Chapter: 11. Literary Heritage Of India
Workout
A. Fill in the blanks.
The Mahabharata is the longest epic. Prince Rama was from Kosala. Rama fought the King of Lanka, Ravana. Pandit Vishnu Sharma told stories called Panchatantra. B. Unscramble and find the names of the characters from the epics.
C. Write T for true and F for false.
The Bhagavad Gita is a part of the Mahabharata. The war fought between Prince Rama and Ravana was told in the Mahabharata. Maharishi Ved Vyas wrote the Ramayana. The Jataka Tales are part of our literary heritage. D. Answer these questions.
Name the famous epics of India. The two famous epics of India are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. What is meant by literary heritage? Literary heritage means stories, songs, and poems passed down to us by our ancestors. What is the story in the Ramayana about? Write in two sentences. The Ramayana tells the tale of Prince Rama of Kosala and his struggle to save his wife, Sita, from the wicked king of Lanka, Ravana. In it, we find the teachings of ancient Hindu sages. Figure Out
What do the stories from the Jataka Tales teach us?
The stories from the Jataka Tales teach us moral values and life lessons, often related to the teachings of Buddha, such as the importance of caution and listening to parental advice as seen in “The Lion and the Wolf.” DIY
After reading the two stories given, what have you learnt from them?
From “The Lion and the Wolf,” I learned the importance of being careful about who you trust and always listening to your parents’ advice. From “The Monkey and the Crocodile,” I learned that cleverness can help you escape dangerous situations, and that trust, once broken, is very difficult to regain. Think Box
Pandit Vishnu Sharma used stories to teach the princes how to be good rulers. Why do you think he did so?
Pandit Vishnu Sharma likely used stories because they are a highly engaging and memorable way to convey complex moral lessons and practical wisdom. Stories allow for abstract concepts to be understood through concrete examples, demonstrating consequences and character traits in action, making the learning process more effective and enjoyable for young princes than simply memorizing rules. Picture Study
Look at the picture and answer the questions. (Referring to the picture with the blue-skinned deity, a female figure, another figure, and Hanuman).
What does this scene represent? This scene represents a moment from the epic Ramayana, likely depicting key characters like Lord Rama, Sita, and Hanuman. In which of the epics has it been told? It has been told in the Ramayana. Life Skills and Values
What have you learnt from the ancient Indian epics? Do you apply the teachings in your daily life?
From the ancient Indian epics, I have learned about values such as duty, loyalty, courage, justice, and the importance of truth and righteousness. Yes, I try to apply these teachings in my daily life by being honest, helping others, standing up for what is right, and being respectful to my elders. A. Work together to make a list of stories and poems whose purpose is not only to entertain, but also to teach a moral. This list might include fables, fairy tales, poems and short stories.
This is an activity for students to complete by brainstorming and researching. (Examples could include Aesop’s Fables like “The Ant and the Grasshopper” or “The Tortoise and the Hare”; traditional fairy tales such as “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” or “The Little Red Hen”). B. Write a short story with a moral and illustrate it as well.
This is a creative writing and illustration activity for students to complete. 
Answers to textbook exercises