NCERT Class 12 Sanskrit Bhaswati: Chapter 3 — प्रजानुर×जको नृप:
This chapter, 'Prajanuranjako Nripah' (The King Who Pleases His Subjects), from Mahakavi Kalidasa's Raghuvamsha, highlights the essential qualities of ideal rulers. It emphasizes that a king's primary duty is to ensure the welfare and happiness of his subjects. The text explains that taxes collected from the people should be used for their protection and to alleviate their suffering during times of crisis. Kalidasa portrays the kings of the Raghu dynasty as exemplars, possessing virtues like wisdom, truthfulness, self-control, and dedication to their people. The chapter underscores that only those dynasties that embody these noble qualities can achieve lasting sovereignty. It serves as a timeless guide for rulers worldwide, stressing that pleasing and protecting the subjects is the paramount responsibility of a king, a concept beautifully illustrated through the lineage of Raghu's descendants.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Sanskrit |
| Book | Bhaswati |
| Chapter | Chapter 3 — भास्वती |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 234 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the concept of a ruler pleasing their subjects.
- Identify the key virtues expected of a king.
- Appreciate the role of taxation for public welfare.
- Learn about the exemplary qualities of the Raghu dynasty.
- Analyze Kalidasa's portrayal of ideal governance.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| प्रजानुर×जक: | One who pleases his subjects |
| नृप: | King |
| रघुवंशम् | Lineage of Raghu (epic poem) |
| गुण | Qualities, virtues |
| प्रजा | Subjects, people |
| कल्याण | Welfare, well-being |
| कर | Tax |
| कोष | Treasury |
| आपत्ति | Calamity, crisis |
| कष्टनिवारण | Removal of suffering |
| विद्वान् | Learned, scholar |
| सत्यवादी | Truthful |
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Practice questions
- राजा का मुख्य कर्तव्य क्या है? Answer: राजा का मुख्य कर्तव्य प्रजा का अनुरंजन करना और उनके कल्याण के लिए कार्य करना है।
- प्रजा से कर लेने का उद्देश्य क्या बताया गया है? Answer: प्रजा से कर लेने का उद्देश्य आपत्ति आने पर प्रजा का कष्ट निवारण करना है।
- कालिदास ने रघुवंश में किन राजाओं के गुणों का वर्णन किया है? Answer: कालिदास ने रघुवंश में महान रघुवंशी राजाओं के गुणों का वर्णन किया है।
- राजा में कौन-कौन से गुण होने चाहिए? Answer: राजा को विद्वान्, सत्यवादी, इन्द्रियनिग्रही तथा प्रजापालक होना चाहिए।
Practice MCQs
Q1. यह पाठ किस महाकवि की रचना से लिया गया है?
Explanation: यह पाठ महाकवि कालिदास द्वारा विरचित 'रघुवंशम्' से लिया गया है।
Q2. पाठ का शीर्षक 'प्रजानुर×जको नृप:' का क्या अर्थ है?
Explanation: प्रजानुर×जक: का अर्थ है प्रजा को प्रसन्न रखने वाला या प्रजा का रंजन करने वाला।
Q3. राजा को प्रजा से कर लेकर कोष क्यों एकत्रित करना चाहिए?
Explanation: पाठ के अनुसार, राजा को प्रजा के कल्याण के लिए कर लेकर कोष एकत्रित करना चाहिए, जिसका उद्देश्य आपत्ति में प्रजा का कष्ट निवारण करना है।
Q4. निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा गुण राजा के लिए आवश्यक नहीं बताया गया है?
Explanation: पाठ में राजा के गुणों के रूप में विद्वान्, सत्यवादी, इन्द्रियनिग्रही और प्रजापालक होने का उल्लेख है, अज्ञानी होना नहीं।
Q5. संसार में कौन से राजवंश चिरकाल तक राज्य करते हैं?
Explanation: पाठ के अनुसार, वे ही राजवंश चिरकाल तक राज्य करते हैं जिनमें रघुवंशी राजाओं के समान गुण पाए जाते हैं।
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of the NCERT Class 12 Sanskrit chapter 'Prajanuranjako Nripah'?
The chapter emphasizes the ideal qualities of a king, focusing on his duty to please and protect his subjects, and use collected taxes for their welfare.
Which literary work is the chapter 'Prajanuranjako Nripah' from?
This chapter is an excerpt from the epic poem 'Raghuvamsha' by the great poet Kalidasa.
What virtues should a king possess according to the chapter?
A king should be learned (vidwan), truthful (satyavadi), have control over his senses (indriyanigrahi), and be a protector of his subjects (prajapalak).
What is the purpose of collecting taxes from the subjects?
The purpose of collecting taxes is to accumulate a treasury that can be used to alleviate the suffering of the subjects during times of crisis or calamity.
Which dynasty's kings are presented as role models in this chapter?
The kings of the Raghu dynasty are presented as role models, embodying the virtues of ideal rulers.
What does the chapter suggest about the longevity of a dynasty's rule?
The chapter suggests that dynasties possessing qualities similar to the Raghu kings are the ones that can rule for a long time.
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NCERT Class 12 Sanskrit — Bhaswati — Chapter 3 — भास्वती. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 10 Aug 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.