Bihar Board Class 9 English Prose Chapter 2 Solutions – Yayati

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“Yayati” is the second chapter in the Bihar Board Class 9 English book. This story, taken from the Mahabharata, tells about an ancient Indian king named Yayati. The chapter explores themes of desire, duty, and wisdom. It begins with Yayati being cursed to become old at a young age. Desperate to regain his youth, he asks his sons to take on his old age. Only his youngest son, Puru, agrees. Yayati then enjoys a youthful life for many years, but eventually realizes that endless pleasure doesn’t bring happiness.

Bihar Board Class 9 English Prose Chapter 2 Solutions

Subject	English
Class	9th
Chapter	2. Yayati
Author
Board	Bihar Board

A. Work in small groups and discuss the following

Q1. Which is the golden period of life – childhood, youth or old age? Give reasons for your choice?

Ans. Youth is often considered the golden period of life for several reasons. It’s a time of energy, growth, and new experiences. During youth, people are typically in their prime physical condition, allowing them to pursue active hobbies and sports. Mentally, young people are quick learners and open to new ideas. This is also when many important life decisions are made, such as choosing a career path or finding a life partner. Youth offers opportunities to travel, explore different interests, and form lasting friendships. It’s a time of independence, where individuals start to shape their own lives and contribute to society. However, it’s important to remember that each stage of life has its own unique value and opportunities for growth.

Q2. Why does the man want to remain always young?

Ans. People often wish to stay young because youth is associated with many positive qualities. Young people generally have more physical energy and strength, allowing them to engage in various activities and sports. Youth is also a time of good health, before many age-related issues set in. Mentally, young people are often more adaptable and quick to learn new skills. Youth represents a time of freedom and fewer responsibilities, where one can explore different interests and experiences. It’s also a period of hope and potential, where the future seems full of possibilities. Socially, youth is often valued in society, with many opportunities for new relationships and experiences. However, it’s important to recognize that each stage of life has its own benefits, and there’s value in the wisdom and experience that come with age.

B. 1.1. Answer the following questions briefly

Q1. Who was Emperor Yayati?

Ans. Emperor Yayati was one of the ancestors of the Pandavas.

Q2. How did Yayati become old? Who cursed him?

Ans. Yayati became prematurely old for having wronged his wife Devayani, Sukracharya cursed him.

Q3. Was Yayati devoid of sensual desires?

Ans. No, Yayati was not devoid of sensual desires.

Q4. What was the reply of his eldest son?

Ans. Yayati, eldest son replied that if he took upon himself his old age women and servants would mock at him. So he could not do so.

Q5. Why did he become angry?

Ans. He became angry as his three sons had declined to do as he wished.

B.1.2. Answer the following questions briefly

Q1. What are the symptoms of an old man?

Ans. Puru was the youngest son of King Yayati. He willingly accepted his father’s proposal to exchange his youth for his father’s old age.

Q2. Who was Puru? Did he accept his father’s proposal?

Ans. Puru was the youngest son of King Yayati. He willingly accepted his father’s proposal to exchange his youth for his father’s old age.

Q3. Sensual desire is everlasting. Whose thought is this?

Ans. This is Yayati’s thought, reflecting an ancient Indian belief about the nature of human desires.

Q4. Why did Yayati resume his old age?

Ans. Yayati resumed his old age when he realized that sensual desires can never be fully satisfied, no matter how long one lives.

Q5. Do corn, gold, cattle and woman satisfy the desire of a man?

Ans. No, according to the story, material possessions and relationships alone cannot fully satisfy a person’s desires.

B. 1.3. Answer the following questions briefly

Q1. What was Yayati famous for?

Ans. Yayati was famous for being a ruler who cared deeply about his subjects’ well-being.

Q2. Why did Yayati call his sons?

Ans. Yayati called his sons because he had suddenly become old but still wanted to enjoy life. He hoped one of his sons would exchange their youth for his old age.

