NCERT Answers

Q1. If you were Nachiketa, what questions would you like to ask Yama? Write them down in 100–150 words.

Answer (model):
If I were Nachiketa, I would ask Yama:

• What happens after death — does life end or continue in another form?
• What is the true purpose of human life?
• Why do people suffer even if they do good deeds?
• How can one overcome fear, anger, and attachment?
• What is the path to attaining peace and liberation?

These questions would help me understand the mystery of life and death, the meaning of karma, and the way to live a righteous and fearless life.

Q2. Explain a few central ideas of Buddhism. Briefly comment upon them.

Answer (120–150 words):
Central ideas of Buddhism include:

1. Four Noble Truths: Life has suffering; suffering arises from desire; it can end; and the Eightfold Path leads to its end.
2. Eightfold Path: Right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and meditation.
3. Ahimsa: Non-harming of all beings.
4. Middle Path: Avoid extremes of luxury and hardship.

Comment: These ideas emphasise simplicity, discipline, and compassion. They focus on inner transformation rather than rituals. Even today, Buddhist values of peace and mindfulness are relevant worldwide.

Q3. Discuss the quotation of the Buddha: “Not by water is one made pure, though many people may bathe here [in sacred rivers]. But one is pure in whom truth and dharma reside.”

Answer (80–100 words):
The Buddha’s quotation means that real purity is not external but internal. Bathing in rivers may clean the body, but true purity comes from following truth, dharma (righteousness), and self-control. A person who is honest, kind, and non-violent is purer than one who only performs rituals. This teaching emphasises inner discipline, good actions, and moral values over external appearances.

Q4. Explain a few central ideas of Jainism. Briefly comment upon them.

Answer (120–150 words):
Central ideas of Jainism are:

1. Ahimsa: Non-violence towards all living beings, including insects and plants.
2. Anekāntavāda: Truth has many sides; no single view is complete.
3. Aparigraha: Non-attachment to possessions and simplicity in life.
4. Karma: One’s actions decide the future cycle of birth.

Comment: Jain philosophy highlights compassion, tolerance, and simplicity. Its teachings are deeply ecological, showing respect for all life forms. Even today, these principles guide people towards peace, environmental care, and ethical living.

Q5. Consider and discuss André Béteille’s thought (p. 122).

Answer (100–120 words):
André Béteille said that castes and tribes in India influenced each other’s beliefs and practices. This means that Indian culture developed through interaction, borrowing, and sharing. Tribal deities became part of Hinduism (like Jagannath of Puri), while Hindu epics were retold in tribal versions. Such exchange made Indian culture rich, diverse, and united. This mutual influence shows that culture is never one-sided but a blend of traditions. It also reminds us to respect every community’s contribution to India’s civilisation.

Q6. Make a list of popular gods and goddesses in your region and the festivals they are associated with.

Answer (model – students adapt):

• Durga – Durga Puja (West Bengal)
• Krishna – Janmashtami (Uttar Pradesh)
• Ganesh – Ganesh Chaturthi (Maharashtra)
• Jagannath – Rath Yatra (Odisha)
• Shiva – Mahashivaratri (all over India)

Q7. List two or three tribal groups from your region or State. Document some of their art and belief systems.

Answer (model – example from central India):

• Gonds: Worship nature; famous for Gond paintings.
• Santhals: Worship Singbonga (sun god); celebrate Sohrai harvest festival.
• Baiga: Known for tattoo art; follow traditional forest rituals.

True or False

1. The Vedic hymns were written on palm-leaf manuscripts. – False. They were passed orally.
2. The Vedas are India’s oldest texts. – True.
3. The Vedic statement ekam sat viprā bahudhā vadanti reflects belief in unity of cosmic powers. – True.
4. Buddhism is older than the Vedas. – False. Vedas are older.
5. Jainism emerged as a branch of Buddhism. – False. It is an independent school.
6. Both Buddhism and Jainism advocated peaceful coexistence and non-violence. – True.
7. Tribal belief systems are limited to spirits and minor deities. – False. They also have supreme deities and rich traditions.

Extra Questions – Chapter 7: India’s Cultural Roots

Very Short Answer Questions

Q1. What does the word “Veda” mean? – Knowledge.
Q2. Who composed the Vedic hymns? – Rishis and rishikas.
Q3. What does “aham brahmāsmi” mean? – I am divine.
Q4. Who founded Buddhism? – Siddhārtha Gautama (the Buddha).
Q5. Who founded Jainism? – Mahāvīra.

Short Answer Questions

Q6. What is the concept of karma?
Answer: Karma means actions and their results. Good deeds bring happiness, while bad deeds bring suffering.

Q7. What is anekāntavāda in Jainism?
Answer: It is the belief that truth has many aspects and no single statement can describe it fully.

Q8. How did tribal traditions enrich Hinduism?
Answer: Tribal deities like Jagannath were adopted into Hinduism, while tribal groups adapted Hindu epics in their own style.

Long Answer Questions

Q9. Explain the contribution of the Vedas to Indian culture.
Answer (120 words):
The Vedas are the oldest Indian texts and a foundation of Indian culture. They contain hymns to gods like Indra, Agni, Sarasvatī, and Varuṇa. Their teachings emphasise truth, unity, and harmony in the cosmos. The Upanishads developed deeper ideas like ātman, brahman, karma, and rebirth. Vedic culture influenced rituals, festivals, philosophy, and social organisation. The oral preservation of Vedic hymns is recognised by UNESCO as world heritage. Even today, Vedic prayers and values guide Indian traditions and spirituality.

Q10. How are Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedic schools similar and different?
Answer (150 words):

• Similarities: All three stress dharma, karma, rebirth, and liberation from suffering. They value non-violence, truth, and simplicity.
• Differences:
  • Vedic schools accept the authority of the Vedas; Buddhism and Jainism reject it.
  • Buddhism emphasises the Middle Path and meditation.
  • Jainism stresses ahimsa in the strictest sense and detachment (aparigraha).

Vedanta teaches that everything is one divine essence, brahman.
Thus, despite differences, these schools enriched Indian thought and created a diverse yet unified cultural tradition.