Kathmandu Class 9 Question Answer

Kathmandu Class 9 Questions and Answers

Textbook Questions

Thinking about the Text

I. Answer these questions in one or two words or in short phrases.
निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों का उत्तर एक-दो शब्दों या शब्द-समूहों में दो।

Question 1.
Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.
उन दो मन्दिरों का नाम बताओ जहाँ लेखक काठमाण्डू में गए।
Answer:
The Pashupatinath temple and the Baudhnath Stupa.

Question 2.
The writer says, ‘All this I wash down with Coca Cola.’ What does all this refer to?
लेखक कहता है, ‘यह सब मैंने कोका कोला के साथ धो दिया।’ ‘यह सब’ किसके लिए कहा गया है ?
Answer:
‘All this’ means the corn-on-the-cob, love story comics, and a Reader’s Digest.

Question 3.
What does Vikram Seth compare the quills of a porcupine?
विक्रम सेठ झाऊमूसे के काँटों की किससे तुलना करते हैं ?
Answer:
To the bansuri’s protruding in all directions from of the pole attachment.

Question 4.
Name the different kinds of the flute.
विभिन्न बाँसुरियों के प्रकार बताओ।
Answer:
The reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, the bansuri of Hindustani classical music, the breathy flutes of South America and the high pitched Chinese flute.

II. Answer each question in a short paragraph.
संक्षिप्त अनुच्छेद में उत्तर दें।

Question 1.
What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers?
बाँसुरी वाले व अन्य फेरी वालों के बीच लेखक ने क्या अन्तर देखा?
Answer:
To sell his wares the flute seller does not cry like other hawkers. From time to time he stands the pole to which the bansuris are attached, on the ground. Then he plays music on his flute. He does not appear to be very keen on selling the flutes.

Question 2.
What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?
पशुपतिनाथ में कलयुग के अंत के बारे में क्या धारणा है ?
Answer:
There is a little shrine on the bank of holy Bagmati. It is half sunk in water. Nepalese believe that a goddess is inside the shrine. When the shrine comes out of water fully, the goddess will come out. Then Kaliyug will end.

Question 3.
The author has drawn powerful images and pictures. Pick out three examples each of –
तीन – तीन उदाहरण दें |

(i) the atmosphere of ‘confusion’ outside the temple of Pashupatinath (For example: some people trying to get priest’s attention are elbowed aside….)
पशुपतिनाथ के बाहर अव्यवस्था का वातावरण।
Answer:
large number of devotees, animals, birds, hawkers and shopkeepers.

(ii) the things he sees
जो चीजें वह देखता है।
Answer:
The thing he sees : (a) A sign proclaiming ‘Entrance for the Hindus only
(b) A group of Westerners struggling to enter.
(c) The bazaar of Kathmandu/Fight between two monkeys.

(iii) the sounds he hears
जो आवाजें वह सुनता है।
Answer:
The sounds he hears :
(a) Screaming of a monkey.
(b) Cries of hawkers.
(c) The music of the flute.

Long Answer type Questions

III. Answer the following questions in not more than 100 or 150 words each:

Question 1.
Compare and contrast the atmosphere in and around the Baudhnath shrine with the Pashupatinath temple.
बौद्धनाथ मन्दिर का वातावरण पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर से भिन्न कैसे है ?
Answer:
The atmosphere in and around Baudhnath shrine is full of calm and stillness which is in complete contrast to one at Pashupatinath temple. There are small shops they are mostly owned by Tibetan immigrants. They sell felt bags, Tibetan prints and silver jewellery. There are no crowds. But on the other hand the atmosphere in and around the Pashupatinath temple is full of din, noise and confusion. A large crowd of men, devotees, tourists, animals, birds, hawkers and dogs can be seen there. Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple. There is screaming and shouting all around. Fighting and struggling can be seen between men as well as animals. We can say that there is an atmosphere of utter confusion and noise in and around the Pashupatinath temple.

Question 2.
How does the author describes Kathmandu bazaar?
लेखक काठमाण्डू के बाजार का सजीव वर्णन कैसे करता है?
Answer:
The author gives a very lively description of Kathmandu bazaar. There are flower adorned small shrines of the deities along the narrowest and busiest streets. Hawkers, fruit sellers and flute sellers can be seen everywhere. They cry to sell their wares. There are shops selling western cosmetics, film rolls, chocolates, copper utensils and Nepalese antiques. There are confusing sounds in the bazaars – film-songs from the radios, car horns, bicycle bells, lowing of stray cows at motorcycles and shouts of vendors. One can buy eatables and soft drinks to satisfy one’s hunger and thirst. The bazaar is busy and lively.

Question 3.
“To hear any flute is to be drawn into the community of all mankind.” Why does the author say that?
बाँसुरी के सुनने से मनुष्य मानव जाति के समाज में खिंचा आता है |” लेखक ऐसा क्यों कहता हैं?
Answer:
The flute is a simple and universal instrument. It is made from a reed. There is no culture in the world that does not have its flute. Though each flute, the neh, recorder, bansuri etc. have a specific association of its own. The fingering and the compass are also different. Inspite of all this, there is something common and universal about the flute. It is very close to human voice. Its motive force is also living breath. As man has to pause for breath while speaking phrases and sentences, one has to pause and breathe before one can go on producing flute music. That is the reason that hearing the flute one is drawn into the community of mankind.

