The tales of Panchatantra,
perhaps, are the oldest stories known in the literature of India. The
dates of the Panchatantra are not known and these tales are usually
attributed to Vishnu Sharma. Some believe that the fables of
panchatantra are as old as Rig-veda.
The popular story about
the origin of Panchatantra goes like this: Once there was a king who has
three son who are dull and without any wit or wisdom. Worried about the
wellbeing of his sons the king approaches a wise brahmin called Vishnu
Sharma and prays him to impart wisdom into his sons. Since the songs of
the king are dimwits, he chooses to pass the wisdom in the form of
interesting fables. The stories narrated by Vishnu Sarma contains
animals and birds and he makes them speak and behave like humans.
Panchatantra tells about
five ways that help the human being succeed in life. Pancha means five
and tantra means ways (or strategies or principles). Addressed to the
king's children, the stories are primarily about statecraft and are
popular throughout the world. The five strategies are:
- Quarrel among friends (mitra-beda)
- Gaining friends (mitra labha)
- Of crows and owls
- Loss of gains
- Imprudence (mindless action)
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