The Snake and the Mirror Class 9 Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1: What was the doctor thinking while he was seated before the mirror?

Answer: The doctor thought of various medicine he had and if any medicine was good enough to save him if the snake did bite him. He also realized that God had punished him for being so proud and arrogant.

Question 2: Why did the doctor run from his house?
Or
Why did the doctor run away to his friend’s house?

Answer: From writer’s arm the snake slithered into his lap, crept onto the table and then moved towards the mirror. The writer revived, got up from the chair and leapt into the yard and ran to his friend’s house to save his life.

Question 3: How did the doctor show the presence of mind when he encountered the snake?

Answer: The doctor showed great presence of mind on seeing the snake: He neither jumped nor cried out. He sat on the chair holding his breath. His body was still but his mind remained very active.

Question 4: How did the snake change the writer’s opinion about himself?

Answer: The writer was proud of being a doctor. Coming face-to-face with the snake made him humble. He thought he was only a poor and stupid doctor who should not be proud of his profession.

Question 5: While looking into the mirror, what important and earth-shaking decisions did the doctor make?
Or
What were the two important decisions taken by the doctor while looking into the mirror?

Answer: The important decision made by the doctor was that he would shave daily and grow a thin moustache, to look more handsome.
The earth-shaking decision made by the doctor was that he would always keep that attractive smile on his face.

Question 6: What did the doctor do on seeing the snake?

Answer: The doctor saw the snake’s reflection in the mirror. He, then, went to have a closer look. He got up from the chair and ran away from the house.

Question 7: What type of woman did the doctor in the story “The Snake and the Mirror”, want to get married to and why?

Answer: The doctor, who had plenty of money and good medical practice, wanted to get married to a woman who was fat. The reason he gave was that if he, the doctor husband ever made any mistake, and tried to run away, she would not be able to catch him and stop him from escaping.

Question 8: Why did the author of “The Snake and the Mirror” fantasize a fat woman as his wife?

Answer: The author of “The Snake and the Mirror’ fantasizes a fat woman as his wife since she would never be able to catch the doctor on his mistakes. She would not be able to run after him and he would be saved of all kinds of punishments. Thus, the author fantasizes a fat woman as his wife.

Question 9: Why did the snake leave the doctor’s arm?

Answer: The snake left the doctor’s arm because it saw its reflection in the mirror and was fascinated by it and so wanted to enjoy its own reflection by having a closer look. Like his parents even he respects all religions.

Question 10: What made the doctor utter “Death lurked four inches away”?

Answer: The doctor was under the grip of the snake, and sat motionless as a statue, his body was inactive but mind was completely active. He knew very well that the snake would bite him at the slightest movement. This is what made his utter these words.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: “Birds of the same feathers flock together” goes the saying. Does the encounter between the snake and the doctor in the story “The Snake and the Mirror” support the saying? Why or why not?

Answer: Yes, the story supports the saying which means that the people of similar habits and tastes find each other. The doctor enjoyed self-appreciation and could not resist the temptation of looking at his reflection in the mirror. He also takes a number of decisions, so as to improve his looks. The snake that coiled itself on the doctor’s arm, kept staring at its reflection in the mirror for a long time, enjoying its beauty and appreciating its form. The snake was so much engrossed in its beauty that it forgot as to why it had come to the author’s house.

Question 2: Without mirror, the story will lose its charm and reality. Justify.

Answer: The story would lose its charm and reality without the mirror because it fascinates both the characters i.e., doctor and the snake. The doctor makes two important decisions – saving daily and growing thin moustaches to make himself more handsome and keeping a smile on the face all the time while looking at himself in the mirror. The snake also feels attracted to look at his face in the mirror and leaves the doctor’s arm. It sits on the table in front of mirror and the doctor finds an opportunity to move away to save himself. Thus, the story does revolve around the mirror and therefore its important.

Question 3: What are the similarities between the doctor and the snake?

Answer: The doctor and the snake had striking similarities. Both were victims of self-adoration. This is clearly visible in two decisions of the doctor- to shave daily and a grow moustache and also to wear an attractive smile on his face to look handsome. While the snake enjoyed looking at his reflection at closer quarters. It did not move the doctor’s arm and later crept into the table and moved towards the mirror. ,

Question 4: Justify the title of the story ‘The Snake and the Mirror’.

Answer: The story revolves around the narrator, the snake, and the mirror. The narrator hears some familiar sounds – a dull thud and a snake lands on his shoulder. The doctor is terrified and sits there like a stone. He suddenly feels the presence of the creator of the world and death 4-inches away. He forgets danger and smiles feebly. The snake looks into the mirror, moves towards the mirror and wants to enjoy a close reflection in the mirror. Thus the title is justified as the story revolves around the snake and the mirror.

Question 5: Describe in detail the doctor’s feelings when he saw the snake coiled around his arm?

Answer: The doctor was so engrossed in his day dreaming that he did not realize that a snake had wriggled over the back of the chair and landed on his shoulders and could round his left arm with its hood spread out. The doctor sat there without moving an inch, he was afraid lest the snake might strike.

He thought of various medicines he had and if any one of them was good enough to save him if the * snake struck him. He realized the presence of God and felt that it was a punishment for being proud and arrogant.

Value Based Question

Question 1: God has a lot of ways of controlling Our lines. Discuss this in the light of the story ‘The Snake and the Mirror’. .

Answer: Our life is definitely in the hands of God. He is fire supreme power in control of our lives. At times we forget this like the young doctor. He was under the false belief that he was the one who would decide what was going to happen in his life. He was standing in front of the mirror with a lot of pride thinking about his future. The snake was a symbol of God’s control over him. It made him realize that he was close to death and not to life. He was not the master of his life.

Extract Based Questions

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1: It seemed as if God appreciated that. The snake turned its head. It looked into the mirror and saw its reflection. I do not claim that it was the first snake that ever looked into the mirror. But it was certain » that the snake was looking into the mirror. Was it admiring its own beauty? Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead?

1. Where did the snake move its head?
2. Why did the narrator call it the “first snake”?
3. Find a word in the passage that means ‘look at with pleasure and satisfaction’.

Answer:

1. The snake moved its head towards the mirror.
2. The narrator calls it the “first snake” because this was the first snake he had seen which enjoyed looking into the mirror.
3. Admiring.

Question 2: “I took my friend and one or two others to my room to move my things from there. But we found we had little to carry.”

1. Why did narrator want to remove his things?
2. Why was there little to carry?
3. Write the opposite of “friend”.

Answer:

1. The narrator wanted to remove his things as he wanted to leave his house because of the fear. of the snake.
2. There was little to carry because thieves had stolen his things.
3. Foe.

Question 3: I didn’t jump. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out. There was no time to do any such thing. The snake slithered along my shoulder and coiled around my left arm above the elbow. The hood was spread out and its head was hardly three or four inches from my face!
It would not be correct to say merely that I sat there holding my breath I was turned to stone.

