Multiple choice

What according to the passage materialistically successful men may have?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

Even–minded endurance is called 'titiksha' in Sanskrit. I have practised this mental neutrality. I have sat and meditated all night long in icy water, in bitterly cold weather. Similarly, I have sat from morning till evening on the burning hot sands of India. I gained great mental strength by doing so. When you have practised such self–discipline, your mind becomes impervious to all disturbing circumstances. If you think you can't do something, your mind is a slave. Free yourself. I don't mean that you should be rash. Try to rise above disturbances gradually. Endurance is what you must have. Whatever may be your trouble, make a supreme effort to remedy it without worry; and until it is resolved, practice titiksha. Isn't this practical wisdom? If you are young and strong, then as you gradually strengthen your will and mind you can practised more rigid methods of self–discipline as I did. If you are thinking that the w inter weather is coming and you are bound to catch cold, you are not developing mental strength.  You have already committed yourself to certain weakness. When you feel you are susceptible to catching a cold, mentally resist it. This is the right mental attitude. In your heart, sincerely do your best at all times, but without anxiety. Worry only paralyses your efforts. If you do your best, God will reach down his hand to help you.

If you do not acknowledge weakness in the face of troubles, and if you refuse to worry about your problems, you will find out how much more successful, peaceful, and happy you are. Make this affirmation daily. I will be neither lazy nor feverishly active. In every challenge of life I shall do my best without worrying about the future.

Don't grieve for what you don't have. The most materially successful man may have the greatest worries and unhappiness. In contrast, I have seen in humble little huts and caves in India men who were true monarchs. The earthy throne of one such saint was a dried grass mat. He wore only a little loincloth. Such are the real kings of the earth. Some of them have no food, nothing at all; they are richer than the world's millionaires. In biting cold weather, I saw one saint in the Himalayas who had nothing on. Won't you catch cold? I said. Sweetly he answered, If I am warm with God's love, how can I feel the cold? Saints like him are greater than any crowned king. If without food, without any visible means of security, such men can be like kings, peaceful and without worry, why can't you?

  1. All comforts at the cost of others.

  2. Facing odds with mental equilibrium.

  3. Self-discipline of body as well as mind.

  4. Problem, tension and sadness of great proportion.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Correct answer is (4). After reading the passage, one can easily see that central idea presented by author is that material success in life does not always provide mental satisfaction and happiness but it is the mental strength which helps to provide satisfaction to a person. By way of giving example of saints with no material wealth and millionaires with material wealth and success, the author has tried to contrast and clear his views. Therefore, (4) from the given options is the most appropriate answer choice.