RBSE Solutions Class 8 English Chapter 13 Where the Mind is Without Fear

About The Poem

This poem is taken from the famous work of Tagore, 'Geetanjali'. This poem shows his love for his country. As expressed in the poem, he seems to feel very deeply about his country. He hopes to have a country where people are mentally free and open-minded. He prays for India to be a place where there is truth and knowledge and, above all, the guidance of God.

Summary Of The Poem

The poet prays to God to make his country such a place where there is no fear and people can live respectfully, where knowledge has no boundaries. A place where the world or its people are not divided on various basis of narrow-mindedness. A place where truth is given due importance and no words of lie are needed to be spoken. Where everyone is willing to work harder and harder to achieve perfection, where reason and logic do not lose their way or importance due to any ill-thoughts. Where the mind keeps progressing on the path of ever widening thoughts guided by God. Let the country be awake in such heaven of freedom.

कविता के बारे में।

यह कविता टैगोर की प्रसिद्ध गीतांजलि में से उध्दृत है। इस कविता में टैगोर का अपने देश के प्रति प्रेम दिखता है। वे बहुत गहराई से सब महसूस करते हैं, जैसा कि उन्होंने कविता में व्यक्त किया है। वे ऐसे देश की आशा करते हैं। जहां लोग खुले दिमाग के साथ-साथ मानसिक रुप से स्वतंत्र हों। वे भारत के लिए प्रार्थना करते हैं कि यह ऐसा स्थान हो जहा सत्य और ज्ञान ईश्वर के मार्गदर्शन में फले-फले।

कविता का सार

कवि भगवान से प्रार्थना करते हैं कि उनके देश को ऐसा स्थान बना दे जहां लोग बिना किसी डर के अपना सिर ऊंचा करके सम्मानपूर्वक रह सकें। जहां ज्ञान को किसी बंधन में नहीं बांधा जाता। जहां लोग और दुनिया को संकीर्ण (छोटी) मानसिकता के आधार पर बांटा नहीं जाता। ऐसा स्थान जहां सत्य की महत्ता हो और झूठ की आवश्यकता ही न हो। जहां सभी पूर्णता के लिए लोग कठिन से कठिन परिश्रम करने में भी पीछे न हटें। जहां तर्कसंगत तथ्य बुरे विचारों अथवा प्रथाओं के कारण अपना मार्ग न छोड़े। जहां मन तथा विचार प्रभु के मार्गदर्शन में प्रगति के पथ पर आगे बढ़ते जाएं। मेरे देश को ऐसे स्वतंत्र स्वर्ग में जाग्रत होने दो।

Glossary

World : (here) human society
Fragments : small parts of something, pieces
Domestic walls : internal divisions due to caste, creed, language etc.
Striving : to try very hard to achieve something
Perfection : the act of making something perfect
Stretches : widens, makes something longer or wider
Muse : the goddess of music and knowledge

Where The Mind Is Without Fear Textbook Questions Solved

Activity - I

A. Tick The Correct Alternative.

सही विकल्प पर निशान लगाइए।

Question 1. What is the poem about?
(a) honesty
(b) women empowerment
(c) patriotism
(d) literacy
कविता किस बारे में है?
(अ) सच्चाई
(ब) महिला सशक्तिकरण
(स) देश भक्ति
(द) साक्षरता
Answer: (c) patriotism / (स) देश भक्ति
In simple words: The poem is mainly about love for one's country and wishing for its freedom and progress. The poet wishes for a homeland filled with patriotism and self-respect.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering questions about a poem's theme, look for the main message or the central idea the poet expresses throughout the verses.

Question 2. How is the world broken into fragments?
(a) by fear
(b) by narrow domestic walls
(स) स्वतंत्र ज्ञान से
(द) इनमें से कोई नहीं
Answer: (b) by narrow domestic walls / (ब) संकीर्ण घरेलू दीवारें
In simple words: The world is broken into small pieces because of narrow-minded ideas and divisions between people. These "narrow domestic walls" stand for differences based on things like caste, religion, language, or social status.

🎯 Exam Tip: In poetry, "narrow domestic walls" is a metaphor for divisions within society, so interpret such phrases beyond their literal meaning.