1. Why did the author not jump, tremble and cry?
2. Did the snake bit the speaker? What was his reaction?
3. What does the word “tremble” from the above lines mean?

Answer:

1. The author did not jump, tremble and cry because a snake had fallen on his shoulders.
2. No, the snake did not bite the speaker. He said, “Oh!” He had a relief as he was not bitten by the snake.
3. Shiver.

Question 4: The snake unwound itself from my arm and slowly slithered into my lap. From there it crept onto the table and moved towards the mirror. Perhaps it wanted to enjoy its reflection at closer quarters.

1. Where did the snake settle after uncoiling from the writer’s arm?
2. Why did the snake move towards the mirror?
3. What does the word “slithered” mean?

Answer:

1. The snake settled in the writer’s lap after uncoiling from the writer’s arm.
2. The snake moved towards the mirror to have a closer look of its image.
3. Crept.

Question 5:I did not tremble. I didn’t cry out. There was no time to do any such thing. The snake slithered along my shoulder and coiled around my left arm above the elbow. The hood was spread out and its head was hardly three or four inches from my face.

1. What did the snake do to him (doctor)?
2. How far was death from him ?
3. Find a word from the passage which means the same as “stretched”.

Answer:

1. The snake coiled around his left arm above the elbow and spread out its hood’
2. Death was just three or four inches away from him.
3. Spread.

A Truly Beautiful Mind Class 9 Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1: Why did the people call Einstein a world citizen?

Answer: People called Einstein a world citizen because he campaigned for peace and democracy and was agitated against arms and bombs especially after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Question 2: Why did Albert Einstein leave his school?

Answer: Albert Einstein left his school because he was not happy with the education system. He was not at ease with the strict regimentation of the school. He felt suffocated because of which he had to leave school.

Question 3: Why did Einstein hate school?

Answer: He hated school regimentation because of its extreme sense of discipline. He felt tired and suffocated with this atmosphere. He often clashed with his teacher.

Question 4: Why does the world remember Einstein as a world citizen?

Answer: The world remembers Einstein as a world citizen as he was deeply hurt by the mass destruction in Japan and campaigned for peace and democracy – worked for humanity.

Question 5: Why did Einstein write a letter to Franklin Roosevelt?
Or
Why did Einstein write a letter to the American President Roosevelt?

Answer: Einstein wrote a letter to Franklin Roosevelt when the Nazis were in Germany and he had to migrate from there. The discovery of Nuclear fission in Germany made the American physicists upset that the Nazis could use an atom bomb.

Question 6: What is Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity?

Answer: According to Einstein’s special theory of relativity, time and distance are not absolute. From this followed the world’s most famous formula which describes the relationship between mass and energy i.e., E = mc².

Question 7: Why did Einstein’s play mates call him “Brother Boring” ?

Answer: Einstein could not mix up with other children. He did not find their games interesting. He often uttered every word twice. He was often teased for his abnormally huge head. And so his friends nicknamed him “Brother Boring.”

Question 8: How was Einstein’s private life unraveling after he finished his studies?

Answer: He had wanted to marry Mileva but his mother was against it. She thought Mileva was three years older than her son and too intelligent for him.

Question 9: What did Einstein call his desk drawer at the patent office and why?

Answer: Einstein called his desk drawer at the patent office the “bureau of theoretical physics” because he was working as a technical expert in the patent office in Bern where he was supposed to be assessing other peoples’ inventions.

Question 10: How did Einstein react to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Answer: Einstein was shocked at the extent of destruction caused by the bombing. He wrote a long letter to the United Nations and suggested that there should be a World Government.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: Write down the achievements of Albert Einstein.

Answer: Albert Einstein was really a scientific genius. He felt at home in Mathematics but he showed keen interest in physics. After graduating from the university in Zurich he started working vigorously. With his university education he was working on relativity. After his graduation, he remained jobless. So, he gave private lessons. In 1902, he secured a job as a technical expert in the patent office in Bera. But he went on developing his own ideas. The world showered on him honors invitations. He was honored with Noble prize in 1921.

Question 2: Einstein was an unusual child with no indication of his potential greatness. Comment.

Answer: Einstein’s head was larger than the usual head. He was called “Brother Boring” because he never mixed up with his classmates. He left school because he was not happy with the strict regimentation. He loved mechanical toys and thought his sister to be a toy. The head master thought him to be stupid and good for nothing and that he would never succeed in life. He also told Einstein’s father that whatever profession he chose would not matter, because “he will never make a success at anything”. This proves that Einstein was an unusual child with no indication of his potential greatness.

Question 3: What was the outcome of Einstein’s letter which he wrote to the American President, Roosevelt? Did his warning have any impact on America?

Answer: On his colleague’s insistence, Einstein wrote a letter to the American President, Roosevelt when the Nazis were in Germany and he had to migrate from there. The discovery of Nuclear fission in Germany made the American physicists upset that the Nazis could use the bomb. He warned him of the consequences of the atomic bomb. His words had a great impact. The Americans developed the atomic bomb secretly. They dropped it on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki irf August 1945. Einstein was greatly moved by the destruction. He wrote a long letter to the United Nations and suggested that there should be a world government. This definitely helped ending the world war.

Value Based Question

Question 1: Do you think that in today’s context national boundaries are overcome by global issued?

Answer: The world is undoubtedly a global village. Any issue cannot be resolved at the national level alone. This has been reflected in die case of Albert Einstein. He wrote to the President of the U.S.A. about the evils of a nuclear war, requesting him to take some measures. It is definitely the responsibility of each one of us to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the world.

Extract Based Questions

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1: A headmaster once told his father that what Einstein choose as a profession would not matter, because “he will never make a success at anything”. Einstein began learning to play the violin at the age of six, because his mother wanted him to. He later became a gifted amateur violinist, maintaining this skill throughout his life.

1. What was the headmaster’s opinion about Einstein?
2. Why did Einstein learn to play violin?
3. Find a word from the passage that means “having great natural ability”.

Answer:

1. The headmaster’s opinion about Einstein was that he would never be successful in his life.
2. Einstein learnt to play the violin to fulfil the desire of his mother.
3. Gifted.

Question 2: Einstein was deeply shaken by the extent of the destruction. This time he wrote a public missive to the United Nations. In it he proposed the formation of a world government. Unlike the letter to Roosevelt, this one made no impact.

1. What did Einstein write and to whom?
2. Why did he write a letter to Roosevelt earlier?
3. Find the word from the extract that means – “a long and official letter”.

Answer:

1. Einstein wrote a public missive to the United Nations proposing the formation of a world government.
2. He wrote a letter to Roosevelt earlier in which he warned him by saying, “a single bomb of
   this type might very well destroy the whole part with some of the surrounding territory”, i.e., a letter warning him for a bomb blast. ,
3. Missive.