Q3. What did he say to them?

Ans. Yayati asked his sons if one of them would take his old age in exchange for their youth, so he could continue enjoying life.

Q4. Which son agreed to give Yayati his youth and take his old age?

Ans. Puru, Yayati’s youngest son, agreed to exchange his youth for his father’s old age.

Q5. Why did Yayati go to the garden of Kubera?

Ans. Yayati went to Kubera’s garden seeking more pleasures with an apsara maiden because he felt earthly enjoyments were no longer enough to satisfy him.

Bihar Board class 9 English Prose chapter 2 Long Answer Type Questions

C.1. Answer the following questions briefly:-

Q1. Why did Yayati become prematurely old? Why did he dis¬like it?

Ans. Yayati became prematurely old due to a curse from his father-in-law, Sukracharya, for mistreating his wife Devayani. Yayati disliked being old because it took away his strength and beauty. He still wanted to enjoy life’s pleasures, which he felt was difficult in old age. This sudden change from youth to old age was particularly hard for him to accept.

Q2. In order to enjoy the pleasures of youth, Yayati wished to take the youth of one of his sons. Was he right in doing so? Explain with the argument of your own.

Ans. Yayati’s wish to take his son’s youth was not right. While everyone wants to enjoy life, it’s unfair to ask someone else, especially your child, to suffer for your pleasure. As a parent, Yayati should have cared more about his sons’ well-being than his own desires. Also, wisdom often comes with age, and Yayati could have used this opportunity to learn and grow as a person instead of trying to relive his youth.

Q3. Write in your own words the responses of the first three sons to their father’s request.

Ans. The first son refused, saying he would be mocked by others if he became old suddenly. The second son declined because he believed old age would weaken not just his body, but also his mind. The third son explained that being old would prevent him from enjoying activities like riding horses, and he would struggle with basic tasks. All three sons were afraid of the difficulties that come with old age.

Q4. How did the fourth son respond to his father’s appeal? How would you have responded if you were the fourth son?

Ans. The fourth son politely refused, saying he couldn’t bear the thought of needing help for basic tasks like keeping clean. If I were the fourth son, I would have gently explained to my father that while I love him, taking on old age would prevent me from living my own life and achieving my goals. I would suggest finding other ways to help him enjoy his later years without sacrificing my youth.

Q5. Why did Puru agree to give his youth to his father and take his father’s old age in the bargain? Did he do the right thing?

Ans. Puru agreed out of deep love and respect for his father. He couldn’t bear to see his father unhappy and wanted to relieve him of his suffering. While Puru’s act shows great filial devotion, it’s debatable whether it was the right thing to do. It’s admirable to help our parents, but giving up one’s entire youth might be too extreme. A more balanced approach could have been to help his father find meaning and joy in his old age.

Q6. Is it right for a father to make such a request to his sons as Yayati did?

Ans. No, it’s not right for a father to ask his sons to give up their youth. Parents should want the best for their children, not ask them to sacrifice their lives. Yayati should have accepted his old age as a natural part of life. Instead of trying to regain his youth, he could have focused on using his experience to rule his kingdom wisely and guide his sons.

Q7. Were the four sons justified in refusing their father’s request? If yes, give reasons.

Ans. Yes, the four sons were justified in refusing their father’s request. Everyone has the right to live their own life and enjoy their youth. Old age brings many challenges, and it’s understandable that the sons didn’t want to face these difficulties prematurely. They also might have had their own goals and responsibilities that they couldn’t fulfill if they suddenly became old. It’s natural for them to want to experience life fully in their youth.

Q8. What lesson do you learn from this story?

Ans. This story teaches us that youth is valuable, but chasing eternal youth or endless pleasures doesn’t lead to happiness. It shows that desires can never be fully satisfied by indulging in them. Instead, true contentment comes from accepting each stage of life and finding balance. The story also highlights the importance of wisdom that comes with age. It encourages us to use our time wisely, whether we’re young or old, to do good for ourselves and others.

