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The Panchatantra of Vishnusharma
Authored in about 345–300 BCE by Vishnusharma, the Panchatantra has long been considered one of India’s invaluable gifts to the world. Its creation is the stuff of in an effort to expedite the education of his three unschooled sons, the wise King Amarashakti of Mahilaropya sought out the octogenarian scholar Vishnusharma, who was known for his inventive teaching methods. Vishnusharma not only accepted the task of educating the princes but also said that he would accomplish it in six months. The Nitishastra he used to teach the princes was one he composed specifically for the purpose and this was called the Panchatantra—five treatises.
‘Mitra Bheda’ (breach of friendship), the longest of the sections, is framed around the deep friendship between a lion, Pingalaka, and a bull, Sanjivaka, and narrates how they are turned against each other, raising the can two animals who are natural enemies ever be friends? The second tantra, ‘Mitra Samprapti’ (acquisition of friends), relates how a crow, mouse, tortoise, and deer become friends, and shows how friendship between the small and powerless is beneficial to all involved. ‘Kakolukiyam’ (of crows and owls), the third tantra, is a narrative that draws from Kautilya’s six-fold state policy, which is woven into the tantra’s frame story that describes a vendetta between crows and owls. The fourth tantra, ‘Labdha Pranasham’ (loss of acquired gains), is centred around the well-known tale of a crocodile’s treasured friendship with a monkey and how he loses it when his wife develops a hankering for the monkey’s heart. ‘Aparikshita Karakam’ (impetuous actions), the last tantra, is unique for its ocus on human characters. The framing tale is about a barber who, under a misconception, assaults monks, rashly assuming that this will bring him gold. It makes the case that reckless actions, especially when they are triggered by greed, end in failure and grief.
The sixty-nine stories in the Panchatantra cut a wide swathe, depicting as large a slice of life as possible. The cast of characters consists of lions, tigers, wolves, cats, tortoises, monkeys, deer, hares, snakes; crows, cranes, and various other birds; and water creatures, such as fish and crabs. There are also some humans, such as weavers and barbers, fowlers and hunters, as well as wealthy merchants, and ministers, kings, and, along with these, a smattering of priests. While in recent times it has been largely treated as children’s literature, the Panchatantra is a timeless book of wisdom for all ages, filled with tales laced with insight, cogent witticisms, and lessons about living. In this retelling of the ancient text, Meena Arora Nayak creates a work that is lucid, fluent, and engaging, while keeping the essence of its magnificence intact.
‘Mitra Bheda’ (breach of friendship), the longest of the sections, is framed around the deep friendship between a lion, Pingalaka, and a bull, Sanjivaka, and narrates how they are turned against each other, raising the can two animals who are natural enemies ever be friends? The second tantra, ‘Mitra Samprapti’ (acquisition of friends), relates how a crow, mouse, tortoise, and deer become friends, and shows how friendship between the small and powerless is beneficial to all involved. ‘Kakolukiyam’ (of crows and owls), the third tantra, is a narrative that draws from Kautilya’s six-fold state policy, which is woven into the tantra’s frame story that describes a vendetta between crows and owls. The fourth tantra, ‘Labdha Pranasham’ (loss of acquired gains), is centred around the well-known tale of a crocodile’s treasured friendship with a monkey and how he loses it when his wife develops a hankering for the monkey’s heart. ‘Aparikshita Karakam’ (impetuous actions), the last tantra, is unique for its ocus on human characters. The framing tale is about a barber who, under a misconception, assaults monks, rashly assuming that this will bring him gold. It makes the case that reckless actions, especially when they are triggered by greed, end in failure and grief.