Question 3: “The pair finally got married in January 1903, and had two sons. But a few years later, the marriage faltered”.

1. Name the “pair” referred to in the above lines.
2. What happened to their marriage?
3. Which word from the extract means “became weak”?

Answer:

1. The pair referred to in the above lines is of Albert Einstein and Mileva.
2. Their marriage was not successful.
3. Faltered.

Question 4:He also felt a special interest in a fellow student, Mileva Marie, whom he found to be a “clever creature”. This young serb had come to Switzerland because the University in Zurich was one of the few in Europe where women could get degrees. Einstein saw in her an ally against the “philistines”- those people in his family and at the university with whom he was constantly at odds.

1. Who is “clever creature” and “young serb” in the passage?
2. Why did the young serh come to Switzerland?
3. What was the attitude of Einstein towards the young serb? (Board Term 1,2012, ELI-025)

Or

1. Who felt special interest in Mileva Marie and why?
2. Why did Mileva Marie come to Switzerland?
3. Which word in the passage means “softness”?

Answer:

1. Mileva Marie, a fellow student with Einstein is referred to as a “clever creature” and “young serb”.
2. The young serb had come to Switzerland because the university in Zurich was one of the few in Europe where women could get degrees.
3. Einstein was attracted to her and he wanted to join her.

Or

1. Albert Einstein felt a special interest in Mileva Marie as he thought her to be a clever creature.
2. Mileva Marie came to Switzerland as the University of Zurich was one of the few places of Europe where women could get degrees.
3. Tenderness.

The Little Girl Class 9 Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1: What orders were passed to Kezia in the evening when father returned home from office?

Answer: When Kezia’s father returned home from office she was supposed to come down, take off father’s shoes and put them outside. She was also to put her father’s teacup on file tea table.

Question 2: Why did Kezia avoid her father?

Answer: Kezia avoided her father because according to her, her father was an emotionless person. He never spoke to Kezia lovingly and calmly. He scolded Kezia and reprimanded her for making mistakes. Kezia stammered in front of her father since he was a very huge and giant like figure far away from the warmth of a father.

Question 3: Why did Kezia stammer in front of her father?
Or
Why did Kezia stutter only with her father?

Answer: Kezia father always scolded her never spoke to her in a loving manner. So, Kezia stammered in front of her father because she was afraid of him and found it difficult to speak in front of him.

Question 4: Why was Kezia afraid of her father?

Answer: Kezia was a little sensitive girl. Her father was aggressive and always spoke loudly. He always scolded her. He used to beat her. Even when she accepted her mistakes. He never played with her. This made her afraid of her father.

Question 5: What made Kezia’s father punish her?

Answer: She tore important papers of her father to stuff in the pin cushion because she was making a gift to present to her father. Since the papers had her father’s speech written on it, she was punished for tearing it.

Question 6: “Father’s great speech for the Port Authority had been lost.” What had happened to father’s speech?

Answer: Father’s speech had been tom to pieces by Kezia, the little girl. She was making a pin cushion as a gift to her father, for his birthday. As she was not able to find anything to stuff it with, she tore the speech and stuffed it in her cushion.

Question 7: Why did Kezia’s grandmother send her to the drawing room every Sunday afternoon?

Answer: Kezia’s grandmother knew that she was afraid of her father and she felt that if she spoke to him more often, she would gq£ rid of that fear. So, every Sunday afternoon she used to send her to the drawing room to have a nice talk with her father.

Question 8: What kind of a person was Kezia’s father?

Answer: Kezia’s father was a hard working man but short tempered. He was a strict disciplinarian too. When Kezia’s mother was hospitalized, Kezia realized that her father loved her but didn’t have the art of expressing his love.

Question 9: What did Kezia find whenever on Sunday afternoons her grandmother sent her down to have a talk with her parents?

Answer: Whenever Kezia was sent by her grandmother to talk to her parents on Sunday afternoons, she always found her mother reading and her father stretched out on the sofa, sleeping soundly and snoring.

Question 10: How was Kezia’s father different from Mr. McDonalds?

Answer: Mr. McDonalds played with his children. The girls would hang on to his coat, they would laugh together. Kezia’s father had no time for such things. He really worked very hard for the family.

Question 11: How did the father comfort the little girl, Kezia, when she got scared in her sleep?

Answer: The father came to Kezia’s room with a candle, lifted her up in his strong arms, lay beside her and made her stay close to him. She held his shirt and snuggled herself close to her father. This comforted Kezia when she got scared in her sleep.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: How did Kezia’s negative attitude towards her father change?
Or
What were the circumstances that forced Kezia to change her opinion about her father?

Answer: When her mother was hospitalized, her grandmother went to stay with her. Kezia used to sleep alone at night. She was so scared that she started shouting at night. She had nightmares and trembled a lot with fear. Then her father came to her room and took her into his aims to comfort her. She felt secured with her father near her. Then she realized that her father was busy with work and had no time to play. She even realized that her father loved her but didn’t have the art of expressing it. Thus, her attitude towards her father changed towards positive.

Question 2: How did Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him veiy much? Elaborate.

Answer: Kezia was very scared of her father and stuttered while talking to him. This annoyed him a lot. When she waited and stared at him to have a nice long chat, he did not like it. She unknowingly destroyed some of his important papers while stuffing a cushion which die wanted to present to him on his birthday. This made him very angry and he beat her up badly. Therefore, Kezia’s efforts to please her father resulted in displeasing him very much.

Question 3: Kezia decides that there are “different kinds of fathers”. What kind of father was Mr. McDonald, and how was he different from Kezia’s father?
Or
How is Kezia’s father different from Mr. McDonald?

Answer: Mr. McDonald was their next door neighbour. Once Kezia saw her neighbours playing “tag” together in the evening. Mr. McDonald with the baby Mao, on his shoulders and the two little girls ‘ hanging on to his coat pockets. They ran round and round shaking with laughter. On the other hand, her own father was very disciplined and strict. He never played with her and neither interact much. He even beat her up for her little mistakes.

Question 4: Why was Kezia scared of her father and how did she get over her fear?

Answer: Kezia’s father was big like a giant and was very strict. He punished Kezia when she tore his important speech. One day, when Kezia’s mother fell ill, her mother and grandmother were in the hospital. Kezia was left alone with her father at home. She had a nightmare and screamed with fright. Her father then carried Kezia in his lap to comfort and soothen her. That closeness with her father during those days made her forget all fears.

Question 5: How did Kezia feel in present* of her father?

Answer: Kezia was scared of her father as he looked like a giant. Every morning he used to give her a good bye kiss. She used to feel uncomfortable till her father was at home. She even stammered while answering him. He scolded her one day and even beat her for tearing some of his important papers. But when Kezia used to cry during the night, he would carry her to his room. She then realized that her father was actually tender and affectionate and this changed her perception towards him.