B. Say Whether The Following Statements Are True Or False.

बताइए निम्न कथन सही है अथवा गलत।

Question 1. People can achieve perfection with struggle.
संघर्ष करके लोग पूर्णता प्राप्त कर सकते है।
Answer: True
In simple words: Yes, people can become perfect if they work hard and put in a lot of effort. Hard work is key to reaching our goals and improving ourselves.

🎯 Exam Tip: When assessing True/False statements, always check if the statement aligns with the main ideas or facts presented in the poem or context.

Question 2. People are free, frank, fearless and live with dignity in India.
भारत में लोग आजाद, अस्पष्ट, निर्भय हैं तथा परतिष्ठवता के साथ रहते है
Answer: False
In simple words: No, the poem actually prays for India to become a place where people are truly free, frank, fearless, and live with dignity. It describes a wish for this ideal state, not its current reality.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to the poet's tone – is it describing how things are, or how the poet wishes them to be?

Question 3. People in India are never willing to accept new idea on the basis of reason.
भारत में लोग तर्क के आधार पर नविन विचारों को स्वच्छा से अपनाने से कतराते हैं।
Answer: False
In simple words: This statement is incorrect. The poet wishes for a country where people follow reason and logic, moving forward with new ideas. The poem desires a place where thoughts are not lost in old, unreasoning habits.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the poet's vision for progress and rationality to correctly identify what they hope for versus what they lament.

Question 4. Conservatism makes people unprogressive.
रूढीवाद लोगों को अविकसित बनता है।
Answer: True
In simple words: Yes, sticking to old ways too strictly can stop people from growing and improving. Being conservative often means being slow to accept new ideas, which hinders progress.

🎯 Exam Tip: Relate the term "conservatism" to the poem's theme of widening thoughts and breaking free from old habits to determine its impact on progress.

Question 5. The people of a free nation must not be dynamic and progressive.
किसी आजाद राष्ट्र के लोगों को अवश्य ही गतिशील और विकासशील होना चहिए।
Answer: False
In simple words: This statement is false. A free nation's people should always be active and moving forward. They must not be stagnant or unwilling to grow.

🎯 Exam Tip: A free nation, by its very definition, values growth and movement towards a better future, which means its people should be dynamic and progressive.

Question 1. What does the poet mean by 'my father' here?
मेरे पिता से यहां कवि का क्या अभिप्राय है?
Answer: By 'my father', the poet means God. He sees God as the ultimate guide and protector for his country. It is a spiritual reference, connecting divine guidance with national aspirations.
In simple words: When the poet says 'my father', he is talking about God. He believes God is the one who will guide his country.

🎯 Exam Tip: In many spiritual poems, "father" is a common way to refer to God or a supreme power, indicating a sense of guidance and protection.

Question 2. Where has this poem been taken from?
यह कविता कहां से ली गई है?
Answer: This poem has been taken from Tagore's famous work 'Gitanjali'. 'Gitanjali' is a collection of poems by Rabindranath Tagore, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature. It reflects his deep spiritual and patriotic feelings.
In simple words: This poem comes from a famous book by Tagore called 'Gitanjali'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the source of a famous poem adds important context to its meaning and the poet's overall message.

Question 3. What divides the world into parts?
संसार को टुकडों में कौन बांटता है?
Answer: Narrow domestic walls divide the world into parts. These walls represent divisions based on religion, caste, creed, language, and other forms of social prejudice. The poet wishes for a world free from such man-made barriers.
In simple words: Narrow social divisions like caste, religion, and language break the world into pieces.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that "narrow domestic walls" is a symbolic phrase for all forms of prejudice and discrimination that divide people.

Question 4. How can people achieve perfection?
मनुष्य पूर्णता कैसे प्राप्त कर सकते हैं?
Answer: People can achieve perfection through tireless hard work. This means continuous effort and striving towards a goal without giving up. Perfection often comes from dedicated practice and perseverance.
In simple words: People can become perfect by working very hard without getting tired.

🎯 Exam Tip: The poem emphasizes the value of sustained effort ("striving") as a path to excellence and achieving one's highest potential.

