2 The Bullock And The Lion

© Munindra Misra 

Wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things. ~ Bible. Ecclesiastes, 10. 19.

The love of money is the root of all evil.~ Bible. 1 Timothy, 6. 10.

Long long ago, Vardhaman, a merchant, lived in a south Indian city,

While resting one day it struck him - the axis of the world was money,

And that the more he had money the more powerful he would be,

He told himself – all do seek friendship of the rich, even his enemies.

Panchatantra Book 1. 8.       

The old persons can become young if they have riches abundantly,

Whereas the young becomes old if they do not have wealth clearly,

Trade is one of the six ways that helps man amass wealth definitely,

And so he thought – and that was his logic for his life indisputably.

Panchatantra Book 1. 9.       

Mobilizing his wares, Vardhaman set out on a day that was lucky,

For Madhura in search of markets for his commodities hopefully,

He traveled in a cart drawn by two bullocks and decorated gaily,

But bullock Sanjeevaka buckled in a jungle near river Jamuna sadly.

Panchatantra Book 1. 10.       

Asking his servants to care of the animal - he continued doggedly,

And the merchant then continued – still persisting on his journey,

But servants abandoned the bullock after their master left finally,

Joining him they told him that the bullock had died subsequently.

Panchatantra Book 1. 11.       

In reality – Sanjeevaka the bullock, had not died in actuality,

 Feeding on abundant fresh and tender grass in the forest finally,

He regained strength and began to explore the jungle merrily,

In high spirits, dancing and singing with enjoyment in ecstasy.

Panchatantra Book 1. 12.       

 In the same forest lived Pingalaka the lion - ferocious and kingly,

Sanjeevaka, content in the jungle would waltz and sing uproariously,

Once Pingalaka and other animals were drinking in Jamuna contently,

When the lion heard the frightening bellow of the bullock distinctly.

Panchatantra Book 1. 13.       

In panic, the lion withdrew into the forest and sat lost in thought deeply,

And was surrounded by the other animals of the jungle apprehensively,

Two jackals, Karataka and Damanaka, sensing their king’s dilemma clearly,

Sons of two dismissed ministers, were lost as to what happened actually.

Panchatantra Book 1. 14.       

Damanaka asked “What happened to the lord of the forest,” inquisitively,

“Why should we poke our nose into affairs that concerns us not surely?

Have you not heard or are acquainted with the story of that monkey,

Who had pulled the wedge from the log,” asked Karataka earnestly.

Panchatantra Book 1. 15.       

Damanaka pleaded “Sounds interesting what you state so forcefully,  

Why don't you enlighten me as to what happened to that monkey,”

“Now, listen,” said Karataka “contemplate and take note attentively,

And he thus commenced and narrated the legend of that monkey.

Panchatantra Book 1. 16. 

© Munindra Misra