Value Based Questions

Question 1: Kezia in the story “The Little Girl” was afraid of her father because he never communicated with her. Imagine you are parenting councellor, based on your reading of the story write a paragraph advising the parents to make communication with their children priority.

Answer: In the story, Kezia is always scared of her father. Her father was a strict disciplinarian who was always strict towards her. He never spoke to her softly and in a loving manner. He always scolded her and even beat her up for small mistakes. Parents should not let their stress and workload interfere in their family life. Parents should always spend quality time with their children. Bonding and understanding should always be there so that the children can open up their feelings and problems with their parents. Their should be no communication gap between the parents and their children.

Question 2:‘ The relation between a parent and child should be distant and formal or should it be close and warm.

Answer: In today’s modem context parents and children should be more like friends. The relationship between them should be warm and close. This would be very helpful in developing the overall personality of the child. It also helps in boosting the confidence of the child anrimaking him more strong in his relation. Therefore, it is necessary that children share a close relation with their parents and there should be no fear but only respect and love.

Extract Based Questions

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1: To the little girl he was a figure to be feared and avoided. Every morning before going to work he came into her room and gave her a casual kiss, to which she responded with ‘Good Bye Father’. And oh, there Was a glad sense of relief when she heard the noise of the carriage growing fainter and fainter down the long road!

1. What was the daily routine of the father?
2. ‘When did the daughter feel relief?
3. Trace a word from the passage which means “answered”.

Answer:

1.  The daily routine of Kezia’s father was to visit her daughter’s room, meet her and give her a kiss before leaving for work.
2. The daughter felt relief when the carriage went away from the house.
3. Responded.

Question 2: But the same old nightmare came the butcher with a knife and a rope who came nearer and nearer, with that dreadful smile, while she could not move, only stand still, crying out “Grandma!”. She woke shivering to see father beside her bed, a candle in his hand. “What is the matter?” he said.

1. Why did she get the nightmare?
2. Where was the butcher?
3. Find a word from the passage that means “shake in fear and cold”.

Answer:

1. She got the nightmare as she was alone with her father at home and her mother and granny were in the hospital.
2. The butcher was in her dream.
3. Shivering.

Question 3: “But it was for your b-b- birth day.” Down came the ruler on her little, pink palms. Hours later, when grandmother had wrapped her in a shawl and rocked her in the rocking-chair, the child clung to her soft body. “What did God make fathers for?” she sobbed.

1. Who is responding in the first line and before whom?
2. How did the father react?
3. Find a word from the passage that means “wept”.

Answer:

1. Kezia is responding before her father.
2. The father became angry and beat her pink palms with a ruler.
3. Sobbed.

Question 4: On Sunday afternoon, Grandmother sent her down to file drawing room to have a “Nice talk with Father and Mother”. But the little girl always found mother reading and father stretched out on the sofa, his handkerchief on his flee, his feet on one of file best cushion, sleeping soundly and snoring.

1. Who was ‘she’ and why did the grandmother send her down?
2. What did she notice about her parents?
3. Trace a word that means “undisturbed”.

Answer:

1. “She” is Kezia. Grandmother sent her down to have a nice talk with her parents.
2. She noticed that her father was sleeping and snoring and mother was reading.
3. Soundly.

Question 5:
She sat on a stool, gravely watched him until he woke and stretched, and asked the time – then looked at her. “Don’t stare so, Kezia. You look like a little brown owl”.

1. Who is Kezia watching gravely?
2. Why was she sitting there waiting for him to wake up?
3. Trace the word in the extract which means “seriously”.

Answer:

1. Kezia was watching her father gravely.
2. On a Sunday afternoon, her grandmother sent her to have a nice talk with father and mother. But Kezia always found her father sleeping on the sofa.
3. Gravely.

The Sound of Music Class 9 Important Questions

Short Answer Type Questions
Part – 1

Question 1: When was Evelyn’s deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed?

Answer: Isabel had a doubt about Evelyn’s hearing ability when she did not move when her name was called to play on the piano. At the age of 11 it was confirmed when she was taken to a specialist.

Question 2: When and how did Evelyn lose her power of hearing?

Answer: Evelyn lost her power of hearing due to gradual nerve damage. At the age of 8 it was noticed and then at the age of 11 it was confirmed that Evelyn had lost her hearing ability.

Question 3: Why was Evelyn nervous while going to Royal Academy of Music?

Answer: Evelyn was nervous while going to the Royal Academy of Music as she was just 16 years old and was fresh from the Scottish farms, to add to her nervousness.

Question 4: How did Evelyn’s deafness come to light?
OR
When did Evelyn’s mother notice that something was wrong with her hearing?

Answer: At the age of 8 when her name was announced to play on piano, she did not respond. At the age of 11, her marks deteriorated. The headmistress urged her parents to take her to a specialist and her hearing impairment was discovered.

Question 5: Who helped Evelyn to continue with music? What did he do and say?

Answer: When Evelyn wanted to pursue her career in music, everyone discouraged her. It was a Percussionist Ron Forbes who helped and encouraged her to listen to the music and feel the music through her body.

Question 6: How did Evelyn hear music despite being deaf?

Answer: Evelyn could sense music through her body. While playing on the xylophone, she could sense music through her fingertips and would learn against drums to sense. On the wooden floors, she used to remove her shoes and sense music through her feet moving of the legs.

Question 7: What is Evelyn’s secret of success and what message does she give to achievers?

Answer: Evelyn’s secret of success was strong determination and hard work. The message that she gives to the achievers is that work hard and get what you want.

Question 8: How has Evelyn Glennie inspired handicapped people?

Answer: When the handicapped people used to see Evelyn Glennie, they used to say, “If she can do it, I can”,And so, she resulted in inspiring them.

Question 9: Write down Evelyn’s message for the people.

Answer: Evelyn’s message to the people is that—Strong determination and hard work with sincerely / honesty leads to success. Aim for your goal and try to reach your goal with full determination and concentration.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: How did Evelyn Glennie fight with her physical disability?

Answer: Evelyn Glennie was a very brave girl. She learnt to open her body and mind to the sounds and vibrations. She used to feel as if music was flowing through her body. So she joined an orchestra and later the Royal Academy of Music. She did not want to be deprived of the joy of music that made her happy. She later even gave solo performances on stage in many countries and became famous.

Question 2: In spite of her towering success Evelyn Glennie does not accept any hint of heroic achievement. Explain.

Answer: Evelyn Glennie had a hearing loss and was discouraged by most of the teachers but she did not give up. Ron Forbes guided her to listen through her body not ears. Eventually, Evelyn learnt to open her body and mind to sound and vibrations. She scored the highest marks in the history of Royal Academy of Music. She also captured many top awards and brought percussion to the front of the orchestra. She has given pleasure to millions and in spite of this towering success she does, not accept any hint of heroic achievement and is a very simple person.

