Short and Long Answer Questions: Harvest Hymn | English Poorvi Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

Short Answer Questions 

Q1. How does the poet describe Surya, the Sun God, in the poem?
Ans: The poet describes Surya as the “lord of the lotus” and “lord of the harvest.” He is the source of light and energy, bringing bounty to the crops. Surya prospers the sowing and nurtures the corn. People offer him songs, garlands, and the gold of their harvest as tribute. He is praised with cymbals and flutes for his life-giving power.

Q2. What role does Varuna play in the growth of crops according to the poem?
Ans: Varuna, the lord of the rains and waters, is seen as merciful and beneficent. His rains cherish the furrows and foster the grain. The people thank him for sending rain and dew, which are essential for a rich harvest. They offer garlands, gratitude, and music to praise him. He is worshipped for sustaining fertility through water.

Q3. How is Mother Earth (Prithvi) portrayed in the poem?
Ans: Mother Earth is praised as the “queen of the gourd-flower” and the “queen of the harvest.” She is seen as a nurturing mother whose bosom feeds humanity. Her womb is the source of all riches and crops. People express love and gratitude to her for abundance. They honor her with garlands, gifts, and joyful hymns.

Q4. What does the last stanza convey about Brahma?
Ans: The final stanza portrays Brahma as the eternal father and the supreme power. He is described as both the Seed and the Scythe, symbolizing creation and destruction. Brahma is seen as the Life of all life, guiding and protecting humanity. People dedicate their lives and labors to him. They seek his counsel, care, and blessings.

Q5. What is the central theme of the poem Harvest Hymn?
Ans: The central theme is gratitude for nature’s forces and divine powers that sustain life. The poem honors Surya, Varuna, Prithvi, and Brahma for their roles in harvest. It reflects a deep connection between humans, nature, and the divine. The poem emphasizes harmony, reverence, and thanksgiving. It celebrates the sacredness of the harvest cycle.

Long Answer Questions

Q1. How does Sarojini Naidu highlight the relationship between nature, divinity, and human beings in Harvest Hymn?
Ans: Sarojini Naidu beautifully blends nature, divinity, and human gratitude in Harvest Hymn. She invokes Surya, Varuna, Prithvi, and Brahma, each symbolizing vital forces of life—sunlight, rain, earth, and creation itself. The people acknowledge that their sowing, reaping, and abundance are made possible only through divine blessings. With music, garlands, and offerings, they express thanksgiving for the harvest. The poem portrays nature not just as a resource but as sacred and divine. It emphasizes human dependence on natural elements for survival. By personifying these forces, Naidu conveys reverence and respect. Ultimately, the poem reflects the Indian tradition of seeing divinity in nature. It celebrates harmony between humans, nature, and the divine spirit.

Q2. Explain how gratitude and reverence are expressed by different voices in the poem Harvest Hymn.
Ans: The poem uses men’s, women’s, and collective voices to express gratitude. The men address Surya and Varuna, acknowledging their roles in providing sunlight and rain for crops. They offer garlands, harvest produce, and hymns as tokens of thanks. The women address Prithvi, or Mother Earth, praising her nurturing womb and abundant bosom that sustain life. They show love and devotion by offering the gifts she provides back to her. Finally, all voices unite to praise Brahma, the supreme power, who is the source and sustainer of all life. They dedicate their labor, lives, and prayers to him, seeking guidance and protection. This structure of voices symbolizes unity and collective reverence. It also reflects the cultural practice of honoring every element that contributes to life. The poem thus celebrates thanksgiving in a spiritual and communal way.