Karnataka State 8th Standard, Prose – 7
THE GREAT SACRIFICE
Read the following extract from the Mahabharata and answer the following questions:
Kunti went to her son Karna and requested him not to reuse an arrow at the battle field against Arjuna. Karna happily gave the boon he thought that his mother was greater than his boon. Later on, he was easily killed by Arjuna in the battle-field as he would not re-use the arrow.
- Why did Kunti go to Karna?
Kunti went to her son Karna and requested him not to reuse an arrow at the battle field against Arjuna.
2. Was Kunti right in taking away the boon? Explain.
On one view Kunti was right in taking away the boon from Karna. Otherwise Karna would have teamed up with the evil Kauravas to destroy the good Pandavas.
3. What was the sacrifice made by Karna?
Karna happily gave the boon he thought that his mother was greater than his boon. Later on, he was easily killed by Arjuna in the battle-field and sacrifice his life as he would not re-use the arrow.
Discuss these points with your classmates.
- What is the greatest thing that you can appreciate in your mother? Is it to give up everything she has for her child? Is it to give up her life for her child?
A mother will do anything and everything for her child. Mothers love is a purest form of love. That love cannot compare to others love. She will stay up, hours a night, doing homework with her child. She will ready to sacrifice everything in her life for her childrens.
I. Comprehension:
Answer the following in two – three sentences each:
- Why were Padma and Panna worried?
Padma and Panna worried because everything has been going wrong since the death of Ranaji. Nobody seems to be happy. The nobles are quarrelling among themselves. They have become mean and selfish.
2. a. Name the person who was ambitious.
Banbir, a half–brother of Udai Singh is ambitious.
b. What is he compared to?
He is compared to snake.
c. Why were the other nobles powerless against him?
The nobles are quarrelling among themselves. They have become mean and selfish. They are not strong enough to dislike Banbir.
3. a. What did Banbir make up his mind to do?
Banbir is a curse to the house of Mewar. He resolved to kill Prince Udai Singh.
b. Why had he resolved to do this?
He resolved to do this because Banbir wants to be the permanent Rana of Mewar. He has resolved to kill the prince.
4. a. What did the Prince’s mother tell Panna when she was dying?
When the Rani the prince’s mother, was dying, she said to Panna, “Panna, I have lost everything except my precious child. I’m leaving him in your charge. Be a mother to him and protect him from all harm.”
b. What did Panna promise the Rani?
Panna Promised Rani that she would give her life to save the life of the prince.
5. a. What news did Champa bring?
Champa Said “Do what you can to save the life of the Prince. You haven’t any time to lose. Banbir will be here in a few minutes. He’s talking to a man outside. He’s only a hundred yards away from here”
b. What did Banbir have in his hand?
Banbir has a naked sword in his hand.
6. a. Why did Panna change the Prince’s clothes?
Panna changes the Prince’s clothes because she wanted to dresses her own child in the clothes of the prince and puts him in his bed.
b. Where did she put him?
She puts him in a basket.
c. What did she cover him with?
She covers him with flowers and leaves.
7. Whose clothes did Panna make her baby wear? Whose bed did she put him in?
Panna quickly dresses her own child in the clothes of the prince Udai Singh and puts him in prince’s bed.
8. Who did Banbir kill? Did he realize his mistake?
Banbir rushes to the bed and kills the child of Panna with his sword. He did not realize his mistake.
9. What are the main qualities you appreciate in Panna? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Panna is great courageous woman. Self sacrifice is main quality of Panna which is always appreciable. She sacrificed her own son’s life to save the Prince Udai singh. She promised mother of Prince that she would give her life to save the life of the prince. She was ready to sacrifice anything to save the Prince.
V. a. Match the words in column A with their antonyms in column B:
Strong – weak
Like – dislike
end – begin
outside – inside
b. Fill in the blanks with words from column A and add sentences using words from column B as well:
a. Don’t go outside. It is raining. Stay inside.
b. The hero dies at the end of the film. Let us begin new work.
c. All of us like ice cream. Ramesh dislikes it
d. This chair is strong. You cannot break it. That table is very weak.
