Bihar Board  Class 9  Chapter 2 Yayati  Questions And Answers 

Question 1: Which is the golden period of life – childhood, youth or old age? Give reasons for your choice?

Answer: I consider youth as the golden period of life. This is the period when a person works for themselves or for the country. In this stage, a person assumes the role of a lover, passionately in love with their beloved. They experience the emotions of joy and sorrow, and act with the courage of a soldier. This age is marked by the pursuit of fame and accomplishments, exemplified by historical figures like Alexander the Great and Napoleon.

Question 2: Why does a person want to remain always young?

Answer: A person always desires to be young because this is the phase of life where one can enjoy its various pleasures and experiences. Youth is considered the golden period, offering opportunities to work for oneself or for the betterment of society. It is a time of passionate love, courage, and the pursuit of fame. In the pursuit of sensual desires and achievements, youth becomes a cherished and irreplaceable stage of life.

B. 1.1. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: Who was Emperor Yayati?

Answer: Emperor Yayati was one of the ancestors of the Pandavas.

Question 2 : How did Yayati become old? Who cursed him?

Answer: Yayati became prematurely old for wronging his wife Devayani, and he was cursed by Sukracharya.

Question 3: Was Yayati devoid of sensual desires?

Answer: No, Yayati was not devoid of sensual desires.

Question 4.What was the reply of his eldest son?

Answer: Yayati's eldest son replied that if he took upon himself his old age, people would mock at him, so he could not agree to it.

Question 5: Why did he become angry?

Answer: Yayati became angry as his three sons had declined to fulfill his wishes.

B.1.2. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: What are the symptoms of an old man?

Answer: In old age, strength and beauty diminish. The face wrinkles, hair turns grey, and physical activities like riding a horse or an elephant become challenging. Speech falters, and an old person often requires assistance for personal hygiene.

Question 2: Who was Puru? Did he accept his father’s proposal?

Answer: Puru was the youngest son of Yayati. Yes, he gladly accepted his father’s proposal to exchange his youth for Yayati’s old age.

Question 3: Sensual desire is everlasting. Whose thought is this?

Answer: This thought belongs to Yayati, reflecting the ancient Indian belief that sensual desire is a constant aspect of human existence.

Question 4: Why did Yayati resume his old age?

Answer: When Yayati realized that sensual desire cannot be quenched by indulgence, he took back his old age and chose to live a life of austerity in the forest.

Question 5: Do corn, gold, cattle, and women satisfy the desire of a man?

Answer: No, corn, gold, cattle, and women do not satisfy the desire of a man.

B.1.3. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: What was Yayati famous for?

Answer: Yayati was famous as a ruler devoted to the welfare of his subjects.

Question 2: Why did Yayati call his sons?

Answer: Yayati found himself suddenly old but still desired sensual enjoyment. He called his five sons, hoping one of them would bear the burden of his old age and give his youth in return.

Question 3: What did he say to them?

Answer: Yayati appealed to the affection of his sons, asking one of them to exchange their youth with his old age so that he could enjoy life in the full vigor of youth.

Question 4: Which son agreed to give Yayati his youth and take his old age?

Answer: Puru, the youngest son, agreed to give Yayati his youth and take his old age.

Question 5: Why did Yayati go to the garden of Kubera?

Answer: Yayati went to Kubera’s garden to seek more sensual satisfaction with an apsara maiden, as his desire could not be fulfilled on Earth.

Long Answer Type Questions

C.1. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: Why did Yayati become prematurely old? Why did he dislike it?

Answer: Yayati became prematurely old due to the curse of Sukracharya for wronging his wife Devayani. He disliked it because old age destroys beauty and brings on miseries. He wanted to enjoy sensual pleasures in the full vigor of youth, which was not possible in old age.

Question 2 : In order to enjoy the pleasures of youth, Yayati wished to take the youth of one of his sons. Was he right in doing so? Explain with your argument.

Answer: Yayati, influenced by his desire for sensual enjoyment, wished to take the youth of one of his sons. However, this act was not morally right. Each individual has the right to enjoy their life, and burdening one's son with old age for personal pleasure is an unjust request. Yayati should have accepted his old age gracefully.

Question 3: Write in your own words the responses of the first three sons to their father’s request.

Answer: The eldest son declined, fearing mockery and disrespect, stating that younger brothers should be asked. The second son refused, citing the detrimental effects of old age on strength, beauty, and wisdom. The third son declined, emphasizing the helplessness and incapacity of an old man.

