The Panchatantra - Story 80

STORY NO. 80. THE DEMONS KILL EACH OTHER

Sunda and Upasunda were two demon brothers of terrible strength and endurance. They wanted to conquer the three worlds. So they did, the most terrible penances to please Siva and obtain boons from him. Siva appeared before them with his consort Parvati and asked them to request for any boon they liked. They were overcome by the beauty of the goddess Parvati and forgot their original purpose. Being demons, with no sense of propriety they prayed Siva to give her to them. Siva did so, acting ac- cording to his promise. 

The two demons then quarreled as to which one of them should have Parvati as wife. They saw a handsome stranger of striking personality go past and asked him ta arbitrate and say which one of them should have Parvati, The stranger was no other than Sri Krishna who had been sent by the distressed Devas to rescue Parvati somehow from the demons. Krishna told the demons, "You two fight it out to death. She shall belong to the victor who- survives."The demons fought with demoniacal fury and determination, and, being equal in strength and skill, each fatally wounded the other, and both died. Parvati was i&us rescued from their clutches.

The Panchatantra - Story 79

STORY NO. 79. THE MOUSE AND THE HERMIT

The saint Mahatapas lived in the dense forest of Gautama, doing terrible penance. One day, he saw a young mouse fall on the grass in front of him from the beak of a crow. He saw also a cat run to eat the mouse. 'Moved by love, tenderness and pity, the saint used his extraordinary powers, derived from austerity, and made the mouse into a big cat. The cat, which had gone to eat it, ran away. A dog came along, and the cat was afraid. The saint turned it into a dog, and saved it. A tiger arrived now, and the dog trembled before it. The saint turned the dog into a tiger, and saved it. 

But some people who saw this said, "This was a dog and was made into a tiger by this saint."The mouse-tiger thought to itself, "So long as this saint lives, he will remember that I was a mouse once, and will spread the tale. Let me therefore kill him". He prepared himself to spring on the saint and kill him. The saint guessed what was passing in his mind and said, "Be a mouse again", and the tiger became a mouse again. 

The Panchatantra - Story 78

STORY NO. 78. THE ARTFUL WIFE

There was an old merchant called Samudradatta in Vikramapura. He married a pretty young woman called Ratnaprabha. Disgusted with her old husband, she used to amuse herself with the young and handsome cook. One day, Samudradatta actually saw her kissing the cook. The wife saw him notice the act, and, before he could say anything, said to him in an angry voice, 'My lord, this cook is eating the scented betel kept exclusively for you. I have smelt its odour from his mouth just now". The cook then said indignantly to his master, "How can any servant serve in this house when his mouth is being smelt every now and then to see what he eats? I am leaving". Samudradatta was taken in by all this, and begged of the cook to overlook the inconvenience and remain. The cook did! 

The Panchatantra - Story 77

STORY NO. 77. SACRIFICED HIS OWN SON

A Rajput called Viravara presented himself before King Sudraka of Ujjaini and wanted employment. The King asked him what wages he wanted. He said "Four hundred gold coins a day". What are your accouterments?" asked the astonished King, "These two arms, an unswervingly loyal heart, my sword, and a readiness to sacrifice everything for my master. "You demand far too much" said the King, and sent him away. But the Prime Minister said to the King, "He seems to be a remarkable man. why not your majesty try him for a week and then dismiss him if he is not worth his salary?". "Right"said the King, and employed Viravara for a week. 

Viravara spent half his salary every day on gods and Brahmins, half the balance he gave the poor and spent the rest on himself, his wife and only son Saktidhara whom he loved to distraction. The King learnt all this through his spies. Viravara used to stand guard at the palace night and day most vigilantly. On the night before New moon day, the King heard the sound of a young woman's weeping. It was pitch dark. He asked Viravara to go and find out why the woman was weeping. Viravara left. The- King followed him to see what happened. Viravara asked the weeping young woman why she was weeping. She replied, "I am the Fortune of King Sudraka. He will die in three days, and I shall be left desolate. So I am heart-broken and am weeping.""Is there no way of preventing it?" asked Viravara. 'There is,"said the young woman, "But it is a terrible one. If you will sacrifice your only son, Saktidhara, possessed of all the thirty-two auspicious qualities, to the goddess Sarvamangala in the Mahakali temple, outside the fort, the King's death will be averted and he will live for a hundred years."Viravara went to his house, followed secretly by the King, and told his wife and son about what the young woman had told him. Saktidhara said, "Why hesitate, father? Sacrifice me for the sake of your master whose wages you are enjoying.'' His mother also agreed. 

So, Viravara went with his wife and son to the Ujjaini Mahakali(Called Uchimakali (Ujjaini Mahakali) in South India) temple and cut off his son Saktidhara's head as a sacrifice to the goddess Sarvamangala. Then, saying, "After my beloved son's death, my life is not worth living", he cut off his own head. His wife too cut off her own head, saying, "I cannot live without my husband and son."The king, who was watching all this in astonishment, said to himself, "Why should useless people like me continue to live at the expense of such brave and self-sacrificing people?"and took his sword and proceeded to cut off his own head when the goddess Sarvamangala appeared before him and caught his sword and asked him to desist from the rash act. He told her that he would desist only if she restored to life Viravara, his wife and son. She did so, and they returned to their house, and the King to the palace. When Viravara returned, to the palace, the King asked him, "What happened?". He replied simply, "That weeping woman disappeared on my approaching and questioning her." Pleased with his bravery, self-sacrifice and modesty, the King said, "You are the model warrior" and made him the ruler of Karnataka province,' under him, with the full approval of his Prime Minister. 

