4.2 The Story of Gautama’s Quest - Class 6 - Kumarbharati

Author: (Adapted Biography – Anonymous Textbook Author)

Genre: Biographical / Inspirational Prose

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Class 6

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

The lesson The Story of Gautama’s Quest narrates the journey of Prince Siddharth, who later became Gautama Buddha. Born to King Shuddhodana and Queen Mayadevi at Lumbini on Vaishakh Purnima, Siddharth lived a luxurious and protected life. Married to Princess Yashodhara and father to Rahul, he seemed to have everything. However, when he was 29, he saw the “four signs”: an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a monk. These sights made him realise the reality of suffering, disease, and death, and he renounced worldly life in search of truth. For six years, Gautama practised severe austerities but found no peace. Finally, under the Bodhi tree, he resolved not to rise until he attained enlightenment. With Sujata’s offering of milk-rice, he regained strength and realised that neither extreme luxury nor extreme suffering leads to truth. He discovered the “Middle Path,” and under the Bodhi tree, attained enlightenment. He understood that desire causes sorrow, and by giving up desire and following Right Living, one can achieve Nirvana. This quest of Gautama transformed him into the Buddha, revered as a teacher of peace and wisdom.

Theme / Central Idea

The lesson teaches that true wisdom lies in balance, not in extremes. It highlights Buddha’s discovery of the Middle Path and the idea that giving up desires leads to peace and freedom from suffering.

Character Sketches

Prince Siddharth / Gautama Buddha

• Born into luxury as son of King Shuddhodana.

• Sensitive and thoughtful, deeply moved by human suffering.

• Practised asceticism for six years in search of truth.

• Attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

• Taught the Middle Path and the way to overcome sorrow.

  
  

King Shuddhodana

• Father of Siddharth.

• Tried to protect his son from the realities of life.

• Represented worldly attachment and luxury.

  
  

Sujata

• Kind-hearted village girl.

• Offered milk-rice to the starving Siddharth.

• Her act helped him regain strength and move towards enlightenment.

📘 Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “Siddharth wanted to find the truth of life.”

   Answer: The infinitive is to find. It shows Siddharth’s aim.

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Change the voice: Sujata offered milk-rice to Gautama.

   Answer: Milk-rice was offered to Gautama by Sujata.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Use ‘must’ in a sentence based on the lesson.

   Answer: We must follow the Middle Path to live a balanced life.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Change into future tense: Gautama practised asceticism for six years.

   Answer: Gautama will practise asceticism for six years.

   
   

5. Wh-question framing

   Make a Wh-question for the underlined part: Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

   Answer: Where did Buddha attain enlightenment?

   
   

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Question: What lesson do you learn from the life of Gautama Buddha?

   Answer: The life of Gautama Buddha teaches that desires cause suffering. By following the Middle Path and living with compassion, we can find peace.

   
   

2. Question: Why do you think Siddharth left his luxurious life?

   Answer: Siddharth left luxury because he realised wealth and comfort cannot remove old age, disease, and death. He wanted to find the truth of life.

   
   

3. Question: Do you believe balance in life is important? Why?

   Answer: Balance is important because extremes of luxury or hardship do not bring peace. A balanced life helps in health, happiness, and wisdom.

   
   

4. Question: How do stories of great leaders like Buddha inspire you?

   Answer: Stories of great leaders inspire me to live with values and courage. They show that determination and compassion can bring great change to the world.

   
   

5. Question: If you were in place of Siddharth, what would you have done after seeing the four signs?

   Answer: After seeing the four signs, I would have thought deeply about life and searched for answers. I would try to help people suffering in the world.

   
   

True or False (5)

1. Gautama Buddha was born in Kapilavastu. → False (He was born in Lumbini, near Kapilavastu.)

2. Siddharth saw an old man, a diseased man, a dead man, and a monk. → True

3. Gautama believed that torturing the body leads to truth. → False (He realised it was not the way.)

4. Sujata offered a bowl of sweetened milk and rice to Gautama. → True

5. Buddha attained enlightenment under a palace roof. → False (He attained it under the Bodhi tree.)

   
   

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. Question: What were the “four signs” that Siddharth saw?

   Answer: The four signs were an old man, a sick man, a dead man, and a monk. They revealed to Siddharth the truth of suffering and impermanence.

   
   

2. Question: Why did Siddharth practise severe asceticism?

   Answer: Siddharth practised asceticism for six years in search of enlightenment, but he later realised that extreme suffering was not the way to truth.

   
   

3. Question: What message did Gautama receive through the vision of the sitar?Answer: Gautama realised that extremes are harmful, just like an overstretched or overslack sitar string produces no music. The Middle Path is the way to peace.

   
   

4. Question: How did Sujata’s offering help Gautama?

   Answer: Sujata’s offering of milk-rice gave Gautama strength and energy after long starvation. It helped him realise that torturing the body was useless.

   
   

5. Question: What truth did Gautama discover under the Bodhi tree?

   Answer: Gautama discovered that desire is the cause of sorrow, and giving up desires with Right Living leads to enlightenment and Nirvana.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

The lesson The Story of Gautama’s Quest is an inspiring account of Prince Siddharth’s journey to becoming Buddha. It shows his sensitivity to human suffering, his determination to find the truth, and his great will-power. The description of Sujata’s offering and the Middle Path highlights the value of balance in life. The story is memorable because it connects history, spirituality, and moral lessons. It inspires readers to live a life of compassion, balance, and wisdom. The message that desire causes sorrow and that peace comes through Right Living remains relevant even today.

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