Thinking about Language

I. Read the following sentences carefully to understand the meaning of the italicised phrases. Then match the phrasal verbs in column A with their meanings in column B.
रेखांकित phrases को समझने के लिए वाक्यों को ध्यान से पढ़ो और फिर स्तम्भ $\mathrm{A}$ में दिए गए phrasal verbs के उनके स्तम्भ B के अर्थ से मेल करें।
Answer:

II. Answer 1:

• cremate = cremation
• direct = direction
• act = action
• meditate = meditation
• exhaust = exhaustion
• imagine = imagination
• invent = invention
• dislocate = dislocation
• tempt = temptation
• associate = association
• immigrate = immigration
• dedicate = dedication

Answer 2.
Now fill in the blanks with suitable words from the ones that you have formed.
अब उपयुक्त शब्दों से खाली स्थान भरो:
1. Mass literacy was possible only after the invention of printing press.
2. Ramesh is unable to tackle the situation as he lacks imagination.
3. You can’t go on your school tour without your parents’ permission.
4. ‘Sahara’ has formed a housing corporation to build houses for the under-privileged.
5. The children were almost fainting with exhaustion after being made to stand in the sun.

IV. Simple Present Tense
1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
कोष्ठक में दी गई क्रिया (verb) को खाली स्थान में भरो।
Answer (i).
The heart is a pump that sends the blood circulating through our body. The pumping action takes place when the left ventricle of the heart contracts. This forces the blood out into the arteries, which expand to receive the oncoming blood.

Answer (ii).
The African lungfish can live without water for upto four years. During drought it digs a pit and encloses itself in a capsule of slime and earth, leaving a tiny opening for air. The capsule dries and hardens but when rain comes, the mud dissolves and the lungfish swims away.

Answer (iii).
Mahesh : We have to organize a class party for our teacher. Does anyone play an instrument ?
Vipul : Rohit plays the flute.
Mahesh : Does he also act ?
Vipul : No, He composes music.
Mahesh : That’s wonderful !

Iv. Very Important Examination Questions:

I. Extract-based Objective Type Questions:

Read the extracts given below carefully and answer the questions with the help of the given options :

Question 1.
I find it difficult to tear myself away from the square. Flute music always does this to me : it is at once the most universal and most particular of sounds. There is no culture that does not have its flute – the reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese Shakuhachi, the deep bansuri of Hindustani classical music, the clear or breathy flutes of South America, the high-pitched Chinese flutes. Each has its specific fingering and compass. It weaves its own associations. Yet to hear any flute is, it seems to me, to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind, to be moved by music closest in its phrases and sentences to the human voice. Its motive force too is living breath : it too needs to pause and breathe before it can go on.

(i) ‘tear away here implies :
(a) can’t go away from it.
(b) can’t be separated from it.
(c) can’t forget about it.
(d) take away the impression.
Answer:
(a) can’t go away from it.

(ii) The writer is very fond of flute is clear from the fact that he :
(a) is fascinated by the flute music.
(b) finds it difficult to move away from it.
(c) he stops wherever he is if a flute is being played.
(d) remains in search of flute players.
Answer:
(b) finds it difficult to move away from it.

(iii) Flute music is universal as :
(a) everyone likes it.
(b) you can find flute players everywhere.
(c) there is no culture that does not have its flute.
(d) every country has its own type of flute.
Answer:
(c) there is no culture that does not have its flute.

(iv) The adjective form of ‘tear’ is :
(a) tore
(b) torn
(c) tears
(d) tearing
Answer:
(b) torn

(v) Pick one line or phrase from the passage which suggests that Vikram Seth is fond of listening to flute.
Answer:
Vikram Seth describes the flute music as the ‘most universal of sounds.

(vi) What sets apart all the flutes from each other?
Answer:
Each of the flutes has its specific fingering and compass that sets it apart.

(vii) How is flute music universal ?
Answer:
Flute music is universal as there is no culture that does not have its flute.

(viii) What do you mean by ‘tear myself away’?
Answer:
“Tear, myself away means to part’/go away’ from something.

(ix) What does the writer say about flute music?
Answer:
The writer says : that the flute music is the ‘most universal’ and the most particular’ of sounds.

(x) What is Japanese flute called ?
Answer:
The Japanese flute is called Shakuhachi.

(xi) Which fact shows the writer’s love for flute?
Answer:
The writer is fond of flute is clear from the fact that he finds it difficult to move away from it.

(xii) What is the motive force of a flute ?
Answer:
The motive force of a flute is living breath – it too needs to pause and breathe before it can go on.

