The Panchatantra

© Munindra Misra 

The Panchatantra was composed 3rd century BCE by Vishnu Sarma initially,

Based on older oral traditions, going back to the origins of language actually,

It is the most frequently translated literary text of Hindu’s and India certainly,

With over 200 versions in more than 50 languages to be found universally.

Panchatantra - 1.          

Panchatantra is a nitisastra; treatise on political science, human conduct, niti,

Written as story, to instruct three dull, ignorant princes, in principles of polity,

It is based on Dharma and Artha shastras – answering questions categorically,

On how to achieve pleasures in life with development of man harmoniously.

Panchatantra - 2.          

How to lead a pleasant life with determined actions and complete security,

Yet be showered with friendship, good learning, wisdom and prosperity,

It is a compilation of Sanskrit and Pali animal fables - in prose and poetry,

Pancha means five and Tantra means the ways, principles or strategies.

Panchatantra - 3.          

Amidst Panchatantra, Aesop's Fables, Arabian Nights, Sindbad - such stories,

Many a nursery rhymes and ballads universally - there is a strong similarity,

Such animal fables found in most world cultures - India the prime source be,

The Panchatantra - origin of several nursery rhymes, ballads, Arabian stories.

Panchatantra - 4.             

© Munindra Misra 

Paths or Principles in The Panchatantra

© Munindra Misra 

The five Paths or Principles of Panchatantra are named:

1. Mitra-bhedha (मित्रभेद) 

- Separation of Friends 

(The Lion and the Bull)

Be wary if a friend accuses another of crime
-

Friendship between lion Pingalaka, king of the forest, and Sanjivaka, a bull to see, 

Karataka and Damanaka – the two jackals are retainers to the lion king certainly, 

Damanaka breaks up friendship between the lion king and bull out of jealousy, 

It the longest of the five books, roughly 45% of the work's length appoxamately.
-

2. Mitra-Laabha or Mitra-Samprapti (मित्रलाभ / मित्रसंप्राप्ति) 

- Gain/Advantage of Friends 

(The Dove, Crow, Mouse, Tortoise and Deer)

Cooperation among friends is vital to their survival 
-

A rat frees the pigeons, a crow befriend the rat, despite the rat's objections initially, 

The story evolves as their friendship grows to include the turtle and the fawn surely, 

They save the fawn when trapped, and later they save the turtle, who entrapped be, 

This is the second book and makes up about 22% of the total length appoxamately.
-

3. Kakolukiyam or Shatrubheda (काकोलुकीयम् / शत्रुभेद) 

- Enemy Distinction or War and Peace 

(Crows and Owls)

Mental strength and deceit are stronger in warfare than brute force 
-

The crows and the owls are at perpetual war – who are traditional enemies, 

A crow pretends to be an outcast and gains into the rival owl group entry; 

Learning their weaknesses and summons his group to suffocate his ememies, 

This the third book, makes up about 26% of the total length appoxamately.
-

4. Labdhapranasam or Viraag (लब्धप्रणाश / विराग)

- Loss Of Gains or Separation 

(The Monkey and the Crocodile)

Never betray friends and guard against own foolishness 
-

The story tells of a symbiotic relationship between the crocodile and monkey, 

The crocodile risks the link by wanting, for his wife, the heart of the monkey, 

When the monkey comes to know of the plan, he avoids the grim fate finally, 

This, the fourth book, makes up half of the remaining length appoxamately.
-

5. Aparikshitakaraka also called Sandhi (अपरीक्षित कारक / संधी) 

- Rash deeds or Treaty 

(The Brahman and the Mongoose)

Be wary of hasty judgements 
-

A Brahman leaves his child with a mongoose but sees blood on him subsequently,
So he slays his friend, believing that the animal had killed his child uncaringly, 

But discovers his child alive, and learns he defended him from a snake bravely, 

He then regrets having slaughtered his friend, the mongoose unreasonably.
-
© Munindra Misra 

1 The Loss of Friends

© Munindra Misra 

He that teaches us anything which we knew not before is undoubtedly to be reverenced as a master. ~ Samuel Johnson

Amarasakti ruled Mahilaropyam in the south of India anciently,

He had three witless sons who were a matter of endless worry,

 Realizing that his sons had no interest in learning sincerely,

The king summoned his ministers and spoke despondently:

Panchatantra Book 1. 1.       

“As you may have known, with my sons I am not at all happy,

An unborn, stillborn son is better than a son who dimwit be,

What good a barren cow; a supid son who bring dishonour likely,

How to make them fit to succeed – I want your advice eagerly.”

Panchatantra Book 1. 2.       

One minister suggested the name of Vishnu Sharman saintly,

A great scholar enjoying the respect of his disciples clearly,

“He is the most competent person to tutor your children surely,

Entrust them to his care and very soon they will change truly.”

Panchatantra Book 1. 3.       

