We bring thee our songs and our garlands for tribute, The gold of our fields and the gold of our fruit; O giver of mellowing radiance, we hail thee, We praise thee, O Surya, with cymbal and flute.
What does the act of bringing songs and garlands as tribute suggest about the people's relationship with the divine? A. They fear the gods and wish to calm them in any way possible. B. They have a deep sense of reverence and gratitude towards the divine. C. They are forced to perform rituals without understanding the divine. D. They depend on the gods for their daily needs and activities.
B. They have a deep sense of reverence and gratitude towards the divine.
Complete the following sentence suitably. The word 'gold' in the phrases 'the gold of our fields' and 'the gold of our fruit' symbolises _____.
The word 'gold' symbolises the ripened, golden crops and fruits ready for harvest, representing prosperity, abundance, and the precious nature of the harvest.
How does the description 'O giver of mellowing radiance' help us understand Surya's role in the harvest?
The description 'O giver of mellowing radiance' shows that Surya (Sun) provides the warmth and light that ripens the crops. 'Mellowing' suggests the process of crops becoming mature and ready for harvest through the sun's gentle, nurturing rays.
Fill in the blank by selecting the correct option from those given in the brackets. The use of cymbal and flute signifies _____. (joy and celebration/meditation and worship)
joy and celebration
Explanation
(i) The offering of 'songs and garlands for tribute' along with 'gold of our fields and gold of our fruit' shows voluntary, joyful offering born from gratitude, not fear or compulsion. (ii) The metaphor of 'gold' represents both the literal golden colour of ripened wheat/grain and the metaphorical value of the harvest as precious wealth for farmers. (iii) Surya is portrayed as the divine force that enables crops to mature. The sun's radiance is essential for photosynthesis and the ripening process of grains and fruits. (iv) Cymbals and flutes are musical instruments associated with celebration and festivity. The poem describes a joyous harvest celebration, not a solemn meditation.