Page 93 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

Unit 5: Comprehension from Seen Passages

The Hindu Civilization, despite all the foreign influences, shall keep itself intact. The preachings of Notes
the holy book of the Bhagvad Gita, the Upanishads shall never miss heir significance. However, under
the western influence, the Indians lives would be largely influenced by the technological development.
But the Indians shall always be influenced by the heroes of the Mahabharta and the Ramayana and so on.
The outdated and useless traditions of the Indian culture have almost vanished. The barbarous public
sacrifices of the vedic period are not in vogue. Similarly, the practice of widows burning on the pyres
of their husbands has been stopped. The evils of child marriages and untouchability are removed
from the society. There is complete abolition of caste system. The old family system has been changed
according to the present day conditions. No doubt, Indian culture is being changed according to the
present needs but it will, undoubtedly, survive till the doomsday. It will never be lost.

Questions for Comprehension
I. Questions for Short Answers
1. How did the great Indian social reformers define social service?
Ans. Social service to the Indian social reformers was a religious duty.
2. Who is called ‘Great Mother’ in the essay ‘The Heritage of India’?
Ans. By ‘Great Mother1, A. L. Basham means the motherland.
3. Why is it false to say that Gandhi was the epitome of Hindu tradition?
Ans. Since Gandhi was much influenced by the Western ideas, it will be wrong to say that he
was an epitome of Hindu tradition.
4. How was Gandhi influenced by European 19th century liberalism?
Ans. Gandhi inculcated in him passionate love of the downtroddens and aversion to caste
under the influence of the European 19th century liberalism.
5. To whom was Gandhi indebted for his pacificism?
Ans. Gandhi was indebted to the Sermon on the Mount and to Tolstoy for his pacificism.
6. What are the two extremes, disappearing from India?
Ans. National self-denigration and fanatical cultural chauvinism are gradually disappearing
from India.
7. What special feature of the Indian culture and civilization has been referred to by the
author?
Ans. Indian culture has the ability to adapt and digest elements of different cultures. It is
performing the most astonishing thing, synthesis or assimilation of the Western culture.
8. Hindu civilization will, we believe, retain its continuity. How did the author prove it?
Ans. The Western thoughts may affect and sometime change the Indian way of life but it is
sure that Indian civilization will retain its continuity. He proves it with the argument
that the holy writings, like the Bhagvad Gita, and the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the
Upanishads etc will always inspire the Indians.
9. Name the legendary figures, mentioned by Basham in his essay’ The Heritage of India?
Ans. Basham refers to Dushyanta and Shakuntala on the one hand and on the other Pururavas
and Urvashi.
10. What pervades Indian life despite oppression, disease and poverty?
Ans. Despite oppression, disease and poverty, the gentle happiness has always pervaded Indian
life.
11. Name two useless things in old Indian culture which have already perished.
Ans. The uncivilized public sacrifices and untouchability are two important useless things
which have disappeared from the old Indian culture.
12. How are Dushyanta and Shakuntala related?
Ans. Dushyanta and Shakuntala were passionate lovers.

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