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NCERT Book for Class 9 Sanskrit

Sanskrit is one of the world's most ancient and rich languages, and for Class 9 CBSE students, it is also one of the most scoring subjects if studied well. The NCERT textbook for Class 9 Sanskrit — Shemushi, Pratham Bhag (Part 1) — is the official study material prescribed by CBSE for the latest edition of the curriculum.

On this page, you can access the complete NCERT Shemushi Part 1 book as a free PDF, chapter by chapter, for educational reference and exam preparation.



About NCERT Shemushi Class 9 Sanskrit

Shemushi (शेमुषी) is the NCERT Sanskrit textbook for Class 9. The name itself reflects wisdom and intelligence, which is the spirit the book tries to build in young learners. Published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), this book is the foundation for Sanskrit study at the secondary level.


The current edition of Shemushi Part 1 is thoughtfully designed based on the National Curriculum Framework, with a focus on:

  • Making Sanskrit a living, relatable language — not just a classical subject

  • Reducing rote learning and encouraging creative thinking

  • Including both ancient and modern Sanskrit compositions

  • Supporting multilingual learners through connection with Hindi, English, and regional languages

  • Providing word meanings (Shabdarthah) in Sanskrit, Hindi, and English for each lesson


The book contains 10 chapters in total, drawn from three types of sources:

  • Ancient Sanskrit texts (like Panchatantra, Ramayana, Hitopadesh, Kathasaritsagar)

  • Original modern Sanskrit compositions

  • Translations into Sanskrit from other languages


Chapter List – Shemushi Class 9 Sanskrit

Here is the complete list of chapters in the latest edition of NCERT Shemushi Part 1:


  • Chapter 1 – Bharateevasantageeti (भारतीवसन्तगीति:) — A beautiful song in praise of Goddess Saraswati, written by Pt. Janaki Vallabh Shastri, celebrating the arrival of spring

  • Chapter 2 – Swarnakakah (स्वर्णकाक:) — A folk tale from Myanmar about a golden crow, teaching the difference between generosity and greed

  • Chapter 3 – Godohnam (गोदोहनम्) — A one-act play about the consequences of delaying daily duties, based on the concept of milking a cow

  • Chapter 4 – Sooktimouktikam (सूक्तिमौक्तिकम्) — A collection of ethical verses from texts like Manusmriti, Vidurniti, Chanakyaniti, and Hitopadesh

  • Chapter 5 – Bhrantah Balah (भ्रान्तो बाल:) — A story of a confused boy who skips school to play but learns the importance of hard work by observing busy creatures around him

  • Chapter 6 – Lauhatula (लौहतुला) — A witty story from Panchatantra about justice and clever use of logic

  • Chapter 7 – Siktasetu (सिकतासेतु:) — Adapted from Kathasaritsagar, it carries the message that knowledge without proper study is impossible, just like building a bridge with sand

  • Chapter 8 – Jatayoh Shauryam (जटायो: शौर्यम्) — Taken from Valmiki's Ramayana, describing the brave battle of the bird Jatayu against Ravana

  • Chapter 9 – Paryavaranam (पर्यावरणम्) — A thought-provoking essay on environmental protection and the dangers of pollution

  • Chapter 10 – Vaangmanahpranasvrupam (वाङ्मन:प्राणस्वरूपम्) — Based on the Chandogyopanishad, explaining the nature of mind, speech, and life force


Key Features of This NCERT Sanskrit Book

The Shemushi textbook is designed not just for exams but to build a genuine connection with Sanskrit. Some standout features include:

  • Paath Sandarbh at the beginning of each chapter to give context before reading

  • Shabdarthah (Word Meanings) in Sanskrit, Hindi, and English — making it accessible for all learners

  • Abhyas (Exercises) at the end of every lesson with varied question types

  • Yogyatavistaar sections that enrich understanding with background information about source texts and authors

  • Shikshan Sanket (Teaching Hints) for teachers to guide effective classroom learning

  • Relevant illustrations throughout to make the content visually engaging


Why Download This PDF?

Having the NCERT Shemushi Class 9 PDF on your device is useful for:

  • Quick revision before exams without carrying the physical book

  • Offline reading on your phone, tablet, or laptop

  • Parents and teachers who want to support students at home

  • Understanding question patterns since CBSE board questions come directly from NCERT

This resource is shared purely for educational reference and to help students make the most of their studies.


About the Source Texts in Shemushi

One of the most enriching aspects of Shemushi is that it introduces students to landmark works of Sanskrit literature through simplified excerpts. Here is a brief overview of some key source texts used in this book:


Panchatantra is among the most celebrated story-collections in simple Sanskrit. Written by Vishnusharma, it was originally created to teach young princes the principles of statecraft and wise conduct through engaging animal fables.


Ramayana, composed by the great sage Valmiki, is the first major poem (Aadikavya) of Sanskrit literature. It tells the story of the ideal man, Shri Ram, across seven Kandas and 24,000 shlokas.


Kathasaritsagar, authored by Somadeva, is a vast ocean of stories compiled for the entertainment of Queen Suryamati of Kashmir. It is one of the most extensive story collections in all of Sanskrit literature.


Chandogyopanishad belongs to the Samaveda tradition and is one of the principal Upanishads. It deals with deep philosophical ideas through interesting narratives.


FAQs – NCERT Class 9 Sanskrit Shemushi


Q1. Is Shemushi the only Sanskrit textbook for Class 9?

Yes, for CBSE Class 9 students who opt for Sanskrit, Shemushi Pratham Bhag (Part 1) is the prescribed NCERT textbook. There is also a grammar-based supplementary book called Vyakaran Veethi.

Q2. How many chapters are there in Shemushi Class 9?

The latest edition of Shemushi Part 1 contains 10 chapters, featuring a mix of ancient prose, poetry, plays, and essays — both from classical texts and modern Sanskrit compositions.

Q3. Can I score well in Sanskrit without coaching?

Absolutely. Sanskrit is one of the highest-scoring CBSE subjects if you study the NCERT textbook thoroughly. Understanding shlokas, practising grammar exercises, and learning word meanings are the key steps.

Q4. What kind of questions come from Shemushi in the exam?

CBSE Class 9 Sanskrit exam questions are directly based on NCERT Shemushi. You can expect questions on passage comprehension, shloka meaning (anvay), sandhi, pratyay, samasa, and vibhakti usage.

Q5. Is this Sanskrit PDF suitable for teachers as well?

Yes. The NCERT Shemushi book includes dedicated teaching notes (Shikshan Sanket) for each chapter, making it a valuable resource for Sanskrit teachers preparing lessons and assessments.


This page provides the NCERT Shemushi Class 9 PDF as publicly available educational material, shared for the purpose of study and reference. All content of the original book is the intellectual property of NCERT.

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