Question 4: How did the fourth son respond to his father’s appeal? How would you have responded if you were the fourth son?

Answer: The fourth son begged to be forgiven, expressing his inability to consent to the proposal. He sympathized with the pitiful condition of an old man seeking help even for basic hygiene. If I were the fourth son, I would respond with politeness and empathy, refusing the request with respect for my father's plight.

Question 5: Why did Puru agree to give his youth to his father and take his father’s old age in return? Did he do the right thing?

Answer: Puru, moved by filial love, agreed to give his youth to his father to relieve him of the sorrows of old age and the responsibilities of the kingdom. As a son, he felt obligated to protect his father, doing what he believed was the right thing. Yes, Puru did the right thing by fulfilling his duty towards his father.

Question 6: Is it right for a father to make such a request to his sons as Yayati did?

Answer: No, it is not morally right for a father to make such a request to his sons. Yayati's

D.1. Dictionary Use:

Ex.1. Correct the spelling of the following words:

1. Vigor — Vigour
2. Pityful — Pitiful
3. Releve — Relieve
4. Bestuw — Bestow
5. Induljence — Indulgence

Ex.2. Write two meanings of the following words, the one used in the lesson and the common:

1. Defeat:
   • Meaning as used: पराजय
   • Common Meaning: हार
2. Desire:
   • Meaning as used: कामना
   • Common Meaning: इच्छा
3. Restrict:
   • Meaning as used: संयम
   • Common Meaning: नियंत्रण
4. Affection:
   • Meaning as used: स्नेह
   • Common Meaning: प्यार से
5. Pleasure:
   • Meaning as used: सुख
   • Common Meaning: अराम

D.2. Word Formation:

1. Making adjectives from nouns by using suffix ‘ous’, ‘eous’, or 'ious':

• Joy — Joyous
• Prestige — Prestigious
• Fame — Famous
• Population — Populous
• Vigor — Vigorous
• Danger — Dangerous
• Courage — Courageous
• Labour — Labourious
• Victory — Victorious
• Industry — Industrious
• Luxury — Luxurious
• Merit — Meritorious
• Spontaneity — Spontaneous
• Continuity — Continuous
• Humour — Humorous

2. Making new words from the following verbs by using suffix ‘ment’:

• Fulfil — Fulfillment
• Attain — Attainment
• Enchant — Enchantment
• Agree — Agreement
• Better — Betterment
• Settle — Settlement
• Retire — Retirement
• Require — Requirement
• Engage — Engagement
• Entertain — Entertainment
• Adjust — Adjustment
• Improve — Improvement

D.3. Ex.1. Word Meaning:

A B

1. Morally good — Virtuous
2. Painful feeling — Piteously
3. People from whom one is descended — Ancestors
4. Respected deeply — Venerated
5. Command — Commanding

Ex.2. Fill in the Blanks with words given below:

1. I finally gave my consent to my father’s proposal.
2. I saw a maiden standing at the gate of my school.
3. We should not mock at anyone.
4. He cursed me, and I became angry.
5. Your face is covered with wrinkles. Are you getting old?
6. The patient died prematurely.
7. Virtuous men will go to heaven.
8. Excuse me, I am not at your bidding.

D.4. Phrases:

1. Have had: page 13 para – 3 — I have had enough pleasure in life.
2. Fell off: page 13 Para 3:2 — I want to enjoy the full fell of life.
3. By no means: page -15 para – 8 — By no means is it possible for me to accede to your proposal.
4. Take upon oneself: page – 14 para – 4 — I will take upon the responsibility on myself.
5. Take up: page -15 para -7 — I will take up this problem with my teacher.
6. Give back: page -15 para – 7 — I shall give back the money after some time.
7. In due course: page -15 para -12 — In due course, you will realize your mistake.

GRAMMAR:

Sequence of Tenses:

1. Present Tense in Principal Clause:
   • I know what he does.
   • I shall know what he will do.
2. Past Tense in Principal Clause:
   • He worked hard so that he might suggest.
   • I know what he was doing.
3. Exceptions:
   • If the verb in the subordinate clause is introduced by the conjunction 'then,' the verb may be in any tense.
   • If the subordinate clause is an adverbial clause of place or reasons, it may be in any tense.
4. 'As if' and 'As though' Constructions:
   • He speaks as if he were mad.
   • He speaks as if he knows everything.