Question 3: Evelyn’s determination to overcome her disability has made her source of inspiration for deaf children. Comment.

Answer: When Evelyn became deaf, she was determined to lead a normal life. She was encouraged by her percussion teacher. She learned to sense music through different parts of the body and opened her mind and body to vibrations. She could feel higher drum from waist up and xylophone music through fingertips. She used to remove her shoes on the wooden floors. She was the master of a thousand instruments and most sought after as a multi – percussionist.

Question 4: How is Evelyn Glennie helping other with her popularity and skill?

Answer: Inspite of Evelyn’s deafness she joined the prestigious Royal Academy of Music and won the “Soloist of the Year” award. Evelyn used to practice for hours learning languages such as Japanese and French. She earned a lot but was kind at heart. She used to give free performances in prisons and hospitals and also proved a personal example of tireless hard work and firm determination.

Question 5: How did Evelyn succeed in pursuing her interest in music?

Answer: Evelyn decided not to give up. It was Ron Forbes who recognized her potential and supported her. He advised her not to listen through her ears but to open her body and mind to the vibrations. She mastered the art of interpreting different vibrations of sound on her body to different notes. She could feel the higher drum from the waist up and the lower one from the waist down. After the practice she could sense music in different parts of her body. And by this, Evelyn succeeded in pursuing her interest in music.

Value Based Question

Question 1: “A problem is only as big as we make it.” This thought has been very beautifully brought out in the lesson. Discuss.

Answer: Evelyn Glennie is profoundly deaf and cannot hear a word. Thus, she overcame this difficulty and learnt to listen music from her body. She not only scored highest marks in the history of the Royal Academy of Music but also became a renowned musician. She is an idol for a lot of people and a source of inspiration for. them. Her story tells us that no problem is so great that it cannot be overcome.

Extract Based Questions

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

Question 1: Her mother remembers noticing something was wrong when the eight-year-old Evelyn was waiting to play the piano. “They called her name and she didn’t move. I suddenly realized she hadn’t heard,” says Isabel Glennie. For quite a while Evelyn managed to conceal her growing deafness from friends and teachers. But by the time she was eleven her marks had deteriorated and her headmistress urged her parents to take her to a specialist.

1. What made Isabel suspect Evelyn’s hearing ability?
2. Why did Evelyn’s headmistress advised her parents to consult a specialist?
3. Find the word/phrase in the passage which means the same as “to hide”.

Answer:

1. Isabel had a doubt about Evelyn’s hearing ability when she did not move when her name was called to play on the piano.
2. Evelyn’s headmistress advised her parents to consult a specialist when her marks deteriorated.
3. Conceal.

Question 2: As for music, she explains “it pours in through every part of my body. It tingles in the skin, my cheekbones and even in my hair”. When she plays the xylophone, she can sense the sound passing up the stick into her finger tips. By leaning against the drums, she can feel the resonances flowing into her body. On a wooden platform, she removes her shoes so that the vibrations pass through her bare feet and up her legs.

1. How does Evelyn hear the sound of xylophone?
2. Why does she remove her shoes on a wooden platform during her performance?
3. Find a word from the passage that means “‘take off”.

Answer:

1. Evelyn hears the sound of xylophone through her finger tips.
2. She removes her shoes on a wooden platform during her performance so that she can feel the vibrations of music through her feet to legs.
3. Removes.

Question 3: She never looked back from that point onwards. She toured the United Kingdom with a youth orchestra and by the time she was sixteen, she had decided to make music her life. She auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music and scored one of the highest marks in the history of the academy. She gradually moved from orchestral work to solo performances.

1. What did Evelyn decide when she was sixteen years old?
2. How did Evelyn get right to the top?
3. Which word in the passage means the same as “gave a short performance so that the director
   could decide whether she was good enough”

Answer:

1. When Evelyn was sixteen years old, she decided to make music her life.
2. Evelyn got to the top by hard work, motivation and determination.
3. Auditioned.

Question 4: For quite a while, Evelyn managed to conceal her growing deafness from friends and teachers. But by the time she was eleven, her marks had deteriorated and her headmistress urged her parents to take her to a specialist. It was then discovered that her hearing was severely impaired as a result of gradual nerve damage. They were advised that she should be fitted with hearing aids and sent to a school of the deaf.

1. Why did headmistress urge her parents to take her to the specialists?
2. At what age were symptoms of deafness noticed in Evelyn?
3. Trace the word that means “damaged”.

Answer:

1. Evelyn’s school’s headmistress urged her parents to take her to a specialist because she had a hearing problem.
2. At the age of eleven the symptoms of deafness were noticed in Evelyn.
3. Impaired.

Question 5: Rush hour crowds jostle for position on the underground train platform. A slight girl, looking younger than her seventeen years, was nervous yet excited as she felt the vibrations of the approaching train. It was her first day at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London and daunting enough for any teenager fresh from a Scottish farm.

1. Who is the ‘girl’ in the above lines?
2. Where was she going?
3. Find the word from the extract that means “frightening”.

Answer:

1. Evelyn Glennie.
2. She was going to the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in London.
3. Daunting.

Part 2
Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1: How did ‘pungi’ transform into a Shehnai?

Answer:‘Pungi’ a musical instrument was banned because of its shrill and unpleasant sound. But a nai modified and perfected it and played it for the first time an Shah’s chamber, thus it came to be known as ‘Shehnai’.

Question 2: Who had brought shehnai to the classical Stage? What was he honoured with?

Answer: Shehnai was brought to the classical stage by Ustad Bismillah Khan. He started picking up the finger nuances of Shehnai under the guidance of his maternal uncle Ali Bux. He had been honoured with Padma Bhushan, Padmashree and Padma Vibhushan.

Question 3: Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a shehnai school in the U.S.A.?

Answer: Bismillah Khan refused to start a Shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he could not live outside India. He was in love with Benares and Dumraon and missed it whenever he was in abroad.

Question 4: Why did emperor Aurangazeb ban the playing of Pungi in the royal residence?

Answer: Aurangazeb banned the playing of the Pungi in the royal residence because of its shrill unpleasant sound. It was regarded more as a noise maker than a musical instrument. –

Question 5: What is the difference between a Pungi and a Shehnai?

Answer: The difference between a Pungi and Shehnai can be noticed by the difference in their shapes and the sound produced by them. A Shehnai is longer than a Pungi. The latter has a shrill, unpleasant sound whereas, the former has a soft, melodious sound.

Question 6: Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a Shehnai school in the U.S.A.?

Answer: Bismillah Khan refused to start a Shehnai school in the U.S.A. because he was a true patriot and loved India a lot specially the banks of the river Ganga.

