NCERT Class 11 Sanskrit Shashwati: Chapter 2 — शाश्वती
This chapter, 'परोपकाराय सतां विभूतय:' (The Wealth of the Virtuous is for the Benefit of Others) from the NCERT Class 11 Sanskrit Shashwati book, is an excerpt from the Matsyajatakam, a story inspired by Buddhist Jataka tales. It highlights the Bodhisattva's compassion and power, who, in the form of a fish king, strives to protect his fellow fish from a severe drought. The story emphasizes how the Bodhisattva's adherence to truth and his tapas (penance) can influence even the gods, like Indra, to bring rain. The narrative underscores the virtue of selfless service and the strength derived from virtuous conduct, demonstrating that the wealth and abilities of noble individuals are meant for the welfare of others. This chapter teaches students about moral values, compassion, and the power of truth in overcoming adversity, aligning with CBSE's focus on character development.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Sanskrit |
| Book | Shashwati |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — शाश्वती |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 253 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of 'paropakaraya satam vibhutaya' (the wealth of the virtuous is for the benefit of others).
- Analyze the character of the Bodhisattva and his virtues.
- Appreciate the importance of truth and compassion in overcoming challenges.
- Learn about the significance of Jataka tales in Sanskrit literature.
- Improve Sanskrit reading comprehension skills.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| परोपकाराय | for the sake of helping others |
| सतां | of the virtuous/noble |
| विभूतय: | wealth/possessions/qualities |
| जातक कथा | Jataka tales (stories of Buddha's previous lives) |
| बोध्सित्त्व | Bodhisattva (an enlightened being who postpones their own nirvana to help others) |
| मत्स्यजातकम् | The story of the fish (a specific Jataka tale) |
| सत्य-तपोबल | strength of truth and penance |
| सत्त्वगुण | quality of goodness/virtue |
| सरसि | in a lake |
| जलदागम: | arrival of clouds/rain |
| करुणायमान: | feeling compassion |
| सत्येन | by truth |
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Practice questions
- What is the main theme of the chapter 'परोपकाराय सतां विभूतय:'? Answer: The main theme is that the wealth and abilities of virtuous people are meant for the benefit of others.
- From which text is the story 'मत्स्यजातकम्' taken? Answer: The story is an excerpt from the 'Matsyajatakam', inspired by Jataka tales.
- How did the Bodhisattva try to save the fish during the drought? Answer: The Bodhisattva relied on his truth and penance (satya-tapobal) to protect the fish.
- What does the chapter suggest about the power of virtuous conduct? Answer: It suggests that virtuous conduct and goodness can influence even divine powers.
Practice MCQs
Q1. The chapter 'परोपकाराय सतां विभूतय:' is an excerpt from which story?
Explanation: The text explicitly states that the presented chapter is a condensed version of the fifteenth Jataka, 'Matsyajatakam'.
Q2. Who is the central virtuous character in the story?
Explanation: The Bodhisattva, in the form of a fish king, is the central character demonstrating virtuous actions.
Q3. What was the primary problem faced by the lake and its inhabitants?
Explanation: The text describes a severe drought ('वृष्टे: अभावे') causing the lake to shrink and the fish to become near death due to lack of water.
Q4. The Bodhisattva believed his '_______' could protect the fish.
Explanation: The Bodhisattva considered his 'सत्यतपोबल' (strength of truth and penance) as the means to protect the fish.
Q5. What is the meaning of 'सतां विभूतय:'?
Explanation: 'सतां विभूतय:' translates to 'the wealth/possessions/qualities of the virtuous'.
Frequently asked questions
What are Jataka tales?
Jataka tales are stories about the previous lives of the Buddha, originally written in Pali, which often convey moral lessons.
Who is the Bodhisattva in this story?
The Bodhisattva is an enlightened being who, in this story, takes the form of a fish king to protect other fish during a drought.
What does the chapter teach about the qualities of virtuous people?
It teaches that the wealth, abilities, and qualities of virtuous people ('सतां विभूतय:') are meant for the welfare and benefit of others.
How did the Bodhisattva plan to solve the water crisis?
He planned to use his power of truth and penance ('सत्यतपोबल') to appeal to the gods for rain.
What is the Sanskrit phrase for 'the wealth of the virtuous is for the benefit of others'?
The Sanskrit phrase is 'परोपकाराय सतां विभूतय:'.
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NCERT Class 11 Sanskrit — Shashwati — Chapter 2 — शाश्वती. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.