Question 2.
There is, in contrast, a sense of stillness. Its immense white dome is ringed by a road, small shops stand on its outer edge: many of these are owned by Tibetan immigrants. Tibetan prints and silver jewellery can be bought here. There are not crowds, there is a heaven of quietness in the busy streets around.

(i) What is the place referred to, in this passage?
Answer:
Baudhnath Stupa.

(ii) What type of atmosphere exists there?
Answer:
The atmosphere is full of calm and stillness.

(iii) Which other atmosphere we are told about?
Answer:
The atmosphere at Pashupatinath Temple.

(iv) What can you buy from there?
Answer:
Tibetan prints and silver jewellery.

Question 3.
From a balcony, a basket of flowers and leaves, old offerings now wilted, is dropped into the river. A small shrine half protrudes from the stone platform on the river bank, when it emerges fully, the goddess inside will escape and the evil period of the Kaliyug will end on earth.

(i) What is dropped from the balcony ?
Answer:
A basket of flowers and leaves, old offerings now wilted, is dropped into the river from the balcony.

(ii) Where is the small shrine ?
Answer:
The small shrine is located on the stone platform on the river bank.

(iii) Where do most of the activities take place ?
Answer:
Most of the activities take place in Pashupatinath Temple.

(iv) What will happen when the goddess will escape ?
Answer:
The people believe that the evil period of Kaliyug will end on the earth when the goddess will escape.

(v) When will the evil period of Kaliyug end on the earth ?
Answer:
The author describes a small shrine half protruding from a stone platform on the river bank. When it emerges fully, the goddess inside will escape and the evil period of Kaliyug will end on the earth.

(vi) What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug ?
Answer:
There is a small shrine that protrudes half from the stone platform on the bank of the river Bagmati. The popular belief is that when it emerges fully, the goddess inside will escape and the evil period of Kaliyug will come to an end.

(vii) What do we learn about the belief of people, from these lines ?
Answer:
The people widely believe that when the half protruding shrine emerges fully, the goddess inside will escape and the evil period of Kaliyug will end on earth.

(viii) What is offered from a balcony?
Answer:
A basket of flowers and leaves are offered from the balcony.

Question 4.
Sometimes he breaks off playing to talk to the fruit seller. I imagine that this has been the pattern of his life for years.

(i) ‘He’ here refers to ______.
Answer:
flute-seller.

(ii) ‘Breaks off’ means ______.
Answer:
stop playing flute.

(iii) Why does he ‘Break off” playing?
Answer:
He breaks off playing to talk to the fruit seller nearby.

(iv) Name the lesson of the extract.
Answer:
Kathmandu.

Question 5.
I look at the flute seller standing in a corner of the square near the hotel. In his hand, there is a pole with an attachment at the top from which fifty or sixty bansuris protrude in all directions, like the quills of a porcupine. They are of bamboo; there are cross flutes and recorders. From time to time he stands the pole on the ground, selects a flute and plays for a few minutes. The sound rises clearly above the noise of the traffic and the hawker’s cries. He plays slowly, meditatively, without excessive display. He does not shout out his wares. Occasionally he makes a sale, but in a curiously ofthanded way as if this were incidental to his enterprise. Sometimes, he breaks off playing to talk to the fruit seller. I imagine that this has been the pattern of his life for years.

(i) Where did the writer see the flute seller?
(a) Near a sweet shop.
(b) Standing in a corner of the square near the hotel.
(c) Near a restaurant.
(d) Near a bus stop.
Answer:
(b) Standing in a corner of the square near the hotel.

(ii) Where did he keep his bansuris ?
(a) In a box.
(b) In a bag.
(c) In an attachment on top of a pole.
(d) Spread out on the pavement.
Answer:
(c) In an attachment on top of a pole.

(iii) The bansuris are compared with :
(a) the quill of a porcupine.
(b) the pinnacle of a flower.
(c) a pin cushion.
(d) a round hair brush.
Answer:
(a) the quill of a porcupine.

(iv) The word ‘protrude’ means :
(a) project out
(b) peep out
(c) point out
(d) come out
Answer:
(a) project out

(v) What are the flutes made of ?
Answer:
The flutes are made of bamboo.

(vi) Who does ‘he’ in the passage refer to ?
Answer:
‘He’ in the passage refers to the ‘flute seller’.

(vii) What does the flute seller carry ?
Answer:
The flute seller carries a pole with an attachment at the top from which 50 to 60 flutes can be seen.

(viii) Which thing is being played upon ?
Answer:
Flute is being played upon.

(ix) How is the flute seller different from other vendors ?
Answer:
The flute seller does not shout like other vendors. He sells his flute by playing on it.

(x) What is the reason for his not shouting like others ?
Answer:
He plays slowly meditatively and without excessive display. Hence, he does not shout.

(xi) What are the flutes compared with ?
Answer:
The author compares the flutes to the quills of a porcupine.

(xii) What does the flute seller do sometimes.
Answer:
Sometimes, the flute seller breaks off playing to talk to the fruit seller.

