Question

Read the given extract and answer the questions that follow.

We bring thee our songs and our garlands for tribute, The gold of our fields and the gold of our fruit; O giver of mellowing radiance, we hail thee, We praise thee, O Surya, with cymbal and flute.

(i) What does the act of bringing songs and garlands as tribute suggest about the people’s relationship with the divine?

1. They fear the gods and wish to calm them in any way possible.
2. They have a deep sense of reverence and gratitude towards the divine.
3. They are forced to perform rituals without understanding the divine.
4. They depend on the gods for their daily needs and activities.

(ii) Complete the following sentence suitably.

The word ‘gold’ in the phrases ‘the gold of our fields’ and ‘the gold of our fruit’ symbolises ______.

(iii) How does the description ‘O giver of mellowing radiance’ help us understand Surya’s role in the harvest?

(iv) Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option from those given in the brackets.

The use of cymbal and flute signifies ______. (joy and celebration/meditation and worship)

Answer 1

(i) They have a deep sense of reverence and gratitude towards the divine.

(ii) The word ‘gold’ in the phrases ‘the gold of our fields’ and ‘the gold of our fruit’ symbolises the rich, ripe, and valuable harvest produced in the fields and orchards.

(iii) The phrase “O giver of mellowing radiance” shows that Surya provides the sunlight and warmth needed to ripen the crops and fruits, making the harvest possible.

(iv) The use of cymbal and flute signifies joy and celebration.