Question 5. Which path did the poet choose?
कवि ने कौन - सा मार्ग चुना?
Answer: The poet chose the path of truth, reason, and progress guided by God. He desires a country where people are led by clear thoughts and ever-widening actions, moving towards a better future. This path avoids the dull routines of old habits.
In simple words: The poet chose the path of truth, good thoughts, and progress, guided by God.

🎯 Exam Tip: The path chosen by the poet is always one that promotes enlightenment, moral clarity, and intellectual advancement for the nation.

Question 1. How can the country be awakened?
देश को कैसे जाग्रत किया जा सकता है?
Answer: The country can be awakened by giving knowledge to people so that they are fearless, by eliminating narrow-mindedness and by making them aware about the importance of hard work for the achievement of perfection. This awakening involves freeing minds from fear and prejudice, and encouraging a spirit of constant improvement and open-mindedness.
In simple words: The country can be awakened by teaching people to be brave, to think openly, and to understand that hard work helps them do great things.

🎯 Exam Tip: The 'awakening' of a country in the poem refers to its people becoming enlightened, free from fear, and guided by truth and reason.

Question 2. What does the poet convey about India and its people?
कवि के भारत तथा इसके लोगों के बारे में क्या विचार है?
Answer: The poet conveys that the people and the country are divided into parts due to narrow-mindedness of the people. The people have fear in their minds, are conservative and ignorant. He highlights the need for India to rise above these divisions and embrace a future of freedom and knowledge. This reflects a deep concern for the nation's spiritual and intellectual well-being.
In simple words: The poet feels that India and its people are divided by small-minded ideas, fear, old ways of thinking, and a lack of knowledge.

🎯 Exam Tip: The poem describes the problems (divisions, fear, ignorance) that prevent India from achieving its full potential, framing them as areas where divine intervention is needed.

Activity - II

A. Match The Words In Column 'A' With Their Opposite In Column 'B'.

A
fragments
striving
awake
knowledge
stretch
B
understanding and skill through learning
to make longer or wider
trying very hard to get something
to wake up
pieces
Answer:
fragments - pieces
striving - trying very hard to get something
awake - to wake up
knowledge - understanding and skill through learning
stretch - to make longer or wider
In simple words: We matched words from Column A with their correct descriptions or meanings from Column B. This helps us understand what each word means in the poem's context.

🎯 Exam Tip: For matching exercises, read both columns carefully. Start by matching the words you are most confident about first, then use elimination for the remaining ones.

Activity - IV

Question 1. What do you want to do for your motherland? Write a short paragraph on it.
Answer: As an ordinary person in India, I believe there are many simple things I can do to make our nation better for everyone. I would focus on making India pollution-free. I will help people understand the various steps to achieve this, such as planting more trees, ensuring their care, sharing car rides, celebrating 'Bicycle Day' to reduce pollution, avoiding plastic bags, and keeping our surroundings clean. By doing these things myself and encouraging others, I hope to contribute to making my country a beautiful place to live. It's about being a responsible citizen and caring for our shared home.
In simple words: I want to help make India clean and free from pollution. I will plant trees, encourage carpooling, avoid plastic, and keep my surroundings tidy. I will also tell others to do the same to make our country a better place.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a paragraph, start with a clear main idea and then support it with specific actions or examples, using simple and direct language.

Where The Mind Is Without Fear Additional Questions And Answers

A. Tick The Correct Alternative.

सही विकल्प पर निशान लगाइए।

Question 1. Who is the poet of this poem?
(a) Tagore
(b) Gandhi
(c) Nehru
(d) Vivekananda
इस कविता में कवि कौन है?
(अ) टैगोर
(ब) गाँधी
(स) नेहरू
(द) विवेकानंद
Answer: (a) Tagore / (अ) टैगोर
In simple words: The poem "Where the Mind is Without Fear" was written by Rabindranath Tagore, a very famous Indian poet. He is well-known for his beautiful and thoughtful works.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always remember the author of important poems or texts, as this information is often tested in exams.