Question 6.
At Pashupatinath there is an atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’. Priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, Cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs roam through the grounds. We offer a few flowers. There are so many worshippers that some people trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed aside by others pushing their way to the front.
(i) Entrance in the Pashupatinath temple is:
(a) for all communities.
(b) for Hindus only.
(c) not for any foreigners.
(d) only for the pilgrims.
Answer:
(b) for Hindus only.

(ii) Febrile confusion is created by the :
(a) tourists, cows and monkey.
(b) devotees, priests and hawkers.
(c) priests, devotees, cows, monkeys, pigeons, dogs and hawkers.
(d) devotees, hawkers, cows, monkey and pigeons.
Answer:
(c) priests, devotees, cows, monkeys, pigeons, dogs and hawkers.

(iii) The passage reflects that Pashupatinath temple of Kathmandu :
(a) is very popular.
(b) attracts a lot of devotees.
(c) has a confused crowd.
(d) has a mismanaged and confused crowd.
Answer:
(d) has a mismanaged and confused crowd.

(iv) Febrile here means :
(a) feverish
(b) excited and disorderly noises and movement.
(c) disorderly noises and movement.
(d) of noises/movements.
Answer:
(b) excited and disorderly noises and movement.

(v) Where is the Pashupatinath temple situated ?
Answer:
The Pashupatinath temple is situated in Kathmandu.

(vi) Why was there a ‘febrile confusion’ outside the temple ?
Answer:
It was because priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, monkeys, cows, pigeons and dogs roamed around the grounds.

(vii) Why were the worshippers pushing their way to the front ?
Answer:
To get the priest’s attention.

(viii) Name the chapter from which the extract is taken ?
Answer:
This extract is taken from the chapter, ‘Kathmandu’.

Short Answer type Questions

II. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words:

Question 1.
What did Vikram Seth see on the bank of the holy river, Bagmati ?
विक्रम सेठ ने पवित्र नदी ‘भागमती’ के किनारे पर क्या देखा?
Or
What is the belief about the half-emerged shrine near Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu ?
काठमाण्डू के पशुपतिनाथ मंदिर के पास अर्ध-उभरे हुए तीर्थस्थान के बारे में क्या मान्यता है?
Answer:
There is a little shrine on the bank of holy Bagmati. It is half sunk in water. Nepalese believe that a goddess is inside the shrine. When the shrine comes out of water fully, the goddess will come out and Kaliyug will end.

Question 2.
Mention the route that the narrator wanted to take to go back home.
लेखक जिस रास्ते से घर वापिस जाना चाहता था, उस रास्ते का aufa I
Answer:
The author planned to go by bus and train to Patna, then sail up the Ganges past Benaras to Allahabad, then up the Yamuna, past Agra to Delhi. But finally he decided to go by air as he is very exhausted. He thought that he would enter a Nepal Airlines and buy a ticket for the next day’s flight.

Question 3.
Why did the narrator change his mind later on and which mode of transport did he choose to return home?
लेखक ने बाद में अपना मन क्यों बदल लिया और घर वापिस जाने के लिए उसने किस यातायात के साधन का प्रयोग किया?
Answer:
Being too exhausted and homesick, the author changed his mind later. He went to a Nepal Airlines office and bought a ticket for the next day’s flight.

Question 4.
Which books did the narrator buy from the pavement of Kathmandu?
लेखक ने काठमाण्डू की पटरियों से कौन सी किताबें खरीदी?
Answer:
The narrator bought a couple of love story comics and a “Reader’s Digest”.

Question 5.
Briefly describe the kinds of flutes as mentioned in the lesson “Kathmandu”.
पाठ ‘काठमाण्डू’ में बताई गई भिन्न प्रकार की बांसुरियों का संक्षिप्त में वर्णन करें।
Answer:
In the lesson “Kathmandu”, the author says that there is no culture that does not have its flute the reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese Shakuhachi, the deep bansuri of Hindustani classical music, the clear or breathy flutes of South America, and the highpitched Chinese flutes. Each has its specific fingering and compass.

Question 6.
How according to the author the flute seller was different from other hawkers?
लेखक के अनुसार, बाँसुरी विक्रेता अन्य विक्रेताओं से किस प्रकार भिन था?
Or
What is the difference between the behaviour of the flute seller and that of other hawkers?
बाँसुरी विक्रेता और उसके जैसे अन्य विक्रेताओं के व्यवहार में क्या भिन्नता थी?
Answer:
The flute seller was different from other hawkers as he was playing his flutes deftly, slowly and meditatively. He did not shout out his wares like other sellers.

Question 7.
Describe the bazaar of Kathmandu.
काठमाण्डू के बाजार का वर्णन करो।
Or
Describe the scene at the Kathmandu bazaar.
काठमाण्डू के बाजार का चित्रण करो।
Answer:
In the bazaar of Kathmandu, there are small shrines with flower-adorned deities along the narrowest and busiest streets. There are fruit sellers, flute sellers, hawkers, shops selling western cosmetics, film rolls, chocolates, copper utensils and silver jewellery. There is a total noise of film songs, car horns, and bicycle bells.

