Page 42 - ENGLISH 8

Holika had received a blessing from Lord Bramha to be safe from fire. So she planned to
kill Pralhad in fire. She jumped into a fire with Pralhad. But, Brahma's blessing could only
be used for good purposes. Therefore, Holika was burnt in the fire whereas Pralhad was
saved by the grace of God. Thus, Holi is said to be celebrated to rejoice Holika's death.
According to another story, from the Puranas and the Bhagawat Gita, Kansha sent a
female demon named Putna to kill his nephew Lord Krishna. Taking the form of a nurse
Putna went to Brindaban. The child Lord Krishna was growing up there. She tried to
breastfeed him with her poisonous milk but the attempt backfired and she was killed. Her
body was burnt on the night of Holi. So, some consider Holi as the festival of fire.
Holi is a time for fun and frolic for everyone. It is the time when one forgets worldly
anxieties and just enjoys the finer things in life.

Ways with words

1. Match the following words with their meanings:

A B
(a) ancient (i) belonging to the past

(b) festivities (ii) disciple, follower, supporter
(c) devotee (iii) a formal religious or public occasion
(d) ceremony (iv) disbeliever in god
(e) atheist (v) enthusiastic, passionate, eager

(vi) the activities while celebrating a special event

2. Write two or three lines about each of the following.

(a) Fagu (b) Holika (c) Myth (d) Prahlad (e) Kansa

Read and answer

1. Read the text again and answer the following questions.

(a) In which Nepali month does Holi mostly fall?
(b) What do people do with colours at Holi?

(c) Who was Hiranyakasyapu?

(d) What blessing had Holika received from Lord Bramha?
(e) How does Holi bring people of different castes and religions into harmony
and fraternity?
Grade 8/English Book 49