The Bull Beneath The Earth Summary and Explanation
PSEB Class 12 English Chapter 6 – The Bull Beneath The Earth Summary, Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings from A Rainbow of English Book
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PSEB Class 12 English Chapter 6- The Bull Beneath The Earth
Kulwant Singh Virk
The lesson “The Bull Beneath The Earth ” by Kulwant Singh Virk is a heartfelt story about the bravery of soldiers and the silent suffering of their families while they fight for their country. The lesson shows how soldiers fight for their country with great courage, and how their loved ones bear the pain of losing them with silent strength and patience. The story talks about the friendship between two soldiers, Mann Singh and Karam Singh, and the deep grief of Karam Singh’s father who hides his sorrow for the sake of others.
- The Bull Beneath The Earth Summary
- The Bull Beneath The Earth Summary in Hindi
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- The Bull Beneath The Earth Explanation
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The Bull Beneath The Earth Summary
The lesson “The Bull Beneath The Earth” by Kulwant Singh Virk talks about the bravery of soldiers and the silent pain their families carry. The lesson is about two army friends, Mann Singh and Karam Singh, who serve together in the Burma war. Karam Singh is a brave soldier and a perfect shooter. People in his village admire him and enjoy listening to his interesting stories whenever he comes home on leave. Before Mann Singh goes home for his holiday, Karam Singh requests him to visit his village and meet his family. Mann Singh happily agrees and travels to the village. He expects a warm welcome, however, he notices that Karam Singh’s father and family are very quiet and disturbed. They do not show much interest when he talks about Karam Singh. Mann Singh gets confused and hurt by their strange behaviour.
Later, when a postman arrives, Mann Singh learns the shocking truth that Karam Singh has been killed in the war, and the letter confirming his death had reached the family fifteen days earlier. The family had tried to hide this painful news from Mann Singh so that he could enjoy his holidays peacefully. Once the truth is revealed, the family and Mann Singh cry together over the loss. On his way back, Mann Singh ends up realising that Karam Singh’s father is a very strong and brave man, who carries the heavy burden of his grief silently. He compares him to the bull beneath the earth which is believed to carry the weight of the whole world. Just like that bull, Karam Singh’s father bears the pain of losing his son bravely while still caring for the happiness of others.
Summary of the Lesson The Bull Beneath The Earth in Hindi
कुलवंत सिंह विर्क द्वारा लिखित पाठ “धरती के नीचे का सांड” सैनिकों की बहादुरी और उनके परिवारों के मौन दर्द के बारे में बताता है। यह पाठ दो सैन्य मित्रों, मान सिंह और करम सिंह, के बारे में है, जो बर्मा युद्ध में एक साथ सेवा करते हैं। करम सिंह एक बहादुर सैनिक और एक कुशल निशानेबाज है। जब भी वह छुट्टी पर घर आता है, उसके गाँव के लोग उसकी प्रशंसा करते हैं और उसकी दिलचस्प कहानियाँ सुनने का आनंद लेते हैं। मान सिंह के छुट्टियों में घर जाने से पहले, करम सिंह उससे अपने गाँव आकर अपने परिवार से मिलने का अनुरोध करता है। मान सिंह खुशी-खुशी मान जाता है और गाँव जाता है। वह गर्मजोशी से स्वागत की उम्मीद करता है, हालाँकि, वह देखता है कि करम सिंह के पिता और परिवार बहुत शांत और अशांत हैं। जब वह करम सिंह के बारे में बात करता है, तो वे ज़्यादा दिलचस्पी नहीं दिखाते। मान सिंह उनके अजीब व्यवहार से भ्रमित और आहत होता है।
बाद में, जब एक डाकिया आता है, तो मान सिंह को चौंकाने वाला सच पता चलता है कि करम सिंह युद्ध में मारा गया है, और उसकी मृत्यु की पुष्टि करने वाला पत्र पंद्रह दिन पहले परिवार तक पहुँच गया था। परिवार ने मान सिंह से यह दर्दनाक खबर छिपाने की कोशिश की थी ताकि वह शांति से अपनी छुट्टियों का आनंद ले सके। जब सच्चाई का पता चलता है, तो परिवार और मान सिंह एक साथ इस नुकसान पर रोते हैं। वापस आते समय, मान सिंह को यह एहसास होता है कि करम सिंह के पिता बहुत मजबूत और बहादुर आदमी हैं, जो अपने दुःख का भारी बोझ चुपचाप उठाते हैं। वह उनकी तुलना धरती के नीचे के बैल से करता है जिसके बारे में माना जाता है कि वह पूरी दुनिया का वजन उठाता है। उस बैल की तरह, करम सिंह के पिता अपने बेटे को खोने का दर्द बहादुरी से सहते हैं और साथ ही दूसरों की खुशी का भी ख्याल रखते हैं।
Theme of the Lesson The Bull Beneath The Earth
The lesson “The Bull Beneath The Earth” by Kulwant Singh Virk revolves around the following themes:-
Sacrifice and Patriotism
The lesson highlights the supreme sacrifice made by soldiers like Karam Singh who give their lives for the protection of their country. It also shows how their families silently accept the pain of losing their loved ones with pride and dignity, proving their deep patriotism.