Comprehension Based Questions with Answers

1. Emperor Yayati was one of the ancestors of the Pandavas. He had never known defeat. He followed the dictates of the Sastras, adored the gods and venerated his ancestors with intense devotion. He became famous as a ruler devoted to the welfare of his subjects. He became prematurely old by the curse of Sukracharya for having wronged his wife Devayani. In the words of the poet of the Mahabharata, “Yayati attained that old age which destroys beauty and brings on miseries.” It is needless to describe the misery of vigorous youth suddenly blighted into age, where the horrors of loss are accentuated by pangs of recollection.

Q1. Name the lesson and its writer.

Ans. The name of the lesson is Yayati and the writer is C. Raj Gopala Chari.

Q2. Who was Yayati? Why was he famous for?

Ans. Yayati was an emperor and was one of the ancestors of the Pandavas. He became famous as a ruler devoted to the welfare of his subjects.

Q3. How did he become old prematurely?

Ans. He became prematurely old by the curse of Sukracharya . for having wronged his wife Devayani.

Q4. According to the poet of the Mahabharata, what does the old age do?

Ans,. According to the poet of the Mahabharata old age destroys beauty and brings on miseries.

Q5. Why is it needless to describe the misery of vigorous youth?

Ans. It is needless to describe the misery of vigorous youth suddenly blighted into age, where the horrors of loss are accentuated by pangs of recollection.

2. Yayati, who found himself suddenly an old man. was still haunted by the desire for sensual enjoyment. He had five beautiful sons, all virtuous and accomplished. Yayati called them and appealed piteously to their affection. ’’The curse of your grandfather Sukracharya has made me unexpectedly and prematurely old. I have not had my feel of the joys of life; for not knowing what was in store for me. I lived a life of restraint, denying myself even lawful pleasures. One of you ought to bear the burden of my old age and give his youth in return. He who agrees to this and bestows his youth on me will be the ruler of my kingdom. I desire to enjoy life in the full vigour of youth”.

Q1. What was the desire of Yayati after becoming an old man?

Ans. Yayati found himself suddenly an old man, was still haunted by the desire for sensual enjoyment.

Q2. How many sons had Yayati?

Ans. ayati had five sons. They were beautiful, virtuous and accomplished.

Q3. What did Yayati tell his sons?

Ans. Yayati told his sons that curse of their grandfather Sukracharya had made him unexpectedly and prematurely old. He had not his feel of the joys of life and further said that one of them ought to bear the burden of his old age and give his youth in return. He who agreed to that would be the ruler of his kingdom.

Q4. Find out the word from the passage which is an antonym to ‘ugly’.

Ans. Beautiful.

3. He first asked his eldest son to do his bidding. That son replied: “O great king, women and servants will mock at me if 1 were to take upon myself your old age. I cannot do so. Ask of my younger brothers who are dearer to you than myself.”
When the second son was asked, he gently refused with the word; “Father, you ask me to take up old age which destroys not only strength and beauty but also as I see wisdom. I am not strong enough to do so.”
The third son replied: “An old man cannot ride a horse or an elephant. His speech will falter. What can 1 do in such a helpless plight? I cannot agree.”
The king grew angry when he saw that his three sons had declined to do as he wished. He hoped for better from his fourth son, to whom he said: “You should take up my old age. If you exchange your youth with me, I shall give it back to you after some time and take back the old age with which I have been cursed.”

Q1. What was the reply of the eldest son? When he asked him his bidding.

Ans. When the king asked his eldest son to do his bidding, he replied that women and servants would mock at him if he had been to take upon himself his old age. So he could not do and advised him to ask him youngest brothers who were dearer to him.

Q2. What did the second son reply?

Ans. The second Yon gently refused to take up old age because it destroys strength, beauty and wisdom.

Q3. What did the third son reply?

