The NCERT Class 10 Sanskrit book Abhyaswaan Bhav begins with Chapter 1 titled “अपठितावबोधनम्” (Apathit Avabodhanam), which focuses on understanding unseen passages in Sanskrit. This chapter tests a student’s ability to read, comprehend, and interpret Sanskrit text that they have not previously studied. It is designed to improve both reading fluency and logical understanding, which are essential skills for mastering the Sanskrit language at the secondary level.
I wanted to write about this chapter because Apathit Avabodhanam plays a very important role in helping students gain real command over Sanskrit comprehension. Many students can memorise grammar and vocabulary, but understanding an unseen passage demands genuine understanding. This chapter trains students to apply grammar rules in real contexts, analyse meanings, and interpret ideas on their own. That’s why it is often seen as one of the most practical exercises for exam preparation. Knowing how to handle such unseen comprehension passages can help students score higher and gain deeper confidence in their language skills.
About Chapter 1: अपठितावबोधनम् (Apathit Avabodhanam)
The term Apathit Avabodhanam literally means “understanding the unseen.” In Sanskrit exams, this section includes short unseen passages followed by questions that test comprehension and grammar. The idea is to measure how well students can grasp meaning without prior memorisation.
This chapter presents several unseen texts taken from different topics like stories, moral lessons, or descriptions of nature and people. Each passage is followed by simple questions in Sanskrit to test:
- Understanding of key ideas
- Grammatical accuracy
- Knowledge of vocabulary
- Analytical skills in identifying meanings
Students learn to read unfamiliar texts, understand their context, and respond accurately in Sanskrit – a skill that develops their confidence and quick thinking during exams.
Key Objectives of Apathit Avabodhanam
- To test comprehension of unseen Sanskrit passages
- To strengthen the ability to interpret and translate meaning
- To apply grammar and vocabulary knowledge in practical use
- To build analytical and critical thinking skills through reading practice
- To prepare students for board examination questions related to unseen comprehension
Importance of the Chapter in Exam Preparation
Chapter 1 is not based on a specific story or poem but rather focuses on reading and understanding different types of short Sanskrit texts. This makes it one of the most scoring sections in exams if practised well. The unseen passage question is a regular feature in Sanskrit board exams, and students who have practised Apathit Avabodhanam regularly tend to perform better.
To do well in this chapter, students should:
- Read Sanskrit passages daily and try to summarise their meaning in simple words.
- Pay attention to sandhi, samasa, and verb forms while reading.
- Improve their Sanskrit vocabulary by noting common words used in the passages.
- Practice past-year unseen passages to build speed and accuracy.
NCERT Class 10 Sanskrit Abhyaswaan Bhav Chapter 1 PDF Download
Students can easily access the NCERT Class 10 Sanskrit Abhyaswaan Bhav Chapter 1 – Apathit Avabodhanam PDF from here.


