Question 7: How do we know that sound of Shehnai is considered auspicious?

Answer: We know that the sound of the Shehnai is considered auspicious because it is played in temples, and is a must for all happy occasions like marriages.

Question 8: What were the recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music?

Answer: The recurring themes of Bismillah Khan’s music was the relationships between the human beings and the flowing waters of the Ganga. He thought that Benares and Dumraon were the most wonderful towns of the world.

Question 9: How did “Pungi” get its new name? What was it?

Answer: Pungi was modified and perfected by a barber which was very much appreciated by the emperor. Since, it was played for the first time in Shah’s chamber by a Nai, it came to be known as ‘Shehnai.’

Question 10: What place did Shehnai have in the past? What place has it now?

Answer: In the past, the Shehnai was a part of the traditional ensemble of nine instruments found at royal courts. Then, it was used in temples and weddings but now it is used also in the classical concerts.

Question 11: When and how did Bismillah Khan get the break?

Answer: Bismillah Khan, at the age of 14, accompanied his uncle to Allahabad Music Conference where Ustad Fayaz Khan patted his shoulder. He got encouraged and worked hard and got a big break from the All India Radio in 1938.

Question 12: Where did Bismillah Khan play the Shehnai on 15th Aug 1947? Why was the event historic?

 Answer: Bismillah Khan was the first Indian to greet the nation with Shehnai and played ‘Raag Kafi’ from the Red Fort. The event was historic because the audience included Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who gave the famous speech – Tryst with Destiny. .

Question 13: Why did Bismillah Khan regularly go to the nearby Bihariji temple in his childhood and what did he earn?

Answer: At the age of 5, Bismillah Khan would regularly visit the Bihariji temple to sing Bhojpuri “Chaitya”, For his melodious singing he used to earn a laddu weighing 1.25 kg. from the local Bhojpuri King.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1: “There is always a teacher to bring out the latent potential of a pupil/’ Justify with reference to the role played by Ron Forbes and Ustad Faiyaz Khan in the lives of Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan.

Answer: Teachers craft us to become better individuals both personally and professionally. Ron Forbes understood Evelyn’s passion for music. He taught Evelyn the nuances of hearing music not through her ears but through her body. He taught her to feel the vibrations in her hands and parts of legs to get the pitch. So, he crafted her to be more musical and confident.
Bismillah Khan’s teacher and mentor was his maternal uncle Ali Bux. Bismillah used to be transfixed when Ali Bux used to play Shehnai. As a child, Bismillah used to accompany his material uncle to Vishnu Temple of Benares where Ali Bux was employed to play Shehnai. Bismillah picked up the finer nuances of Shehnai and practiced for hours on the banks of river Ganga. He attained perfection only because of his uncle and mentor.

Question 2: Give a brief character sketch of Ustad Bismillah Khan.

Answer: Ustad Bismillah Khan was a Shehnai master of great national and international fame. He was a great musician. Ali Bux, his maternal unde perfected him in music. Shehnai was brought to the classical stage by Ustad Bismillah Khan. He practiced for hours and worked very hard to attain perfection. It was his melodious music that made him the first Indian to greet tire independent India. Ustad Bismillah Khan created many new rags. He was given many awards and he even received the “Bharat Ratna”. He was a true patriot who declined many offers to settle aborad. He was a true artist but a simple man. He had great regard for Hindustani Classical Music.

Question 3: How did the young Bismillah develop his interest in Shehnai?

Answer: Bismillah was fascinated watching his uncle practice the Shehnai when he was only three. He was deeply fascinated by the music of Shehnai. Soon Bismillah started accompanying his uncle Ali Bux, to the Vishnu Temple of Benares where Bux was employed to play Shehnai. Bismillah picked up the finer nuances of Shehnai and practiced for hours on the banks of river Ganga. The themes of his music deeply affected by the sounds of flowing water of the Ganga. At the age of 14, Bismillah accompanied his uncle to Allahabad music conference where Ustad Fayaz Khan patted his shoulder which inspired and encouraged him to work harder.

Question 4: How was Bismillah Khan’s music recognized internationally?

Answer: Bismillah Khan was not only renowned in India iMt also internationally. He promoted Shehnai to international levels of participating in the world exposition, Cannes Art festival and Osaka Trade Fair. He became the first Indian to be invited to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Central Hall in the United States of America. So well known did he become internationally that an auditorium in Tehran was named after him, “Tahar Mosiquee Ustaad Bismillah Khan.”

Question 5: Why did Bismillah Khan refuse to start a Shehnai school in the U.S.A.? ,

Answer: Bismillah Khan was exceedingly fond of Benares and Dumraon. They were the most wonderful towns of the world for him. The students promised to recreate the atmosphere of Benares, but he asked if they would be able to transport River Ganga as well. Whenever, he was in a foreign country he yearned for Hindustan. In Mumbai also he thought of only Benares and the holy Ganga. Thus, herefused to start a Shehnai School in the U.S.A.

Value Based Question

Question 1: Do you think Bismillah Khan had very pure and deep feelings for India?

Answer: Yes, Bismillah Khan had very pure and deep rooted feelings for India especially for thfe banks of River Ganga and Benares. His love was so profound that he even refused to go to the U.S.A. to start up a school. He did not even enjoy in Mumbai as he found the life to be very artificial. He was deeply connected to the banks of River Ganga and Benares.

Extract Based Questions

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 

Question 1: The young boy took to music early in life. At the age of three when his mother took him to his maternal uncle’s house in Benares (now Varanasi); Bismillah was fascinated watching his uncles practice the shehnai. Soon Bismillah started accompanying his uncle, Ali Bux, to the Vishnu temple of Benares where Ali Bux was employed to the play the Shehnai. Ali Bux would play the shehnai and Bismillah would sit captivated for hours on end.

1. Where did the young boy spend his life at the age of three?
2. What fascinated the young boy?
3. Who was Ali Bux and where was he employed?

Answer:

1. At the age of three, the young boy spent his life at his maternal uncle’s house in Benares.
2. Shehnai and the practice of shehnai by his uncles fascinated the little boy.
3. Ali Bux was Bismillah Khan’s maternal uncle. He was employed at the Vishnu Temple of Benares.

Question 2: Awards and recognition came thick and fast. Bismillah Khan became the first Indian to be invited to perform at the prestigious Lincoln Centre Hall in the United States of America. He also took part in the World Exposition in Montreal, in the Cannes Art Festival and in the Osaka Trade Fair. So well known did he become internationally that an auditorium in Tehran was named after him. Tahar Mosiquee Ustaad Bismillah Khan.

1. What special recognition did Bismillah Khan achieve?
2. Bismillah Khan promoted Shehnai to international level. How?
3. The word in the passage means “prominent”.

