Chapter 2
ON VIOLENCE
A. Choose the correct alternative:
1. Physical violence kills people:
(a) incidental
(b) willingly
(c) unwillingly
(d) none
Answer: (b) willingly
2. Violence in individuals comes:
(a) by birth
(b) after birth
(c) through education
(d) none.
Answer: (b) after birth
3. While showing violence to others, man is
(a) very thoughtful about his own safety
(b) not very much cruel
(c) conscious about his family
(d) even ready to be killed
Answer: (c) conscious about his family
4. A person without the sense of love is
(a) better than animals
(b) worse than animals
(c) equal to animals
(d) worse than snakes
Answer: (b) worse than animals
5. The state of bliss in human mind may be generated by
(a) violence
(b) mercy
(c) education
(d)destruction
Answer: (b) mercy
B. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words each:
1. What are the characteristics of physical violence?
Answer: Physical violence is marked by aggressiveness, cruelty, and destruction. It often results in harm or death and is done willingly, sometimes in the name of religion, family, or personal security. It lacks compassion, kindness, and love, and contributes to a world full of confusion, sorrow, and suffering.
2. What are the characterstics of inward violence?
Answer: Inward violence includes mental and emotional conflict, such as anger, hatred, jealousy, fear, and constant inner battles. It causes a person to suffer silently, leading to misery, sorrow, confusion, and a lack of love and peace. Inward violence often results in struggles within relationships—with oneself, family, neighbors, and even with one’s beliefs. It is hidden but just as harmful as physical violence.
3. What is more important than having a Ph.D degree?
Answer: More important than having a Ph.D. degree is possessing love, affection, kindliness, consideration, and generosity. Without these human values, even a highly educated person contributes to a destructive world and is considered worse than an animal. True education should develop compassion and understanding, not just academic success.
4. How can a person become rational?
Answer: A person can become rational by being aware of both outward and inward violence, understanding the causes of sorrow, confusion, and cruelty, and choosing to live with love, kindness, and intelligence. Rationality comes from open-minded thinking, questioning societal norms, and refusing to blindly follow the crowd. It also requires a clear, peaceful mind that is free from fear and hate.
5. What does man realise in older age?
Answer: In older age, man realises that he goes through great misery and inner conflict. He becomes aware of the constant battles within himself and with others—his spouse, children, neighbours, and even with his beliefs and gods. He sees that life, without love, kindness, and understanding, becomes full of sorrow, confusion, and emptiness. This realisation often comes too late, after a life spent chasing success, status, and possessions.
6. When does human life become full of joy?
Answer: Human life becomes full of joy when a person lives with love, affection, kindness, generosity, and without hatred or antagonism. It happens when the mind and heart are open, free from fear and violence. In such a state, one can experience the beauty of life, feel a deep sense of peace and clarity, and find true meaning and happiness in living.
Answer the following questions in about 60 words each:
1 How does education contribute to overpower violence?
Answer: Education contributes to overpowering violence by helping individuals understand the roots of both outward and inward violence. True education encourages self-awareness, critical thinking, compassion, and emotional intelligence. It teaches young minds to question cruelty, avoid blind conformity, and develop values like love, generosity, and kindness. Through such awareness, education helps build a society that is peaceful, rational, and caring, rather than aggressive and destructive.
2. What are the author's views about the old and the new cultures ?
Answer: The author believes that the old culture is built on violence, aggressiveness, and selfishness, which has led to confusion, misery, and destruction in the world. He criticizes the older generation for creating a society lacking in love, compassion, and intelligence.
In contrast, the new culture must be different. It depends on the youth, who must reject violence and choose a path of peace, kindness, and awareness. The author urges young people to stand against society's cruelty and help create a culture based on love, joy, and understanding.
Answer: The world of Nature can be best enjoyed when a person’s mind and heart are open, free from fear, violence, and inner conflict. To truly experience the beauty and silence of nature—like the **saffron hills at sunrise, singing birds, and the cooing cuckoo—**one must be aware, calm, and sensitive. Only then can one feel the deep joy and bliss that nature offers. Without such awareness, the author says, one might “just as well be dead.”
4. When does life become a terrible bussiness?
Answer: Life becomes a terrible business when it is lived without love, affection, charity, kindness, and generosity. When people chase only success, position, and material comfort, while ignoring inner values, life turns into a selfish struggle, full of conflict, fear, and sorrow. Without emotional depth and human connection, life loses its meaning and joy, becoming a mechanical and miserable routine.
5 How does J. Krishnamurti point out the dangers of violence?
Answer: J. Krishnamurti points out the dangers of violence by showing how it leads to confusion, misery, and destruction in both society and individuals. He explains that outward violence—like cruelty in the name of religion or family—and inward violence—such as fear, anger, and inner conflict—create a world full of sorrow and suffering. He warns that blindly following this path will only cause the next generation to suffer even more. Krishnamurti urges young people to become aware of violence, reject it, and live with love and understanding to create a better, more peaceful world.
Textual Question Answer
1. What is the main cause of confusion and misery in the world, according to the author?
Answer: The main cause of confusion and misery is the violence and aggressiveness created by the older generation in the name of religion, family, and personal success.
2. What responsibility does the younger generation have, as per the author?
Answer: The younger generation must reject violence, develop love and awareness, and help create a new, peaceful culture based on kindness and understanding.
3. What qualities are more important than academic achievements like a Ph.D.?
Answer: Love, affection, kindliness, generosity, and consideration are more important than academic success, as they lead to a meaningful and joyful life.
4. What happens to a person who lacks love and kindness?
Answer: A person who lacks love and kindness is worse than an animal, as they contribute to a destructive and cruel world.
5. How does one truly enjoy the beauty of nature?
Answer: One can truly enjoy nature when the mind and heart are open, free from fear and violence, and filled with peace and awareness.
