महाजनस्य सम्पर्कः कस्य नोन्नति-कारकः ।
पद्म-पत्र-स्थितं तोयं धत्ते मुक्ता-फल-श्रियम् ॥ ६० ॥
mahājanasya samparkaḥ kasya nonnati-kārakaḥ |
padma-patra-sthitaṃ toyaṃ dhatte muktā-phala-śriyam || 60 ||
Who does not shine in the company of great people? Even a drop of water that stays on a lotus leaf takes the shape of a beautiful pearl.
“Respected king”, said Chiranjeevin. “Samsraya is the best course of action. We will have to seek help from others. It is said…”
असहायः समर्थो ऽपि तेजस्वी किं करिष्यति ।
निर्वाते ज्वलितो वह्निः स्वयम् एव प्रशाम्यति ॥ ५६ ॥
asahāyaḥ samartho ‘pi tejasvī kiṃ kariṣyati |
nirvāte jvalito vahniḥ svayam eva praśāmyati || 56 ||
What can a man do alone, even if he is capable, talented and brave? Can a majestic fire keep burning in the absence of air?
सङ्गतिः श्रेयसी पुंसां स्व-पक्षे च विशेषतः ।
तुषैर् अपि परिभ्रष्टा न प्ररोहन्ति तण्डुलाः ॥ ५७ ॥
saṅgatiḥ śreyasī puṃsāṃ sva-pakṣe ca viśeṣataḥ |
tuṣair api paribhraṣṭā na prarohanti taṇḍulāḥ || 57 ||
Man needs friends, and people who he can call his own. For, without the husk, even rice cannot now and ripen well.
“And so it is better for you to stay safe inside this fortress, and seek help of our friends outside, who can assist us in overcoming our problem. If you leave this fortress and go elsewhere, then nobody will offer you help, for they will consider you weak. It is said…”
वनानि दहतो वह्नेः सखी भवति मारुतः ।
स एव दीप-नाशाय कृशे कस्यास्ति सौहृदम् ॥ ५८ ॥
vanāni dahato vahneḥ sakhī bhavati mārutaḥ |
sa eva dīpa-nāśāya kṛśe kasyāsti sauhṛdam || 58 ||
The wind is a friend of the fire that fiercely burns forests. The same wind is a foe to a tiny lamp, and extinguishes it. Who is the friend of the weak?
“Everyone helps people who are strong. They do not even consider the pleas of someone who is weak”, said Chiranjeevin.
“It is not that we have to find a very strong ally. We can even seek help from ordinary people, who may not seem very strong at first glance. But it is said…”
सङ्घातवान् यथा वेणुर् निविडैर् वेणुभिर् वृतः ।
न शक्येत समुच्छेत्तुं दुर्बलो ऽपि यथा नृपः ॥ ५९ ॥
saṅghātavān yathā veṇur niviḍair veṇubhir vṛtaḥ |
na śakyeta samucchettuṃ durbalo ‘pi yathā nṛpaḥ || 59 ||
A bamboo tree that stands amidst many other shoots of bamboo cannot be uprooted, even though the bamboo shoots are not strong. This is also true in case of a ruler.
“And if we are lucky enough to get the support of the strong, then there would be nothing like it! It is said…”
महाजनस्य सम्पर्कः कस्य नोन्नति-कारकः ।
पद्म-पत्र-स्थितं तोयं धत्ते मुक्ता-फल-श्रियम् ॥ ६० ॥
mahājanasya samparkaḥ kasya nonnati-kārakaḥ |
padma-patra-sthitaṃ toyaṃ dhatte muktā-phala-śriyam || 60 ||
Who does not shine in the company of great people? Even a drop of water that stays on a lotus leaf takes the shape of a beautiful pearl.
“And therefore, I recommend the strategy of Samsraya – we have to seek help, so that we can overcome this problem”, concluded Chiranjeevin.
MeghaVarna thanked Chiranjeevin for his advice, and respectfully led him out of the chamber. He then stayed alone in his chambers for a while, thinking deeply, and reflecting on the advice he had received from his ministers. He then knew what to do…
Want to know more? Read काकोलुकीयं – The third tantra of Sri Vishnusharma Praneetam Panchatantram, i.e. the Panchatantra:)
This extract is just one of the 150+ posts that comprise the Sanskrit and English translations of the five books that make the Panchatantra – one of the oldest works of mankind. Do have a read – links in the menu.
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