The Image

I. Word meanings.

a. consecrated – made holy for religious purposes, through a ceremony.

b. drapery – cloth hanging in loose folds.

c. chisel – a tool with a sharp, flat edge at one end, used for shaping wood, stone

or metal.

d. auspicious – considered to be favourable.

e. pedestal – a raised base on which a statue rests.

f. threshold – doorway near the entrance.

g. in state – with pomp and ceremony.

h. ecstasy – extreme joy.

i. upstart – a young person who behaves as if he/she has a lot of experience.

j. mallet – a hammer with a large wooden head, used to push the sharp edge of

a chisel through wood or stone.

k. flourished – threw.

l. self-possession – self-control.

m. strife – conflict.

n. unruffled – unaffected.

o. derisively – as if showing contempt.

p. henceforth – starting in the present and extending to all of future.

q. reluctant – unwilling.

r. deft – quick and skilful.

s. wrenched – twisted forcefully.

t. appealed – requested.

u. reflective – thoughtful.

v. absconder – one who leaves form a place without informing anybody.

w. throve – continued to be happy and successful.

x. withered away – became weaker little by little before disappearing completely.

y. resurrection – start of a new life.

II. Answer these questions.

1. Bring out Jakanachari’s utmost devotion to his work with suitable textual

references.

Ans: I did not give this answer as it is never done in your school.

2. What is your first impression of the stranger?

Ans: The first impression of the stranger was his confidence. He was unafraid,

observant and highly opinionated. Although the stranger seemed to be

 arrogant, he admired and respected Jakanachari’s work. He also seemed to

be knowledgeable about stones as he found a flaw in one go.

3. How did Jakanachari treat the stranger?

Ans: Jakanachari treated the stranger with disrespect and contempt. He was

arrogant towards the stranger. He called the stranger an upstart and asked

him to get out. When the stranger admired his work, he rudely informed the

stranger that he did not need a certificate from him on how good a sculptor he

was.

4. According to the stranger, what was beautiful and what was not perfect?

Ans: According to the stranger, the pillars were divine, the figures on the outer

walls were the work of a godly hand. The stranger thought that the temple

would be remembered by coming generations as the greatest. Everything was

wonderful except for the stone on which the sculptor was working to make the

main image. The choice of stone was unlucky and the stone was impure. The

stone had a flaw.

5. How did the stranger try to prove his point and how did the sculptor

react?
 Ans: The stranger tried to prove that the stone was flawed. He requested that

sandal paste be smeared over the image from the chest down. The paste

dried quickly and stood out in whitish flakes. However, there was a wet patch

near the navel of the image. The stranger explained that it would not dry as

there was a cavity with water underneath. He used a chisel to break the idol. A

little water flowed out and out peeped a baffled toad. As per the terms of the

challenge, the sculptor snatched a sword from a guard and tried to cut off his

own right arm.

6. What did the sculptor swear to do if the stranger was proved right? What

would he do if the stranger was proved wrong?

Ans: Jakanachari said that if what the stranger declared proved true, he would

cut off his own right arm.

However, if the stranger was proved wrong, the sculptor would cut off the

stranger’s arm and make him ride out on a donkey.

7. Why did the stranger wish to leave? What conclusion can we draw from

this about his nature?

Ans: The stranger knew that he was right about the flaw in the stone. He did

not want Jakanachari to have to cut off his arm. That is why he wished to
 leave.

The stranger knew that the stone was flawed. It would lead to the sculptor

having to cut off his own arm. So, the stranger wanted to leave. This shows

that he was a compassionate and considerate human being. He had respect

for the sculptor.

8. How did the sculptor learn that the stranger was his son?

Ans: Jakanachari asked the stranger where he was from to which the

stranger replied that he was from Kridapura. The stranger further informed that

his father was Krishna Deva who had left never to return. That is when

Jakanachari identified the stranger as his son.

9. How did Kridapura come to be known as Kai Dala?

Ans: Jakanachari returned home to Kridapura. He stopped sculpting. But he

was unhappy. One night, he had a dream where he was commanded to build

a temple in Kridapura and dedicate it to Kesava. He obeyed the command and

built the temple. After this, the name of the place was changed from Kridapura

to Kai Dala.
10. Quote a line from the passage to prove the following:

a. The stranger respected Jakanachari and admired his work.

b. The sculptor was a short-tempered man.

c. The stranger did not want to get into any argument.

Ans: a. I say once again that all that you have done so far is wonderful.

b. He turned sharply with a curse on his lip.

c. I refuse to prove anything. Now let me go.

III. Answer these questions with reference to the context.

1. “Your words are inauspicious.”

a. Who said this to whom and when?

Ans: Jakanachari said these words to the stranger. A stranger had come to

the temple to see and admire the sculptor’s work. That is when the stranger

noticed a flaw in the stone of the main image. He pointed it out to the

sculptor. That is when Jakanachari said these words.

 b. What words is the speaker referring to?

Ans: A stranger had come to the temple to see and admire the sculptor’s

work. When he saw the stone on which the sculptor was working to make

the main image, he pointed out that the stone was flawed and unlucky. The

words uttered by the stranger are being referred to here.

c. What does the listener say in response?

Ans: In response, the listener said that the stone could make a figure for a

gateway, but not the main God of an inner shrine. The stone was unfit for

worship and consecration.

d. Comment on the speaker’s mood and explain the treason for it.

Ans: Jakanachari was greatly perturbed and angry. He did all his work with

utmost devotion. Yet a stranger walked in and dared to point out a flaw in

the stone of the main image. Jakanachari considered his work to be beyond

reproach.

2. “I accept the challenge. Don’t blame me afterwards.”

a. Explain the challenge.

Ans: The challenge was to prove that the stone that Jakanachari was using

to sculpt the main image was flawed. It was unfit for worship and

consecration.

b. What led to this situation?

Ans: A stranger walked into the temple and pointed out that there was a

flaw in the stone of the main image on which Jakanachari was working.

Hearing that, the sculptor became greatly perturbed and angry. He

challenged the stranger to prove it.

c. Did the speaker take up the challenge quite willingly? Answer with

suitable references.

Ans: The stranger did not take up the challenge willingly. He knew that he

was right. But he was also aware that if the sculptor was proven wrong, the

sculptor would have to cut off his own arm. That made the stranger hesitate

to accept the challenge.

d. What did the speaker ask for right away?

Ans: The speaker asked for a paste of sandalwood.

3. “My career is now over.”

a. Who said this and when?

Ans: The sculptor, Jakanachari said this when he lost the challenge to the

stranger who was successful in proving that the stone indeed had a flaw.

b. What did he then attempt to do?

Ans: Jakanachari snatched a sword from a guard and tried to cut off his

own right arm.

c. Who stopped him and how?

Ans: The stranger stopped the sculptor by wrenching his wrist till he

dropped the sword.

d. What conclusion can we draw about the speaker from this behaviour?

Ans: The speaker was arrogant and proud. He was vain and considered

his own achievements beyond reproach. When proven wrong, he could not
accept defeat in a humble manner. His pride instigated him to annihilate

himself.