Class Summary for June 20, 2023 - Chapter-1 (12 -23 slokas)

Summarized by: Gurunath Netravali

• The class started with the recitation of the opening prayers, Sahana Vavatu, Chinmaya Dyanam

Shloka and Meditation. A recap was done of the previous class with input from the attendees.

Duryodhana’s nervousness and lack of self confidence in himself and his army came out clearly

in the earlier verses discussed. Also emphasis was put on Bhishma being considered as the

Pseudo self or the false ego. Although Bhishma, Drona and Karna had a lot of positive traits they

were on the side of Adharma and this clouded their positive traits. A tip for the class was to do

meditation to overcome the Pseudo ego.

• Shlokas 12 to 14 were chanted melodiously in Sanskrit by Ankita. In the midst of Duryodhana’s

despair, the patriarch Bhishma blows his conch thereby declaring the start of the war. This gives

joy to Duryodhana since he is now certain that Bhishma is on his side and ready to fight.

Immediately all the other Maharathis from both sides blew their conches, kettledrums, bugles,

trumpets and horns. Krishna, called Madhava here, and Arjun blow their respective conches

from the midst of the Pandava army. Sanjaya makes special reference to the divine horses and

the chariot that was gifted to Arjuna by Agni to emphasize Arjuna’s might and hoping against

hope that Dhrutharashtra will wake up and call off the war. He also gently reminds him that

Madhava (one who is wed to prosperity) is on the Pandava’s side and no harm can befall them

when the Lord is on their side

• From a subjective analysis perspective, sometimes in our own body, mind and intellect (BMI)

our vasanas or habits go to rest or are in a dormant state and materialistic desires become

directionless or confused. At this time the Pseudo self or the ego takes control over the

materialistic desire. The ego identifies itself with the BMI at which point all the negative

tendencies also come to the surface and expose itself to the materialistic desire. A desire can

relate to the body, mind or intellect from the gross i.e body to the subtlest i.e. intellect. If we

pay attention or are aware, especially during meditation, we will also see positive tendencies.

During meditation sometimes we feel rapid breathing which are the negative tendencies. When

this happens we sometimes take a deep breath, either voluntary or involuntary, to stop the

rapid breathing which is our positive energy to reaffirm our true self. Meditation is our second

tool in our toolkit, after the bedtime introspection. Meditation should be done for about 10

minutes every day and the prerequisites can be found in the Self Unfoldment book. Meditation

is the 19 th chapter in the Self Unfoldment book. If you cannot meditate do not stop but chant

your favorite mantra.

•  Next, Shlokas 15 to 18 were chanted by Ankita. In these verses Hrishikesha (Krishna), blows his

conch Panchajanya made from the bones of the demon of the same name, and Arjuna, also

known as Dhananjaya or the conqueror of wealth, blew the Devadutta given to him by his

father, the king of the devas, Indra. The voracious eater and performer of mighty deeds

Bheema, also called Vrkodara (one who has the belly of a wolf), blows his conch the Paundra.

King Yudhishthir blows the Anantavijay, which means Everlasting Victory. Nakul, Sahadev, the

King of Kashi Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virat, Sayaki, Drupad, the five sons of Draupadi and

the son of Subhadra, the mighty armed Abhimanyu all blew their conches respectively. What is

to be noted is that Sanjaya relating all this to Dhrutharashtra chooses all the greats from the

Pandava side to reiterate the might of the Pandavas. Sanjaya hopes that it is not too late to call

off the war and by describing the might of the Pandavas, Dhrutharashtra will realize his folly.

Sanjaya also tries to boost Dhrutharashtra’s ego by calling him as the Ruler of the Earth. For all

of Sanjaya’s efforts, it falls on the deaf ears of Dhrutharashtra who is blinded by his love for his

son Duryodhana

•  In the subjective analysis, the various sounds made by the blowing of the conches, represent the

state of mind during meditation, which represent the 5 elements viz.

o Sahadeva – Smell (Earth)

o Nakula – Taste (Water)

o Arjuna – Sight (Fire)

o Bhima – Touch (Air)

o Yudhisthra – Hearing (Space)

• Krishna – Symphony of all the sounds (Cosmic)

During meditation, we will come across one or the other of these five positive elements and years of

meditation will lead us to the Symphony which will bring calmness and lead to the ultimate state

with no thoughts and absolute silence.

•  Finally, Shlokas 19 to 23 were chanted by Ankita. Sanjaya tells Dhrutharashtra that the sounds

by the Pandava conches created a thunderous sound that shattered the hearts of his sons. Again

Sanjaya is indirectly telling Dhrutharashtra that his sons are no match for the Pandavas and

egging him to call off the war. Arjun, the son of Pandu, with the insignia of Hanuman on the flag

of his chariot, looking at Dhrutharashtra’s sons requests Krishna to drive the chariot between

the two armies so that he can look at the Kaurava warriors against whom he will have to fight.

Arjun wants to see those that have to come to fight on the side of the evil minded son of

Dhrutharashtra. Until these Shlokas, a foundation was being laid on the layout of the warriors

on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, from now on a conversation will take place between Arjun and

Krishna

• The class ended with reflection of the current class and with chanting of Purnamadah

purnamidam mantra