Long Answers Of Light of Asia Question: 1 Describe the seven visions which the king Suddhodhan saw.

Give the interpretation of the seven visions which the king Suddhodhan saw? Answer: Introduction: F-E-C-W-D-T-M During his first visit Prince Siddhartha saw an old man. Seeing him he was very upset and did not sleep. That night king Suddhodhan saw seven visions When king Suddhodhan saw seven visions, he was very much afraid. None of wise dreamreader could interpret his visions. Then a hermit came to his court and gave interpretation of these visions. First Vision: In his first vision he saw glorious flag shining with golden sun in the center. A strong wind tore it and threw it into dust. It meant that old faiths would change and new faints would take their place. Second Vision: In his second vision the king saw ten huge elephants with silver tusks. They were moving towards south and the Prince was sitting on the leading elephant. It meant that the Prince would get ten gifts of wisdom and shake the world with them. Third Vision: In his third vision the king saw a chariot. Four horses were drawing it. They produced smoke from nostrils and fire from mouth. The prince was sitting in it. It meant that four horses were four virtues which would help the Prince get knowledge. Fourth Vision: In his fourth vision the king saw a fast moving wheel with golden hub. There were jewels on its spokes and there were some letters on its tyre. It was moving very

fast and producing sweet music. It meant that wheel was wheel of perfect law and Prince will show perfect law to the world. Fifth Vision: In his fifth vision the king saw a drum placed between city and hills. When the prince beat it with an iron rod, it produced a thundering sound. It meant that like sound of drum Buddhas teachings would spread in every corner of the world. Sixth Vision: In the sixth vision the king saw a tall tower. Standing on its top, the prince was scattering jewels and people were coming to collect them. It meant that rising of tower was the spread of Buddhism and jewels were his teachings. Seventh Vision: In his last vision the king saw six men weeping bitterly. They were grinding their teeth. Their mouths were shut with their hands. It meant that the weeping six men were the men whom the prince would give knowledge. Introduction: The Light of Asia has been composed by Sir Edwin Arnold. It has eight parts out of which only part III is in the course. It is about the life of Buddha. Buddhas Luxurious Life: Buddha, the son of King Suddhodhan, lived in luxurious place. He had a beautiful wife. There was music, dance and pleasure all around him. He did not know of old age death, sickness, pain and want. Buddhas Restlessness: While sleeping in a palace, he would become restless and cry My World; Oh World! I hear! I Know: I Come! At his wife had tears in her eyes. But he would smile again to stop the tears from eyes of his wife. He ordered for Veena to be play on. The Message of Gods (Winds Song):

One day the Gods gave him an important message by playing on the Veena. They told him that life was only an empty dream and had no taste. Worldly love was not permanent. The world was full of misery and pain. They further said that he should give up his luxury for the sake of other peoples sorrow. He should end the sorrow of the world. Chitras Tale: Chitra was the maid-servant of the prince Siddhartha. One she told a tale of a magic of fairy land. That day he was surprised to know that the world was so large. He wished to have a wing of an eagle or a magic horse to sit on. He wished to see the world outside.

First Visit

Decoration of the City: The city was decorated for the princes visit. The water carrier sprinkled water on the streets. The house wives scattered fresh red power before their houses. The flower garlands were hanging on the doors. The whole the city looked neat and clean. Warm-Welcome of the Prince: There was no evil sight. The people were beating drum. Some people brought cakes to the bullocks. Some people were throwing flowers at the prince. They were crying Jai! Jai ! for the noble prince. The Sight of an Old Man: During this visit the prince an old man. He was toothless and bent like a bow. He was very lean and then. He could hardly walk and speak. His Conversation with Channa:

Seeing the old man, the prince asked what that thing was. Channa told him that he was an old man. Old age had made him so. The prince asked if he too would become old. Channa said that he would. At this he became sad asked him to go back to the place. His Feelings During First Visit: That night the prince kept thinking about the old man ad his old age. He neither took food nor a sleep. He kept tossing. That night the king saw seven visions.

