8th Standard, English SL Supplementary Reader – 1
THE STORY OF DHARMAVYADHA
Glossary :
proficient : learned
surpass : beat
stunned : shocked
depressed : very sad
grief : sorrow
cultivate : learn
bestowed : given
virtue : good quality
hereditary : inherited by birth
glared : looked at with anger
confounded : get confused, get mixed up
enlightened souls : learned people
forsaking : leaving
perched : sat
dwelt : thought
wrath : anger
ascetic : divine
alms : food or gifts given to the poor, ©üPÉë
startled : surprised
mysteries : secrets
chaste : pure, religious
conceit : false pride
Sir : Teacher / a word of respect
inherent duty : primary duty
shield : defence
elated : overjoyed
Exercise :
I. Answer each of the following in a sentence or two:
- Why was Kaushika very angry with the bird?
Answer: Kaushika was disturbed by the loud twittering of a crane, perched on a branch when he was sitting under a tree studying the Vedas. So he was very angry with the bird which had disturbed him. - Why did the housewife delay in giving alms to Kaushika?
Answer: The Housewife of the house was attending to her husband who had just come home. That is why the housewife delay in giving alms to Kaushika. - Who did she advise Kaushika to meet?
Answer: She advised Kaushika to meet Dharmavyadha in the city of Mithila. - Why did Kaushika feel stunned at the words of Dharmavyadha?
Answer: Hitherto Kaushika was full of conceit, imagining that he was the only learned man. But now he realized that it was not so. That is why Kaushika feel stunned at the words of Dharmavyadha. - What did Kaushika do after his visit to Dharmavyadha?
Answer: After his visit to Dharmavyadha Kaushika returned home. Thereafter, he spent his days in the service of his parents and in teaching others the Vedic lore he had mastered. - What did Sage Markandeya tell Yudhishtira in the end?
Answer: Sage Markandeya tell Yudhishtira “Yudhishtira, in every division of people, there are enlightened souls who can guide even scholars and masters of Vedic teachings” in the end.
II. Answer each of the following in a paragraph: - Narrate how Kaushika felt on listening to the lady.
Answer: After listening to the lady Kaushika felt that the woman understood that he was confounded. He was surprised that the housewife knew about his earlier incident with the crane, which he believed was a secret. He couldn’t believe his ears and began to wonder how she could possibly know about it. The lady’s calm and knowing reply, especially her statement about not being a crane, left Kaushika confused how she could have known. - What are the essentials of Dharma, according to Dharmavyadha?
Answer: According to Dharmavyadha, “to engage oneself in one’s inherent duty, to be truthful, to be patient and merciful, not to be elated in happiness or depressed in difficulties, to be engaged in prayer and tapas, to appreciate the good qualities in others, not to boast, to have bath in sacred rivers, to visit holy places and to serve our parents and the guru who has bestowed knowledge on us” are the essentials of Dharma. - What can we learn from the story of Dharmavyadha?
Answer: “In every division of people, there are enlightened souls who can guide even scholars and masters of Vedic teachings”. That we learn from the story of Dharmavyadha. The story of Dharmavyadha, teaches that true wisdom and spiritual enlightenment can be found in unexpected places and that one’s profession does not determine their moral or spiritual worth. It emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one’s duty with honesty and sincerity, regardless of social status or occupation. The story also highlights the virtues of truthfulness, patience, mercy, and the importance of serving one’s parents.