The king summoned Vishnu Sharman - pleaded with him intently,

“Oh, venerable scholar, I implore – on me please do take pity,

Please train my sons into great scholars – I request earnestly,

I promise I will make you the lord of hundred villages surely.”

Panchatantra Book 1. 4.       

Vishnu Sharman said “Oh, king, listen to my pledge seriously,

Hundred villages do not tempt me to vend learning actually,

In six months if I do not make great scholars of your progeny,

You can ask me to change my name – I will honour readily.”

Panchatantra Book 1. 5.       

The king handed his sons to Sage Vishnu’s care immediately,

Sharman taught them from the Panchatantra in his monastery,

He finished the task the king entrusted him in six months actually,

And Panchatantra became popular as children's guide universally.

Panchatantra Book 1. 6.       

Now begins the Loss of Friends, first of the five strategies series,

That comprise of the Panchatantra in its grandeur unendingly,

They figure in a dialogue between animals as children’s stories,

Between two jackals named Karataka and Damanaka essentially.

Panchatantra Book 1. 7.            

© Munindra Misra 

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

4 The Jackal And The Drum

© Munindra Misra 

“It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.” ~ Mark Twain
Only the brave succeed in life
Great/brave men harm not the weak – they take on their equals only 

A hungry jackal sought food in an abandoned battlefield unwittingly,

Herein he heard loud and strange sounds which he grasped not truly,

 Scared, he reflected: “Run before what makes these sounds gets me,

After a while he told himself, “I must not run away like that fearingly”.

Panchatantra Book 1. 31.       

 Let me find out what the sounds are and who is making them really,

For whether it is fear or happiness one must know its cause fully,

 Such a person will never regret any actions when knowing wholly,

So let me find the source of these sounds with open mind actually.”

Panchatantra Book 1. 32.       

Warily the jackal marched towards the sounds and found a drum only,

The drum sounded when branches of the tree brushed it repeatedly,

 Relieved the jackal played the drum and thought within could food be,

 He pierced the drum invain and consoled self of ridding fear completely.

Panchatantra Book 1. 33.       

Damanaka told king Pingalaka, “Do not dread this sound your majesty,

I seek your permission to go and find what these sounds do be”,

The king agreed to Damanaka’s request and taking leave respectfully,

Damanaka proceeded in the direction of the sound to inquire hopefully.

Panchatantra Book 1. 34.       

The king worried of grudge for dismissal, may seek revenge really,

Thought “Confiding in Damanaka – I must become very wary”,

Wise say it is difficult to kill the weak who does not trust easily,

But so easy to kill a strong man who trusts others but readily.”

Panchatantra Book 1. 35.       

Under the king’s watch Damanaka went to Sanjeevaka, the bullock slowly,

Seeing just a bullock thought, “I can get into the king’s good books easily,

The kings never follow the ministers’ advice unless in peril or grief they be,

As healthy needs no doctor; a strong, secure king forgets a minister fully.”

Panchatantra Book 1. 36.     

Assured it was just a bullock, Damanaka returned and informed accordingly,

“Is it true?” the king asked and Damanaka said “Its true, grant favour truly”,

The king said “I believe you - Great men do not harm weaker people clearly,

They take on only their equals; that is what unique about brave people be.”

Panchatantra Book 1. 37.       

“What your majesty says is true – Sanjeevaka is great undoubtedly,

If your lordship permits, I will persue him to be your servant earnestly”,

“All right, I will keep you as a minister,” said the king, pleased actually,

Damanaka hurried to Sanjeevaka, told him to stop bellowing instantly.

Panchatantra Book 1. 38.       

He should meet his king – but the bullock wondered who this Pingalaka be,

“What? You know not our lord? You will know the cost of ignorance shortly,

There he is, surrounded by his entourage under that huge banyan tree.”

Sanjeevaka thought his days were numbered and pleaded helplessly.

Panchatantra Book 1. 39.       

“Damanaka Sir, you seem of great wisdom and wit, you alone can save me,

I can approach only if you can assure me that no harm will come to me”,

Damanaka told the bullock to wait for the right time to meet his majesty,

Returning Damanaka told the king “My lord, he not an ordinary being be”.

Panchatantra Book 1. 40.      

 “He is Lord Shiva’s vehicle and by his permission feeds here unheedingly,

I told him the forest belongs to our king who vehicle of goddess Chandika be,

As our guest you can see our king, seek separate space for grazing freely,

He agreed to this plan provided he has an assurance from your majesty”.

Panchatantra Book 1. 41.      

King: “Yes, certainly, but I need assurance from him in return totally,”

Returning Damanaka advised “You have the king’s assurance fully,

But never let it go to your head – working together we prosper only,

Else who respect none - forfeits favour of kings like Dantila surely”.

Panchatantra Book 1. 42.      

Sanjeevaka asked “What is Dantila’s story?”

© Munindra Misra