The Classic Of The Classics

Are animal fables enough to make us wiser? Well, as per history, they are! Because stories generate curiosity so we never leave until the final message appears.

The Evergreen Classic, source: IndiaNetzone

A famous fable here bestows in which a monkey and a crocodile often share the fruits of delight. The lovely friendship was envied by the crocodile’s wicked wife. She tricked her husband with a sickening lie that if he won’t bring the monkey’s heart, then she is soon to say a final goodbye. Saddened crocodile by his wife's remarks was obligated to commit such atrocity. Unaware of his friend’s true intentions the monkey agreed to meet his wife. While halfway beneath the water monkey questioned his friend. The crocodile spoke the frightening truth, listening which the monkey used all his might. He told his friend, he would offer his help but the help lies behind the tree they just left. The happy crocodile took the monkey to get his heart, but little did he know that he was tricked twice. From the safety monkey screams “Go to tell your wife that you are the biggest fool to be alive”.

~A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend.

You just read one of the most famous stories from Panchatantra. And I bet that many of you have already heard it. But do you know the origin of these ancient tales? Did you even know they were ancient? Many of us don’t. Pancha means ‘five’ and tantra means ‘principles’. The complete compilation of stories is divided into five parts which are titled as follows:

●      Mitra-bheda- The Separation of Friends (The Lion and the Bull)

●      Mitra-labha/Mitra-samprapti- The Gaining of Friends (The Dove, Crow, Mouse, Tortoise and Deer)

●      Kakolukiyam- Of Crows and Owls (War and Peace)

●      Labdhapranasam- Loss of Gains (The Monkey and The Crocodile)

●      Apariksitakarakam- Ill-Considered Actions (The Brahman and Mongoose)

The first book is the longest among the five. And each of these is knitted together and forms Panchatantra, the introduction of which goes like this-

Whoever learns the work by heart,

Or through the storyteller's art

Becomes acquainted,

His life by sad defeat—although

The king of heaven be his foe—

Is never tainted.

The introductory words tell a tale in itself, the tale about the birth of the written form of the Panchatantra fables which before the 3rd century BC were shared through oral narration. These stories were specially composed for three princes who had no interest in studying. An intelligent man, Vishnu Sharma, who was well versed with Nitishastra (Science of wise conduct) took the responsibility of turning the princes into masters of the art of intelligent living. The earliest written record of Panchatantra was written in the Sanskrit language of which the credit goes to Vishnu Sharma but today it is available in several languages across the world. Many stories in the composition found evidence during the era of Vedas and Upanishads. Though there are still debates on the origin of these animal fables, these short moral-based stories are the greatest contribution to world literature.

Precious things never go unnoticed and hence Panchatantra was meant to go beyond the boundaries of India. During the reign of King Khusrow of Persia, the king established a hospital in the city of Iran named Gundeshapur. He sent his physician, Borzuya, to India to bring rare medicinal plants. While on his search he got his hands on Panchatantra which he also brought back to Iran. There he translated Panchatantra into Pahlavi which is an old Persian language and named it Karirak ud Damanak. The title was inspired by the two jackals in the beginning story who were named Kalilaka and Damanaka. And the name of the author, Bidpai, was also manipulated out of the name Vidyapati.

After this, the stories touched every corner of the world and the hearts of children who loved listening to them as bedtime stories. Not only to the west, but also the east, went the stories circulating in circles around the globe. It is amusing how not only goods but stories were also carried by the traders. Guess stories are one of the necessities of mankind, just like Roti, Kapda aur Makaan.

At the present time there are more than 200 versions of the Panchatantra across 50 countries in the world. And each of them is culturally and religiously influenced by different regions. It is enthralling to see how we all lie on the same page when it comes to the art of storytelling! It is indeed true that art knows no boundary. Neither of communities nor of time. Once it is created it will never go obsolete.