Silent Suffering and Inner Strength
The lesson showcases the theme of suffering silently and one’s inner strength. Karam Singh’s father suffers a tremendous personal loss, yet he hides his grief so that his guest, Mann Singh, may not feel uncomfortable. His self-control and courage show that true strength often remains hidden, like the bull beneath the earth bearing the weight of the world.
Love, Friendship and Human Emotion
The emotional bond between Karam Singh and Mann Singh reflects loyalty, trust and love. The villagers’ respect for Karam Singh and the sorrow of his family reveal how relationships and human emotions make loss even more painful yet meaningful. The lesson shows that true friendship continues to live in the hearts of people even after death.
The Bull Beneath The Earth Explanation
Passage: Thathi Khara was not far from Amritsar and it was one of the most conveniently situated villages, right on the pucca metalled road. But the happy impulse which had inspired Mann Singh’s journey would have made any distance seem joyfully short. Although the shades of the evening were fast spreading and the tired tonga pony’s steps fell even more laboriously on the road, Mann Singh was not at all worried.
Word Meanings:
conveniently (adv.): in a way that is suitable for your purposes and needs and causes the least difficulty
pucca metalled road (n): a road with a permanent, hard surface made of durable materials such as cement or concrete
impulse (n): a sudden strong wish to do something
tonga (n): a light horse-drawn two-wheeled vehicle used in India
pony (n): a small horse
laboriously (n): in a way that needs a lot of time and effort
Explanation: The lesson begins with a description of Thathi Khara, a village near Amritsar, that could be easily reached because it was on a good strong road. But Mann Singh was so happy about his visit that even if the village had been very far away, he would still feel it was near. Evening was coming and the small horse was tired and walking slowly, but Mann Singh did not worry at all. His excitement and joy made the journey feel smooth and fast.
Passage: Mann Singh – a young army man on leave from his regiment – was going to his friend, Karam Singh’s village. Now where do men form deeper, firmer friendships than in the army? Mann Singh and Karam Singh had been in the same Regimental Centre and were now serving together in a battalion on the Burma front. Karam Singh had joined up earlier and was now a Havildar and Mann Singh had just got to Naik’s rank.
Word Meanings:
regiment (n): a roup of soldiers in the army who are commanded by a particular officer
regimental centre (n): the administrative and training hub for a military regiment, often serving as its headquarters
battalion (n): a large unit of soldiers that forms part of a larger unit in the army
burma (n): a country in Southeast Asia, whose official name is Myanmar
havildar (n): a soldier or police officer corresponding to a sergeant
naik (n): an army corporal in certain southern Asian countries
Explanation: Mann Singh was a young soldier who had come home on leave from the army. He was going to visit the village of his close friend, Karam Singh. The narrator says that the strongest and deepest friendships are made in the army because soldiers live and fight together. Mann Singh and Karam Singh had trained together in the same army centre and were serving together in the war in Burma. Karam Singh had joined the army earlier and had become a Havildar, whereas Mann Singh had just been promoted to the rank of Naik.
