2016 10 10

2:01

PANCHATANTRA

Professor Dr. S. P. Hudlikar (Heidelberg Germany)

PANCHATANTRA

CONFLICT AMONG FRIENDS

Once upon a time, in the south of India, there was

a city called Mahilaropyam. A king the name of
Amarshahti* lived there. He was a very learned
man and extremely accomplished in various arts
The
and king
skills.had three sons called Bahushakti*,
Ugrashakti* and Anantashakti*, who were
complete duds and had no interest whatsoever in
studying. Realising this, the king assembled his
ministers and addressed them in these words,
"Gentleman, you already know how ignorant my
sons are. They have no understanding whatsoever.
'Unborn,
and
stupidenjoy
sons. my Kingdom. As
Looking atdead
them
I cannot
The first two are to be preferred
for they cause sorrow only once
Whilst stupid sons are a torment to the heart
Till the end of life.'
And,
'What is the good of a cow
That neither bears a calf nor gives milk?
And, what is the good of a son
Who is neither enlightened nor Devoured?
- "So please tell me ways and means by which my
sons would be enlightened."
One of the ministers replied, "Your Majesty!
Twelve year are spent in learning grammar alone
and then the required sciences, economics,
religion and sexology are so vast that it takes a king
1

Twelve year are spent in learning grammar alone

and then the required sciences, economics,
religion and sexology are so vast that it takes a king
But
minister,
man And
called
Sumati*,
said, "Our life
timeato
master athem.
only
then the
is transitory and these sciences take too long to
master them.

WINNING OF FRIENDS

So we must find a shorter way to enlighten the

minds of the princes. I know of a Brahmin*, called
Vishnu Sharma*, who is an expert in all the
sciences and has earned an excellent reputation
among his innumerable disciples. So I suggest that
the princes should be handed over to him. He will
certainly
very
well,"
Wheninstruct
the kingthem
heard
this,
he had Vishnu

CROWS AND OWLS

Sharma invited to the palace and said to him,

"Bhagawan*, please educate my sons quickly in
nitishastras*, I shall be so grateful to you. I shall
This
wasyou
the with
replyathat
Vishnu
Sharma
made to the
present
hundred
tax-free
villages."
kind " Your majesty, please listen to what I have to
say, Believe me, it's the truth, I would not like to
sell my wisdom out of greed for money but if I
have not made your sons thorough in nitishastras
within
month,
then I am
to eighty
forfeit years
my
I don't six
crave
for wealth.
I amready
almost
old and have all my desires under control. Now
would you please make a note of today's date. If I
have not educated your sons in nitishastras within
six months,
then
do not deserve
a place inas well
The king
andI ministers
were surprised
as pleased to hear this seemingly impossible
resolution. With great appreciation and respect,
the king handed over his sons to the Brahmin and
felt atAfter
ease.taking the princes to his ashrama*,

THE FORFEIT OF PROFITS

Vishnu Sharma began to recite to them his

specially composed stories. divided into five
1. Conflict amongst friends.
tantras*.
2. Winning of friends.
3. Crows and owls.

3. Crows and owls.

4. The forfeit of profits.
5. Action without due consideration.
Now they say:
" A man who has studied this Nitishastra
or listened to its precepts
Will never be defeated
Not even by Indra*, the lord of the Heaven."

ACTION WITHOUT DUE

CONSIDERATION
<http://www.chandiramani.com/panchatantra%20in%20english.htm>