c) Phakara Jojana (Proverb Sl. No. 01–10) MCQs Quiz | Class 9

Understanding Phakara Jojana (ফকৰা-যোজনা)

Phakara Jojana, or Assamese proverbs, are short, traditional sayings that express a perceived truth based on common sense or experience. They are a vital part of the Assamese language and culture, offering wisdom and advice in a concise form. In your exams, you might be asked to explain the meaning (ভাব-সম্প্ৰসাৰণ) of a given proverb, which requires understanding both its literal and figurative sense.

Detailed Explanations of Proverbs (Sl. No. 01-10)

Here are detailed explanations for the proverbs covered in this quiz, which will help you in writing long answers.

1. আপোন ভালেই জগত ভাল (Apon Bhaley Jagat Bhal)
   • Literal Meaning: If you are good, the world is good.
   • Explanation: This proverb emphasizes the importance of one’s own perspective and character. It suggests that a person who is inherently good, honest, and positive tends to perceive the world and the people around them in a similar positive light. Our perception of the world is a reflection of our own inner self.
2. অধিক মাছত বগলী কণা (Odhik Masot Bogoli Kona)
   • Literal Meaning: A heron becomes blind when there are too many fish.
   • Explanation: This proverb describes a situation of confusion and indecision when faced with too many choices or opportunities. Just as a heron gets overwhelmed and cannot decide which fish to catch when there are too many, a person can become confused and fail to make a good decision when presented with an abundance of options. It highlights the ‘paradox of choice’.
3. আইৰ ঘৰলৈ যাম, দুয়ো হাতে খাম (Air Ghoroloi Jam, Duyo Hate Kham)
   • Literal Meaning: I will go to my mother’s house and eat with both hands.
   • Explanation: This proverb signifies a place or situation of extreme comfort, freedom, and indulgence, where one feels completely at ease and without any restrictions. A mother’s house symbolizes unconditional love and care. The saying is often used to describe a desire for a carefree and happy time.
4. অল্প বিদ্যা ভয়ঙ্কৰী (Olpo Bidya Bhoyonkori)
   • Literal Meaning: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
   • Explanation: This is a universal proverb which warns against the dangers of having superficial knowledge. A person with limited understanding of a subject might act with overconfidence, leading to mistakes and harmful consequences for themselves and others. It is better to have no knowledge than to have incomplete and inaccurate knowledge.
5. এশ গৰু মাৰিলে বাঘৰো মৰণ (Exo Goru Marile Baghoro Moron)
   • Literal Meaning: Even a tiger dies after killing a hundred cows.
   • Explanation: This proverb teaches that there is a limit to everything, and every wrongdoer eventually faces consequences for their actions. Even the most powerful oppressor or criminal will ultimately meet their downfall. It signifies that justice, sooner or later, prevails.
6. উপকাৰীক অজগৰে খায় (Upokarik Ojohgore Khai)
   • Literal Meaning: A python eats the one who helps it.
   • Explanation: This proverb is used to describe an act of extreme ingratitude. It refers to a situation where a person harms someone who has helped them. It’s a cautionary saying, warning that sometimes, helping an unworthy or evil person can backfire.
7. একেলগে এশজনে ভূঁই ৰুলেহে সাৰ পায় (Ekeloge Exojone Bhui Rulehe Saar Pay)
   • Literal Meaning: A field becomes fertile only when a hundred people cultivate it together.
   • Explanation: This proverb highlights the power of unity and teamwork. It means that a large or difficult task can be accomplished easily and effectively when many people work together. It is the Assamese equivalent of “Unity is strength”.
8. কথাত কঁঠাল থেকে, কাৰ্যত নাই একে (Kothat Kothal Theke, Karjyot Nai Eke)
   • Literal Meaning: Breaks a jackfruit with words, but does nothing in action.
   • Explanation: This proverb is used for people who talk big but do very little. They make grand promises and boast about their abilities, but when it comes to actual work, they fail to deliver. It criticizes those who are all talk and no action.
9. কুকুৰে একেদিনাই স্বৰ্গলৈ যাব নোৱাৰে (Kukure Ekedinai Sorgoloi Jabo Nuware)
   • Literal Meaning: A dog cannot go to heaven in a single day.
   • Explanation: This proverb teaches that great things cannot be achieved overnight. It takes time, patience, and persistent effort to reach a significant goal. It is a reminder that success is a gradual process and one should not expect immediate results.
10. কোনো কালে কুকুৰৰ নেজ পোন নহয় (Kono Kale Kukuror Nej Pon Nohoy)
    • Literal Meaning: A dog’s tail can never be straightened.
    • Explanation: This proverb suggests that the fundamental nature or character of a person or thing cannot be changed, no matter how much you try. It is used to describe someone who is incorrigible or a situation that is inherently flawed and cannot be fixed.

Quick Revision Points

• A proverb (ফকৰা-যোজনা) is a traditional saying that offers advice or states a general truth.
• To explain a proverb, first state its literal meaning, then explain its deeper, figurative meaning (ভাবাৰ্থ).
• Use the proverb in a sentence to show you understand its application.
• Relate the proverb to a real-life situation or a moral lesson.

Practice Questions

Attempt to write detailed explanations (ভাব-সম্প্ৰসাৰণ) for the following proverbs:

1. “হাতীৰো পিছলে ভৰি” – What does this proverb imply about even the most powerful individuals?
2. “যি মূলা বাঢ়ে তাৰ দুপাততে চিন” – How does this proverb relate to early signs of talent or character?
3. “নাচ নজনা চোতালখন বেঁকা” – Explain the human tendency this proverb describes.
4. “ৰাইজে নখ জোকাৰিলে নৈ বয়” – What does this proverb teach about collective effort?
5. “জ্ঞানতকৈ সাধনা ডাঙৰ” – Discuss the message of this proverb regarding knowledge and practice.