Essay name: Panchatantra: A reflex of Arthashastra
Author:
M. N. Indrani
Affiliation: Karnatak University / Department of Sanskrit
The essay studies the Panchatantra in relation to the Arthashastra by proposing that that Indian fable literature divides into educative and entertaining narratives, both traced back to the sacred Vedic texts. It highlights the 'Pancatantra' and its kin as representative of educative stories.
Chapter 1 - A survey of the Niti-Katha-Sahitya
22 (of 28)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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K峁mendra and Somadeva (11th century A.D.). The third is the
common lost source of the Kasmirian version, entitled
Tantr膩khy膩yik膩, and of the two Jaina versions, namely, the
simplicior Text, well known from Buhler and Kielhorn's not very
critical edition, and the much amplified Ornatior Text, called
Pa帽c膩khy膩na, of P奴r峁嘺bhadra (1199 A.D.). The fourth is
similarly the common lost source of the Sourthern Pa帽catantra,
the Nepalese version.
V.
Contents of Pa帽catantra:
The Pa帽catantra emanated from the pen of Vi峁ａ箛u艣arm膩 to
whom the sons of king Amara艣akti were entrusted on his
promising to teach them polity within six months. As its name
suggests (Pa帽ca-five), the Pa帽catantra is divided into five parts,
each of which deals with an aspect of practical wisdom.
The first book, entitled Mitrabheda, handles efficiently the
theme of the seperation of friends. The frame story relates how a
wicked jackal brings about the estrangement of the lion
Pingalaka from the bull Sa帽j墨vaka. Pingalaka treats Sa帽j墨vaka
as dear friend, to the absolute disgust of the sly jackal,
Damanaka, and his mate. Ultimately the lion is made to
distrust the bull and slay him. As Pingalaka, feeling penitent,
laments the death of his one-time faithful attendant, Damanaka
refers to the principles of polity to consol him. Polity, he says
recommends extermination of even the nearest and dearest, if
he endangers the stability of the administration. Statecraft,
