Chapter Two
Sacred Scriptures
Sacred Scriptures
Textual Dictionary
Every word below is taken from this chapter. Meanings and explanations are provided for study.
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sacred (SAY-krid) | holy; connected with religion | holy (religious) blessed (holy) | common (ordinary) ordinary (usual) | The Veda is a sacred scripture. The sentence describes the Veda as a holy religious book. |
| scripture (SKRIP-cher) | a religious book containing teachings | holy book (religious text) text (written work) | — | The book gives messages of religion and describes the greatness of Ishwar. It is an example of a scripture. |
| moral (MOR-uhl) | connected with right conduct and good behaviour | ethical (related to right conduct) good (proper) | immoral (wrong) unethical (not right) | Moral stories teach valuable lessons. Such stories help learners understand good conduct. |
| ancient (AYN-shuhnt) | very old; belonging to the distant past | old (from the past) early (belonging to an earlier time) | modern (of the present time) new (recent) | The Veda is the ancient and main scripture of the Hindus. The sentence refers to its great age. |
| knowledge (NOL-ij) | understanding or information gained through learning | learning (what is learned) understanding (clear knowledge) | ignorance (lack of knowledge) unawareness (lack of understanding) | The Veda means “Knowledge”. The chapter connects the Veda with sacred learning. |
| meditation (MED-i-TAY-shun) | deep attention used to realize truth | reflection (deep thought) concentration (deep attention) | distraction (lack of attention) carelessness (lack of care) | We can realize truth through meditation. Deep attention helps a person understand truth. |
| truth (TROOTH) | what is real, absolute and eternal | reality (what is real) fact (something true) | falsehood (an untrue statement) untruth (something not true) | Truth is absolute and eternal. The chapter presents truth as lasting and without end. |
| worship (WUR-ship) | prayer and praise offered to a deity | prayer (earnest request) praise (glorification) | disrespect (lack of honour) neglect (failure to care) | The Rig-Veda contains mantras for praise, prayer and worship. These mantras are used to honour deities. |
| eternal (i-TUR-nuhl) | without end; lasting forever | everlasting (lasting forever) permanent (continuing) | temporary (lasting briefly) mortal (subject to death) | The soul is birthless, imperishable, eternal and deathless. The sentence teaches that the soul cannot be destroyed. |
| benefit (BEN-i-fit) | an advantage or good result | advantage (helpful result) gain (something received) | loss (something lost) harm (damage) | We should not neglect our work by being addicted to its benefit. The teaching advises us to work without being controlled by results. |
Dictionary entries: 10
1. How to Use This Sheet
- Read the chapter carefully before studying the dictionary.
- Cover the meaning column and test yourself on each word.
- Say each word aloud and practise its pronunciation.
- Compare the synonyms and antonyms to understand word relationships.
- Read the example sentence and notice how the word is used in the chapter.
- Use the example sentences as models for your own writing practice.
Textual Dictionary
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sacred (SAY-krid) | holy; connected with religion | holy; blessed | common; ordinary | The Veda is a sacred scripture. The sentence describes the Veda as a holy religious book. |
| scripture (SKRIP-cher) | a religious book containing teachings | holy book; text | — | The book gives messages of religion and describes the greatness of Ishwar. It is an example of a scripture. |
| moral (MOR-uhl) | connected with right conduct and good behaviour | ethical; good | immoral; unethical | Moral stories teach valuable lessons. Such stories help learners understand good conduct. |
| ancient (AYN-shuhnt) | very old; belonging to the distant past | old; early | modern; new | The Veda is the ancient and main scripture of the Hindus. |
| knowledge (NOL-ij) | understanding or information gained through learning | learning; understanding | ignorance; unawareness | The Veda means “Knowledge”. |
| meditation (MED-i-TAY-shun) | deep attention used to realize truth | reflection; concentration | distraction; carelessness | We can realize truth through meditation. |
| truth (TROOTH) | what is real, absolute and eternal | reality; fact | falsehood; untruth | Truth is absolute and eternal. |
| worship (WUR-ship) | prayer and praise offered to a deity | prayer; praise | disrespect; neglect | The Rig-Veda contains mantras for praise, prayer and worship. |
| eternal (i-TUR-nuhl) | without end; lasting forever | everlasting; permanent | temporary; mortal | The soul is birthless, imperishable, eternal and deathless. |
| benefit (BEN-i-fit) | an advantage or good result | advantage; gain | loss; harm | We should not neglect our work by being addicted to its benefit. |
Dictionary entries: 10
✦ Key Points
- A sacred scripture discusses religion, supernatural beings, human welfare, and moral or religious values.
- The Veda is the ancient and main scripture of the Hindus.
- The word Veda means “Knowledge”.
- Knowledge in the Veda includes ideas about the creator and Nature.
- Meditation means being absorbed in deep attention.
- Truth is absolute and eternal, so it has no end.
- The Veda is sacred knowledge attained through the deep meditation of the Rishis.
- The Veda is described as foreseen rather than composed by man.
- The lyrical sentences of the Vedas are called mantras.
- The Rig-Veda contains mantras for praise, prayer and worship.
- The soul is described as birthless, imperishable, eternal and deathless.
- Desireless work means working without expecting any benefit.