Passage: Many in Karam Singh’s village always kept inquiring from his father about his next leave. He was a hearty, friendly character. He had a most agreeable manner of speech and people loved to sit by his side and listen to his tales of war and adventure. He was not the only serving youth from that village there were others too. But when they came home they were at a loss for topics to make conversation with the village folk. With many people they did not go beyond the usual formal greeting. It was different with Karam Singh. When he was at home, there were always many more people at the well in the morning for bathing and they always stayed longer than usual. In winter people sat by the dying fire of the gram parcher’s oven till midnight, Karam Singh keeping up an unbroken lively course of discussion. In his regiment, Karam Singh was famous as crack shot. In rifle shooting competitions his bullets tore the middle of the target with such precision that it appeared as if it had been needled through by hand. During the war many a Japanese soldier hiding himself in the branches of a tree had fallen uncannily to his ravaging shots. Thus he paid off the scores for his comrades killed by Japanese bullets and assuaged his regiment’s lacerated heart. Where a whole machine-gun magazine failed to gain its object, Karam Singh’s one bullet sufficed. Although his limbs had now lost the suppleness of youth, his feats in the gymnasium still left people wondering.
Word Meanings:
inquiring (v): ask for information from someone
hearty (adj.): showing friendly feelings
agreeable (adj.): pleasant, nice
gram parcher (n): a person who roasts chickpeas and other grains
lively (adj.): full of energy, interest, excitement, etc.
crack-shot (n): one who never misses aim
precision (n): the quality of being perfect and accurate
uncannily (adv.): in a strange manner
ravaging (v): to damage something very badly; to destroy something
comrades (n): a person who fights on the same side as you in a war
assuaged (v): to make an unpleasant feeling less severe
lacerated (adj.): torn
machine-gun (n): a gun that fires bullets very quickly and continuously
magazine (n): a part of a gun in which cartridges are stored
sufficed (v): to be enough for somebody/something
suppleness (n): ability to bend and move parts of your body easily into different positions
gymnasium (n): a room or building equipped for gymnastics, games, and other physical exercise
Explanation: The villagers always asked Karam Singh’s father when his son would come home again. This was because Karam Singh had a cheerful nature and a very pleasant way of talking. People loved to sit near him and listen to the interesting stories he told about the war and his adventures in the army. Although there were many other soldiers from that village, they could not talk freely with the villagers and usually only greeted them. But Karam Singh was different. Whenever he came home, more people would come to the village for bathing in the morning and they would stay there longer just to chat with him. In the cold winter nights, people would sit near the warm fire listening to him talk. In the army, Karam Singh was very skilled at shooting. His bullets would always hit the exact centre of the target. During the war, many Japanese soldiers hiding in trees were killed by his sharp shooting. In this way, he took revenge for his fellow soldiers who were killed by the enemy and brought relief to the sadness of his regiment. Sometimes, when even a whole gun failed to hit the enemy, just one bullet from Karam Singh was enough. Even though he was not very young anymore, he still amazed people with his strength and skills in gymnastics.
Passage: During the war days gymnastics and many other things had, of course, been suspended. There were no parades in stiff uniforms led by bands. There was no bazaar in the vicinity where one would go in mufti. One never ran into anyone from one’s village or town. So when it was Mann Singh’s turn to go on leave, Karam Singh felt quite envious. How he wished he could also get leave. Then they could go together. They could perhaps pass the holiday together. Chuharkana was not after all so far away from Amritsar. A bare fifty miles separated them, although one was in the area known as Majha and the other in Bar- one with roots in the past and the other still young having recently developed.
Word Meanings:
gymnastics (n): physical exercises that are done indoors, often using special equipment such as bars and ropes
the vicinity (n): the area around a particular place
mufti (n): plain or ordinary clothes, especially when worn by one who normally wears, or has long worn, a military or other uniform
envious (adj.): wanting something that somebody else has
Explanation: During the war, all activities like gymnastics, parades, and band marches had stopped. Soldiers no longer got the chance to wear smart uniforms and take part in special events. They also did not get chances to visit markets or meet people from their hometowns. Life was only about war and duty. So when Mann Singh received his leave, Karam Singh felt jealous. He too wished he could go home and enjoy a break. If he had left at the same time, they could have travelled together and spent the holidays with each other. Their homes were not very far apart. Chuharkana, where Mann Singh was from, and Amritsar, near Karam Singh’s home were only fifty miles away. Chuharkana was a newly developed area, while Amritsar’s region, Majha, was old and well-established. Even though they were different places, they were close enough that the two friends could easily meet.