Question 8.
How does Vikram Seth describe Kathmandu’s vivid atmosphere?
विक्रम सेठ ने काठमाण्डू के सजीव वातावरण का किस प्रकार वर्णन किया है?
Answer:
The author gives a detailed picture of Kathmandu’s vivid atmosphere. There is an atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’ at Pashupatinath temple. Priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs roam through the grounds. Quite contrary to this, at the Baudhnath stupa, there is a sense of stillness. The author describes Kathmandu as vivid, mercenary, religious, with small shrines, fruit sellers, flute sellers, hawkers selling, postcards, etc.

Long Answer type Questions

III. Answer the following questions in about 100-150 words:

Question 1.
For many of us, religion means following certain rituals. Is it true ? Comment bringing out the values imparted in the lesson ‘Kathmandu’.
बहुत से लोगों के लिए, धर्म का अर्थ है कुछ रिवाजों का अनुसरण करना। क्या यह सत्य है? काठमाण्डू पाठ में बताए गए मूल्यों के आधार पर टिप्पणी करें।
Answer:
It is true that for many of us, religion merely means following certain rituals. Such people do not know even the importance or utility of those rituals. For them, if they perform the rituals in a ‘proper manner, God would happier with them. The author saw many worshippers in the Pashupatinath temple; many of them were trying to get the priest’s attention and hence, were elbowing aside the others. There was complete chaos and disorder at the temple which did not go well with the sanctity of the temple. People should visit a temple or any shrine in order to get peace and calmness and not to show that performing rituals makes God happy. God never asks for these rituals, he wants His children to be good.

Question 2.
We derive pleasure from the set pattern of life. Discuss with reference to the chapter ‘Kathmandu’.
हमें जीवन के स्थापित पक्ष में ही प्रसन्नता मिलती है। पाठ ‘काठमाण्डू में अपने जीवन को जीने के लिए बताए गए मूल्यों के आधार पर वर्णन कीजिए।
Answer:
Man lives in a comfort zone in his house. He derives pleasure from the set pattern of life and we follow a certain set of rules and values, the way we lead our lives. We always want to live in the same environment, and atmosphere in which we feel comfortable. To attain our goals, we must step outside and achieve higher from our day-to-day life. If we will continue to live in the same pattern of life, we will be like stagnant water. River flows and the water keeps flowing so as to keep itself fresh. Similarly, man has to continuously keep moving in order to improve upon.

Question 3.
Religious places are abode of peace and calm. Do you think religious places should be restricted to a particular sect? Why/Why not? Give reasons for your answer focusing on the values that all religions teach us.
धार्मिक स्थल शान्ति और सुख का स्थान है। क्या आपको लगता है कि धार्मिक स्थलों को किसी विशेष समुदाय के लिए प्रतिबंधित कर देना चाहिए। क्यों/क्यों नहीं? सभी धर्म जो हमें मूल्य सिखाते हैं उसके आधार पर कारण बताते हुए उत्तर लिखें |
Answer:
Religious places are abode of peace and calm. Religious places should not be restricted to a particular sect. God is one and man can not restrict any person’s feelings. Different sects also believe in oneness of God. All religions teach the lessons of truth, honesty and supremacy of good values over and above anything. When religions teach these values, man cannot differentiate and bringing discrepancies is not considered to be a humanitarian aspect. We should consider all people at par and thus, not create any kind of barriers and divisions on the basis of religions and create disparities.

I. Summary In English

The two temples of Kathmandu :
Here, Vikram Seth gives an account of his visit to Kathmandu in Nepal. He visited two temples in Kathmandu – Pashupatinath temple and the Baudhnath Stupa. He presents to us a contrast between the two.

Contrast between the two temples :
At Pashupatinath temple only Hindus are allowed to enter. There is an atmosphere of great din and noise and confusion. We can see priests, hawkers, tourists, birds and animals roaming through the grounds. Different types of activities like quarrels, fighting, cremation, offering can be seen. But on the other hand there is perfect peace at the Baudhnath Stupa, the Buddhist shrine of Kathmandu. There are no crowds there. Only Tibetan immigrants can be seen selling their wares.

The Bazaar of Kathmandu : Kathmandu is a very lively, mercenary and religious place. We can see all sorts of things — fruit, flute, western cosmetics, chocolate, copper utensilsbeing sold by hawkers and shopkeepers. The writer buys something to eat and drink and feels better.

A flute seller and flutes of different countries :
Now he decides to go back home by air because he is feeling quite tired. He is specially attracted by a flute seller playing on his flute from time to time. He thinks that a flute is a universal musical instruments. He even translates its notes into phrases and sentences. Every country — Japan, China, South America, India – has her own kind of flute. It seems to be common to all mankind and has living breath as its motive force. Never had he noticed bansuri’ and its music in such details as he has done during this visit to Kathmandu.

II. Complete Text With Hindi Translation:

Text (Page 127): Do you like to travel? Vikram Seth enjoys it very much. He once made a long journey from China to India, via Tibet and Nepal.

