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.
Conclusion
3 (of 11)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
202
A researcher of Indian fable literature would unhesitatingly
state that the Pa帽catantra is undisputedly the most important
work which has many recensions.
Benfey had already admitted that the Pahlavi translation
stood closer to the original recension of the Pa帽catantra, the
"Primary work" than the only Sanskrit text known in his time.
However, he has gone too far when trying to derive from it his
conclusions with regard to original volume of the "Primary
work." With regard to South Indian recension of the
Pa帽catantra, it is stated thus:
"The South Indian Pa帽catantra鈥� too presents a very much
enlarged Sanskrit text. In this text, many stories, taken from
different recensions of the Pa帽catantra and prepared from.
Tamil sources as well, have been recently added. Most of the
lately added stories are tales that have had their original in
popular literature.2
Having identified rare and indirect references to Budhistic
teachings in any of the recensions of the Pa帽catantra, it may be
said "If not actually a Buddhistic work the Pa帽catantra must be
derived from Buddhistic sources. This follows from the fact that
a number of its fables can be traced to Buddhistic writings and
1. Krishnamachariar M., A History of Classical Sanskrit Literature, p.333.
賳賴 賳爻亘
2.
Krishnamachariar M., History of Classical Literature, p. 325.