Passage: But leave in those days was difficult to obtain. Only rarely did some lucky people get it – just as rarely as some lucky soldiers got the opportunity of showing gallantry and winning medals.
And when Mann Singh got into the military truck to come away, Karam Singh gave him the parting message. “You must go to my village and see my people before you return. They will be very happy to see you. You can give them news of me. They will feel as if I have met them. And then when I see you and get news of them from you it would be so much like seeing them personally.” Then to arouse Mann Singh’s interest in the geography of his village, he said: “Have you seen that end before?” “No,” he answered. “I have passed through Amritsar, but never gone beyond.”
Word Meanings:
gallantry (n): courage, especially in battle
arouse (v): to cause a particular reaction in people
Explanation of the passage: During the war, it was very difficult for soldiers to get leave. Only a few lucky ones were given permission to go home, just like only a few soldiers got a chance to show bravery and earn medals. When Mann Singh was finally able to go home and climbed into the military truck, Karam Singh came to say goodbye. Karam Singh gave him a special message. He told Mann Singh that he must visit his village and meet his family before returning to duty. His family would be very happy to see a friend who could bring news about him. Later, when Mann Singh returned and told him about his family, it would also feel like he had seen them in person. Then Karam Singh asked if Mann Singh had ever been to that side of Punjab before. Mann Singh replied that he had passed through Amritsar, but he had never travelled beyond it.
Passage: “Oh! There are a number of gurudwaras scattered all over the countryside – Taran Taran, Khadur Sahib and Goindwal. You can visit all these and then also see my people. I will write to them….” Karam Singh went on in his enthusiastic, self-engrossed manner. That is why Mann Singh was now going in a tonga to Karam Singh’s village toward the close of his holiday. “It is Mann Singh, Bapuji ….. from Chuharkana. Mann Singh joined his hands in respect as he greeted the old man sitting in the porch of Karam Singh’s house. “Come, take your seat. Welcome to you,” said the old man with an air of preoccupation.
Word Meanings:
gurudwaras (n): a Sikh place of worship
countryside (n): the land and scenery of a rural area
engrossed (adj.): so interested or involved in something that you give it all your attention
porch (n): a small covered area at the entrance to a house
preoccupation (n): the state of thinking and/or worrying continuously about something
Explanation of the passage: Karam Singh continued speaking excitedly. He told Mann Singh that there were many famous gurudwaras near his village, such as Taran Taran, Khadur Sahib, and Goindwal. He told Mann Singh to visit these holy places and then go to his village to meet his family. He also said that he would write a letter home to inform them that Mann Singh would be visiting. This was the reason why, at the end of his leave, Mann Singh was travelling to Karam Singh’s village. When he reached the house, he folded his hands respectfully and greeted the old man sitting outside the house. He introduced himself as Mann Singh. The old man, though looking a little worried or lost in thought, welcomed him and asked him to sit.
Passage: Mann Singh walked in and sat on a small string-bed. The old man looked obviously perturbed at Mann Singh’s arrival. His eyes wandered away from his face and then froze into a fixed low gaze on the ground. Mann Singh was by no means of an impatient disposition, but he thought this welcome rather queer. For a moment he persuaded himself that the old man was not Karam Singh’s father. “You are Karam Singh’s father?” Mann Singh, asked at last, demanding, as it were, a little more attention. “Yes, this is Karam Singh’s house.” “Did he write to you about me?”
“Yes, he did. He wrote that you would come and see us.”