अनुवाद : (क्या तुम्हें यात्रा करना अच्छा लगता है ? विक्रम सेठ को इसमें बहुत आनन्द आता है। एक बार उसने तिब्बत से नेपाल से होते हुए चीन से भारत की लम्बी यात्रा की?

Text (Page 127): I get a cheap room in the center of town and sleep for hours. The next morning. with Mr. Shah’s son and nephew. I visit the two temples in Kathmandu that are most sacred to Hindus and Buddhists.

Vocabulary : sacred (सेकरेड) holy पवित्र।

अनुवाद : मैं शहर के बीच में एक सस्ता कमरा ले लेता हूँ तथा घंटों सोता हूँ। अगले दिन प्रातः मैं मिस्टर शाह के पुत्र व भतीजे के साथ काठमाण्डू के दो मन्दिर देखने जाता हूँ जोकि हिन्दुओं तथा बौद्धों के लिए अत्याधिक पवित्र हैं।

Text (Page 127) : At Pashupatinath (outside which a sign proclaims ‘Entrance for the Hindus only’) there is an atmosphere of ‘febrile confusion’. Priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons, and dogs roam through the grounds. We offer a few flowers. There are so many worshippers that some people trying to get the priest’s attention are elbowed aside by others pushing their way to the front.

Vocabulary:proclaims (प्रोकलैम्स) declares घोषणा करता है; febrile (फिब्राइल) feverish जोशीला; devotees (डेवोटीज) faithful followers भक्तजन; hawkers (हाँकसे) those who sell their wares by roaming फेरी वाले; roam (रोम) to wander घूमना; elbowed aside (एलबोड असाइड) pushed away कुहनी मार कर रास्ता बनाना।

अनुवाद : पशुपतिनाथ मन्दिर में (जिसके बाहर लगी सूचना कहती है कि केवल हिन्दू ही प्रवेश कर सकते हैं) अत्याधिक अव्यवस्था का वातावरण है। मैदानों में पुजारी, खोमचे वाले, भक्त, यात्री, गाय, बन्दर, कबूतर तथा कुत्ते घूमते हैं। हम कुछ फूल चढ़ाते हैं। इतनी अधिक संख्या में पूजा करने वाले लोग हैं कि कुछ लोग जो पुजारी का ध्यान आकर्षित करने का प्रयत्न करते हैं, उन्हें दूसरे लोग कुहनियां मार कर हटा कर आगे आ जाते हैं।

Text (Page 127): A princess of the Nepalese royal house appears; everyone bows and makes way. By the main gate, a party of saffron-clad Westerners struggle for permission to enter. The policeman is not convinced that they are ‘the Hindus’ (Only Hindus are allowed to enter the temple).

Vocabulary: bows (बॉउ) bends in respect आदर से सिर झुकाना; clad (क्लैड) dressed पहने हुए; saffron (सैफरन) गेरू रंग के convinced (कन्विन्सड) to make one understand giving reason तर्क द्वारा मनवाना।

अनुवाद : नेपाल के शाही घराने की एक राजकुमारी नजर आती है तथा प्रत्येक व्यक्ति सिर झुका कर रास्ता छोड़ देता है। मुख्य द्वार पर केसरिया कपड़े पहने हुए पश्चिमी लोगों का एक दल प्रवेश की अनुमति के लिए संघर्ष करता है। पुलिस के सिपाही को विश्वास नहीं होता कि वे हिन्दू हैं। (केवल हिन्दुओं को मन्दिर में प्रवेश की आज्ञा है)।

Text (Pages 127-128) : A fight breaks out between two monkeys. One chases the other, who jumps onto a shivalinga, then runs screaming around the temples and down to the river, the holy Bagmati, that flows below. A corpse is being cremated on its banks; washerwomen are at their work and children bathe.

Vocabulary: screaming (स्क्रीमिंग) crying in shrill voice चिल्लाते हुए: chases (चेजिज) follows; corpse (कॉर्पस) dead body लाश; cremated (क्रीमेटिड) consume by fire,
burning of a dead body दाह संस्कार; banks (बैंक्स) ground __near a river, pond, canal नदी/तालाब का किनारा।

अनुवाद : दो बन्दरा का लड़ाई छिड़ जाती है। एक दूसरे को भगाता है जोकि शिवलिंग पर कूदता है और फिर चीखता हुआ मन्दिरों का चक्कर लगाता हुआ पवित्र बागमती नदी की ओर चला जाता है जोकि नीचे बहती है। इसके किनारे पर एक मृतक का दाह-संस्कार किया जा रहा है। धोबिनें अपने कार्य में लगी हुई है तथा बच्चे नहाते हैं।

Text (Page 128) : From a balcony a basket of flowers and leaves, old offerings now wilted, is dropped into on the river bank. A small shrine half protruded from the stone platform on the river bank. When it emerges fully, the goddess inside will escape, and the evil period of the Kaliyug will end on earth.

