Question:what is the indian legend regarding the discovery of tea
1. The Indian Legend of Tea
According to an Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, felt sleepy while meditating. To prevent himself from falling asleep, he cut off his eyelids. The legend says that ten tea plants grew from his eyelids. Their leaves were put into hot water and the drink was believed to banish sleep.
The story is told by Rajvir to his friend Pranjol in the chapter Tea from Assam. Rajvir explains that nobody really knows who discovered tea and that several legends are associated with its discovery. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
2. Who Was Bodhidharma?
Bodhidharma is described in the chapter as an ancient Buddhist ascetic. An ascetic is a person who lives a disciplined life, often giving up ordinary comforts for spiritual practice. According to the legend, Bodhidharma spent long periods in meditation.
3. Why Did Bodhidharma Cut Off His Eyelids?
According to the legend, Bodhidharma became sleepy during meditation. He wanted to remain awake and continue his meditation. The traditional story says that he therefore cut off his eyelids.
This is a traditional legend from the chapter. It should not be treated as a scientifically verified explanation of the origin of tea.
4. What Happened After His Eyelids Fell?
The legend says that ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids of Bodhidharma. This is the central and most memorable part of the Indian tea legend.
5. How Did the Tea Leaves Help?
According to the legend, the leaves of these plants were put into hot water. When the drink was consumed, it was believed to banish sleep. Thus, the story connects tea with the ability to remain awake during meditation. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
6. Complete Story in Steps
7. Why Is It Called a Legend?
The chapter does not present this story as a proven historical event. Rajvir says that no one really knows who discovered tea and then tells different legends about its origin. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Use phrases such as:
- “According to the Indian legend…”
- “The legend says that…”
- “It is believed that…”
8. Indian Legend vs Chinese Legend
| Indian Legend | Chinese Legend |
|---|---|
| Bodhidharma is the central figure. | A Chinese emperor is the central figure. |
| Bodhidharma felt sleepy during meditation. | The emperor had a habit of drinking boiled water. |
| Ten tea plants were said to grow from his eyelids. | Tea leaves were said to fall accidentally into boiling water. |
| The leaves were put in hot water. | The leaves gave the water a delicious flavour. |
| The drink was believed to banish sleep. | The emperor liked the flavour. |
Both stories are presented in the chapter as legends associated with the discovery of tea. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
9. Important Facts from the Chapter
- The chapter is “Tea from Assam” from Glimpses of India.
- Rajvir tells Pranjol that nobody really knows who discovered tea.
- The Indian legend is associated with Bodhidharma.
- Bodhidharma is described as an ancient Buddhist ascetic.
- According to the legend, he felt sleepy during meditation.
- The legend says that ten tea plants grew from his eyelids.
- The leaves were put into hot water.
- The resulting drink was believed to banish sleep.
- The chapter also mentions a Chinese legend concerning the discovery of tea.
- Rajvir says tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 B.C. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
10. Exam-Ready Answer
What is the Indian legend regarding the discovery of tea?
Answer:
According to the Indian legend, Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, felt sleepy during meditation. To prevent himself from falling asleep, he cut off his eyelids. The legend says that ten tea plants grew out of his eyelids. The leaves of these plants were put into hot water and drunk. The drink was believed to banish sleep. Thus, the Indian legend connects the discovery of tea with Bodhidharma and his meditation. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
11. Short Answer — 2 Marks
Bodhidharma was an ancient Buddhist ascetic mentioned in the Indian legend about the discovery of tea.
According to the legend, he felt sleepy during meditation and wanted to prevent himself from falling asleep.
12. MCQ Practice
Quick Revision
Bodhidharma → Sleepiness during meditation → Eyelids → Ten tea plants → Leaves in hot water → Sleep believed to be banished