Pandavas in Exile Answers Summary Meanings Class 7 English

‘The Pandavas in Exile Class 7:  The chapter starts with a story board starting with the story of how the Pandavas were invited by Shakuni to paly Chausar and to trap them. The Pandavas lost all and had live in exile where they had to face a Yaksha to quell their thirst. Yudhishthira answered all the questions asked by the Yaksha and led to the revival to life all his brothers. Here are given the word-meanings and solution to the book exercises.

Summary

This extract from the epic ‘The Mahabharata’ portrays Yudhishthira’s character as an embodiment of virtue, wisdom, and endurance. Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers, demonstrates his exceptional qualities during his thirteenth year of exile.

When he encounters Yaksha, who is none other than Yama, the lord of Death, he displays his knowledge, fairness, and righteousness by answering Yaksha’s challenging questions. His loyalty and affection for his brothers are evident when he refuses to abandon his dying brother to find water for himself, and he remains steadfast in his resolve even when faced with Yaksha’s warning.

Yama, impressed by Yudhishthira’s noble conduct, blesses him with protection from heaven and advises him to visit the king of Matsya in disguise during the thirteenth year of their exile. This episode highlights Yudhishthira’s wisdom, knowledge, and steadfastness in the face of adversity.

Overall, this extract from the Mahabharata provides valuable lessons about the importance of knowledge, righteousness, and loyalty in one’s character, and how these virtues can help overcome challenging situations in life.

Word-meanings- The Pandavas in Exile

exile – forced to live in foreign country our out of your home (वनवास)

enthrone – crown as king

emerged – arose

intense – big and profound and deep

rivalry – competition, enmity

various – many

get rid of – to be free from sb /sth

plot – a secret plan (षड्यन्त्र)

deceit – cheating, deception

amend – to change improve or correct (behaviour)

in pursuit of – chasing, following, in search of

dwelling place – living place

vanished – disappeared

footsore – having sore (wound) foot due to walking a long way

weary – extremely tired

in vain – without any result, a waste

parched – very dry

trudged – to walk slowly with heavy steps

readily – quickly and easily without any difficulty

concerned – worried and anxious

unconscious – like sleeping, unaware

blood freezes – very frightened and shocked

wringing – twisting and squeezing

grief – pain, sorrow

startled – surprised and shocked

enchanted – under spell (words with magical powers)

fancy (n) – imagination, only in thoughts

struck down – caused to fall down

reeled – seemed to revolve

stoop – to bend forward and then downward

render – make or cause sb/sth to be in a particular state or condition (Example-The earthquake rendered him homeless)

heed – to give proper attention to advice or warning

sustain – to maintain or keep or continue the existence, to make enough supply needed to bear or live or exist (बनाए रखना, संभालना,

restore – to bring back to original form

righteousness – the quality of being morally just and fair (धर्म परायणता, नेकी ,सदाचारिता)

personage – an important or famous person

embrace – a hug, to hold close with arms out of love or affection

in disguise – modifying appearance to conceal identity so that he or she is unrecognised

noblest – magnificent, of high excellence or quality or value,

Intext-Questions

Q1. Why do you think Yudhishthira sent Sahadeva in search of water?

A1. Yudhishthira sent Sahadeva to search for water because they were all very thirsty and needed to find a source of water urgently. He likely trusted Sahadeva to find water quickly and safely.

Q2. What does ‘raised their smiling heads to the Sun’ mean here?

A2. This phrase likely refers to flowers or plants in the area around the pool, which were facing upwards towards the sun, appearing as though they were smiling. It’s a poetic way to describe the beauty and serenity of the scene.

Q3. Do you think Sahadeva should have gone in search of Yaksha before drinking water from the pool? What does it tell you about his character?

A3. Yes, Sahadeva should have listened to the warning about the Yaksha before drinking. His decision to drink first shows that he was very thirsty and possibly impatient or overconfident. This indicates that he might have underestimated the seriousness of the situation.

Q4. Do you agree with Yudhishthira’s answer?

A4. Yes, Yudhishthira’s answers to the Yaksha’s questions were wise and insightful. God is the source all illumination in the universe. the other answer correctly reflects the importance of courage as the surest weapon against danger. It is with the courage that we can face and come out of any dangerous situation.

Q5. What does this tell you about Yudhishthira’s character?

A5. It shows his wisdom in answering the questions. It demonstrates his intelligence, patience, and leadership qualities. His decision to save Nakul shows his justful, considerate and thoughful nature about her family members like Madri. His wisdom in answering questions as well as taking a proper decision that would only be praised by others, wins our heart.

Q6. What do you think would have happened to the Pandavas if Yudhishthira had not been able to answer Yaksha’s questions?