The sixty-nine stories in the Panchatantra cut a wide swathe, depicting as large a slice of life as possible. The cast of characters consists of lions, tigers, wolves, cats, tortoises, monkeys, deer, hares, snakes; crows, cranes, and various other birds; and water creatures, such as fish and crabs. There are also some humans, such as weavers and barbers, fowlers and hunters, as well as wealthy merchants, and ministers, kings, and, along with these, a smattering of priests. While in recent times it has been largely treated as children’s literature, the Panchatantra is a timeless book of wisdom for all ages, filled with tales laced with insight, cogent witticisms, and lessons about living. In this retelling of the ancient text, Meena Arora Nayak creates a work that is lucid, fluent, and engaging, while keeping the essence of its magnificence intact.
411 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 12, 2023
I loved reading and watching Panchatantra stories as a kid and thus, was so happy when I came across this book!☺
However, once I started reading it, I realized that there was so much more to these stories than what I knew or remembered. For example, I had no clue about Burzoe's legend or why it is always mentioned before the Panchatantra stories. There's a fascinating story behind it!
I loved reading why these stories were called the elixir of life in India and how they got translated into various different languages and are considered panacean wisdom literature across the globe.
Panchatantra means five tantras or five treatises. They were part of the Nitishastra that the very famous scholar, Vishnusharma, had taught to the sons of King Amarashakti of Mahilaropya. The five treatises are: -
✨Mitra Bheda- breach of friendship
✨Mitra Samprapti- acquisition of friends
✨Kakolukiyam- of crows and owls
✨Labdha Pranasham- loss of acquired gains
✨Aparikshita Karakam- impetuous actions
These tantras are presented in an innovative genre of storytelling called champu, which is a combination of prose and verse. It is a Sanskrit genre and is evidenced as far back as the Vedas. It was popular between the second and tenth centuries. It was so amazing to read these wonderful stories in their original format and literary style.
There are a total of sixty-nine stories in Panchatantra and they brilliantly depict the various aspects of life and its challenges. While reading the stories I realized that I did remember some of them quite well.☺ Especially, the tale of the fourth tantra. It is a tale of a crocodile who loses its treasured friendship with a monkey when its wife develops a hankering for the monkey's heart.
I enjoyed reading these wonderful stories that are so full of wisdom and knowledge! They were a beautiful part of my childhood and it felt so refreshing to read them again! I used to watch their cartoon adaptations as a kid and even read some of the stories in a comic format. It was lovely rereading and revisiting these enchanting stories!☺
However, once I started reading it, I realized that there was so much more to these stories than what I knew or remembered. For example, I had no clue about Burzoe's legend or why it is always mentioned before the Panchatantra stories. There's a fascinating story behind it!
I loved reading why these stories were called the elixir of life in India and how they got translated into various different languages and are considered panacean wisdom literature across the globe.
Panchatantra means five tantras or five treatises. They were part of the Nitishastra that the very famous scholar, Vishnusharma, had taught to the sons of King Amarashakti of Mahilaropya. The five treatises are: -
✨Mitra Bheda- breach of friendship
✨Mitra Samprapti- acquisition of friends
✨Kakolukiyam- of crows and owls
✨Labdha Pranasham- loss of acquired gains
✨Aparikshita Karakam- impetuous actions
These tantras are presented in an innovative genre of storytelling called champu, which is a combination of prose and verse. It is a Sanskrit genre and is evidenced as far back as the Vedas. It was popular between the second and tenth centuries. It was so amazing to read these wonderful stories in their original format and literary style.
There are a total of sixty-nine stories in Panchatantra and they brilliantly depict the various aspects of life and its challenges. While reading the stories I realized that I did remember some of them quite well.☺ Especially, the tale of the fourth tantra. It is a tale of a crocodile who loses its treasured friendship with a monkey when its wife develops a hankering for the monkey's heart.
I enjoyed reading these wonderful stories that are so full of wisdom and knowledge! They were a beautiful part of my childhood and it felt so refreshing to read them again! I used to watch their cartoon adaptations as a kid and even read some of the stories in a comic format. It was lovely rereading and revisiting these enchanting stories!☺
May 12, 2023
Meena Arora Nayak's retelling of the ancient Indian text, "Panchatantra," takes readers on a captivating journey through a collection of sixty-nine stories filled with wisdom and profound life lessons. With her lucid, fluent, and engaging writing style, Nayak successfully brings the essence of the original work to life while making it accessible to readers of all ages.