2. Key Words - Main Table (1-15)
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sacred (SAY-krid) | Holy or connected with religion. | holy; religious; blessed | common; ordinary | The Veda is a sacred scripture. This describes the Veda as a holy religious book. |
| scripture (SKRIP-cher) | A religious book containing teachings. | holy book; religious text; sacred book | — | The Veda is the main scripture of the Hindus. It is an important religious book. |
| supernatural (SOO-per-NAT-choo-uhl) | Beyond the ordinary powers of nature. | divine; miraculous; spiritual | natural; ordinary | A sacred scripture discusses supernatural beings. The sentence refers to beings beyond ordinary nature. |
| welfare (WEL-fair) | The well-being or good condition of people. | well-being; benefit; good | harm; suffering; distress | Sacred scriptures contain advice about human welfare. They teach concern for human well-being. |
| valuable (VAL-yoo-uh-buhl) | Useful, important, or worthy of respect. | precious; useful; important | worthless; useless; unimportant | The scriptures contain valuable advice. The advice is useful for life. |
| moral (MOR-uhl) | Connected with right conduct and good behaviour. | ethical; good; righteous | immoral; wrong; unethical | Moral stories teach important lessons. Such stories help learners understand good conduct. |
| religious (ri-LIJ-uhs) | Connected with religion or worship. | sacred; spiritual; devotional | secular; nonreligious; worldly | The book contains religious messages. It teaches ideas connected with religion. |
| Veda (VAY-duh) | The sacred knowledge and main scripture of the Hindus. | sacred text; holy scripture; knowledge | — | The Veda means “Knowledge.” The word connects the Veda with sacred learning. |
| ancient (AYN-shuhnt) | Very old or belonging to the distant past. | old; early; antique | modern; new; recent | The Veda is the ancient scripture of the Hindus. The sentence refers to its great age. |
| knowledge (NOL-ij) | Understanding or information gained through learning. | learning; understanding; awareness | ignorance; unawareness; confusion | The Veda means “Knowledge.” Its knowledge includes ideas about the creator and Nature. |
| creator (kree-AY-tor) | The being who creates or brings things into existence. | maker; originator; Ishwar | destroyer; creation | The Veda gives knowledge about the creator and Nature. The sentence identifies two subjects of Vedic knowledge. |
| Nature (NAY-cher) | The natural world and its powers. | natural world; environment; creation | artificial world; human-made things | The Veda contains knowledge about the creator and Nature. Nature is one subject discussed in the Veda. |
| effort (EF-ert) | An attempt or hard work made to achieve something. | attempt; endeavour; hard work | idleness; neglect; inaction | Knowledge cannot be attained without effort. Learning requires serious work. |
| meditation (MED-i-TAY-shun) | Deep attention used to realize truth. | reflection; concentration; contemplation | distraction; carelessness; inattention | We can realize truth through meditation. Deep attention helps a person understand truth. |
| truth (TROOTH) | What is real, absolute, and eternal. | reality; fact; certainty | falsehood; untruth; lie | Truth is absolute and eternal. The chapter presents truth as lasting and without end. |
3. Key Words - Main Table (16-30)
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| supernatural (সুপারন্যাচারাল) | Beyond the ordinary powers of nature. | divine; miraculous; spiritual | natural; ordinary | Sacred scriptures discuss supernatural beings. They describe beings beyond ordinary nature. |
| welfare (ওয়েলফেয়ার) | The well-being or good condition of people. | well-being; benefit; prosperity | harm; suffering; distress | Sacred scriptures give advice about human welfare. They teach concern for people's well-being. |
| valuable (ভ্যালুয়েবল) | Useful, important, or worthy of respect. | precious; useful; important | worthless; useless; unimportant | Moral stories provide valuable advice. The advice helps learners develop humane qualities. |
| religious (রিলিজিয়াস) | Connected with religion or worship. | sacred; spiritual; devotional | secular; worldly; nonreligious | The Gita contains religious instructions. These instructions are connected with faith and duty. |
| Veda (বেদ) | The ancient and main scripture of the Hindus. | sacred text; holy scripture; knowledge | — | The Veda is the main scripture of the Hindus. It contains sacred knowledge. |
| creator (ক্রিয়েটর) | The being who creates or brings things into existence. | maker; originator; Ishwar | destroyer; creation | The Veda gives knowledge about the creator and Nature. These are important subjects of Vedic knowledge. |
| Nature (নেচার) | The natural world and its powers. | natural world; environment; creation | artificial world; human-made things | The Veda contains knowledge about the creator and Nature. Nature is one subject discussed in the Veda. |
| effort (এফোর্ট) | An attempt or hard work made to achieve something. | attempt; endeavour; hard work | idleness; inaction; neglect | Knowledge cannot be attained without effort. Learning requires serious work. |
| Rishi (ঋষি) | A holy priest who perceived truth or knowledge through deep meditation. | holy priest; sage; seer | — | The Rishis perceived truth through deep meditation. They expressed it with deep eternal emotion. |
| foreseen (ফোরসিন) | Seen or perceived beforehand, especially through inner understanding. | perceived; revealed; envisioned | hidden; overlooked; unknown | The Veda is described as foreseen rather than composed by man. It was revealed through the inner eyes of the Rishis. |
| deity (ডিইটি) | A god or goddess worshipped in religious belief. | god; goddess; divine being | human; mortal | The Veda describes different gods and goddesses as deities. Each deity is associated with particular virtues and strengths. |
| sacrifice (স্যাক্রিফাইস) | An offering made during worship. | offering; oblation; gift | refusal; withholding; rejection | The Vedic way of worship was mainly Yagya or sacrifice. Offerings were made while praying to the deities. |
| mantra (মন্ত্র) | A lyrical or poetic sentence from the Vedas used in worship. | chant; hymn; prayer | silence; ordinary speech; prose | The Rig-Veda contains mantras for praise, prayer, and worship. These sentences are used in religious practice. |
| Sama (সাম) | Songs from the Veda sung melodiously during worship. | song; hymn; chant | silence; speech; recitation | The songs in the Veda are known as Sama. They were sung during the Yagya. |
| Samhita (সংহিতা) | A name for each of the four parts of the Veda. | collection; compilation; text | fragment; separation; division | Each part of the Veda is called a Samhita. Examples include Rig-Veda Samhita and Samaveda Samhita. |
| avatar (অ্যাভাটার) | A divine incarnation. | incarnation; manifestation; divine form | mortal; ordinary person; human being | Lord Srikrishna was the king of Daraka as an avatar. He accompanied Arjun on his chariot. |
Dictionary entries: 15
✦ Key Points
- A sacred scripture discusses religion, supernatural beings, human welfare, and moral or religious values.
