Panchatantra

What is the point of the Panchatantra?

उदीरितोऽर्थःपशुनापिगृहतेहयाश्चनागाश्चवहन्तिचोदिताः।अनुक्तम्अप्य्ऊहतिपण्डितोजनःपरेङ्गित–ज्ञान–फ्जलाहिबुद्धयः॥४४॥ udīrito ‘rthaḥ paśunāpi gṛhate hayāś ca nāgāś ca vahanti coditāḥ |anuktam apy ūhati paṇḍito janaḥ pareṅgita-jñāna-phjalā hi buddhayaḥ || 44 || Even animals can sort of make out the meanings of the words uttered. Horses and elephants do as directed. Learned men can even understand the meaning of words not spoken aloud. True intelligence lies in …

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The introduction…

कथामुखं The introduction In a city called Mahilaropya, very far away from here, lived a king named Amarashakti (the ever-powerful). He took very good care of his kingdom and his subjects, and was loved and revered by all. He was a master of all the sciences and the art of politics and negotiations, of ethics …

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The conclusion…

Read the previous part here… चौरब्राह्मणकथा The story of the Brahmin thief  In a city not so far away, lived a highly-learned Brahmin. Unfortunately, due to his past karma, he lived as a thief.  One day he saw four Brahmins who had recently come to his city, selling some wares…. The thief thought to himself …

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Of wise enemies and foolish friends..

Read the previous part here… “And that is why” said Karataka, Where one unusual incident can take place, another unusual incident can also take place. “You did all this because you could not tolerate Pingalaka favouring Sanjeevaka. It is rightly said…” प्रायेणात्र कुलान्वितं कुकुलजाः श्री-वल्लभं दुर्भगा दातारं कृपणा ऋजून् अनृजवो वित्ते स्थितं निर्धनाः ।वैरूप्योपहृताश् च …

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The crane and the mongoose

Read the previous part here… A wise man should think of a good plan to get out of danger;  but he must be also be aware of the danger that can arise due to his plans. All the cranes were killed by the mongoose, because of the foolishness of one crane.  Dharma-Buddhi said “How did that …

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Dharma-Buddhi and Paapa-Buddhi

Read the previous part here… I know both Dharma-Buddhi and Paapa-Buddhi. It is due to the stupidity of the son that the father nearly died from smoke.” Damanaka said “How did that happen?” Karataka replied… धर्मबुद्धिपापबुद्धिकथा The story of Dharma-Buddhi and Paapa-Buddhi In a city, not so far away from her, lived two friends named …

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Of advice, and stupidity…

Read the previous part here… Advice should not be offered to anybody and everybody. Learn from that incident where a person with such a nice home, was rendered homeless. Damanaka said “How did that happen?” Karataka replied… वानरचटकदंपतीकथा The story of the money and the sparrow couple On a big tree in a forest not …

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Soocheemukha and the monkeys

Read the previous part here… A crooked and mean person only knows how to cause ruin; he cannot resolve anything. A rat is strong enough to make the rice-pot fall down; not to keep it back straight.stand it back up. Karataka continued venting at Damanaka. “Maybe this is not your fault alone. Pingalaka is also to blame …

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