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 3 - Contents of the Panchatantra
13 (of 60)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
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Tiṭṭibha bird. In precise, it is that, Tiṭṭibha makes it clear that
he is not like that Yadbhavisya fish. He starts his effort to win
over the sea by picking up the drops of the sea, continuously.
Seeing this, his consort gives suggestion to him to take the help
of his friends to achieve his goal. Her suggestion is to uphold
"unity is the strength". The combination of many things though
wanting in strength is irresistable. Because, a rope made out of
the combination of grass is enough to bind even the strong
elephant.25 In this connection, Tiṭṭibha tells the present story
wherein an elephant called Kāṣṭakūta meets with death at the
hands of the sparrow, the wood pecker, the fly and the frog by
becoming the enemy of many.
16. The story of Vajradaṃṣṭra (lion):
Damanaka gives his opinion that one should be decisive to
achieve his own goal even by means of tormenting others.
Because, he is a wise man who enjoys the accomplishment of his
own end without allowing his intellect to be confused, by means
of getting another into difficulty. And he further supports his
opinion by a story of Caturaka (a jackal).26
25. वहूनामप्यसाराणां समवायो हि दुर्जय� �
तृणैरावेष्ट्यत� रज्जुर्यया नागोऽप� बद्धयत� �
[vahūnāmapyasārāṇāṃ samavāyo hi durjaya� |
tṛṇairāveṣṭyate rajjuryayā nāgo'pi baddhayate ||
] Pañcatantra, Mitrabheda, Kathā 14, verse - 361, p. 147.
26. परस्� पीडन� कुर्वन� स्वार्थसिद्धिं � पण्डित� �
मूढबुद्धिर्न भक्षेत वन� चतुरको यथ� �
-
[parasya pīḍana� kurvan svārthasiddhi� ca paṇḍita� |
mūḍhabuddhirna bhakṣeta vane caturako yathā ||
-
] Pañcatantra, Mitrabheda, Kathā 15, verse - 399, p.162.