- The Veda is the ancient and main scripture of the Hindus.
- The word Veda means “Knowledge”.
- Vedic knowledge includes ideas about the creator and Nature.
- Knowledge cannot be attained without effort.
- Meditation means being absorbed in deep attention.
- The Rishis perceived truth through deep meditation.
- The Veda is described as foreseen rather than composed by man.
- The lyrical sentences of the Vedas are called mantras.
- The Vedic way of worship was mainly Yagya or sacrifice.
- Each of the four parts of the Veda is called a Samhita.
- Sama refers to songs collected in the Veda and sung during worship.
4. Subject Terms and Definitions
Textual Dictionary
Subject-specific words used in the chapter
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sacred (স্যাক্রেড) | পবিত্র (holy and connected with religion) | holy (পবিত্র); religious (ধর্মীয়); blessed (আশীর্বাদপুষ্ট) | common (সাধারণ); ordinary (স্বাভাবিক) | The Veda is a sacred source of knowledge. বেদ জ্ঞানের একটি পবিত্র উৎস। |
| scripture (স্ক্রিপচার) | ধর্মীয় শিক্ষা-সম্বলিত পবিত্র গ্রন্থ (a religious book containing teachings) | holy book (পবিত্র গ্রন্থ); religious text (ধর্মীয় পাঠ); sacred book (পবিত্র বই) | — | The Upanishad is named as a sacred scripture. উপনিষদকে একটি পবিত্র ধর্মগ্রন্থ হিসেবে উল্লেখ করা হয়েছে। |
| Veda (বেদ) | হিন্দুদের প্রাচীন প্রধান পবিত্র গ্রন্থ (the ancient main scripture of the Hindus) | sacred text (পবিত্র পাঠ); holy scripture (পবিত্র ধর্মগ্রন্থ); knowledge (জ্ঞান) | — | The Veda is divided into four parts. বেদ চারটি অংশে বিভক্ত। |
| knowledge (নলেজ) | শিক্ষার মাধ্যমে অর্জিত জ্ঞান বা তথ্য (understanding gained through learning) | learning (শিক্ষা); understanding (বোঝাপড়া); awareness (সচেতনতা) | ignorance (অজ্ঞতা); unawareness (অসচেতনতা) | The Veda means “Knowledge”. বেদ শব্দের অর্থ “জ্ঞান”। |
| meditation (মেডিটেশন) | গভীর মনোযোগে নিমগ্ন হওয়া (being absorbed in deep attention) | reflection (চিন্তন); concentration (একাগ্রতা); contemplation (গভীর ভাবনা) | distraction (মনোযোগের বিচ্যুতি); carelessness (অসাবধানতা) | We can realize truth through meditation. ধ্যানের মাধ্যমে আমরা সত্য উপলব্ধি করতে পারি। |
| truth (ট্রুথ) | বাস্তব, পরম ও চিরন্তন বিষয় (what is real, absolute and eternal) | reality (বাস্তবতা); fact (সত্য ঘটনা); certainty (নিশ্চয়তা) | falsehood (মিথ্যা); untruth (অসত্য) | Truth is foreseen through deep meditation. গভীর ধ্যানের মাধ্যমে সত্য প্রত্যক্ষ করা যায়। |
| Rishi (ঋষি) | গভীর ধ্যানের মাধ্যমে সত্য উপলব্ধিকারী পবিত্র পুরোহিত (a holy priest who perceived truth through deep meditation) | sage (ঋষি); seer (দ্রষ্টা); holy priest (পবিত্র পুরোহিত) | — | The Rishis perceived the truth through deep meditation. ঋষিরা গভীর ধ্যানের মাধ্যমে সত্য উপলব্ধি করেছিলেন। |
| mantra (মন্ত্র) | বেদের গীতিময় বা কাব্যিক বাক্য (a lyrical or poetic sentence from the Vedas) | chant (জপ); hymn (স্তোত্র); prayer (প্রার্থনা) | silence (নীরবতা); ordinary speech (সাধারণ কথা) | The Rig-Veda contains mantras for praise and prayer. ঋগ্বেদে প্রশংসা ও প্রার্থনার মন্ত্র রয়েছে। |
| Yagya (যজ্ঞ) | মন্ত্র পাঠ করে দেবতাদের আহ্বান করার অগ্নি-উপাসনা (worship using fire, offerings and Vedic mantras) | sacrifice (উৎসর্গ); worship (উপাসনা); offering (নিবেদন) | refusal (প্রত্যাখ্যান); withholding (আটকে রাখা) | The Vedic way of worship was mainly Yagya or sacrifice. বৈদিক উপাসনার পদ্ধতি প্রধানত যজ্ঞ বা উৎসর্গ ছিল। |
| Samhita (সংহিতা) | বেদের চারটি অংশের প্রতিটির নাম (the name given to each of the four parts of the Veda) | collection (সংকলন); compilation (সংগ্রহ); text (পাঠ) | fragment (খণ্ড); separation (বিচ্ছেদ) | Each part of the Veda is called a Samhita. বেদের প্রতিটি অংশকে সংহিতা বলা হয়। |
| desireless work (ডিজায়ারলেস ওয়ার্ক) | কোনো লাভের আশা না করে কাজ করা (working without expecting any benefit) | selfless work (নিঃস্বার্থ কাজ); duty (কর্তব্য); dedicated work (নিবেদিত কাজ) | selfish work (স্বার্থপর কাজ); idleness (অলসতা) | Desireless work teaches a person to focus on duty. নিষ্কাম কর্ম একজন মানুষকে কর্তব্যে মনোযোগ দিতে শেখায়। |
Dictionary entries: 11
5. Words in Context
Read the passage carefully and notice how the highlighted words are used in the chapter’s subject matter.
The Veda is a sacred scripture of the Hindus. Its name means “Knowledge,” and it teaches about the creator and Nature. The Rishis perceived truth through deep meditation and expressed it through lyrical mantras.
This passage shows that these words are connected. The Veda is described as sacred because it contains religious knowledge, while meditation is the deep attention through which the Rishis perceived truth. A mantra is a lyrical sentence from the Vedas.
6. Exercise 1 - Match the Meaning
Match each word in Column A with its correct meaning in Column B. Use the answer key below to check your work.
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. sacred (SAY-krid) | H. Very old or belonging to the distant past. | holy (religious); blessed (holy) | common (ordinary); ordinary (usual) | The Veda is a sacred scripture. The sentence describes the Veda as a holy religious book. |
| 2. scripture (SKRIP-cher) | C. A religious book containing teachings. | holy book (religious text); text (written work) | — | The Veda is the main scripture of the Hindus. It is an important religious book. |
| 3. moral (MOR-uhl) | J. An advantage or good result. | ethical (related to right conduct); good (proper) | immoral (wrong); unethical (not right) | Moral stories teach valuable lessons. Such stories help learners understand good conduct. |
| 4. ancient (AYN-shuhnt) | F. What is real, absolute and eternal. | old (from the past); early (belonging to an earlier time) | modern (of the present time); new (recent) | The Veda is the ancient and main scripture of the Hindus. The sentence refers to its great age. |
| 5. knowledge (NOL-ij) | A. Prayer and praise offered to a deity. | learning (what is learned); understanding (clear knowledge) | ignorance (lack of knowledge); unawareness (lack of understanding) | The Veda means “Knowledge”. The chapter connects the Veda with sacred learning. |
| 6. meditation (MED-i-TAY-shun) | D. Connected with right conduct and good behaviour. | reflection (deep thought); concentration (deep attention) | distraction (lack of attention); carelessness (lack of care) | We can realize truth through meditation. Deep attention helps a person understand truth. |
| 7. truth (TROOTH) | I. Understanding or information gained through learning. | reality (what is real); fact (something true) | falsehood (an untrue statement); untruth (something not true) | Truth is absolute and eternal. The chapter presents truth as lasting and without end. |
| 8. worship (WUR-ship) | G. Deep attention used to realize truth. | prayer (earnest request); praise (glorification) | disrespect (lack of honour); neglect (failure to care) | The Rig-Veda contains mantras for praise, prayer and worship. These mantras are used to honour deities. |
| 9. eternal (i-TUR-nuhl) | B. Without end; lasting forever. | everlasting (lasting forever); permanent (continuing) | temporary (lasting briefly); mortal (subject to death) | The soul is birthless, imperishable, eternal and deathless. The sentence teaches that the soul cannot be destroyed. |
| 10. benefit (BEN-i-fit) | E. Holy or connected with religion. | advantage (helpful result); gain (something received) | loss (something lost); harm (damage) | We should not neglect our work by being addicted to its benefit. The teaching advises us to work without being controlled by results. |
Answer Key
1–E, 2–C, 3–D, 4–H, 5–I, 6–G, 7–F, 8–A, 9–B, 10–J
1–E, 2–C, 3–D, 4–H, 5–I, 6–G, 7–F, 8–A, 9–B, 10–J
7. Exercise 2 - Fill in the Blanks
Instructions: Complete each sentence with a suitable word from the word bank. Use each word once.
Word bank: sacred · Veda · knowledge · meditation · truth · Rishi · mantra · Yagya · Samaveda · desireless
1. The ______ is the ancient and main scripture of the Hindus.
2. A book containing religious messages and moral values is called a ______ scripture.
3. The word Veda means “______”.
4. Being absorbed in deep attention is called ______.
5. We can realize ______ through meditation.
6. A holy priest who perceived the truth through deep meditation was known as a ______.
7. The lyrical sentences of the Vedas are called a ______.
8. The process of making fire to summon and invoke the deities is known as ______.
9. Songs have been collected in the ______.
10. Working without expecting any benefit is called ______ work.
Answer Key: 1. Veda; 2. sacred; 3. knowledge; 4. meditation; 5. truth; 6. Rishi; 7. mantra; 8. Yagya; 9. Samaveda; 10. desireless.
Worked Example Series
Ex. The Rig-Veda has 10,472 mantras and the Samaveda has 1,810 mantras. Find their total.
Sol:
Total mantras = 10,472 + 1,810
= 12,282
Ans. The total is 12,282 mantras.
Total mantras = 10,472 + 1,810
= 12,282
Ans. The total is 12,282 mantras.
Ex. The Yajurveda has 4,099 mantras. The Rig-Veda has 10,472 mantras. How many more mantras does the Rig-Veda have?
Sol:
Difference = 10,472 − 4,099
= 6,373
Ans. The Rig-Veda has 6,373 more mantras.
Difference = 10,472 − 4,099
= 6,373
Ans. The Rig-Veda has 6,373 more mantras.
Ex. The Mahabharata has 18 parts, and the Bhishma part has 18 chapters. Find the total number of parts and chapters mentioned.
Sol:
Total = 18 + 18
= 36
Ans. The total is 36 parts and chapters.
Total = 18 + 18
= 36
Ans. The total is 36 parts and chapters.
Ex. Dhritorastro had 100 sons and Pandu had 5 sons. Find the difference between the numbers of their sons.
Sol:
Difference = 100 − 5
= 95
Ans. The difference is 95 sons.
Difference = 100 − 5
= 95
Ans. The difference is 95 sons.
8. Exercise 3 - Synonyms and Antonyms
Instructions: Study each word and identify its synonym and antonym from the table. Read the example sentence carefully.
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sacred (/ˈseɪkrɪd/) | Holy or connected with religion. | holy; religious; blessed | common; ordinary | The Veda is a sacred scripture. The sentence describes the Veda as a holy religious book. |
| knowledge (/ˈnɒlɪdʒ/) | Understanding gained through learning. | learning; understanding; awareness | ignorance; unawareness; confusion | The word Veda means “Knowledge.” The Veda connects knowledge with the creator and Nature. |
| meditation (/ˌmɛdɪˈteɪʃən/) | Deep attention used to realize truth. | reflection; concentration; contemplation | distraction; carelessness; inattention | We can realize truth through meditation. Deep attention helps a person understand truth. |
| truth (/truːθ/) | What is real, absolute, and eternal. | reality; fact; certainty | falsehood; untruth; lie | Truth is absolute and eternal. The statement presents truth as lasting and without end. |
| worship (/ˈwɜːʃɪp/) | Prayer and praise offered to a deity. | prayer; praise; devotion | disrespect; neglect; dishonour | The Rig-Veda contains mantras for praise, prayer, and worship. These mantras are used to honour deities. |
| eternal (/ɪˈtɜːnəl/) | Without end or lasting forever. | everlasting; permanent; endless | temporary; mortal; brief | The soul is birthless, imperishable, eternal, and deathless. The sentence teaches that the soul cannot be destroyed. |
| ancient (/ˈeɪnʃənt/) | Very old or belonging to the distant past. | old; early; historic | modern; new; recent | The Veda is the ancient and main scripture of the Hindus. The sentence refers to its great age. |
| valuable (/ˈvæljuəbəl/) | Useful, important, or worthy of respect. | precious; useful; important | worthless; useless; unimportant | The scriptures contain valuable advice. The advice is useful for life. |
| welfare (/ˈwɛlfeə/) | The well-being or good condition of people. | well-being; benefit; prosperity | harm; suffering; distress | Sacred scriptures contain advice about human welfare. They teach concern for human well-being. |
| benefit (/ˈbɛnɪfɪt/) | An advantage or good result. | advantage; gain; profit | loss; harm; disadvantage | We should not neglect our work by being addicted to its benefit. The teaching advises us to work without being controlled by results. |
Answer Key: 1. sacred—holy; common. 2. knowledge—learning; ignorance. 3. meditation—concentration; distraction. 4. truth—reality; falsehood. 5. worship—prayer; disrespect. 6. eternal—everlasting; temporary. 7. ancient—old; modern. 8. valuable—useful; worthless. 9. welfare—well-being; harm. 10. benefit—advantage; loss.
Worked Example Series
Ex. The Rig-Veda has 10,472 mantras and the Yajurveda has 4,099 mantras. Find their total.
Sol:
Total mantras
= 10,472 + 4,099
= 14,571
= 10,472 + 4,099
= 14,571
Ans. The total is 14,571 mantras.
Ex. The Atharvaveda has almost 6,000 mantras and the Samaveda has 1,810 mantras. Find the difference.
Sol:
Difference
= 6,000 − 1,810
= 4,190
= 6,000 − 1,810
= 4,190
Ans. The difference is 4,190 mantras.
Ex. The Srimad Bhagavad Gita has 700 shlokas and the Bhishma part has 18 chapters. Find the total number mentioned.
Sol:
Total
= 700 + 18
= 718
= 700 + 18
= 718
Ans. The total number is 718.
Ex. The chapters of the Bhishma part range from the 25th to the 42nd. Find the difference between the chapter numbers.
Sol:
Difference
= 42 − 25
= 17
= 42 − 25
= 17
Ans. The difference is 17 chapters.
Ex. The four Vedas have 10,472, 1,810, 4,099, and almost 6,000 mantras respectively. Find the total using 6,000 for the Atharvaveda.
Sol:
Total
= 10,472 + 1,810 + 4,099 + 6,000
= 12,282 + 4,099 + 6,000
= 16,381 + 6,000
= 22,381
= 10,472 + 1,810 + 4,099 + 6,000
= 12,282 + 4,099 + 6,000
= 16,381 + 6,000
= 22,381
Ans. The total is 22,381 mantras.
9. Exercise 4 - Make Sentences
Use each word in a meaningful sentence related to the chapter. Read the model sentences in the answer key after completing the exercise.
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sacred (SAY-krid) | Holy or connected with religion. | holy; religious; blessed | common; ordinary | The Veda is a sacred scripture. |
| scripture (SKRIP-cher) | A religious book containing teachings. | holy book; religious text; sacred book | — | The Veda is the main scripture of the Hindus. |
| knowledge (NOL-ij) | Understanding gained through learning. | learning; understanding; awareness | ignorance; unawareness; confusion | The word Veda means “Knowledge.” |
| meditation (MED-i-TAY-shun) | Deep attention used to realize truth. | reflection; concentration; contemplation | distraction; carelessness; inattention | We can realize truth through meditation. |
| truth (TROOTH) | What is real, absolute, and eternal. | reality; fact; certainty | falsehood; untruth; lie | Truth is absolute and eternal. |
| worship (WUR-ship) | Prayer and praise offered to a deity. | prayer; praise; devotion | disrespect; neglect; dishonour | The Rig-Veda contains mantras for praise, prayer, and worship. |
| eternal (i-TUR-nuhl) | Without end or lasting forever. | everlasting; permanent; endless | temporary; mortal; brief | The soul is birthless, imperishable, eternal, and deathless. |
| benefit (BEN-i-fit) | An advantage or good result. | advantage; gain; profit | loss; harm; disadvantage | We should not neglect our work by being addicted to its benefit. |
A. Make Sentences
- sacred: ______________________________________________
- scripture: ____________________________________________
- knowledge: ___________________________________________
- meditation: ___________________________________________
- truth: ________________________________________________
- worship: ______________________________________________
- eternal: ______________________________________________
- benefit: ______________________________________________
Answer Key: Model Sentences
- The Veda is a sacred book of the Hindus.
- The Ramayana is an example of a sacred scripture.
- The Veda gives us knowledge about the creator and Nature.
- The Rishis attained sacred knowledge through meditation.
- The Veda teaches that truth is absolute and eternal.
- The Rig-Veda contains mantras for worship.
- The soul is eternal and cannot be destroyed.
- Desireless work means working without expecting any benefit.