The book opens with the legendary tale of King Amarashakti and the scholar Vishnusharma, setting the stage for the profound teachings that follow. Each of the five sections, known as "treatises," explores different themes and scenarios, drawing upon a diverse cast of animal and human characters. From the breach of friendship to the acquisition of friends, the stories delve into the complexities of relationships and provide valuable insights into human nature.
While the Panchatantra is often considered children's literature, Nayak's retelling demonstrates that its wisdom transcends age barriers.
Overall, the retelling of the Panchatantra is a captivating and insightful rendition of a timeless classic. The author’s mastery of storytelling brings the ancient text to life, while the moral lessons embedded within the stories continue to resonate in today's world. It is a must-read for anyone seeking profound wisdom and entertainment within the pages of a single book.
May 16, 2023
I think right after The Ramayana and Mahabharata, Pamchatantra, at least its tales have been most read and passed on from generation to generation in our country. I believe only a rare few would say that they do not know a Panchatantra tale.
.
So definitely this was a mammoth task for the author to rebottle an old wine but a task well done. Replete with a to the point introduction - the book is sectioned into the 5 tantras and consists of 69 stories known to be in it.
.
We often categorise this book to be for children or as children's tales, reading this changed my views on that completely. Although told through the eyes of animals, birds and the aquatic world, there is much to be learned from the stories, the perspectives which can be well understood by adults. The morals I should say come out really well.
.
With its hard bound cover and the lucid language usage, I think this is a book to be kept in your repertoire and also a great book to pass on as gifts.
.
.
So definitely this was a mammoth task for the author to rebottle an old wine but a task well done. Replete with a to the point introduction - the book is sectioned into the 5 tantras and consists of 69 stories known to be in it.
.
We often categorise this book to be for children or as children's tales, reading this changed my views on that completely. Although told through the eyes of animals, birds and the aquatic world, there is much to be learned from the stories, the perspectives which can be well understood by adults. The morals I should say come out really well.
.
With its hard bound cover and the lucid language usage, I think this is a book to be kept in your repertoire and also a great book to pass on as gifts.
.
May 23, 2023
𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊
•• TITLE : The Panchatantra by Vishnusharma
•• AUTHOR : Meena Arora Nayak
•• PUBLISHER : Aleph Books
•• FORMAT : Hardcover
•• LANGUAGE : English
𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒
Panchatantra is an iconic Indian book which everyone read in their childhood days in different ways.
It was authored in about 345–300 BCE by Vishnusharma, the.
Its creation is the stuff of legend: in an effort to expedite the education of his three unschooled sons, the wise King Amarashakti of Mahilaropya sought out the octogenarian scholar Vishnusharma, who was known for his inventive teaching methods. Vishnusharma not only accepted the task of educating the princes but also said that he would accomplish it in six months. The Nitishastra he used to teach the princes was one he composed specifically for the purpose and this was called the Panchatantra—five treatises.
Those five treatises are,
1.
- Mitra Bheda (Breach of Friendship)
* Frame Story : A devious wolf ruins the friendship between a lion & a bull
2.
- Mitra Samprati (Acquisition of Friends)
* Frame Story: Great friendship between Crow, mouse, tortoise & deer.
3.
- Kakolukiyam (of crows & owls)
* Frame Story: Enmity between Crows & owls
4.
- Labdha Pranasha(Loss of Acquired Gains)
* Frame Story: Monkey escapes the crocodile who wants his heart
5.
- Aparikshita Karakam (Impetuous Actions)
* Frame Story: The Barber's Reckless Actions
..
To know more grab it & try it.
✓ The cover of the book could have been better. It's so simple & not that much attractive.
