Exercise - Question:
Que: Read the story on page 130. In what ways in the monkey king similar to or different from the kings you read about in Chapters 6 and 11?
Ans:
The monkey king in the story on page 130 is similar to the kings mentioned in chapters 6 and 11. The monkey king like the other kings has a huge army.
He himself is wise, diplomatic and brave. He has the virtue of taking right moment. When he observes the situation of the attack on his community by the king’s men, he makes a quick plan to save his army. First, he let all of them cross the river. As he is the last, he gets tired and exhausted, he falls down and is dead. In this way, he sacrifices his life for the safety of his kingdom. This is the supreme virtue of a king. So, he is in no way different from the other human kings.
Que: Find out more and tell a story from one of the epics.
Ans: We have a number of stories in our epics that inspire us in many ways. They guide us and teach us the ideals of life. Such epics are the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
In the Mahabharata, we have one such story. The battle was finalized between Kauravas and Pandavas. Both the parties were making efforts’ to win the favour of their relatives and another king. Krishna who was related to both was considered as a superman, possessing the qualities of gods. So, Duryodhana, the eldest of the Kauravas approached him. On the same day Arjuna, one of the five Pandavas, also went to Krishna. Duryodhana was a proud fellow. He sat on the head-side of Krishna who was sleeping at that time. Arjuna, a humble fellow, reached thereafter Duryodhana. But he sat at the feet side of Krishna and began pressing his feet. As Krishna opened his eyes, he saw Aijuna. Krishna had already promised them that he would be from the side of the man who would reach him first. As Krishna saw Arjuna first he said that he would be in favour of Arjuna. Duryodhana opposed it because he had reached there first. Krishna said that those who want to get something from anyone then should be humble and courteous. Here, Duryodhana lost Krishna. We learn from this story that we should not show our arrogance to those from whom we ask for something.
Que: Match the following:
Stupa Place where the image of the deity is installed
Shikhara Mound
Mandapa Circular path aroundthe stupa
Garbhagriha Place in temples where people could assemble
Pradakshinapatha Tower
Ans:
| Column l | Column ll |
| Stupa | Mound |
| shikhara | Tower |
| Mandapa | Place in temples where people could assemble |
| Garbhagir | Place where the image of deilty is installed |
| Pradakshina patha | Circular path around the stupa |
Que: Fill in the blanks:
(a) ———————— was a great astronomer.
(b) Stories about gods and goddesses are found in the ————————
(c) ———————— is recognised as the author of the Sanskrit Ramayana.
(d) ———————— and ———————— are two Tamil epics.
Ans:
(i) Aryabhata (ii) Purana (iii) Valmiki (iv) Silappadikaram, Manimekalai
Que: Make a list of the chapters in which you find mention of metal working. What are the metals objects mentioned or shown in those chapters?
Ans: Chapters 4, 8 and 9 mention metal working. Various metal tools have been mentioned; like ploughshare, sickle, axe and sword. Ploughshare and sickle were used in farming. Axe was used for chopping wood. Sword was used in battle.
Que: Read the story on page 130. In what ways is the monkey king similar to or different from the kings you read about in Chapters 6 and 11?
Ans: The monkey king shows some similarities and some differences with human kings. While many kings assumed grand titles, the monkey king did not have such title. Most of the kings took good care of their subjects. The monkey king shows the same mindset.
Que: Find out more and tell a story from one of the epics.
Ans: The Ramayana is an epic written by Adi Rishi Valmiki. This epic is about Rama, a prince of Kosala, who was sent into exile for fourteen years. His wife Sita was abducted by the King of Lanka, named Ravana, and Rama had to fight a battle to get her back. He won and returned to Ayodhya, the capital of Kosala, after his victory.
