NCERT Class 11 Sanskrit Bhaswati: Chapter 7 — भास्वती
This chapter, "Sangeetanuragi Subbanna," is an excerpt from the Sanskrit translation of the Kannada novel "Subbanna" by Maasti Venkatesh Iyengar. The story, translated by Ho. Na. Venkatesh Sharma, focuses on Subbanna, the son of a Puranic scholar, who has a natural inclination towards music from childhood and later becomes a great musician. The excerpt narrates an incident from his childhood. Subbanna's innate passion for music was further strengthened by an event at the royal palace. During a Puranic discourse by his father, Subbanna was captivated by the king's appearance. When the king inquired about him, Subbanna expressed his desire to sing rather than recite the Puranas. He then sang a verse beautifully, impressing the king. The king praised Subbanna's intelligence and musical talent, encouraging him to pursue music and promising further rewards. This chapter highlights the importance of nurturing natural talents and the impact of early encouragement.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Sanskrit |
| Book | Bhaswati |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — भास्वती |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 297 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the story of Subbanna's childhood musical inclination.
- Learn about the interaction between Subbanna, his father, and the king.
- Appreciate the importance of natural talent and encouragement.
- Enhance Sanskrit reading and comprehension skills.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सघõीतानुरागी | One who is fond of music |
| सहजाभिलाष: | Natural desire/inclination |
| राजभवनमेत्य | Having come to the royal palace |
| अन्त:पुरस्त्राीजनसमक्षे | In the presence of the women of the inner palace |
| पुराणप्रवचनमारभमाण: | Beginning the discourse of the Puranas |
| विस्मयम् | Wonder/astonishment |
| चतुरो{यं बाल | This clever child |
| मेधाव्यसि | You are intelligent |
| पारितोषिकत्वेन | As a reward |
| शिक्षणं | Teaching/education |
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Practice questions
- सुब्बण्णस्य कस्य विषये सहजाभिलाष: आसीत्? Answer: सुब्बण्णस्य सघõीते सहजाभिलाष: आसीत्।
- राजभवनं क: आगतवान्? Answer: राजभवनं पुराणिकशास्त्राी स्वपुत्रेण सह आगतवान्।
- महाराज: सुब्बण्णं दृष्ट्वा किम् अमन्यत? Answer: महाराज: सुब्बण्णं दृष्ट्वा चतुरो{यं बाल इत्यमन्यत।
- सुब्बण्ण: महाराजस्य पुरतः किम् गातुं अवदत्? Answer: सुब्बण्ण: महाराजस्य पुरतः पुराणप्रवचनं न करोमि, सघõीतं गायामीति अवदत्।
- महाराज: सुब्बण्णं प्रति किम् अवदत्? Answer: महाराज: सुब्बण्णं प्रति त्वं मेधाव्यसि, सुष्ठु सघõीतं शिक्षित्वा सम्यग्गातुं अभ्यस्यतु इति अवदत्।
Practice MCQs
Q1. सुब्बण्ण: कस्य पुत्र: आसीत्?
Explanation: The text states that Subbanna was the son of a Puranic scholar (पुराणिकशास्त्राी).
Q2. सुब्बण्णस्य कस्य विषये रुचि: आसीत्?
Explanation: The chapter explicitly mentions that Subbanna had a natural inclination towards music (सघõीते य: सहजाभिलाष: आसीत्).
Q3. राजभवनं क: पुराणप्रवचनं कर्तुम् आगतवान्?
Explanation: The father of Subbanna, who was a Puranic scholar, came to the royal palace to give a discourse on the Puranas.
Q4. सुब्बण्ण: महाराजस्य किम् दृष्ट्वा विस्मयम् अमन्यत?
Explanation: Subbanna was amazed by the king's beautiful face, decorations, and beard.
Q5. सुब्बण्ण: महाराजस्य पुरतः किम् कर्तुम् अवदत्?
Explanation: When asked if he would recite Puranas like his father, Subbanna stated he would sing music (सघõीतं गायामीति).
Q6. महाराज: सुब्बण्णं किम् इति सम्बोधितवान्?
Explanation: The king addressed Subbanna as 'Vatsa' (वत्स) and called him intelligent (मेधाव्यसि).
Frequently asked questions
What is the chapter "सघõीतानुरागी सुब्बण्ण:" about?
This chapter narrates an incident from the childhood of Subbanna, a character who has a natural inclination towards music and later becomes a great musician. It describes his encounter at the royal palace and the encouragement he received.
Who is the author of the original novel from which this chapter is adapted?
The chapter is an excerpt from the Sanskrit translation of the Kannada novel "Subbanna" by the renowned Kannada writer Maasti Venkatesh Iyengar.
Who translated the novel into Sanskrit?
The Sanskrit translation was done by Ho. Na. Venkatesh Sharma.
What was Subbanna's father's profession?
Subbanna's father was a Puranic scholar (पुराणिकशास्त्राी).
What impressed Subbanna about the king?
Subbanna was impressed by the king's beautiful face, his decorations, and his beard.
What did the king advise Subbanna?
The king advised Subbanna to practice music diligently, assuring him of further rewards and acknowledging his intelligence.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 11 Sanskrit — Bhaswati — Chapter 7 — भास्वती. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.