Question 3. Where the .......... is free?
(a) food
(b) knowledge
(c) petrol
(d) mind
जहाँ.........बंधन मुक्त हो।
(अ) भोजन
(ब) ज्ञान
(स) पेट्रोल
(द) मस्तिष्क
Answer: (d) mind / (द) मस्तिष्क
In simple words: The poem asks for a place "where the mind is without fear." This means the poet wants people's thoughts and minds to be free and unafraid.

🎯 Exam Tip: The title of the poem often gives a big hint about its main theme and helps answer direct questions like this.

Question 4. Where the world has not been broken up into ..........
(a) fragments
(b) cities
(c) state
(d) villages
जहां संसार........... में विभाजित न हो।
(अ) टुकड़ों
(ब) शहरों
(स) राज्यो
(द) गांवों
Answer: (a) fragments / (अ) टुकड़ों
In simple words: The poet wishes for a world that is not split into tiny pieces. He wants unity, not divisions, among people.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for keywords in the question that directly recall lines or phrases from the poem, such as "broken up into."

Question 1. What should be without fear?
क्या निडर होना चाहिए?
Answer: The mind should be without fear. This means people should be able to think, speak, and act freely without any fear or oppression. Fear often holds back progress and open expression.
In simple words: Our minds should be brave and not afraid of anything.

🎯 Exam Tip: The phrase "where the mind is without fear" is central to the poem's message about intellectual and personal freedom.

Question 2. What could be achieved through tireless striving?
अथक प्रयास से क्या प्राप्त किया जा सकता है।
Answer: Perfection could be achieved through tireless striving. This implies that continuous, dedicated hard work, without giving up, leads to excellence and the highest possible achievement. It's about constant effort to improve.
In simple words: By working very hard without stopping, we can reach perfection and do things really well.

🎯 Exam Tip: The concept of "tireless striving" highlights the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving success and personal growth.

Question 3. What should be free?
क्या स्वतंत्र होना चाहिए?
Answer: Knowledge should be free. This means that learning and information should be accessible to everyone, without any restrictions or barriers. It should flow freely, enriching all minds. Education is a basic right for all.
In simple words: Learning and knowledge should be open and free for everyone.

🎯 Exam Tip: The poem advocates for universal access to knowledge, implying that education should not be confined or restricted by social structures.

C. Answer The Following Questions In 10 To 20 Words.

निम्न प्रश्नों के उत्तर 10-20 शब्दों में दीजिए।

Question 1. For which country the poet is praying for?
कवि किस देश के लिए प्रार्थना करता है?
Answer: The poet is praying for his country, India, for which he feels deeply and intensely. He wishes for India to become a nation where people are truly free in mind and spirit. His prayer is a heartfelt expression of patriotism.
In simple words: The poet is praying for his own country, India, which he loves very much.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always identify the subject of the poem, which in this case is the poet's deep affection and hope for his homeland.

Question 2. What is the mindset of Indian people in the poem?
कविता में लोगों की कैसी मानसिकता है?
Answer: In the poem, the Indian people's mindset is depicted as being confined by narrow domestic walls, fear, and outdated traditions. They are seen as needing to break free from these mental limitations to achieve true progress and intellectual freedom. The poet wishes for them to move towards clearer thoughts.
In simple words: The poem shows that Indian people's minds are often limited by old ideas, fear, and social divisions.

🎯 Exam Tip: The poem uses symbolic language to describe societal issues, so linking "narrow domestic walls" and "fear" to the people's mindset is crucial.

Question 1. What is the prayer of the poet in the poem?
कविता में कवि की प्रार्थना क्या है?
Answer: The poet prays for the people of his country to be fearless, knowledgeable, open-minded, who are not afraid of working harder for the perfection and they keep moving towards widening their thought process. He desires a "heaven of freedom" where minds are led forward into ever-widening thought and action by God. This prayer expresses a hope for a progressive and enlightened nation.
In simple words: The poet prays for his countrymen to be brave, smart, open-minded, and always willing to work hard to achieve greatness, with their thoughts always growing wider.

🎯 Exam Tip: The poet's prayer is a comprehensive vision for a liberated society, touching on intellectual, moral, and social freedom.