Select the option that expresses the given sentence in indirect speech.
The saint said to his followers, “Truth is rewarding.”

Correct option is D

✔️ Correct option: (d) The saint told his followers that truth is rewarding.
· Definition of Direct and Indirect Speech:
· Direct speech: Quotes the speaker’s exact words using quotation marks.
· Indirect speech: Reports the words without quoting and adjusts tenses if needed.
· Explanation:
· The original sentence expresses a universal truth.
· Universal truths retain their present tense in indirect speech, even if the reporting verb is in past.
· Grammatical rule used:
· Universal/general facts remain in the present tense in indirect speech.
· Hindi Explanation: यदि reported speech में कोई सार्वभौमिक सत्य हो, तो उसे indirect speech में भी present tense में ही रखा जाता है।
· Meanings of all the other options:
· (a) – ❌ "has been" is present perfect; incorrect transformation.
· (b) – ❌ "had been" indicates past perfect; changes the original meaning.
· (c) – ❌ "was" is past tense; incorrect for a general truth.