Word Meanings:
perturbed (adj.): became anxious
impatient (adj.): wanting something to happen soon
disposition (n): the natural qualities of a person’s character
queer (adj.): strange or unusual
persuaded (v): to make somebody do something by giving them good reasons
Explanation of the passage: Mann Singh went inside the house and sat on a small bed. He noticed that the old man looked very upset and worried after seeing him. The old man did not look directly at him. His eyes kept turning away and finally stared sadly at the ground. Mann Singh was a patient person, but he felt that something was strange. The welcome did not feel warm or happy as he expected. For a moment, he even thought that maybe this old man was not Karam Singh’s father. So, he finally asked the old man if he was Karam Singh’s father. The old man replied that yes, this was Karam Singh’s house. Then Mann Singh asked whether Karam Singh had written to him about his visit. The old man said that yes, he had received a letter telling him that Mann Singh would come.
Passage: The old man got up as he uttered these words and walked away to the courtyard. He unfastened a buffalo-calf from one trough and tied it to another. He started petting the animal and gave it his hand to lick. Then he went inside to announce Mann Singh’s arrival and ask for tea to be sent to him. And as if he feared coming back to the porch again, he paused in the courtyard, this time near the mare. He turned up the chaff in front of her and put in some more gram.
Word Meanings:
courtyard (n): an area of ground, without a roof, that has walls or buildings around it,
unfastened (v): to release or open something that is fixed or closed
buffalo-calf (n): a baby buffalo
trough (n): a long narrow open container for animals to eat or drink from
mare (n): a female horse
chaff (n): the husks of corn or other seed
Explanation of the passage: After speaking to Mann Singh, the old man stood up and went outside. He tried to keep himself busy by handling a buffalo calf. He moved the calf from one place to another and let it lick his hand. Then he went inside the house to tell his family that Mann Singh had arrived and to ask for tea to be prepared for the guest. However, instead of returning to Mann Singh, he again stopped in the courtyard near a horse. He pretended to be busy by stirring the husks and adding more food for the horse.
Passage: Then he came back to the porch. But he seemed lost as before. “Where is Jaswant Singh,” asked Mann Singh to break the awkward silence. He knew that Karam Singh had a younger brother. “He will be here presently with a cartload of fodder.” Meanwhile, Karam Singh’s mother brought in tea. “Sat Sri Akal, Beji.” There was a note of filial cordiality in Mann Singh’s words. The old woman’s lips quivered and it appeared as if she would say something. But she did not. Mann Singh took the tea-jar and cup from her and she went back.
Word Meanings:
cartload (n): the amount held by a cart
fodder (n): food that is given to farm animals
filial (adj.): connected with the way children behave towards their parents
cordiality (n): behaviour that is friendly, but formal and polite
quivered (v): to shake slightly
Explanation of the passage: After some time, the old man returned to sit near Mann Singh, but he still looked troubled and lost in his thoughts. To end the uncomfortable silence, Mann Singh asked about Jaswant Singh, the younger brother of Karam Singh. The old man replied that Jaswant would come soon with food for the farm animals. Just then, Karam Singh’s mother came with tea. Mann Singh greeted her respectfully by saying, “Sat Sri Akal, Beji,” showing his affection and respect for her. Her lips began to shake as if she wanted to say something, but she stopped herself. Mann Singh took the tea and cup from her, and she quietly went back inside the house.
Passage: “These Majhails are strange people,” said Mann Singh to himself. He felt deeply cut up. He, however, could not retrace his footsteps now. “Well, I will stay for the night I have to and then leave early in the morning,” he decided. At night when Jaswant Singh arrived the talk became little more informal. “Very famous is Karam Singh’s bullet in this Burma war. Let him pull the trigger and down comes a Japanese- from where we know not. Going up with him we never know how he spotted him out…..
Word Meanings:
majhails (n): people from the Majha region of Punjab, which is historically located in the central part of the region, split between India and Pakistan
retrace your footsteps (phrase): to go back to a place in the same way that you came
Explanation of the passage: Mann Singh thought to himself that the people of this village behaved very strangely. He could not turn back now, so he decided to stay there only for the night and leave early the next morning. When Jaswant Singh finally came home that night with the fodder, the atmosphere became a little more relaxed. Jaswant talked proudly about his brother Karam Singh. He said that in the Burma war, Karam Singh was very famous for his shooting skills. Whenever Karam Singh pulled the trigger, a Japanese soldier would fall down even if no one else could see where the enemy was hiding. Even while walking with Karam Singh, others could not understand how he managed to spot the enemy so perfectly.
