Chapter 2: Yayati
Original notes — ready Bihar Board — BSEB • Class 9 • English • Book: Panorama Bhag-1 (Purani pustak — 2025 se pehle wali)
Yayati — EG's own notes, in simple English
Book: Panorama Bhag-1 (Purani pustak — 2025 se pehle wali) (BSEB, Class 9) | Chapter 2 (Prose 2) | Type: Prose
This page carries Educational Galaxy's own original notes — a theme-level summary in simple English, not a copy of the textbook. No official textbook PDF is given here.
Diagram (labels are printed on the image): A king in a palace garden, thinking about youth and old age. Labels are printed on the picture itself. This is a general picture, not a scene from the book.
A king talking with a younger member of his family — a general picture about age and desire, not a book scene.
What the chapter is about
This lesson tells an old story from Indian tradition about King Yayati. Yayati enjoys the pleasures of youth, but in time he grows old. He wishes to remain young, and he asks his sons to help him. The story follows what he asks, what his sons answer, and what he finally understands.
The lesson is really about desire. Yayati learns that desires do not end when they are satisfied — they grow. True wisdom comes when a person sees this clearly and learns contentment. The story teaches that youth, wealth, and pleasure pass away, but a calm and satisfied mind lasts.
What you should learn
Desires grow when fed; wisdom is learning contentment and letting go.
Key Terms
- Desire — A strong wish to have or enjoy something.
- Youth — The early part of life, when the body is young and strong.
- Old age — The later part of life, when the body grows weak.
- Contentment — Being satisfied with what one has, without always wanting more.
- Sacrifice — Giving up something valuable for another person or a higher good.
Remember
- Desires increase when they are satisfied; they do not end by themselves.
- Youth and pleasure are temporary.
- A wise person learns to control desire.
- Contentment brings peace of mind.
Exam Tip / Common Mistake
Common mistake: retelling only the events. Add the lesson: desire grows when fed, and contentment is the real answer.
Chart / Table: The Lesson of Yayati
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Youth | Enjoyed, but it passes away |
| Desire | Grows bigger the more it is fed |
| Sons' answers | Show duty, love, and wisdom in different ways |
| Final understanding | Contentment is greater than endless pleasure |
Practice set (try on your own)
- Who is Yayati?
Hint: Think about an ancient king in the story. - What does Yayati wish for?
Hint: Think about youth and old age. - Why do desires not end?
Hint: Think about what happens after a wish is fulfilled. - What does Yayati finally learn?
Hint: Think about contentment. - Give one example from daily life where wanting more never ends.
Hint: Pick a simple example like toys, games, or sweets.
Questions with Answers
- What is the story of Yayati about?
It is about a king who grows old, wishes to stay young, and finally learns that desires never end by being satisfied. - What do his sons show by their answers?
Their answers show different qualities — duty, love, and wisdom — and help Yayati see his situation clearly. - Why is desire compared to a fire?
Because like a fire, desire grows bigger the more it is fed, and it is never satisfied by feeding alone. - What is the moral of the lesson?
The moral is that contentment, not endless pleasure, brings peace, and a wise person controls desire. - How can a student practise contentment?
A student can practise contentment by valuing what she has, working honestly, and not always comparing herself with others.
How to use this page: First read the summary, say the key terms in your own words, then try the practice set without looking. Finally check yourself with the questions and answers. Get your answers checked by your teacher or parents.