श्रीविष्णुशर्मप्रणीतं पञ्चतन्त्रं

Sri Vishnusharma Praneetam Panchatantram


तृतीयं तन्त्रं

The third tantra

काकोलुकीयं

The enmity between crows and owls

ब्रह्मा रुद्रः कुमारो हरिवरुणयमा वह्निरिन्द्रः कुबेर-श्चन्द्रादित्यौ सरस्वत्युदधियुगनगा वायुरुर्वी भुजङ्गाःसिद्धा नद्योश्विनौ श्रीर्दितिरदितिसुता मातरश्चण्डिकाद्याःवेदास्तीर्थानि यज्ञा गणवसुमुनयः पान्तु नित्यं ग्रहाश्च [1]

मनवे वाचस्पतये शुक्राय पराशराय ससुतायचाणक्याय च विदुषे नमोsस्तु नयशास्त्रकर्त्रभ्यः [2]

सकलार्थशास्त्रसारं जगति समालोक्य विष्णुशर्मेदंतन्त्रैः पञ्चभिरेतच्चकार सुमनोहरं शास्त्रं [3]

Let Brahma, Rudra, Kumāra, Hari, Varuna, Yama, Agni, Indra, Kubera,Chandra, Aaditya, Sarasvati, oceans, Yugas, mountains, Vāyu, Earth, serpents, Siddhas, rivers, Ashvinis, Shree, Diti, Aditi’s sons, Mother Goddesses,Vedas, pilgrimage centres, sacrifices, Shiva-Ganas, Vasus, sadhus, and planets protect us always. [1]

Salutations to Manu, Vāchaspati, Shukra, Parāshara and his son Vyāsa,Chānakya, the creators of the treatises on morality. [2]

Vishnu Sharma has studied the entire collection of texts on strategies in this world and has created this treatise containing five sections, all of which are pleasant to read and easy to understand. [3]


Of crows and owls…

न विश्वसेत् पूर्व-विरोधितस्य शत्रोश् च मित्रत्वम् उपागतस्य ।दग्धां गुहां पश्य उलूक-पूर्णां काक-प्रणीतेन हुताशनेन ॥ १ ॥ na viśvaset pūrva-virodhitasya śatroś ca mitratvam upāgatasya |dagdhāṃ guhāṃ paśya…
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Considering options…

“According to Manusmiriti, there are six policies of dealing with such an issue – Sandhi (peace treaty), Vigraha (war), Yaana (preparation for war), Asana (neutrality),…
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Alliance? Or war?

That owl has always won when fighting us, and hence fighting him again is futile. We should seek an alliance with him… It is said……
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War? Or flee?

Read the previous part here… “My dear king”, said Sanjeevin, “I don’t think that seeking an alliance with a stronger enemy is a good idea.”…
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Hide, or stay put?

Read the previous part here… Anujeevin replied “My dear king, our enemy is very strong, and very wicked. He is also untruthful and uncultured. Seeking…
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Stay put, or seek help?

Read the previous part here… “My king, निज-स्थान-स्थितो ऽप्य् एकः शतं योद्धुं सहेन् नरः शक्तानाम् अपि शत्रूणां – a warrior, if he is at his secure…
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Dvaidhibhava…

Read the previous part here… Sthirajeevin looked at MeghaVarna and smiled. “My son, your ministers are capable, and have given you the proper advice –…
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A history of enmity…

Read the previous part here… MeghaVarna thought for a while, and then said “Oh revered Sthirajeevin, I understand what you have said. But I have…
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Of rabbits and elephants…

Read the previous part here… “This is so funny! Of all the peacocks, swans, cuckoos, parrots, pigeons, ducks and cranes of this world – you…
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The rabbit and the sparrow

Read the previous part here… Keen on getting justice from a worthless leader, both the rabbit and the Kapinjala the sparrow lost their lives. The…
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The art of deception…

Read the previous part here… A single person should not fight a group. People who are united cannot be conquered. Even the fearful and powerful…
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AriMardana and his ministers…

Read the previous part here… The first sign of intelligence is to not begin any task. The second sign of intelligence is to always finish…
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Kill the enemy!

Read the previous part here… He first addressed Raktāksha. “Oh learned minister! As you are aware, I have the enemy’s minister under my control. What…
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Of swans and pigeons…

Read the previous part here… If one does not help those who come to him seeking shelter, his prosperity vanishes, much like the swans in…
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The pigeon and the hunter…

Read the previous part here… It is heard that the pigeon not only welcomed his enemy who sought shelter, but also offered his own flesh as…
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Of thieves and old merchants…

Read the previous part here… It is heard that the pigeon not only welcomed his enemy who sought shelter, but also offered his own flesh as…
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Of Brahmins, thieves and demons…

Read the previous part here… AriMardana now looked at VakraNāsa and said “Tell me, oh wise one, what should we do in this situation?” VakraNāsa…
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The charioteer and his wife…

Read the previous part here… AriMardana had heard all his ministers speak. He now made a decision. He called all of them together… “I have…
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The marriage of the rat…

Read the previous part here… No one heeded to his words. The owls all lifted Sthirajeevin on their shoulders and started to carry him towards…
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The marriage of the rat – Part 2

Read the previous part here… The wise should only consider seven factors when offering the girl in marriage – family status, character, family support, education,…
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An assembly of fools…

Read the previous part here… The minister who advised that I should be killed was the only person actually concerned about the welfare of this…
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Sthirajeevin prepares…

Read the previous part here… “And so, heed my words. It is time to leave”, said Raktāksha. They set out immediately, flying northwards, far from…
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The attack and it’s aftermath…

Read the previous part here… Work that is not completed fast, especially when it’s end is near, loses it’s essence to time. It becomes meaningless…
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Achieving goals…

Read the previous part here… Those who are righteous prefer to enter the fire and give up their lives, rather than stay in the company…
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The frog and the serpent…

Read the previous part here… MeghaVarna said “What you say is true, oh Sthirajeevin. Also, staying with the enemy would have been very hard for…
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Final words of wisdom…

Read the previous part here… And so being aggressive and engaging an enemy in a fierce battle can only result in his defeat, not his…
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Time is the greatest leveler…

Read the previous part here… Even though one can attain victory through violent means, one should always seek peaceful methods at first. Because, it is…
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On heeding advice…

Read the previous part here… ” And so oh mighty MeghaVarna, my advice to you is this. Rule well, rule justly, and do not get…
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