Passage: Here Mann Singh paused hoping that he would be asked many more questions about Karam Singh, the Japanese and the war. He was full of news – he wanted to take the weight off his chest. But here nobody cared to listen to him; nobody was interested. “When do we get our canal water, next, Jaswant?” Asked the father after a rather prolonged dull interval. “The day after tomorrow at three o’ clock in the morning.”
Word Meanings:
canal water (n): a long, thin stretch of water that is artificially made either for boats to travel along or for taking water from one area to another
prolonged (adj.): continuing for a long time
interval (n): a period of time between two events
Explanation of the passage: Mann Singh stopped talking for a moment because he thought that the family would be eager to hear more about Karam Singh, the war, and his brave deeds. He had so much to share and wanted to talk about his friend proudly. But to his surprise, nobody in the house showed any interest in listening to him. They did not ask a single question about Karam Singh. After a long silence, Karam Singh’s father suddenly changed the topic and asked Jaswant about when the canal water would come. Jaswant replied that the canal water would come early in the morning, the day after tomorrow.
Passage: This reference to time gave Mann Singh another opportunity to take up the thread of his talk. “Yes, Karam Singh in the army is at least spared this bother of rising so early. He loves his morning sleep and is always last among us there to get up.” Mann Singh could talk of his friend ceaselessly, tirelessly; but even this last remark of his failed to arouse any visible interest among his audience. The food came, there were special dishes made for him. Jaswant kept waving a fan as he ate. Mann Singh somewhat got over the feeling that he had not been shown much attention. As he was finishing the meal, Karam Singh’s little son slowly walked up to where he sat. If he could not talk of Karam Singh to anyone else in the family, he could at least talk to the child. Lifting him up to his lap he said, “Would you go to your father? Come with me, if you would. It rains a great deal there and you will have plenty of water to play in.”
Word Meanings:
ceaselessly (adv.): in a way that does not stop, or seems to have no end
tirelessly (adv.): with great effort or energy
Explanation: When Jaswant mentioned the time for canal water, Mann Singh again tried to talk about Karam Singh. He said that Karam Singh was lucky in the army because he did not have to wake up so early. He also told them that Karam Singh loved to sleep in the mornings and was always the last to wake up among the soldiers. Mann Singh could talk continuously about his brave friend, but still nobody in the family showed any interest. They did not respond or ask anything. Soon, food was served, and special dishes were prepared for him as a guest. Jaswant even waved a fan to make him feel comfortable while he ate. While he was finishing his meal, Karam Singh’s young son quietly came near him. Mann Singh felt happy because he thought, if nobody else wanted to listen about Karam Singh, at least he could talk to his friend’s child. He asked him if he would like to go to see his father. He told the child that it rained a lot where his father was posted and he could play in plenty of water there.
Passage: Mann Singh’s words seemed to pierce the old man’s heart. “Take away the child,” he shouted, “Keep him there. He won’t let him eat in peace.” The mother came and carried the child away.
Mann Singh’s food stuck in his throat. He felt stifled and could not breathe in the atmosphere of that home. Then he started making inquiries about his morning’s journey. “How far is Taran Taran from here?” “Nearly four miles.” “Will I get a tonga early in the morning?” “Don’t worry about that. We’ll send Jaswant with you and then you two brothers can visit all these places.”
Word Meanings:
pierce (v): to make a small hole in something
stifle (v): to prevent a feeling from being expressed
Explanation: When Mann Singh talked to the little boy about going to his father, those words hurt the old man very deeply. The old man suddenly shouted and told them to take the child away. Mann Singh felt very uncomfortable and he struggled to breathe normally. The atmosphere in the house felt heavy and painful to him. He could not understand why everyone was reacting so strangely. To change the topic and avoid more discomfort, he asked about his travel plans for the next morning. He asked how far Tarn Taran was and whether he could get a tonga early in the morning. The old man replied that it was about four miles away and told him not to worry. He said that Jaswant would go with him, and the two of them could visit all the holy places together.