✓ The writing style of the book is quite expanded & elaborated.
✓ The author focuses on each detailing of Panchatantra to keep the raw essence intact.
✓ The language used in this book is quite fascinating. It's good easily understandable & quite gripping.
✓ The author narrated each story in a very detailed manner that you will get the insight of each n every in a perfect manner.
✓ It's such a type of book & these stories are household stories but the author justified them precisely.
✓ The inclusion of reference makes it more informative.
✓ Book is slowly paced with perfect detailing of everything that makes it a phenomenal read.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
•• TITLE : The Panchatantra by Vishnusharma
•• AUTHOR : Meena Arora Nayak
•• PUBLISHER : Aleph Books
•• FORMAT : Hardcover
•• LANGUAGE : English
𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒
Panchatantra is an iconic Indian book which everyone read in their childhood days in different ways.
It was authored in about 345–300 BCE by Vishnusharma, the.
Its creation is the stuff of legend: in an effort to expedite the education of his three unschooled sons, the wise King Amarashakti of Mahilaropya sought out the octogenarian scholar Vishnusharma, who was known for his inventive teaching methods. Vishnusharma not only accepted the task of educating the princes but also said that he would accomplish it in six months. The Nitishastra he used to teach the princes was one he composed specifically for the purpose and this was called the Panchatantra—five treatises.
Those five treatises are,
1.
- Mitra Bheda (Breach of Friendship)
* Frame Story : A devious wolf ruins the friendship between a lion & a bull
2.
- Mitra Samprati (Acquisition of Friends)
* Frame Story: Great friendship between Crow, mouse, tortoise & deer.
3.
- Kakolukiyam (of crows & owls)
* Frame Story: Enmity between Crows & owls
4.
- Labdha Pranasha(Loss of Acquired Gains)
* Frame Story: Monkey escapes the crocodile who wants his heart
5.
- Aparikshita Karakam (Impetuous Actions)
* Frame Story: The Barber's Reckless Actions
..
To know more grab it & try it.
✓ The cover of the book could have been better. It's so simple & not that much attractive.
✓ The writing style of the book is quite expanded & elaborated.
✓ The author focuses on each detailing of Panchatantra to keep the raw essence intact.
✓ The language used in this book is quite fascinating. It's good easily understandable & quite gripping.
✓ The author narrated each story in a very detailed manner that you will get the insight of each n every in a perfect manner.
✓ It's such a type of book & these stories are household stories but the author justified them precisely.
✓ The inclusion of reference makes it more informative.
✓ Book is slowly paced with perfect detailing of everything that makes it a phenomenal read.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
December 31, 2023
Vishnu Sharma's Panchatantra is a compilation of ancient Indian fables passed down through oral tradition and later transcribed in Sanskrit. Originally meant as a tool for educating young princes, the collection has since become a beloved literary work for all ages. The Panchatantra is divided into five parts, or "tantras," each exploring a distinct theme through various stories. The first tantra teaches the importance of selecting friends carefully, while the second examines the ramifications of impulsive behaviour. The third focuses on true love and loyalty, the fourth stresses wise governance, and the final tantra tackles diplomacy and war. The fables feature animal characters displaying human-like traits and confronting ethical quandaries, imparting moral and ethical lessons through their allegorical nature. For example, the story of the lion and the mouse underscores the importance of kindness to all, regardless of size or status.
The Panchatantra has been translated into numerous languages and remains a well-known literary work around the globe. Its timeless themes and lessons account for its enduring popularity. Retelling the Panchatantra is vital as it preserves India's cultural heritage and traditions, ensuring that these stories are not lost. Additionally, these stories offer essential ethical and moral lessons for people of all ages and backgrounds, and their symbolic nature allows for deeper comprehension. Moreover, the Panchatantra has significantly influenced world literature, particularly fables and fairy tales. Retelling the stories helps trace these literary traditions' origins and development. Overall, retelling the Panchatantra is important for preserving cultural heritage, teaching important moral and ethical lessons, and understanding the influence of this work on world literature.