Answer:

1.  The special recognition that Bismillah Khan achieved was to be the first Indian to perform at
   Lincoln Central Hall.
2. Bismillah Khan promoted Shehnai to international levels by participating in the World Exposition, Cannes Art festival and Osaka Trade Fair.
3. prestigious.

Question 3: When India gained independence on 15th August, 1947, Bismillah Khan became the first Indian to greet the nation with his* Shehnai. He poured his heart out into Raag Kafi from the Red Fort to an audience which included Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who later gave his famous “Tryst with Destiny” speech.

1. How did Bismillah Khan greet the nation?
2. Who delivered the speech “Tryst with Destiny”?
3. Find a word from the passage that means “gathering of persons for the purpose of hearing a speaker”.

Answer:

1. Bismillah Khan greeted the nation by playing Raag Kafi on his Shehnai.
2. Jawaharlal Nehru.
3. Audience.

Question 4: His first trip abroad was to Afghanistan where King Zahir Shah was so taken in by the maestro that he gifted him priceless Persian carpets and other souvenirs.

1. Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to which country?
2. What did Zahir Shah present Bismillah Khan?
3. Find word from the passage which has the same meaning as “momenta”

Answer:

1. Bismillah Khan’s first trip abroad was to Afghanistan.
2. Zahir Shah presented Bismillah Khan priceless Persian carpets and souvenirs.
3. Souvenirs

Question 5: When India gained independence on August 15,1947, Bismillah Khan became the first Indian to greet the nation with his shehnai. He poured his heart out into Raag Kafi from Red – Fort to an audience which included Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

1. When did India gain Independence?
2. Which Raag did Bismillah Khan play from Red Fort?
3. What do the words “poured his heart out” here refer to?

Answer:

1. India gained independence on 15th August, 1947.
2. Bismillah Khan played the Raag Kafi from the Red Fort.
3. Played from the depth of his heart

महापरिनिर्वाण

प्रश्न 1: मार ने बुद्ध को क्या याद दिलाया? उत्तर में बुद्ध ने क्या कहा?

उत्तर: जब सिद्धार्थ ने बुद्धत्व प्राप्त किया था तो मार ने उनसे कहा था कि वे निर्वाण प्राप्त कर लें। तब भगवान बुद्ध ने कहा था कि जब तक वे पीड़ित और पापियों का उद्धार नहीं कर लेंगे तब तक निर्वाण प्राप्त नहीं करेंगे। मार ने बुद्ध को याद दिलाया कि अब वे बहुत लोगों को मुक्त कर चुके हैं या उन्हें मुक्ति के मार्ग पर प्रशस्त कर चुके हैं, इसलिए बुद्ध को निर्वाण ले लेना चाहिए। उत्तर में बुद्ध ने कहा कि उस दिन से तीसरे महीने में वे निर्वाण प्राप्त कर लेंगे।

प्रश्न 2: आनंद कौन था? उसे क्या जानकर आघात लगा?

उत्तर: बुद्ध के सबसे प्रिय शिष्य का नाम आनंद था। बुद्ध के निर्वाण का समाचार जानकर उसे आघात लगा।

प्रश्न 3: तथागत ने परिनिर्वाण से पूर्व मल्लों को क्या समझाया?

उत्तर: तथागत ने बताया कि रोग ठीक करने के लिए वैद्य का दर्शन काफी नहीं बल्कि औषधि की आवश्यकता होती है। उसी तरह धर्म को प्राप्त करने के लिए बुद्ध के दर्शन की बजाय धर्म को ठीक से समझने की जरूरत है।

प्रश्न 4: अपने अंतिम उपदेश में बुद्ध ने अपने शिष्यों से क्या कहा?

उत्तर: अपने अंतिम उपदेश में बुद्ध ने प्रतिमोक्ष का अर्थ समझाया। उन्होंने शिष्यों से कहा कि प्रतिमोक्ष के राह पर चलने से ही मोक्ष मिल सकता है।

प्रश्न 5: मल्लों और पड़ोसी राजाओं के बीच युद्ध की संभावना क्यों उत्पन्न हो गई? यह संघर्ष कैसे टल गया?

उत्तर: बुद्ध के शरीर के अवशेषों को मल्ल अपने पास ही रखना चाहते थे। पड़ोसी राजा चाहते थे कि उन्हें भी उन ‘धातुओं’ में से कुछ हिस्सा मिले। इसलिए मल्लों और पड़ोसी राजाओं के बीच युद्ध की संभावना उत्पन्न हो गई। उसके बाद द्रोण नामक एक ब्राह्मण ने दोनों पक्षों के बीच मध्यस्थता की और युद्ध को टाला जा सका।

प्रश्न 6: भगवान बुद्ध के उपदेशों को संग्रह करने का भार किसे सौंपा गया और क्यों?

उत्तर: आनंद सदैव बुद्ध के साथ रहे थे। उन्होंने बुद्ध के सभी उपदेशों को सुना था। इसलिए भगवान बुद्ध के उपदेशों को संग्रह करने का भार आनंद को सौंपा गया।

धर्मचक्र प्रवर्तण

प्रश्न 1: बुद्धत्व प्राप्त करने के बाद सिद्धार्थ ने प्रथम उपदेश कहाँ और किन्हें दिया?

उत्तर: बुद्धत्व प्राप्त करने के बाद सिद्धार्थ ने पहला उपदेश वाराणसी के निकट स्थित सारनाथ में दिया था। भूतकाल में पाँच भिक्षुओं ने बुद्ध को तप-भ्रष्ट मानकर उनका साथ छोड़ दिया था। वे पाँचों भिक्षु अब सारनाथ में रहते थे। बुद्ध ने अपना पहला उपदेश उन्हीं पाँच भिक्षुओं को दिया।

प्रश्न 2: अष्टांग योग की प्रमुख बातों का उल्लेख कीजिए।

उत्तर: अष्टांग योग की प्रमुख बाते हैं: सही दृष्टि, सही संकल्प, सही वाणी, सही आचरण, सही आजीविका, सही प्रयास, सही स्मृति और सही समाधि।

प्रश्न 3: भवान बुद्ध काशी से राजगृह क्यों आए?

उत्तर: भगवान बुद्ध को याद आया कि उन्हें बिंबसार के पास जाकर धर्मोपदेश देना था। इसलिए वे काशी से राजगृह गये।

प्रश्न 4: प्रसेनजित ने भगवान बुद्ध से क्या निवेदन किया?

उत्तर: प्रसेनजित ने भगवान बुद्ध से श्रावस्ती में कुछ दिन ठहरने को कहा और उनसे उपदेश सुनने की इच्छा व्यक्त की।

प्रश्न 5: तथागत ने कर्म के बारे में शुद्धोदन को क्या समझाया?