Passage: This rather pleased Mann Singh, for Jaswant was not such a reserved sort. But once out with Mann Singh, his lips were also sealed. If he met a friend or acquaintance, he would mutter a distant greeting and walk on. Mann Singh wanted to stop and talk to people. After all, he would not be visiting these places so often.
Word Meanings:
acquaintance (n): a person that you know but who is not a close friend
mutter (v): to speak in a low, quiet and often angry voice that is difficult to hear
Explanation: Mann Singh felt a little happy when he heard that Jaswant would go with him because he thought Jaswant was more friendly and talkative than the old man. But when they actually went out together, Jaswant also remained silent. He hardly spoke and only gave a quick greeting whenever he saw someone he knew. He did not stop to talk to anyone. However, Mann Singh wanted to interact with people because he knew he would not get a chance to visit this village or these places again soon.
Passage: “Karam Singh has won himself such a name in the army. Why didn’t you also join?” Mann Singh reopened the topic. Jaswant was started. He collected himself, and said, “Isn’t one enough in the army?” “How high is the sugarcane crop now on your side?” asked Jaswant, passing through a farm. “It stands taller than the height of a man.” But Mann Singh’s heart was elsewhere. He wanted to talk of his friend and of nothing else. Returning home, Mann Singh planned his journey back to his village. He thought he would take the night train at Amritsar.
Word Meanings:
sugarcane (n): a tall plant with thick stems that sugar is made from
Explanation: Mann Singh again tried to talk about Karam Singh and his success in the army. He asked Jaswant why he had not also joined the army like his brother. Jaswant felt a little shocked by the question. After a moment, he replied that one person from the family in the army was enough. Instead of continuing the conversation, Jaswant quickly changed the topic and asked Mann Singh about the height of the sugarcane crop near his hometown. Mann Singh replied that the sugarcane had grown taller than a man. But his mind was still only thinking about Karam Singh, and he wanted to talk about him. When they returned home, Mann Singh prepared to go back to his own village. He decided that he would catch the night train from Amritsar.
Passage: Although everyone had done his best to make him comfortable, he had enjoyed the visit much less than he had expected. Even now when tea was being prepared for him he sat in the porch, all by himself. He was looking out into the street and saw the postman, with the bag slung across his shoulder, walk up. He appeared to pass along, but turned in and took his seat on the charpoy by the side of Mann Singh. “What have you brought?” “Oh, what can it be? It must be papers concerning poor Karam Singh’s pension.” “Karam Singh’s pension?…. What do you mean?…. Has Karam Singh been killed?” “Don’t you know? Even the trees and birds of this village are in mourning for Karam Singh. And you sitting in his own house ask if he has been killed. The letter arrived fifteen days ago.”
Word Meanings:
charpoy (n): a bed used especially in India consisting of a frame strung with tapes or light rope
mourning (n): great sadness felt because someone has died
Explanation: Even though the family tried to treat Mann Singh nicely, he felt very unhappy during his visit. He had come with excitement and love for his friend, but he did not enjoy his stay because everyone in the family behaved strangely. While tea was being prepared, he sat alone outside. He looked outside and saw the postman walking down the street. At first, it seemed like the postman would walk past the house, but instead, he stopped and sat down near Mann Singh. Mann Singh asked the postman what letters he had brought. The postman replied sadly that the papers must be related to Karam Singh’s pension. Hearing this, Mann Singh was shocked and confused. He asked what the postman meant and whether Karam Singh had been killed. The postman seemed surprised by his question. He told Mann Singh that everyone in the village was mourning Karam Singh’s death. He said that the sad news had arrived fifteen days ago.
Passage: Mann Singh felt choked in his breast and throat and his body was seized by a sudden numbness”. Then came the thaw and floods of tears rushed to his eyes. Karam Singh’s house, his father, now inside, and his little child aided the process. The father seeing the postman from inside knew that they had failed to keep the news from Karam Singh’s friend. The load might as well be thrown off now. The pressure which had been kept up for nearly twenty-four hours at last broke loose. For a long while they sat together mixing their tears in an ever-widening pool.