A6. If Yudhishthira hadn’t been able to answer the Yaksha’s questions, the Pandavas might have faced dire consequences, possibly losing their lives or remaining cursed. It was Yudhishthira’s wisdom that saved them, showing the importance of knowledge and calmness in difficult situations.

Book Exercises

Answers A.

1. T

2. F

3. F

4. F

5. F

6. T

Answers.B.

1. a. Yaksha.
   b. Shadeva.
   c. Becoming unconscious.
   d. All the four brothers: Nakula, Shadeva, Bhima and Arjuna.
2. a. Yudhishthira’s unconscious brothers are being referred here.
   b. They had not paid any attention to the Yaksha’s warning.
   c. It was hard for Yudhishthira to choose between one of his brother’s. It was a difficult choice.
   d. He decided to get Nakula’s life restored.
3. a. Yama, the god of Justice and Death had come to help them in the hour of need.
   b. ‘There hour of need’ here means the difficult time of the Pandavas in the forest.
   c. He chose to choose what was rightfully correct and did not give in to his emotions. For him all the four brothers were of equal importance but he reasoned it out from Madari’s point of view.
   d. Yama rewarded Yudhishthira by blessing him and restoring life of his four brothers. He also promised that he and his brothers would be protected by heaven in their hardships.

Answers

1. Chasing a deer had left them fatigued, leading to aimless wandering in the forest under the scorching sun, which caused both thirst and exhaustion.
2. Shadeva was initially sent to fetch water by Yudhishthira, but upon his delay, all four brothers were dispatched to retrieve water for him.
3. Yudhishthira grew anxious as none of his four siblings returned to him.
4. While on their quest for water, the brothers stumbled upon a magical pool that proved too irresistible to ignore. The water proved to be so potent that they instantly collapsed upon taking a sip.
5. Despite Yaksha’s admonition to answer his questions before drinking from the enchanted pool, the brothers, consumed by thirst, disregarded his warning and subsequently lost consciousness.
6. Yaksha’s stipulation was that whoever wished to drink from the enchanted pool must first answer his queries.
7. Upon hearing Yaksha’s cautionary voice, Yudhishthira inquired about his identity and assured him that he was willing and prepared to answer all of his questions to the best of his ability.
8. Yaksha posed six inquiries to Yudhishthira, which were:

• a. What is the source of the Sun’s radiance?
• b. What is the most reliable defense against peril for humans?
• c. What provides more sustenance, strength, and nourishment to humans than the Earth?
• d. At what point does a person gain the love of their peers?
• e. What is the thing that brings happiness to a person even after it has been lost?
• f. What is the thing that brings happiness to a person even after it has been lost?

9. Yaksha posed several questions to Yudhishthira, to which he responded calmly with the following answers:

• a. The power of God.
• b. Courage, as it is his strongest defense in times of peril.
• c. Undoubtedly, a mother. She is the one who gives birth, nurtures, and sustains a man’s life. A mother is greater than the Earth.
• d. A man earns the love of his peers by abandoning his pride.
• e. Anger.
• f. Desire, for only a person without desire can truly be wealthy. Even if someone possesses a thousand possessions, they will remain poor unless content.

10. Yama, who was considered the God of Justice and Death, held the position of Yudhishthira’s celestial father.
11. Being pleased with Yudhishthira’s virtuous behavior and wisdom, Yama not only brought back his brother’s life but also assured him that he and his siblings would be under the protection of heaven during their difficult times.
12. Yama counseled Yudhishthira to relocate with his brothers and Draupadi to the kingdom of Matsya, ruled by the benevolent King Virata, where they could live in disguise and be shielded from their adversaries until their prolonged exile ended.

Perfect – Vocabulary

Answers

1. c

2. d

3. f

4. e

5. b

6. a

Answers

1. Once in a blue moon
2. Raining cats and dogs
3. Turned a deaf ear
4. Missed the boat
5. Zip our lips
6. go with the flow

Grammar

Answers

1. picks
2. are
3. is
4. am
5. play
6. walk
7. tastes
8. look
9. moves
10. feels

Answers

1. Neenu plays in the garden with her dog.
2. My sister has a new job.
3. Peter’s father has found a big bat.
4. My aunts give me many gifts.
5. The Sun rises in the morning.
6. Our phones are connected to each other.
7. The clown makes me laugh.
8. The picture covers the wall.
9. My glasses fill up quickly.
10. The computers don’t break down often.

Answers (answers may differ)

1. need
2. ought to
3. dare
4. ought to
5. ought to
6. have to
7. had to
8. must
9. ought to
10. had to

Answers

1. Mia need not give up so easily.
2. How dare you scribble on the laptop?
3. They must strive to excel in all their endeavours.
4. We have to plan for a weekend trip to hills.
5. Do you need any sugar?
6. You ought not to break your word.
7. She ought to accept her fault.
8. We must tell him the reality.
9. I have to leave for Mumbai tomorrow morning.
10. How dare you say so?