PANCHATANTRA PANDIT VISHNU SHARMA Translated by G. L. Chandiramani Copyright© Sheila G. Chandiramani First in Rupa Paperback 1991 Twentieth Impression 2011 Published by Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd. 7/16, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi 110 002 Sales Centres: Allahabad Bengaluru Chennai Hyderabad Jaipur Kathmandu Kolkata Mumbai All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, '• electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers. Typeset by Mindways Design 1410 Chiranjiv Tower 43 Nehru Place New Delhi 110 019 Printed in India by Gopsons Papers Ltd. A-14 Sector 60 Noida 201 301 PREFACE The original text of the Panchataritra in Sanskrit was probably written about 200 B.C. by a great Hindu scholar,. Pandit Vishnu _Sharma. But some of the tales themselves mcust-be much older, their origin going back to the period of the Rig-Veda and Upanishads (from 1500 B.C. to 500 B.C.). According to SQme scholars of the Indo-European languages, the Panchatantra is the oldest collection of Indian fables surviving. In cour�e of time, travellers took these stories with them to Pei:sia and Arabia and finally through Greece, they reached Europe. It is surmised that a version of the Panchatantra was composed in the Pahlavi language of pre-ISiamic Iran sometime in the 6th century A.D., being followed by an Arabic one in the 8t_h century A.D. The Greek translation was made towards th'e dose of the 11th century A.D. from which it was lransl�ted into various European languages. This accounts for �he fact that to many/Westerners, some of the stories h�ye a familiar ring. So far it has been translated into 50 or more languages of the world. The gypsies, whose Indian origin is well established, also helped in spreading these tales in Europe. The Panchatantra is essentially connected with one of the branches of science known by the Indians as the 'Nitishastra' which in Sanskrit means 'A book of wise conduct in life'. It attempts to teach us, how · to understand people, how to choose reliable and trust­ worthy friends, how to meet difficulties and solve problems through tact and� wisdom, and how to live in peace and harmony in the face of hypocrisy, deceit and many pitfalls in life. The Panchatantra is woven round the frame of a tale of a king who entrusts his three 'dud' sons to a learned man, a Brahmin, called Pandit Vishnu Sharma, to enlighten their minds within six months. · The Brahmin VI PANCHATANTRA promises to educate them and takes them to his 'ashrama' (hermitage). There he recites to them his specially composed tales divided into five tantras (in Sanskrit: Pancha=five and tantra=systems or parts) of how to deal with people in life. The language of the author is both artistic and elegant. The tale is narrated in prose while the exposition of a philosophical and moral theme is put in verse; maxims or wise sayings are also expressed in verse, which either sums up the riarration or introduces the next tale. The story-teller's art sugars the pill of his sober philosophy. He sets story within story and keeps us waith!g for the sequels and so leads us on through the five 'tantras.' As one fable follows another, people and animals are constantly changing places, and they share the same characteristics of love and hatred, compassion and wit, selfless courage and base cowardice, generosity and meanness. Each story has a moral and philosophical ch�me which has stood the test of time and so is true even in modern times - an age 'Of atomic fear and madness. The Panchatantra is a rare book, for in no book will you find philosophy, psychology, politics, music. astro­ nomy, human relationship, etc., all discussed together in such a simple and yet elegant style. This is exactly what Pandit Vishnu Sharma 'h.ad in mind, to give as much knowledge to the princes as possible. ·And no doubt not only the princes but also millions of listeners and readers for the last 2,200 years have benefited from this most unique boo�. The book is intenqed for the adult mind, though children will love it if helped; it contains a fountain of India's philosophical wisdom - fountain of nectar. a G. L. Chandiramani TRANSLATOR'S· NOTE Despite my own strong conviction that the Panchatantra has a vital message for the world today, I wQuld probably never have undertaken the' translation .of the Panchatantra into English and Gentian had it not been for the encou­ ra�ement of my "guru", Professor (Dr.) S.B. Hudlikar· (Heiddberg, W. Germany). Perhaps similar attempts have been made by men of superior talent and wisdom, but I have made a modest attempt, working on the text for seven· years, to bring out a translation in modern English which would remain true to the spirit of the Sanskrit