Word Meanings:
numbness (n): unable to feel
thaw (v): a situation when the relationship becomes less formal and friendly
Explanation: When Mann Singh heard that Karam Singh had died, he felt a strong shock run through his body. He felt as if his throat had closed and his chest had become tight. His whole body became numb, and he could not react for a moment. Then suddenly, tears began to flow from his eyes. He thought of Karam Singh’s home, his father inside, and his little child, all these memories made the pain even stronger. Karam Singh’s father had been watching from inside. When he saw the postman talking to Mann Singh, he understood that the sad truth could no longer be hidden. The burden they were carrying and trying to act normal and hide the news, finally broke. They no longer had to pretend. Mann Singh and Karam Singh’s father sat together, both crying for a long time. Their tears joined together on the floor, showing the deep grief they shared for Karam Singh.
Passage: “Why didn’t you tell me?” Asked Mann Singh in a helpless pathetic tone. “We just thought the boy is on leave. Why spoil his holidays? He would know it when he went back to his regiment. I guess you love your holidays as much as Karam Singh did. Perhaps more. People in the Bar area are used to a more comfortable living… But we were utterly unsuccessful in keeping it from you. We are sorry for it.”
Word Meanings:
pathetic (adj.): pitiful
bar area (n): a cultural and geographical area in present-day Pakistan, situated between the Jhelum and Sutlej rivers, between the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, and between the Ravi and Sutlej rivers
Explanation: Mann Singh asked softly why they had not told him earlier about Karam Singh’s death. He felt helpless and heart-broken. Karam Singh’s father replied that they did not want to ruin his holidays. They thought it was better for Mann Singh to enjoy his leave peacefully, just as Karam Singh used to love his own time at home. They believed Mann Singh would learn the sad news when he returned to the regiment. The father apologized and said that they had tried very hard to keep the truth hidden from him, but in the end, they could not succeed.
Passage: On his way back, Mann Singh’s eyes ranged curiously over the villages which formed the environment in which Karam Singh’s father had grown up. There were forts built around them for protection. There were tombs and monuments which enshrined many a deathless story of heroic fights against the invaders of Bharat. That was the secret of the old man’s strength, his capacity for absorbing shocks. He could voluntarily take on additional burden to spare another person’s discomfort.”
Word Meanings:
forts (n): a strong building that is used for military defence
tombs (n): a large place, usually built of stone under the ground, where the body of an important person is buried
enshrined (v): to contain or keep something as if in a holy place
deathless (adj.): living or lasting forever; immortal
invaders (n): an army or country that uses force to enter and take control of another country
Explanation: While returning home, Mann Singh looked around at the villages near Karam Singh’s home. He tried to imagine the kind of environment in which Karam Singh’s father had grown up. The villages had old buildings built to protect the people. There were buildings that reminded everyone of brave warriors who had fought and sacrificed their lives defending India from invaders. Mann Singh then understood the reason behind the father’s strong personality. The history of bravery and courage in the land had shaped him into a strong man. He was someone who could bear great pain without showing it. He even tried to keep his own sadness hidden so that Mann Singh would not feel upset. He carried his heavy burden silently just to protect another person from suffering.
Passage: Mann Singh had heard that there was a bull which bore upon its head the burden of the whole earth. Karam Singh’s father appeared to him just another similar benevolent spirit which, though bent under its own oppressive load, was yet willing to share other people’s burdens.
Word Meanings:
benevolent (adj.): kind, helpful and generous
oppressive (adj.): causing people to feel worried and uncomfortable
Explanation: Mann Singh remembered a story he had once heard, that there is a strong bull that carries the weight of the whole earth on its head. He thought that Karam Singh’s father was just like that bull. Even though the father himself was suffering from the heavy sadness of losing his son, he still tried to lessen other people’s pain. He did not want to trouble Mann Singh with sadness during his leave. Despite being broken inside, he continued to act strong and caring for others.
Conclusion
This post provides the students with a comprehensive understanding of Chapter 6 The Bull Beneath The Earth By Kulwant Singh Virk from the PSEB Class 12 English A Rainbow of English Book. It provides the students with the introduction, theme, summary, lesson explanation with word meanings, ensuring that the students comprehend the chapter effectively.