NCERT Class 6 Sanskrit Deepakam: Chapter 16 — षोडशः पाठः । वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषाः इव
This chapter, 'Trees are like Good People' (वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषाः इव), from the NCERT Class 6 Sanskrit Deepakam textbook, focuses on the importance of trees and their noble qualities. The chapter begins with students visiting an exhibition on environmental protection and discussing trees with their teacher. They learn that trees provide clean air, fruits, and flowers, making them worthy of worship. A key highlight is a Sanskrit verse (subhashita) that compares trees to good people (satpurushah). The verse explains that trees endure the sun's heat themselves while providing shade to others and offer fruits for the benefit of all, not for themselves. This selfless service is likened to the actions of virtuous individuals who endure hardships to help others. The chapter also includes another verse emphasizing the immense value of a single tree, equating it to ten wells, ten ponds, ten lakes, or ten sons, underscoring the critical role of trees in sustaining life and the environment. The chapter concludes by encouraging tree plantation. This chapter helps students understand environmental responsibility and the ethical values associated with nature through Sanskrit literature.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 6 |
| Subject | Sanskrit |
| Book | Deepakam |
| Chapter | Chapter 16 — षोडशः पाठः । वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषाः इव |
| Language | Sanskrit |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 263 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the comparison between trees and good people (satpurushah).
- Appreciate the selfless service of trees in providing shade and fruits.
- Recognize the significant value of trees in environmental conservation.
- Learn new Sanskrit vocabulary related to nature and virtues.
- Understand the meaning and application of Sanskrit verses (subhashitas).
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| पर्यावरणसंरक्षणस्य | of environmental protection |
| प्रदर्शनी | exhibition |
| आयोजिता | organized |
| शुद्यं वायुं | clean air |
| पूज्याः | worshipful, venerable |
| सुभाषितं | good saying, proverb |
| श्रावयति | recites |
| छायाम् | shade |
| आतपे | in the heat (of the sun) |
| परार्थाय | for the sake of others |
| सत्पुरुषाः | good people, virtuous persons |
| वापी | a large well, tank |
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Practice questions
- वृक्षाः किं यच्छन्ति? Answer: वृक्षाः शुद्धं वायुं, फलानि, पुष्पाणि च यच्छन्ति।
- वृक्षाः के इव सन्ति? Answer: वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषाः इव सन्ति।
- वृक्षाः स्वयं किं कुर्वन्ति? Answer: वृक्षाः स्वयं आतपे तिष्ठन्ति।
- एकः वृक्षः कस्य समः भवति? Answer: एकः वृक्षः दशकूपसमा वापी, दशवापीसमो ह्रदः, दशह्रदसमः पुत्रः इत्येतेषां समः भवति।
- सर्वे किं कुर्वन्तु इति उक्तम्? Answer: सर्वे वृक्षारोपणं कुर्वन्तु इति उक्तम्।
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of NCERT Class 6 Sanskrit Chapter 16?
The chapter 'वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषाः इव' highlights the noble qualities of trees, comparing them to good people and emphasizing their selfless service to humanity and nature.
What do trees provide according to the chapter?
According to the chapter, trees provide clean air, fruits, and flowers.
How are trees compared to good people (satpurushah)?
Trees are compared to good people because they endure hardships (like the sun's heat) themselves while providing benefits (like shade and fruits) to others selflessly.
What is the significance of the verse about ten wells, ten ponds, etc.?
This verse emphasizes the immense value of a single tree, stating that one tree is as valuable as ten wells, ten ponds, ten lakes, or ten sons, highlighting its crucial role in life.
What is the concluding message of the chapter?
The concluding message of the chapter is to encourage everyone to plant trees (वृक्षारोपणं कुर्वन्तु).
What does 'परार्थाय' mean in the context of the verse?
'परार्थाय' means 'for the sake of others'. The verse states that trees offer fruits 'परार्थाय', meaning for others, not for themselves.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 6 Sanskrit — Deepakam — Chapter 16 — षोडशः पाठः । वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषाः इव. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.