NCERT Class 10 Sanskrit Shemushi: Chapter 2 — शेमुषी- द्वितीयो भाग:
This chapter, 'बुद्धिमती सदा' (Buddhimati Sada), is an edited excerpt from the story collection 'Shuk Saptati'. It showcases the intelligence and quick thinking of a woman named Buddhimati. While traveling through a dense forest with her two young sons to her father's house, she encounters a tiger. To save herself and her children, she cleverly devises a plan. She slaps her sons and tells them to fight over who gets to eat the tiger, implying there are more tigers. This makes the tiger, who overhears the conversation, believe he is being hunted by a man-eater. Frightened, the tiger flees. Later, a jackal encounters the terrified tiger and learns why he is running. The jackal, wanting to save himself, tricks the tiger into believing Buddhimati is a man-eater and offers to lead her to him. The tiger agrees, and the jackal leads the tiger back to Buddhimati. Buddhimati, seeing the tiger again, cleverly taunts the jackal, accusing him of bringing only one tiger when she expected three, thus scaring the tiger away once more. The chapter highlights how intelligence can overcome even the greatest fears and dangers, inspiring the development of good character through the dialogue of wise parrots.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 10 |
| Subject | Sanskrit |
| Book | Shemushi |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — शेमुषी- द्वितीयो भाग: |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 226 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance of intelligence and presence of mind in critical situations.
- Analyze how cleverness can be used to overcome fear and danger.
- Appreciate the narrative style and moral lessons conveyed through dialogues.
- Improve Sanskrit reading comprehension skills.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| काननमार्गेण | through the forest path |
| मति कौशलं | skill of intellect/cleverness |
| व्याघ्रं | tiger |
| चपेटया | with a slap |
| भयावुफलचित्तो | fear-stricken |
| शृगाल: | jackal |
| गूढप्रदेशम् | hidden place |
| धूर्ता | cunning/rogue |
| प्रत्युत्पÂमति: | quick-wittedness/presence of mind |
| चिन्तितवती | thought/pondered |
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Practice questions
- बुद्धिमती पितृगृहं प्रति गच्छन्ती मार्गं कुत्र पारयति? Answer: गहनकानने।
- बुद्धिमती व्याघ्रं दृष्ट्वा किं कृतवती? Answer: स्वपुत्रौ चपेटया प्रहृत्य व्याघ्रभक्षणाय कलहं कर्तुं वक्ति।
- व्याघ्रं दृष्ट्वा शृगाल: किं अवदत्? Answer: व्याघ्रं दृष्ट्वा शृगाल: अवदत् यत् भवान् कुतः भयात् पलायित:
- बुद्धिमती पुन: व्याघ्रं कथं निवारितवती? Answer: बुद्धिमती शृगालं व्याघ्रत्रयं आनेतुं उक्तवती, येन व्याघ्र: पुनरपि भयाक्रान्त: अभवत्।
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the chapter 'बुद्धिमती सदा'?
The main theme is how intelligence and presence of mind can help overcome even the most dangerous situations, like facing a tiger.
Who is Buddhimati?
Buddhimati is the protagonist of the chapter, a clever woman who uses her wit to save herself and her children from a tiger.
From which text is this chapter taken?
This chapter is an edited excerpt from the story collection 'Shuk Saptati'.
How does Buddhimati initially scare the tiger?
She slaps her sons and tells them to fight over eating the tiger, implying there are more tigers, which frightens the tiger.
What role does the jackal play in the story?
The jackal initially tries to save himself by tricking the tiger, but later leads the tiger back to Buddhimati, inadvertently helping her scare the tiger away again.
What moral lesson does the chapter convey?
The chapter teaches that intelligence is a powerful tool that can overcome fear and danger, and it inspires the development of good character.
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NCERT Class 10 Sanskrit — Shemushi — Chapter 2 — शेमुषी- द्वितीयो भाग:. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.