INDIAN LITERATURE

Delgado, Ma. Victoria Anne B.

BSED ENGLISH II
Activity 1. Mahabharata
Directions: Answer the following questions correctly.
1. Describe the importance of the passage of the text known as the Bhagavad Gita?
Bhagavad Gita is a manual for life and living. Spoken by Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead to His
intimate disciple Arjuna, the Gita's seven hundred concise verses provide a definitive guide to the science of self
realization. No other philosophical or religious work reveals, in such a lucid and profound way, the nature of
consciousness, the self, the universe and the Supreme. Considered to be a doctrine of universal truth, Bhagavad Gita has
long been influencing people not only in India but around the world also. The Bhagavad Gita teaches us various
important principles that relate to work, life, religion, philosophy and spirituality.

2. Analyze how specific characters live in accordance with or violation of their Dharma, and what importance
this has for the story.
Duryodhana tricked Yudhishthira who lives strictly in accordance with dharma,using fraud means to convert the
friendly game into a disastrous trap of shame, loss, and destruction. Duryodhana lives in violation of dharma, driven by
his own selfish motives. The consistent egoistic outlook and jealous feeling against the Pandavas forced Duryodhana to
order the public humiliation of Draupadi that invoked immortal wrath in the heart and mind of Pandavas. Those living
by dharma in this book are dignified (such as figures like Drona), while those living against it are driven to shame (such
as the various people noted in myths early in the story who are transformed into various animals, rivers, or trees)

3. Describe the significance of the various ways the fire plays into the events of the Mahabharata.
Fire embody the characters evil acts in Mahabharata. Whenever there is plot of killing or death, there’s fire and
when fate is at play, fire is served as the punishment.

4. What is the significance of heaven and hell in the Mahabharata?

In Mahabharata, everyone who dies has to go to hell, and heaven. Also no one stays in heaven or hell forever,
it is only a transit place.There is no one ever born in this world who is completely sinless, even if you have done a
very tiny sin (Yudhishthir deceived his Guru) for a few seconds you have to experience hell. Good deeds do not
erase bad deeds. The duration of stay depends on the quantum of good and bad deeds. If you have done a lot of
good deeds you spend longer time in heaven. In any case no one stays in heaven or hell forever. If your slate of
Karma is not clear you will be reborn. If you have nullified all.good and bad deeds you will get Moksha.

Activity 2. Ramayana
Directions: Answer the following questions correctly.
1. Traditionally, Sita was regarded as the model of ideal womanhood. Does Sita exemplify the traits that you
think women should have? Why or why not?

2. The Ramayana suggest that much of Rama’s greatness is the result of his choice to place Dharma above
his own personal interest. Likewise, Ravana possesses many noble characteristics, but has chosen to use
them for a life of evil. Do you think that being good or bad is a matter of personal choice, or are people
simply born good or bad?

3. Ravana received a number of warnings to release Sita and apologize to Rama, but he chose to ignore this
advice. Do you think Ravana deserved the terrible fate that befell him? Why or why not?

4. Rama is deeply suspicious of Sita after her captivity in Ravana’s palace; in book seven,
he even exiles her due to his suspicions. Do you think this is the right or fair thing to do?

5. Who do you think is the most admirable character in the Ramayana?

THE PANCHANTRA
1. The Monkey and the Crocodile
MORAL OF THE STORY: Don't underestimate yourself.

2. The Stork and the Crab

MORAL OF THE STORY: Excess of greed is harmful.

3. The Elephants and the Mice

MORAL OF THE STORY: A friend in need is a friend indeed.

4. The Loyal Mongoose

MORAL OF THE STORY: Think before you act.

5. The Tortoise and the Geese

MORAL OF THE STORY: Silence is the fence around wisdom

6. A Tale of Three Fish

MORAL OF THE STORY: One who does not adapt to change often perishes.

7. The Foolish Lion and the Clever Rabbit

MORAL OF THE STORY: Intelligence always has an upper hand when compared to physical strength.

8. The Jackal and the Drum

MORAL OF THE STORY: Only the brave can succeed at what they do.

9. The Elephant and the Sparrows

MORAL OF THE STORY: Wit is superior to brute force

10. The Wise Minister’s Advice

MORAL OF THE STORY: Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.

11. The Musical Donkey

MORAL OF THE STORY: There is a time and place for everything.