Ans. The third son replied that old age destroys strength to ride a horse or an elephant and to speak clearly.

Q4. Why did the king grow angry with his sons?

Ans. The king saw that his three sons had declined to do as he wished, he grew angry.

4. The fourth son begged to be forgiven, as this was a thing he could by no means consent to. An old man has to seek the help of others even to keep his body clean, a most pitiful plight. No, much as he loved his father, he could not do it. Yayati was struck with sorrow’ at the refusal of the four sons. He paused for some time and then supplicated his last son,’ who had never yet opposed his wishes; “You must save me. I have got this old age with its wrinkles, debility and grey hairs as a result of the curse of Sukaracharya. I cannot bear it. If you take upon yourself these infirmities, I shall enjoy life for just a while more and then give you back your youth and resume my old age and all its sorrows. Puru. do not refuse as your elder brothers have done.” Puru. the youngest son, moved by filial love, said: “Father, I gladly give you my youth and relieve you of the sorrow’s of old age and the cares of State. Be happy.” Hearing these words Yayati became a youth. Puru, who accepted the old age of his father, ruled the kingdom and acquired great renown.

Q1. Why was Yayati struck with sorrow?

Ans. Yayati was struck with sorrow at the refusal of the four sons.

Q2. What was the reply of the fourth.son?

Ans. The fourth son replied that an old man had to seek the help of others even to keep his body clean. It looked a most pitiful plight so he begged not to accept the proposal.

Q3. Why did the king get his old age?

Ans. The king got this old age as a result of the curse of Sukracharya, his father-in-law.

Q4. Who was Puru? Why did he accept his father’s proposal?

Ans. Puru was the fifth and last son of Yayati. who moved by filial love of his father he gladly accepted his father’s proposal.

Q5. What happened to Puru?

Ans. Puru became old but ruled the kingdom and acquired great renown.

5. Yayati enjoyed life for long and, not satisfied, went later to the garden of Kubera and spent many years with an apsara ‘maiden. After long years spent in vain efforts to quench desire by indulgence, the truth dawned on him. Returning to furu, he said: “Dear son, sensual desire is never quenched by indulgence, any more than fire is by pouring ghee in it. I had heard and read this, but till now I had not realised it. No object of desire corn, gold, cattle and women nothing can ever satisfy the desires of man. We can reach peace only by a mental pose beyond likes and dislikes. Such is the state of Brahman. Take back your youth and rule kingdom wisely and well.” With these words, Yayati took back his old age. Puru, who regained his youth, was made king by Yayati who retired to the forest. He spent his time there in austerities and in due course attained heaven.

Q1. How long did Yayati enjoy his life?

Ans. Yayati enjoyed life for a long time.

Q2. Why did he go to the garden of Kubera?

Ans. Yayati went to the garden of Kubera and spent many years with an apsara maiden.

Q3. When did the truth dawn on him?

Ans. The truth dawned on him-after long years spent in vain efforts to quench by indulgence in an apsara maiden.

Q4. Why did he return to Puru?

Ans. After long years spent in vain efforts to quench desire by indulgence, he returned to Puru.

Q5. What did he say to his son Puru after returning to him?

Ans. He said to Puru. “Sensual desire is never quenched so take your youth back and rule the kingdom wisely and well.”

Q6. How can he get mental peace?

Ans. He can get peace only by a mental pose beyond likes and dislikes. Such is the state of Brahman.

Q7. Find out the word in the passage which means ‘get again’.

Ans. Regained.

Other Chapter Solutions
Chapter 1 Solutions – Dharam Juddha
Chapter 2 Solutions – Yayati
Chapter 3 Solutions – A Silent Revolution
Chapter 4 Solutions – Too Many People Too Few Trees
Chapter 5 Solutions – Echo and Narcissus
Chapter 6 – The Shehnai of Bismillah Khan
Chapter 7 – Kathmandu
Chapter 8 – My Childhood
Chapter 9 – The Gift of The