उत्तर: तथागत ने शुद्धोदन से कहा कि यह रारा संसार कर्म से बँधा हुआ है। इसलिए कर्म के स्वभाव, कारण, फल और कर्म के आश्रय को समझना चाहिए। कर्म ही है जो मृत्यु के बाद भी मनुष्य का अनुगमन करता है।

प्रश्न 6: आम्रपाली कौन थी? तथागत ने उसे क्या समझाया?

उत्तर: आम्रपाली वैशाली की नगरबधू थी। तथागत ने आम्रपाली को समझाया कि उसका मन शुद्ध होने के कारण उसका आशय पवित्र था। आम्रपाली का मन धर्म की ओर लगता था। बुद्ध ने यह भी बताया कि धर्म का नाश कोई नहीं कर सकता है।

ज्ञान प्राप्ति

प्रश्न 1: अराड मुनि ने अविद्या किसे कहा है?

उत्तर: अराड मुनि के अनुसार आलस्य, जन्म-मृत्यु, काम, क्रोध और विषाद को अविद्या कहते हैं।

प्रश्न 2: कठोर तपस्या में लगे सिद्धार्थ ने किस कारण भोजन करने का निर्णय लिया?

उत्तर: सिद्धार्थ को लगा कि दुर्बल व्यक्ति को मोक्ष नहीं मिल सकता। उन्हें लगा कि भूख मिटने से ही मानसिक शक्ति मिल सकती है। स्थिर और प्रसन्न मन से ही समाधि मिल सकती है और समाधि से ही ध्यान योग सिद्ध हो सकता है। इसलिए सिद्धार्थ ने भोजन करना का निर्णय लिया।

प्रश्न 3: मार कौन था? वह बुद्ध को क्यों डरा रहा था?

उत्तर: कामदेव को मार के नाम से भी जाना जाता है। उसे लग रहा था कि बुद्ध सारे संसार को मोक्ष का मार्ग दिखा देंगे, जिससे मार की सत्ता छिन जायेगी। इसलिए वह बुद्ध को डरा रहा था।

प्रश्न 4: सिद्धार्थ के बुद्धत्व प्राप्त करने पर प्रकृति में किस प्रकार की हलचल दिखाई पड़ी?

उत्तर: सिद्धार्थ के बुद्धत्व प्राप्त करने पर सारी दिशाएँ सिद्धों से दीप्त हो गईं। आकाश में दुंदुभि बजने लगी। बिन बादल के ही बरसात होने लगी। मंद-मद पवन बहने लगी। पेड़ों से फल-फूलों की बारिश होने लगी। स्वर्ग से पुष्प-वर्षा होने लगी। इस तरह से हर होर खुशी का वातावरण भर गया।

अभिनिष्क्रमण

प्रश्न 1: सिद्धार्थ को निर्वाण के विषय में पहली प्रेरणा किस प्रकार मिली?

उत्तर: जब सिद्धार्थ अपने मन की बेचैनी दूर करने के लिए वन भ्रमण के लिए जा रहे थे तो उन्हें ताजे जुते हुए खेतों में दिखा कि कई पादप और जंतुओं की मृत्यु हो गई थी। इससे सिद्धार्थ का मन और भी अशांत हो गया। फिर जब वे एक जगह ध्यानमग्न थे तो उन्हें एक भिक्षुक दिखाई दिया। उस भिक्षुक ने यह बताया कि किस तरह वह माया-मोह से मुक्त होकर धर्म के मार्ग पर चल रहा था। भिक्षुक की बातों को सुनकर सिद्धार्थ को निर्वाण के विषय में पहली प्रेरणा मिली।

प्रश्न 2: राजकुमार ने तपोवन न जाने के लिए राजा के समक्ष क्या-क्या शर्तें रखीं?

उत्तर: राजकुमार ने तपोवन न जाने के लिए राजा के सामने निम्नलिखित शर्तें रखीं:

• मेरी मृत्यु न हो
• मैं सदा रोगमुक्त रहूँ
• मुझे कभी बुढ़ापा न आये
• मेरी संपत्ति सदा बनी रहे

प्रश्न 3: छंदक कौन था? सिद्धार्थ ने उसे नींद से क्यों जगाया?

उत्तर: छंदक अस्तबल में घोड़ों की देखभाल करता था। सिद्धार्थ जब सबकुछ त्याग कर जाना चाहते थे तो उन्हें शीघ्र ही बहुत दूर चले जाने के लिए एक उत्तम घोड़े की जरूरत थी। इसलिए सिद्धार्थ ने छंदक को जगाया।

प्रश्न 4: सिद्धार्थ से अलग होने पर छंदक और कंथक की दशा का वर्णन अपने शब्दों में कीजिए।

उत्तर: सिद्धार्थ से अलग होने पर छंदक और कंथक की दशा अत्यंत खराब हो गई। दोनों की आँखों से आँसू थमने का नाम नहीं ले रहे थे। उनके एक एक कदम भारी पड़ रहे थे। आते समय जिस दूरी को तय करने में उन्हें एक ही रात लगा था वापस जाते समय उसी दूरी को तय करने में उन्हें आठ दिन लग गये।

प्रश्न 5: तपोवन में सिद्धार्थ ने तपस्वियों को क्या करने के लिए कहा?

उत्तर: तपोवन में सिद्धार्थ ने तपस्वियों से कहा कि स्वर्ग में सुख की अभिलाषा में इस लोक में अपने आप को कष्ट देना धर्म का सही मार्ग नहीं है। सिद्धार्थ ने कहा कि धर्म का लक्ष्य स्वर्ग न होकर मोक्ष होना चाहिए।

प्रश्न 6: वन से लौटने के संबंध में राजमंत्री के तर्क सुनकर सिद्धार्थ ने क्या कहा?

उत्तर: सिद्धार्थ ने कहा कि माया और मोह किसी स्वप्न की तरह क्षणभंगुर होते हैं। इसलिए वह मोक्ष की तलाश में घर से निकल चुके हैं। उन्हें अपने पिता को दुख पहुँचाने का अफसोस तो था लेकिन अब वे अपने मार्ग से अडिग हैं और आगे बढ़ने की मंशा रखते हैं। इसलिए सिद्धार्थ ने वापस कपिलवस्तु जाने से मना कर दिया।

प्रश्न 7: बिंबसार ने सिद्धार्थ की सहायता के लिए क्या प्रस्ताव रखा?

उत्तर: बिंबसार ने सिद्धार्थ को वह सभी संसाधन देने का प्रस्ताव दिया ताकि सिद्धार्थ पुरुषार्थ करें और राजधर्म निभाएँ। बिंबसार का मानना था कि हर आश्रम के लिए निर्धारित आयु बनी होती है, इसलिए सिद्धार्थ को अपनी आयु के अनुसार पहले गृहस्थाश्रम का पालन करना चाहिए और फिर उचित समय आने पर सन्यास लेना चाहिए।