Second Visit

Introduction: Prince Siddhartha wished to visit the city second time. He requested his father to let him see the city as it was. Prince in the guise of a merchant and Channa in the dress of her clerk went out of the palace. The Prince Saw a Sick Man: During his first visit the prince and Channa met many people on the way. When they reached the river bridge, they saw a sick man. He was crying in pain. He said, Ah! the pain! Good people, help! Seeing him the prince took pity on him and lifted him. He put his head on his knee. His Conversation with Channa: The prince asked Channa, Why is his condition so pitiable? Channa answered, This man is suffering from a fatal disease. His heart beat is not normal. His blood is hot. The disease has sucked his energy. Channa advised the prince not to touch the sick man. The prince asked, Does the disease come to all? Channa said, It comes to all but in many forms. A Procession of the Dead Body:

During the second visit the prince saw a group of mourners. They were crying aloud, O Rama! Ram! Hear! Call upon Ram, brothers man! They were going to the river bank. Four people were carrying a dead body. The relatives of the dead were lamenting and their heads were shaven. A man had an earthen bowl with lighted coals in it. Cremation of the Dead Body: After some time they reached on the river bank. They put the dead body on the bier and set fire to it. The dead body caught fire and burnt to ashes. Only some bones were still left. His Conversation with Channa: Seeing it the prince asked, Is this the end which comes to all who live? Channa said, Death is unavoidable. Though, it comes in many forms. When is alive, he can laugh, love and enjoy everything. But when he is, he can neither laugh nor love. His Feeling After Second Visit: The prince realized that the world was full of sorrow. Everybody was suffering. The joy, youth and love are temporary things. Suffering man dies and is born again and suffers. It goes on for a time. He decides to end the sorrow of suffering humanity.

Question: 2 Sketch the character of Channa. Who is Channa? Discuss his role and importance in the poem?

Answer: A Good Servant: Channa is a good servant of Prince. During the first visit of Prince Siddhartha, he goes with him as a charioteer. During the second the prince dresses like a merchant and Channa is in the guise of his clerk. When the prince asks him to return to the place, he obeys him willingly. A Man of Worldly Knowledge: Channa has got knowledge about the world. Living in a palace the prince did not know what old age, sickness and death were. He explains these things to the prince very cleverly. During his visits the prince asks him what he sees. The prince was satisfied with Channas answers. His Answer: Channa is not only a guide but a philosopher also. He explains death and old age like a philosopher. During first visit the prince asked, What is old age? Channa replied that old age comes to all and makes a man weak and toothless. During his second visit he said that sickness comes to all in many ways. Death is unavoidable and ends of a life. No man is immortal. His Role (His Importance): Thus we can say that Channa has played very important role in the poem. He is an obedient servant, a philosopher, a companion of the prince. He conceals nothing from the prince. If Channa had not been a part of poem, the poem would have been tasteless. Only Channas answers make it interesting. The prince could not know the reality of the world without Channas answers.

Question: 3 Sketch the character of Prince Siddhartha. Answer: Main Character:

Prince Siddhartha is the main character in The Light of Asia composed by Sir Edwin Arnold. He is the only character around which the whole story moves. He was the founder of Buddhism. His Earlier Life: Prince Siddhartha was the only son of King Suddhodhan. He lived in a palace. He had a beautiful wife Yashodhara. He led a luxurious life. There was music and dance around him. His Little Knowledge About The World: Living fast he had very little of the outside world. He did not know what old age, death and sickness were. He wanted to know more about the world and he made two visits. A Good Son and Husband: Prince was an ideal son. He asked kings permission when he wished to visit the city. He was a good husband. He would smile to stop the tears of his wife when suddenly he started crying. A Kind and Sympathetic Man: Prince was very kind and sympathetic. During the second visit he saw a sick man. He was crying in pain. He lifted that man up and put his head on his knee. He did not leave him despite Channas warning. When he had seen the old man, sick man and dead boy he said, The world suffers from fear. Love is short lived. I would not let any one cry.