text, though I have been · highly conscious of my own· inadequacies, in the face of such a task. The present form of the Sanskrit text, subjected as, it has been, over the ages, to constant · 'revision ·and adaptation, presents a sizeable problem to any would.:be translator. Several illogicalities and non-sequittirs seem to have crept into the text with the pas�age of time, naturally enough, when one considers that, until modern times, these stories have been for telling, rather than reading, and they have been told time and again all over India and in many parts · of the worl'd; each story-teller using his <;>wn particular artistry to beguile his listeners, adding a little detail here and �here, as he thought fit. �o it is that, from the reader's point of view, sometimes the construction of the text is weak (for instance, the fifth tantra is loosely constructed and· incomplete; Chakradhara's story ends abruptly 'and �e never do return to the Brahmin's wife or the judges who were telling these stories). The present translation attempts to reproduce as accurately as possible the Sanskrit text in English but in a logical and readable form. In the interests of continuity, short sections have l?een omitted, sentences PANCHATANTRA viii rearranged and, occasionally, a linking sentence added. But every attempt has been made to keep such am�ndments to the minimum, though keeping in view, at the same time, to retain the flavour of the original text, which is both artistic and elegant. All tht: Sanskrit names, designations and exclamations have been retained in the ltanslation to preserve the Indian atmosphere and tradition of the book. The writer, Pandit Vishnu Sharma, seems to have chosen the names with great care, for everywhere they have got some definite relationship to the character or incident in the story. At several places, there is a distinct significance Gr satire in the meanmg of the Sanskrit names. I would therefort request the reader to refer to glossary. I hope it will help him towards a thorough understa1'ding of this ancient Indian <:;lassie to enable more enjoyable reqding. The glossary has;- been provided for . refere nee at· the end of the book. The pronunciations of the Sanskrit words are comparatively simple if each word is split into syllables and then pronounced. My desire is to establish a direct relationship with the �eader. I would welcome comments and criticisms - they will help me to improve upon the present translation when bringing out the riext edition. The present translation is the result of the talent, excellent team-work and experience of my friends who have affectionately guided me. -They are all experts in their own respective fields. Above all, Goddess Saraswati has smiled on me, and it is to her that I humbly dedicate· this book. For my own part, I claim no credit. I have simply performed the task of a bee that collects, honey from fragrant flowers. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to my "� t•ru", Professor (Dr.) S.B. Hudlikar (Heidelberg, W. Germany), Director of European Languages, Bombay, for not only encouraging me to undertake the translation of the Panchatantra into English and German but also for guiding me through the various Sanskrit ·versions, giving me benefit of his experience in translating and his scholarly knowledge of the Sanskrit language. I express my deep sense of gratitude to Dr. A. Karl (Vienna, Austria) for going through the manuscript, scrutinising_ it word by word, and for making many useful suggestions. He has also corrected my German translation of the Panchatantra. Miss Sylvia Gidley, B.A. (Wales), began correcting the English manuscript in London, but was so fascinated by its contents that she was lured to come to India and complete it. Without her, the translation would have become drab and lifeless. And my brother (Amolak L. Chandiramani) has been very enthusiastic about my work right from the beginning. He minutely went through the proofs several times and his suggestions were exceedingly useful in improving the language of the book. CONTENTS Conflict amongst friends . The story of the monkey and the log 6 The story of the jackal and the drum 12 The story of the merchant Dantila .17 The story of the jac.kal and the Sanyasi 23 The story of the cobra and the crow �?8 The story of the heron and the crab 29 The st<;>ry of the lion and the hare 33 The story 'of the bug and the fl ea 40 The story of the jackal who fell into a va.t of indigo dye 42 The story of the lion, the camel, the jackal and the crow 47 The story of the tittibha birds and the sea 52 Tl1.e story of the turtle who fell off the stick 53 The story of the th_ree fishes 55 The story of the elephant and the sparrow 58 The story of Vajradaunstra