Vocabulary : wilted (fafres) dried, not fresh मुरझाये, सूखे; shrine (शराईन) temple मन्दिर; protrudes (प्रोटूडस) extended आगे निकला हुआ; emerges (इमर्जिस) come out निकलता है; escape (एसकेप) to disappear unnoticed बच निकलना; evil (इवल) बुराई से भरा।

अनुवाद : पहले चढ़ाए गए मुझाए हुए फूलों व पत्तों की एक टोकरी छज्जे से नदी में गिराई जाती है। नदी के किनारे एक छोटा-सा मन्दिर पत्थर के मंच से आधा बाहर निकला हुआ दिखाई देता है। जब यह पूरा बाहर निकलेगा, तो अन्दर से देवी निकलेगी उस समय पृथ्वी पर कलयुग का बुरा समय समाप्त हो जायेगा।

Text (Page 129): At the Boudhanath Stupa, the Buddhist shrine of Kathmandu, there is, in contrast, a sense of stillness. Its immense white dome is ringed by a road. Small shops stand on its outer edge: many of these are owned by Tibetan immigrants: felt bags, Tibetan prints and silver jewellery can be bought here. There are no crowds: this is a haven of quietness in the busy streets around.

Vocabulary: stillness (स्टिलनैस) quiet, calm शान्ति immense (इम्मैन्स) huge विशाल; dome (डोम) spherical structure गुम्बद; edge (ऐज) border किनारा; immigrants (इमिग्रेन्टस) one who leaves one’s own country and lives in another country देशान्तर में बसे लोग: haven (हेवन) a place of refuse to safe place शरण-स्थान/सुरक्षित स्थान।

अनुवाद : काठमाण्डू के बुद्ध धर्म-स्थान बुद्ध स्तूप पर इसके विपरीत शान्ति है। इसकी विशाल सफेद गुम्बद के चारों ओर सड़क है। बाह्य किनारे पर छोटी-छोटी दुकानें हैं जिनमें से बहुत-सी दुकानें तिब्बती अप्रवासियों की हैं। नमदे के थैले, तिब्बती छापे वाले कपड़े तथा चांदी के गहने यहाँ खरीदे जा सकते हैं। यहाँ भीड़ नहीं है। यह व्यस्त गलियों के बीच में शान्त स्थान है।

Text (Page 129) : Kathmandu is vivid, mercenary, religious, with small shrines to flower-adorned deities along the narrowest and busiest streets; with fruit sellers, flute sellers, hawkers of postcards; shops selling Western cosmetics, film rolls and chocolate; or copper utensils and Nepalese antiques.

Vocabulary : vivid (विविड) life like सजीव; mercenary (मर्सिनरी) concerned with making money धन कमाने से सम्बन्धित; adorned (अडोर्नड) decorated सजे हुए: deities (डेयटीज) gods and goddesses देवी देवता; antiques (एनटीक्स) ancient पुराने समय के।

अनुवाद : काठमाण्डू सजीव, धनप्रिय तथा धार्मिक स्थान है जहाँ तंग तथा व्यस्त गलियों में फूलों से सजी देवियों के मन्दिर हैं। यहाँ पर फल, _ बासुरियां, पोस्टकार्ड बेचने वाले हैं। दुकानों पर सौन्दर्य-सामग्री, फिल्म की रीलें, चाकलेट, तांबे के बर्तन तथा नेपाली पुरानी चीजें बेचने वाली दुकानें हैं।

Text (Pages 129-130) : Film songs blare out from the radios, car horns sound, bicycle bells ring, stray cows low questioningly at motorcycles, vendors
shout out their wares. I indulge myself mindlessly : buy a bar of marzipan, a corn-on-the-cob roasted in a charcoal brazier on the pavement (rubbed with salt, chilli powder and lemon); a couple of love story comics, and even a Reader’s Digest. All this I wash down with Coca Cola and a nauseating orange drink, and feel much the better for it.

Vocabulary : blare out (ब्लेयर आउट) loud sound तेज आवाज; low (लोअ) sound of cow रंभाती है; vendors (वेंडर्स) hawkers फेरी वाले; wares (वेयर्स) things चीजें; _indulge (इनडल्ज) to entertain मजा लेना; marzipan (मार्जीपैन) a kind of small cake बादाम की बर्फी; corn-onthe-cob (कोर्न-ऑन-द-कॉब) छल्ली , भुट्टा; brazier (ब्रेजियर) portable pan having lighted coal अंगीठी जिसे इधर-उधर लाया जा सके; nauseating (नॉसिएटिंग) making someone feel sick बकबके स्वाद वाला।

अनुवाद : रेडियो में फिल्मी गाने जोर से बजते हैं। कार के हॉर्न, साइकिलों की घंटियाँ बजती हैं। घूमती हुई गाय मोटर साइकिलों पर प्रश्नात्मक ढंग से रंभाती हैं तथा फेरी वाले अपने सामान बेचने के लिए ऊंची आवाजें लगाते हैं। मैं भी बिना सोचे-समझे व्यस्त हो जाता हूँ-एक बादाम की बर्फी पैदलपथ से कोयले पर भुनी हुई छल्ली जिसपर नींबू के साथ नमक तथा मिर्च मली होती है, कुछ प्रेम कथाओं की पुस्तकें तथा एक Reader’s Digest भी खरीद लेता हूँ। यह सभी चीजें मैं कोकाकोला तथा बकबके संतरे है। वह धीरे-धीरे ध्यान मग्न होकर बिना अधिक दिखावे के बाँसुरी बजाता है। वह अपने सामान के बारे में चिल्लाता नहीं है।

Text (Page 130): Occasionally he makes a sale, but in a curiously offhanded way as if this were incidental to his enterprise. Sometimes he breaks off playing to talk to the fruit seller. I imagine that this has been the pattern of his life for years.

