Get authentic, comprehensive textbook solutions for DAV Class 5 Moral Science Chapter 13: Compassion (Child & World – Kindness). Explore Lord Buddha’s compassionate act of rescuing a limping lamb in Rajgir, understand the Golden Rule, and solve all textbook questions, dialogues, and animal welfare scenarios based on the DAV CMC syllabus.
Lord Buddha and the Limping Lamb
The Golden Rule teaches: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Animals feel pain, hunger, and joy just like humans. St. Francis of Assisi tamed the wild wolf of Gubbio with love, and Gautam Buddha exemplified compassion toward all sentient creatures.
The Story of Buddha in Rajgir:
While walking through the meadows of Rajgir, Gautam Buddha encountered an exhausted shepherd driving a large flock under the scorching noon sun. Noticing a tiny limping lamb struggling behind, Buddha gently picked up the lamb and carried it upon his own shoulders. When informed that the animals were destined for ritual sacrifice in King Bimbisara’s royal yajna, Buddha walked directly into the sacrificial arena. Just as the executioner raised the blade to sever the lamb’s neck, Buddha stepped forward: “Oh great king, stop! Take my life as a sacrifice, but please spare this innocent lamb! O man, you can destroy life easily, but none of you can restore life. Have mercy, have compassion!” Moved to tears, King Bimbisara immediately banned animal sacrifice throughout his entire realm.
Thought of the Day: “Human values can never be taught; they can only be exemplified.”
Textbook Exercises & Solved Questions
A. Answer the Following Questions
Q1. “We should do unto others as we want others to do unto us.” Explain the golden rule in your own words.
Answer: The Golden Rule means treating all living beings—both humans and animals—with the same kindness, empathy, and gentleness that we desire for ourselves. Because all creatures feel pain and seek safety, we should never harm or mistreat anyone.
Q2. Why was the shepherd finding it difficult to drive the flock?
Answer: The shepherd was finding it difficult because a wounded lamb was limping and could not keep up with the pace of the herd under the blazing sun.
Q3. What did Buddha do to help him?
Answer: Buddha tenderly lifted the wounded, limping lamb onto his shoulders and carried it safely all the way into the city.
Q4. What did Buddha say when the lamb was about to be sacrificed?
Answer: Buddha pleaded with the King: “Oh great king, stop the man from striking the lamb. Take my life as a sacrifice but please spare the lamb. O man, you can take life easily but remember none of you can give life. Have mercy, have compassion.”
Q5. Which law did the king proclaim in his kingdom?
Answer: King Bimbisara proclaimed a royal decree declaring that no one in his kingdom shall kill animals for sacrificial rituals or personal pleasure.
B. Who Said These Words?
| Quote | Speaker |
|---|---|
| 1. “Stop the man from striking the lamb.” | Gautam Buddha |
| 2. “There is a limping lamb in the flock.” | The Shepherd |
| 3. “Where are you going in the heat of noonday sun?” | Gautam Buddha |
| 4. “None shall kill animals for sacrifice or personal pleasure.” | The King (Bimbisara) |
| 5. “Take my life as a sacrifice but please spare the lamb.” | Gautam Buddha |
C. Ethical Actions for Animal Welfare
Q. You find a boy beating a dog with a stick. What would you do?
Answer: I would immediately stop the boy, calmly explain that animals feel severe pain, and treat any injuries the dog sustained with water and antiseptic.
Q. You go to a zoo and find some children teasing animals. What would you do?
Answer: I would politely ask the children to refrain from disturbing the animals and alert the zoo authorities to ensure the animals’ safety.