ABOUT THE LESSON 

  The tale of Yayati, an ancient Indian king, is derived from the epic Mahabharata, authored by Maharishi Vedavyas, a profound scholar of that era. This narrative is extracted from the compilation titled 'Spiritual Stories of India,' curated by Chaman Lal and published by the Publication Division of India, a unit under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. The English rendition presented here is crafted by C. Rajagopalachari.

 आवर्तन: ययाति की इस कथा का स्रोत पौराणिक महाकाव्य महाभारत से है, जिसे महर्षि वेदव्यास ने रचा था, जो उस समय के महान विद्वान और आचार्य थे। यह कथा 'स्पीरिचुअल स्टोरीज आँफ इंडिया' शीर्षकके एक संग्रह से ली गई है, जिसे चमन लाल ने संकलित किया और यह पुस्तक भारत सरकार के सूचना एवं प्रसारण मंत्रालय की एक इकाई, 'पब्लिकेशन डिवीजन ऑफ इंडिया' द्वारा प्रकाशित की गई है। यहाँ प्रस्तुत अंग्रेजी संस्करण का अनुवाद सी. राजगोपालाचारी द्वारा किया गया है।

Summary

Yayati, a pivotal figure in the lineage of the Pandavas, was a man of unwavering faith in God, deeply rooted in religious principles, and held great reverence for his ancestors. His governance adhered to the norms prescribed in the Shastras. Unfortunately, a curse from Shukracharya, the guru of demons (Rakshas), prematurely aged him when he transgressed against Shukracharya's daughter-wife, Devayani. This sudden transformation into old age saddened Yayati, as he yearned to experience the unfulfilled pleasures of youth. Seeking a resolution, he summoned his five sons and disclosed his predicament. Yayati explained that Shukracharya's curse had permanently aged him, depriving him of the prime of life. Now, it was their duty to alleviate their father's suffering. One of them had to shoulder the burden of his old age, offering their youth in return, and the chosen one would ascend to the throne.One by one, all four sons declined the arduous offer. Yayati turned to his fifth son, Puru, known for his unwavering obedience. Yayati implored Puru to bear the afflictions of his old age temporarily, promising to restore his youth and carry the burden of old age himself. Puru, as the dutiful son, willingly accepted the proposal, relieving his father of the agony of aging.With Puru assuming kingship and managing the vast kingdom, Yayati found himself free to indulge in the pleasures of life. He ventured to Kubera's garden, the king of wealth, and spent a considerable time reveling in the company of apsaras, beautiful damsels. However, even these celestial delights failed to satiate his desires, and his lust continued to intensify.Realizing the futility of indulgence, Yayati returned to his son and confessed, "Son, desire is insatiable through indulgence. It breeds further desires, and human desires can never be fully satisfied, be it with gold, women, cattle, or anything else. Man must renounce desire and transcend likes and dislikes to attain peace of mind. I have realized the truth of life. Now, take back your youth and rule the kingdom with vigor and youthful ability." With these words, Yayati reclaimed his old age and retreated to the forest, seeking a peaceful life. Puru regained his youth and became the full-fledged king of the kingdom relinquished by Yayati.

 ययाति, पाण्डवों के वंश का महत्वपूर्ण नेतृत्व करने वाले, ईश्वर में अटूट विश्वास रखने वाले, धार्मिक सिद्धांतों में सुदृढ़ और अपने पूर्वजों के प्रति श्रद्धासुमन रखने वाले व्यक्ति थे। उनके शासन का कायाकल्प शास्त्रों की निर्देशिका के अनुसार होता था। एक दिन, देवयानी के साथ अनैतिक व्यवहार करने के कारण राक्षसों के गुरु शुक्राचार्य के शाप के कारण उनका युवावस्था से ही बुढ़ापा आ गया। इस पीड़ा को दूर करने के लिए उन्होंने अपने पाँच पुत्रों में से एक से यह व्रत लेने को कहा, जिसने आत्मसात करके उनके बुढ़ापे का बोझ सहा। इसके पश्चात्, पुरु राजा बना और ययाति ने जंगल में शान्ति की ओर बढ़ते हुए अपने अवसान का आनंद लिया।

Glossary (n) — पूर्वज, Dictate (n)— आदेश, आज्ञा, Venerated (ad v.)—आदर देना, सम्मान करना, Prematurely (and v.)— समय से पूर्व, कालपूर्व  Curse(n)— शाप देना, Wronged(n)— दुर्व्यवहार , Bidding (n)—आदेश, Mock(v)—हँसी उड़ाना, उपहास करना, Plight(n)—दुर्दशा, Supplicated (v)—अनुनय-विनय करना, विनयावनत।