Although often regarded as children's literature in modern times, the Panchatantra is a timeless work of wisdom suitable for all ages. Its tales are rich with insight, witty aphorisms, and lessons about life. Meena Arora Nayak's retelling of the ancient text is a lucid, fluid, and captivating interpretation that retains the essence of its magnificence.
The Panchatantra has been translated into numerous languages and remains a well-known literary work around the globe. Its timeless themes and lessons account for its enduring popularity. Retelling the Panchatantra is vital as it preserves India's cultural heritage and traditions, ensuring that these stories are not lost. Additionally, these stories offer essential ethical and moral lessons for people of all ages and backgrounds, and their symbolic nature allows for deeper comprehension. Moreover, the Panchatantra has significantly influenced world literature, particularly fables and fairy tales. Retelling the stories helps trace these literary traditions' origins and development. Overall, retelling the Panchatantra is important for preserving cultural heritage, teaching important moral and ethical lessons, and understanding the influence of this work on world literature.
Although often regarded as children's literature in modern times, the Panchatantra is a timeless work of wisdom suitable for all ages. Its tales are rich with insight, witty aphorisms, and lessons about life. Meena Arora Nayak's retelling of the ancient text is a lucid, fluid, and captivating interpretation that retains the essence of its magnificence.
May 14, 2023
The Panchatantra, a collection of stories from ancient India, has been treasured by generations for its wisdom and wit. Authored by Vishnusharma in the 4th century BCE, the Panchatantra has been lauded as one of India's greatest gifts to the world. In this retelling, Meena Arora Nayak does an excellent job of capturing the essence of this timeless classic while making it accessible to modern readers.
The Panchatantra consists of five treatises, each with its own theme and message. From the story of a friendship between a lion and a bull turned sour to the loss of a treasured friendship between a monkey and a crocodile, the sixty-nine stories in this book cover a wide range of themes and characters. Though the cast of characters includes animals like lions, tigers, and tortoises, the lessons contained within these tales are relevant to all ages.
What makes this retelling by Meena Arora Nayak particularly engaging is her lucid and fluent writing style. She brings the tales to life with vivid descriptions and relatable characters. The book is both entertaining and educational, making it an ideal read for both children and adults. Nayak has done an excellent job of keeping the essence of the Panchatantra intact while making it accessible to a wider audience.
The Panchatantra is a timeless book of wisdom that has stood the test of time. Meena Arora Nayak's retelling of these ancient tales is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian literature, folklore, or simply looking for an engaging read that offers valuable life lessons. Highly recommended.
The Panchatantra consists of five treatises, each with its own theme and message. From the story of a friendship between a lion and a bull turned sour to the loss of a treasured friendship between a monkey and a crocodile, the sixty-nine stories in this book cover a wide range of themes and characters. Though the cast of characters includes animals like lions, tigers, and tortoises, the lessons contained within these tales are relevant to all ages.
What makes this retelling by Meena Arora Nayak particularly engaging is her lucid and fluent writing style. She brings the tales to life with vivid descriptions and relatable characters. The book is both entertaining and educational, making it an ideal read for both children and adults. Nayak has done an excellent job of keeping the essence of the Panchatantra intact while making it accessible to a wider audience.
The Panchatantra is a timeless book of wisdom that has stood the test of time. Meena Arora Nayak's retelling of these ancient tales is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian literature, folklore, or simply looking for an engaging read that offers valuable life lessons. Highly recommended.
June 23, 2025
This is a very comprehensive book on how to lead, what kind of friends to have,what kind of company to keep and so much more. Full of age old wisdom on how to conduct yourself in life. The author has done a brilliant jobin translation. This is literally a textbook that one should study
July 18, 2023
Fun and enlightening read. Full of practical yet timeless worldly wisdom.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews