CLASS 10 - ENGLISH - UNSEEN PASSAGE [8 MARKS]

Read the passage carefully. [8]

Swami Vivekananda is known for his inspiring speech at the Parliament of the world’s religions at Chicago on 11 September, 1893, where he introduced Hindu philosophy to the West. But this was not the only contribution of the saint. He revealed the true foundation of India’s unity as a nation.

He taught how a nation with such a vast diversity can be bound together by a feeling of humanity and brotherhood. Vivekananda emphasised the points of drawbacks of western culture and the contribution of India to overcome those. Freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose once said: “Swamiji Harmonised the East and West, religion and science, past and present. Our countrymen have gained unprecedented selfrespect, self-reliance and self-assertion from his teachings.” Vivekananda was successful in constructing a virtual bridge between the culture of East and West.

He interpreted the Hindu scriptures, philosophy and the way of life to the western people. He made them realise that inspite of poverty and backwardness, India has a great contribution to make to world culture. He played a key role in ending India’s culture isolation from the rest of the world. He was also associated with Brahmo Movement led by Keshab Chandra Sen, for sometimes. He also questioned the validity of superstitious customs and discrimination based on caste and religion. During this spiritual crisis, Vivekananda first heard about Sri Rama Krishna from William Hastie, the Principal of the Scottish Church College. One day in November 1881, Vivekananda went to Kali Temple in Dhakshineshwar where Sri Ramakrishna was staying. He straightaway asked the Ramakrishna, “Sir, have you seen God?” Without a moment hesitation, Sri Ramakrishna replied : “Yes, I have seen. I see him as clearly as I see you, only in much deeper sense. “Vivekananda was surprised to hear it. Sri Ramakrishna won him over through his pure, unselfish love. Vivekananda started visiting Dhakshineshwar frequently and the relationship of “Master and disciple” developed between the two.

Difficult Words

Revealed-exposed

Virtual-effective, essential

Isolation-separation

Discrimination-unfairness

Frequently-regularly

On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following questions. [Any eight] [8 x 1 = 8]

a. Where did Swami Vivekananda showcase India to the world?

b. What was the highlight of his address?

c. What have Indians gained from his teachings?

d. How did freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose appreciate Swami Vivekananda?

e. What valuable interpretations did Swamiji make?

f. Swami Vivekananda was successful in constructing 

- Brahmo movement

- Dakshineshwar

- Kali temple

- a cultural bridge between east and west

g. Swami Vivekananda questioned the usefulness of

- religion

- superstitions

- respect

- spiritual crisis

h. Sri Ramakrishna finally won over Vivekananda with  …………………….

i. Vivekananda went through a ………………….. before he met Sri Ramakrishna.

Answer:

a. Swami Vivekananda introduced Hindu philosophy to the west in Chicago. [1]

b. The true foundation of India’s unity as a nation was the highlight of his address. [1]

c. Indians have gained self-respect, self-reliance and self-assertion from his teachings. [1]

d. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose appreciated Swamiji’s way of harmonising east and west, religion and science, past and present. [1]

e. He interpreted the Hindu scriptures, philosophy and the way of life to the western people. [1]

f. (i) a cultural bridge between east and west [1].

g. (ii) superstitions [1].

h. his pure, unselfish love. [1].

i. spiritual crisis [1].