10. Vocabulary MCQ (1-10)
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sacred (স্যাক্রিড) | পবিত্র (holy) | holy (পবিত্র); religious (ধর্মীয়); blessed (আশীর্বাদপুষ্ট) | common (সাধারণ); ordinary (সাধারণ); secular (ধর্মনিরপেক্ষ) | The Veda is sacred knowledge. বেদ পবিত্র জ্ঞান। |
| scripture (স্ক্রিপচার) | ধর্মগ্রন্থ (religious book) | holy book (পবিত্র গ্রন্থ); religious text (ধর্মীয় পাঠ); sacred book (পবিত্র বই) | — | The Veda is the main scripture of the Hindus. বেদ হিন্দুদের প্রধান ধর্মগ্রন্থ। |
| ancient (এনশিয়েন্ট) | প্রাচীন (very old) | old (পুরোনো); early (প্রারম্ভিক); antique (প্রাচীন) | modern (আধুনিক); new (নতুন); recent (সাম্প্রতিক) | The Veda is the ancient scripture of the Hindus. বেদ হিন্দুদের প্রাচীন ধর্মগ্রন্থ। |
| meditation (মেডিটেশন) | ধ্যান (deep attention) | reflection (চিন্তন); concentration (একাগ্রতা); contemplation (মনোনিবেশ) | distraction (মনোযোগের বিচ্যুতি); carelessness (অসাবধানতা); inattention (অমনোযোগ) | We can realize truth through meditation. ধ্যানের মাধ্যমে আমরা সত্য উপলব্ধি করতে পারি। |
| truth (ট্রুথ) | সত্য (what is real) | reality (বাস্তবতা); fact (ঘটনা); certainty (নিশ্চয়তা) | falsehood (মিথ্যা); untruth (অসত্য); lie (মিথ্যাবাদিতা) | Truth is absolute and eternal. সত্য পরম ও চিরন্তন। |
| worship (ওয়ারশিপ) | উপাসনা (prayer and praise) | prayer (প্রার্থনা); praise (প্রশংসা); devotion (ভক্তি) | disrespect (অসম্মান); neglect (অবহেলা); dishonour (অমর্যাদা) | The Rig-Veda contains mantras for worship. ঋগ্বেদে উপাসনার মন্ত্র রয়েছে। |
| mantra (মন্ত্র) | মন্ত্র (lyrical sentence of the Veda) | chant (জপ); hymn (স্তোত্র); sacred verse (পবিত্র পদ্য) | — | The lyrical sentences of the Vedas are known as mantras. বেদের গীতিময় বাক্যগুলো মন্ত্র নামে পরিচিত। |
| welfare (ওয়েলফেয়ার) | কল্যাণ (well-being) | well-being (সুস্থতা); benefit (উপকার); good (মঙ্গল) | harm (ক্ষতি); suffering (দুঃখ); distress (দুর্দশা) | Sacred scriptures contain advice about human welfare. পবিত্র ধর্মগ্রন্থে মানুষের কল্যাণের পরামর্শ থাকে। |
| eternal (ইটারনাল) | চিরন্তন (without end) | everlasting (চিরস্থায়ী); permanent (স্থায়ী); endless (অনন্ত) | temporary (সাময়িক); mortal (মরণশীল); brief (স্বল্পস্থায়ী) | The soul is birthless, imperishable, eternal and deathless. আত্মা জন্মহীন, অবিনশ্বর, চিরন্তন ও মৃত্যুহীন। |
Practice Questions
Meanings and Usage
1. Which word means “very old or belonging to the distant past”?
A. eternalB. ancientC. moralD. sacred
Sol: [B] “Ancient” means very old.
2. In the sentence “Meditation helps a person realize truth,” what does meditation mean?
A. deep attentionB. ordinary workC. physical strengthD. worldly wealth
Sol: [A] Meditation is being absorbed in deep attention.
The Veda and Its Parts
3. Which Veda contains songs collected for worship?
A. Rig-VedaB. SamavedaC. YajurvedaD. Atharvaveda
Sol: [B] “Sama” means songs, and songs have been collected in the Samaveda.
4. Which Veda is associated with medical science, ecology and other aspects of life?
A. Rig-VedaB. SamavedaC. YajurvedaD. Atharvaveda
Sol: [D] The Atharvaveda includes medical science, ecology and other life-related knowledge.
5. What is the main subject of the Yajurveda?
A. SongsB. Worship and yogaC. Medical herbs onlyD. Stories of war
Sol: [B] The Yajurveda is a collection of mantras for worship and yoga.
Deities and Worship
6. Which deity is given as an example of a deity of the earth?
A. AgniB. SuryaC. YamaD. Varun
Sol: [A] Agni comes down to the earth and stays there.
7. What is the Vedic process of making fire to summon and invoke the deities called?
A. SamaB. YagyaC. SamhitaD. Meditation
Sol: [B] Making fire and reciting Vedic mantras to invoke deities is called Yagya.
The Gita and Its Teachings
8. How many shlokas are there in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita according to the chapter?
A. 400B. 500C. 700D. 1,810
Sol: [C] The chapter states that the Gita has 700 shlokas.
9. What does desireless work mean?
A. Working without expecting any benefitB. Refusing to workC. Working only for wealthD. Working without knowledge
Sol: [A] Desireless work means working without expecting any benefit.
10. Which statement best expresses the teaching about the soul?
A. The soul is temporary.B. The soul is birthless and imperishable.C. The soul is destroyed by fire.D. The soul changes with every season.
Sol: [B] The chapter describes the soul as birthless, imperishable, eternal and deathless.
11. Quick Revision List
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sacred (SAY-krid) | Holy or connected with religion. | holy; religious | common; ordinary | The Veda is a sacred scripture. |
| scripture (SKRIP-cher) | A religious book containing teachings. | holy book; religious text | — | The Veda is the main scripture of the Hindus. |
| Veda (VAY-duh) | The ancient and main scripture of the Hindus. | sacred text; holy scripture | — | The word Veda means “Knowledge.” |
| ancient (AYN-shuhnt) | Very old or belonging to the distant past. | old; early | modern; new | The Veda is an ancient scripture. |
| knowledge (NOL-ij) | Understanding gained through learning. | learning; understanding | ignorance; unawareness | The Veda gives knowledge about the creator and Nature. |
| meditation (MED-i-TAY-shun) | Deep attention used to realize truth. | reflection; concentration | distraction; carelessness | We can realize truth through meditation. |
| truth (TROOTH) | What is real, absolute and eternal. | reality; fact | falsehood; untruth | Truth is absolute and eternal. |
| mantra (MAN-truh) | A lyrical sentence of the Vedas. | chant; sacred verse | — | The lyrical sentences of the Vedas are known as mantras. |
| Yagya (YAHG-yuh) | The process of making fire to summon and invoke deities by reciting Vedic mantras. | sacrifice; worship | — | The Vedic way of worship was mainly Yagya. |
| desireless work (di-ZY-er-lis wurk) | Working without expecting any benefit. | selfless work; duty | selfish work; idleness | The Gita teaches desireless work. |
Dictionary entries: 10
✦Key Points
- A sacred scripture contains messages about religion, supernatural beings, human welfare, and moral values.
- The Veda is the ancient and main scripture of the Hindus.
- The word Veda means “Knowledge”.
- Vedic knowledge includes ideas about the creator and Nature.
- Meditation means being absorbed in deep attention.
- Truth is absolute and eternal, so it has no end.
- The Veda is sacred knowledge attained through the deep meditation of the Rishis.
- The Veda is described as foreseen rather than composed by man.
- The four parts of the Veda are the Rig-Veda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.
- The Rig-Veda contains mantras for praise, prayer and worship.
- The Samaveda contains songs collected for worship.
- The Atharvaveda includes medical science, ecology and knowledge about other aspects of life.
- Desireless work means working without expecting any benefit.
12. Practice Bank
Textual Vocabulary
Study the meanings, word relationships and contextual examples.
| Word (Pronunciation) | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| supernatural (SOO-per-NAT-choo-uhl) | Beyond the ordinary powers of nature. | divine; miraculous; spiritual | natural; ordinary | Sacred scriptures discuss supernatural beings. The sentence refers to beings beyond ordinary nature. |
| welfare (WEL-fair) | The well-being or good condition of people. | well-being; benefit; good | harm; suffering; distress | Sacred scriptures contain advice about human welfare. The advice concerns human well-being. |
| valuable (VAL-yoo-uh-buhl) | Useful, important or worthy of respect. | precious; useful; important | worthless; useless; unimportant | The scriptures contain valuable advice. The advice is useful for life. |
| Rishi (RISH-ee) | A holy priest who perceived truth through deep meditation. | sage; priest; seer | — | The Rishis perceived truth through deep meditation. The sentence describes how the holy priests gained knowledge. |
| deity (DEE-uh-tee) | A god or goddess worshipped in the Veda. | god; goddess; divine being | human; mortal | The Veda describes different gods and goddesses as deities. The sentence connects deities with Vedic worship. |
| heaven (HEV-uhn) | The place associated with the deities of Swarga. | Swarga; celestial realm; sky world | earth; underworld | Surya, Yama and Varun are described as deities of heaven. These deities are associated with Swarga. |
| sky (SKY) | The region between heaven and earth in the classification of deities. | air; firmament; atmosphere | earth; ground | Indra and Bayu are described as deities of the sky. The sentence identifies the second category of deities. |
| sacrifice (SAK-ri-fाइस) | An offering made during worship. | offering; ritual; worship | refusal; rejection; neglect | The Vedic way of worship was mainly Yagya or sacrifice. The sentence links sacrifice with Vedic worship. |
| Sama (SAH-mah) | A song made from Vedic sentences and sung during worship. | song; chant; melody | silence; speech | The songs in the Veda are known as Sama. The sentence explains the musical form of the Vedic verses. |
| Samhita (sam-HI-tah) | The name given to each of the four parts of the Veda. | collection; compilation; scripture | — | Each part of the Veda is called a Samhita. The sentence explains the name used for each Vedic part. |
| immortal (ih-MOR-tuhl) | Not subject to death or destruction. | deathless; eternal; imperishable | mortal; temporary; perishable | The soul is permanent and immortal. The sentence says that the soul cannot be destroyed. |
| devotion (di-VOH-shuhn) | Deep dedication to Ishwar or a religious duty. | dedication; faith; worship | disrespect; doubt; neglect | Sri Krishna gave Arjuna advice regarding work, knowledge and devotion. The sentence names one of the teachings in the Gita. |
Quick hints: Connect supernatural with beings beyond ordinary nature; connect Samhita with the four parts of the Veda; connect immortal with the teaching about the soul.
Creative Question Bank
1. A learner reads that sacred scriptures contain religious messages, moral lessons and advice for human welfare.
(a) What is a sacred scripture? [2]
(b) Explain two kinds of guidance found in sacred scriptures. [4]
(c) Show how moral stories can help a person become an actual human being with humane qualities. [4]
2. A group studies the four parts of the Veda and records the special content of each part.
(a) Name the four parts of the Veda. [2]
(b) Describe the main contents of the Samaveda and Yajurveda. [4]
(c) Compare the contributions of the Rig-Veda and Atharvaveda to human knowledge. [4]
3. During worship, a priest recites Vedic mantras and makes fire to invoke the deities.
(a) What is Yagya? [2]
(b) Explain the three categories of Vedic deities. [4]
(c) Explain why Agni has a special place in the process of worship described in the chapter. [4]
4. Arjuna became unwilling to fight after seeing his relatives, and Sri Krishna gave him instructions about work, knowledge and devotion.
(a) How many shlokas are in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita? [2]
(b) Explain the meaning of desireless work. [4]
(c) Describe the teaching about the soul given in the chapter. [4]