upon us all.”
1) What did Draupadi do when she saw Ashwattama?
2) Why did she ask Arjuna to release Ashwattama?

“I agree with Draupadi.” said King Yudhistra. “Her compassion, her devotion to
religious behavior, and her loyalty to Vedic scriptures are flawless.” Everyone
agreed with Queen Draupadi and King Yudhistra except Bheema. “ I want to kill
him,” he said angrily. “this coward murdered our sleeping sons for no real reason,
and without even giving them a chance to fight.”

1)Who was the only one who did not agree with Draupadi? Why?

Then, with a slight smile,

Lord Krishna said, “The Vedic scriptures state that a relative of a brahmana cannot
be killed; yet if he is an aggressor who suddenly attacks with deadly weapons, he
must be killed. Arjuna, for the satisfaction of Bheema and Myself, and to uphold
your promise to Draupadi, you should kill him.” Lord Krishna was prompting
Arjuna to think of a compassionate solution that would satisfy everyone.
1) When did Krishna say that a brahmana can be killed?
2) What did Krishna want Arjuna to do?

Understanding Krishna’s mind, Arjuna took up his sharp sword and cut the jewel
and all the hair from Ashwathama’s head. Ashwathama was born with a beautiful
jewel on his forehead and was consequently strong, beautiful, and famous. But
without his jewel and hair, and having lost his famous reputation, Ashwathama
was as good as dead. The Vedic scriptures state, “For one who has been honored,
dishonor is worse than death.” In this way Ashwathama was killed yet not killed by
intelligence of Lord Krishna and Arjuna. After he had been untied and turned
loose, Ashwathama wandered towards the forest like a lost animal.
1) What did Arjuna do to Ashwattama?
2) Why was Ashwattama as good as dead?

Japa :15 minutes

You can make them chant 108 times or one mala together. Before giving them
beads to chant and teaching them to chant together both the Panca Tattva Mantras,
please read the following text to them. After that you can ask them if they have
understood it and need any further explanation before they start chanting.

Read

Sri Namamrta - The Nectar of the Holy Name

There are three types of people in this world: those who are liberated, those who are trying to be
liberated and those who are interested to enjoy this material world through their senses. All of
these three types of men take pleasure in chanting the holy names of the Lord.

Pure devotees, who no longer have any material desires, surrender fully to the lotus feet of the
Lord. They always merge in the ocean of bliss by chanting and hearing the Lord's holy name.
Devotees like Narada and other residents of Sveta dvipa are seen always engaged in chanting the
holy name of the Lord because by such chanting they are always externally and internally
blissful.

Those who are trying to be liberated, the second class will chant so that they can become
liberated and also feel the transcendental pleasure of this chanting.
As for persons engaged in sense gratification, they also may take pleasure in hearing the
pastimes of the Lord, like His fighting on the Battlefield of Kurukshetra and His dancing in
Vrindavana with the gopis.

Everyone, therefore should chant and hear the glories of the Lord, and in this way everyone will
benefit.
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.1 "Additional Notes"

Tell them to chant one round of japa together. Tell them how they should chant
loudly and listen to the words and should also plead with Krishna to make them
better devotees. Tell them to chant in a prayerful mood. Hand over the beads to
them. Make them repeat the Guru pranam mantra and Sri Panca tattva mantra.
Then begin to chant loudly and quickly the Hare Krishna Maha mantra together on
the beads.

If they feel restless to keep sitting down chant, you may permit them to also walk
and chant. At the end of the session, inquire from those who have started chanting
at home daily about how their chanting has been. You can also ask the others if
they would like to start chanting also at home.

Slokas: 20 minutes

Children have good memory power and learn the slokas easily too. But you must
make it interesting for them to learn and most important they should have some
understanding of the meaning. It is good to have a drawing describing the sloka.
We have attached these drawings in the CD enclosed. Keep the drawing ready for
this sloka. Put it up on the board.

First read out the sloka and the translation to them and then read out the
explanation. Then with the help of the drawing , explain it once again in your own
words what you just read out. You can ask them if they have understood it and if
they have any doubts or questions about it.

Only after this you teach them to repeat the words and then whole sentences of the
sloka. Make them repeat it many times. If they are old enough to copy it on their
own, they can do so in their note-books. Otherwise, you can ask each of the older
children to write down in one of the smaller kid's note-book. If they are all young
and unable to write, you can make photo copies of the slokas and file it for
them.So that their parents can help them to memorize them at home. Every week,
if you recite the previous week's slokas as well, they will learn it by heart it very
quickly.

Slokas: 15 minutes

Bhagavad-gita Text 7.19

bahunaam janmanam ante

jnanavan maam prapadyate

Vasudevah sarvam iti

Sa mahatma su-durlabah

Translation

After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me,
knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very
rare.

Explanation

It takes many lifetimes for a living entity to become purified and achieve spiritual
perfection. In the beginning he may not understand that God is a person. He may
think that there are no activities in the spiritual world. But as he becomes more and
more purified, he understands that there are activities in the spiritual world and
these activities are devotional activities. Knowing about this, he becomes very
attached to Krishna as the Supreme Person and the cause of all causes. He will see
everything in relation to Krishna. Understanding that the material world also
depends completely on Krishna, he will fully surrender unto Him.

Questions:

1) Why does a living entity take many births?

2) What does he think about God when he is not so pure?
3) When he is purified, what does he understand about the spiritual world?
4) Why does he become attached to Krishna?
5) Why does he surrender completely to Krishna?

Activity:15 minutes

Craft-work- Making card board cut -outs of Krishna’s pictures

You can buy some card board and some gum. Get some pictures of Krishna/ Lord
Chaitanya or Their associates. It is more economical to buy in bulk and share the
cost. So you can request the parents to pay for the cost.

Use the scissors to cut the pictures yourself and then help them to stick the pictures
on the card board. Cut the card board on the out-line of the picture.

Make a two inch wide stand for the picture. Let the length be half the length of the
picture. Attach this to the back of the cut-out by means of a piece of paper stuck to
both the stand and the back of the picture.
Now make it stand on the table and teach them to worship the Lord by first folding
their hands ad chanting 3 times the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Teach them also to
offer flowers/ fruits at Krishna’s lotus feet and chant the Maha mantra 3 times.

Home-work:

You can hand out the coloring sheet for them to complete at home. Request them
to write their names on the sheet, to file it and bring it to class next week.You can
return the sheets which you have put up on the notice board to them.

Prasadam: 15 minutes

Children look forward to eating the prasadam at the end of the class, however
simple it may be. Ask them to think of Krishna while eating the Prasadam and to
thank him for tasting it first and giving them back the remnants.

You can play some music or play some devotional DVD movie for them. As they
leave the class, speak to each one of them and wish them goodbye.