NCERT Class 11 Sanskrit Bhaswati: Chapter 9 — भास्वती
This chapter, "Yadbhootahitam Tatsatyam" (That which is beneficial to the world is truth), is compiled from the collection of Sanskrit stories by Acharya Keshavchandra Dash. It emphasizes the ancient Indian tradition of storytelling by grandparents, which shapes the minds of young readers. The story highlights the truth that is always beneficial to the world. It narrates the tale of a pond near a village, which is used by villagers for bathing, washing clothes, fetching water for drinking and cooking, and bathing cattle. A sage resides nearby and advises the villagers to keep the pond clean, but they do not listen. The sage worries about the pollution of the pond and its effect on the villagers' health. One day, he witnesses villagers beating a boy for lying. The sage intervenes and takes the boy, Krishna, to his ashram. He decides to teach the villagers a lesson through Krishna. He asks Krishna to tell the villagers that he saw a big fish in the pond. Krishna hesitates, fearing punishment, but the sage assures him. The next morning, Krishna tells the villagers about the great fish in the pond, thus initiating a lesson on truth and its benefits.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Sanskrit |
| Book | Bhaswati |
| Chapter | Chapter 9 — भास्वती |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 327 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of truth being beneficial to the world.
- Appreciate the importance of cleanliness and its impact on health.
- Learn about the traditional role of sages and storytelling in ancient India.
- Analyze the consequences of lying and the value of honesty.
- Develop an understanding of moral values through a narrative.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| पुष्करिणी | pond |
| वृक्षा: | trees |
| आश्रम: | hermitage/ashram |
| मुनि: | sage |
| अनुनयति | advises/persuades |
| उपदिशति | instructs |
| चिन्तामग्न: | engrossed in thought |
| प्रदूषितं | polluted |
| रुग्णा | sick/ill |
| वारणीया: | to be prevented/stopped |
| कोलाहल: | uproar/noise |
| ताडयन्ति | beating |
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Practice questions
- गाँव के लोग पुष्करिणी का उपयोग किन-किन कार्यों के लिए करते थे? Answer: गाँव के लोग पुष्करिणी का उपयोग स्नान करने, कपड़े धोने, पीने और खाना पकाने के लिए पानी लाने तथा पशुओं को नहलाने के लिए करते थे।
- मुनि गाँव वालों को क्या उपदेश देते थे? Answer: मुनि गाँव वालों को पुष्करिणी को स्वच्छ रखने का उपदेश देते थे।
- गाँव वाले बालक कृष्ण को क्यों पीट रहे थे? Answer: गाँव वाले बालक कृष्ण को इसलिए पीट रहे थे क्योंकि वह झूठ बोलता था और सबको धोखा देता था।
- मुनि ने बालक कृष्ण को क्या सिखाने का निश्चय किया? Answer: मुनि ने बालक कृष्ण को यह सिखाने का निश्चय किया कि जो संसार के लिए हितकर है, वही सत्य है।
- कृष्ण ने गाँव वालों से क्या कहा? Answer: कृष्ण ने गाँव वालों से कहा कि उसने पुष्करिणी में एक बहुत बड़ी मछली देखी है।
Practice MCQs
Q1. प्रस्तुत कथा किस कथाकार की रचना है?
Explanation: The chapter is compiled from the collection of stories by the Sanskrit storyteller Acharya Keshavchandra Dash.
Q2. गाँव के पास स्थित तालाब का नाम क्या था?
Explanation: The text mentions 'पप्रिनीनाम्नी एका पुष्करिणी आसीत्' which translates to 'There was a pond named Paprini'.
Q3. पुष्करिणी के अपरभाग में क्या स्थित था?
Explanation: The text states, 'पुष्करिण्या: अपरभागे एक: आश्रम: अस्ति।', meaning 'In the other part of the pond, there is an ashram.'
Q4. बालक कृष्ण को किस कारण से पीटा जा रहा था?
Explanation: The villagers stated, 'एष मिथ्यावादी। सदैव मिथ्याभाषणं करोति। वृथा सर्वान प्रतारयति।' meaning 'He is a liar. He always speaks lies. He deceives everyone.'
Q5. मुनि ने बालक कृष्ण को क्या देखने की बात कहने को कहा?
Explanation: The sage asked Krishna to tell the villagers, 'पुष्करिणीं दृष्ट्वा किमपि कथय।' and later, 'पुष्करिणीत: पVो(ारो न भवति।' implying a large fish.
Q6. मुनि का मुख्य उद्देश्य क्या था?
Explanation: The sage thought, 'अयमेव समुचित: समय:। अस्मिÂवसरे ग्राम्यजना: अवश्यं शिक्षयितव्या:।' meaning 'This is the right time. The villagers must be taught at this moment.'
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the chapter "Yadbhootahitam Tatsatyam"?
The main theme is that truth is that which is beneficial to the world, emphasizing the importance of honesty and actions that serve the greater good.
Who is the author of the story from which this chapter is compiled?
The chapter is compiled from the collection of stories by the Sanskrit storyteller Acharya Keshavchandra Dash.
What problem did the sage observe in the village?
The sage observed that the villagers were polluting the pond and drinking the contaminated water, leading to illness.
Why did the villagers beat the boy Krishna?
They beat Krishna because they considered him a liar who always spoke falsehoods and deceived them.
How did the sage plan to teach the villagers a lesson?
The sage used the boy Krishna to convey a message to the villagers, indirectly teaching them about truth and its importance.
What moral lesson does the chapter impart?
The chapter imparts the moral lesson that honesty is crucial and that actions should be beneficial to the community and the world.
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NCERT Class 11 Sanskrit — Bhaswati — Chapter 9 — भास्वती. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.