Vocabulary : curiously (क्यूरियसली) strangely अनोखे रूप से; off-handed way (ऑफ-हैन्डिड वे) casual carefree manner बेपरवाही से; incidental (इन्सिडेन्टल) accidental आकस्मिक, प्रासंगिक रूप से; enterprise (एन्टरप्राइज) business व्यापार; pattern (पैटर्न) style तरीका।

अनुवाद : कभी-कभी वह सामान बेचता भी है परन्तु एक विचित्र लापरवाही से, जैसे कि यह उसके कार्य का प्रासंगिक भाग हो। कभी-कभी वह फल विक्रेता से बात करने के लिए बाँसुरी बजाना बन्द कर देता है। मैं कल्पना करता हूँ कि उसके जीवन का यही ढंग कई वर्षों से रहा है।

Text (Pages 130-131): I find it difficult to tear myself away from the square. Flute music always does this to me: it is at once the most universal and most particular of sounds. There is no culture that does not have its flute the reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, the deep bansuri of Hindustani classical music, the clear or breathy flutes of South America, the high-pitched Chinese flutes which has its specific fingering and compass .

Vocabulary : tear myself away (टीयर माइसैल्फ अवे) get away from छोड़कर दूर जाना; universal (यूनिवर्सल) everywhere व्यापक; particular (पर्टीकुलर) specific विशिष्ट; breathy (ब्रीदी) full of breath हवा वाली; pitched (पिच्ड) loud ऊँची; compass (कम्पस) range विस्तार; fingering (फिंगरिंग) way of putting fingers उँगलियां टिकाने का इंग।

अनुवाद : मैं स्वयं को उस मैदान से अलग करने में कठिनाई अनुभव करता हूँ। बाँसुरी का संगीत सदा मुझे ऐसा बना देता है। यह तत्काल सार्वभौमिक तथा सबसे विशेष आवाज़ है। कोई भी संस्कृति ऐसी नहीं जिसकी अपनी-अपनी बाँसुरी न हो-जापान की शाकुहाची, अति प्राचीन हिन्दुस्तानी संगीत की गहरी बाँसुरी, दक्षिणी अमरीका की स्पष्ट हवा वाली बाँसुरी, चीन की ऊँची आवाज वाली बाँसुरी। प्रत्येक का अपना विस्तार-क्षेत्र तथा उँगुलियां चलाने का ढंग है।

Text (Page 131): It weaves its own associations. Yet to hear any flute is, it seems to me, to be drawn into the commonality of all mankind, to be moved by music closest in its phrases and sentences to the human voice. Its motive force too is living breath: it too needs to pause and breathe before it can go on.

Vocabulary : weaves (वीव्स) creates बुनती है; associations (एसोशियेशन) relation सम्बन्ध; commonalty (कॉमनैलिटी) sameness एक समानता; motive (मोटिव) causing movement, which incite प्रेरका

अनुवाद : यह अपना विशेष सम्बन्ध बनाती है। फिर भी मुझे लगता है कि बाँसुरी सुनने का अर्थ है मनुष्य जाति के साथ एकरूपता का सम्बन्ध जोड़ लेना; संगीत द्वारा मनुष्य की आवाज़ के वाक्य तथा वाक्यांशों की भाँति प्रभावित होना। इसकी प्रेरणा-शक्ति भी सजीव श्वास है। बजते रहने के लिए इसे भी रुकने व साँस लेने की आवश्यकता होती है।

Text (Page 131) : That I can be so affected by a few familiar phrases on the bansuri, surprises me at first, for on the previous occasions that I have returned home after a long absence abroad, I have hardly noticed such details, and certainly have not invested them with the significance I now do.

Vocabulary : invested (इनवैस्टिड) put दिया; significance ( सिग्निफिकैन्स) importance महत्त्व।

अनुवाद : सर्वप्रथम मैं इस बात पर आश्चर्य करता हूँ कि बाँसुरी कि कुछ परिचित आवाजे मुझे इतना अधिक प्रभावित कर सकती हैं। क्योंकि पिछली बार जब मैं काफी लम्बे काल के बाद वापस आया था तो मैंने कम ही इस प्रकार का विवरण देखा था तथा निश्चय ही मैंने इन बातों को इतना महत्त्व नहीं दिया था जितना मैं अब दे रहा हूँ।

Class 9 English Question Answer