The Panchatantra - Story 76

STORY NO. 76. THE CROW AND THE QUAIL

A crow dwelt on the branch of a tree, and a quail lived below the tree. One day, both went to witness a festival. The crow repeatedly dipped into a pot of curds carried on his head by a cowherd. The infuriated cow-herd looked up and saw the crow and the quail above his head. The cunning crow flew away. The slower quail was caught and killed.

The Panchatantra - Story 75

STORY NO. 75. THE GANDER AND THE CROW

Once upon a time, a weary soldier, on a long journey, lay under the shade of pipal tree, in hot summer, and fell asleep with his bow and arrow by his side. A gander and crow lived on that tree* Seeing the hot sun's rays fall on his face, the kindly gander went and spread his wings over his face. The soldier slept with his mouth open, due to weariness. The crow, moved by its natural malevolence, dropped its dung into the open mouth of the soldier. The soldier woke up in a rage, and saw the gander above him. Mistaking the gander to be the miscreant, he took up his bow and arrow and shot it dead. Thus the poor gander, because it kept the society of the wicked crow, met with its end. 

The Panchatantra - Story 74

STORY NO. 74. THE SWAN KING AND THE PEACOCK KING

In the island of Karpura(Kashmir, considered to be an island, as it was isolated, from India by high mountain ranges) in the North, there was a lake called Padmakeli(Dal Lake, full of lotuses at times), There lived in it a royal swan called Hiranyagarbha(Golden-Germ)

who was crowned by all the water birds as their King. He protected his subjects, and, in turn, they enhanced his pomp and glory. In the Vindhya mountains, five hundred miles to the south, there lived a royal peacock called Chitravarna(picturesque colour) who was crowned King by all the land birds. 

One day, a crane called Dirghamukha(Long-Face) went to the Vindhyas reconnoitering. He was searching for some food there when some land birds met him and asked him about his land and King. He replied that he was from the island of Karpura and was a subject of King Hiranyagarbha. He added proudly, "Our land is a bit of paradise on earth and our King is a celestial. He asked all of them to leave their jungle country and migrate to Karpura. The land birds rebuked him for his boastful words and pointed out that he had to go to their country for his very food. Thereupon a quarrel started. 'The land birds asked him who had made Hiranyagarbha King. He asked them who had made Chitravarna King. They told him that King Chitravarna was King of all Jambudvipa(India) which included Karpura also. He replied "That will be so if words will do to conquer Kingdoms. Our King Hiranyagarbha will also assert his over-lordship over Jambudvipa.""How?" asked they, "By waging War" said Dirghamukha. The land birds said, "We can easily meet him in War, however powerful he is. Even by a fiction, as in the Story of "The Lake of the Moon", we can defeat him in war, as the rabbits did the elephants."

Then they took him to Chitravarna and reported the incident. An ambassador, a parrot, asserted to the king that Karpura-desa was in Jambudvipa, Chitravarna too asserted that

he was King of all Jambudvipa and was therefore, overlord of Karpura-desa too, Dirghamukha retorted that his king Hiranyagarbha was overlord of Jambudvipa. "How will he prove it?"asked Chitravarna. "In War" said Dirghamukha. He asked Chitravarna to send an ambassador to Hiranyagarbha with an ultimatum threatening invasion and war unless he acknowledged his suzerainty, and see what happened, Duradarsin, a wise Vulture, was Prime Minister of Chitravarna. He asked Dirghamukha who the Prime Minister of Hiranyagarbha was, and was told that it was the chakravaka(A Brahminy Duck) Sarvajna(All-knowing) He remarked that it was a good choice as was a native of the country and fit for the post. 

After consulting Duradarsin, Chitravarna chose the parrot as his ambassador to Hiranyagarbha. The parrot agreed, but refused to go to Karpura-desa with Dirghamukha

a!s he was a villainous person, like the crow in the stories "The Crow and the Gander" and "The Crow and the Quail" and unfit to be associated with. He said he would prefer to travel alone to Karpura-desa after Dirghamukha had left. Dirghamukha asked, "Why do you call me a villainous person ? 1 shall accord to you, as ambassador, the same respect I accord to His Majesty Chitravarna. "I call you a villainous person because of your stirring up a war by your provocative words and conduct. Conciliatory, tactful words would have smoothed the position and even earned you adulation and admiration just as in the story of "A Fool's Rejoicing" the foolish wheel-right carried on his head with pride his adulterous wife and her paramour, and danced about in joy despite the gross offence committed by them in his very presence."

Dirghamukha returned to Karpuradesa and narrated the whole story to Hiranyagarbha when he was sitting on his throne of lotuses surrounded by his prime minister, the chakravaka Sarvajna, and other ministers and courtiers. Hiranyagarbha told him that in threatening War he had acted rashly and without due consideration of the strength of his country, like the "Ass in Tiger's Skin" Sarvajna said that Dirghamukha had acted like a fool in provoking a quarrel and threatening War. He then took the King aside and told him privately that Dirghamukha must have acted thus at the instance of some of their chauvinistic army officers. The King said, ''Let us ignore the past. Suggest what should be done at present."Sarvajna suggested the sending of two spies to Jambudvipa, one to spy out everything, and the other to act as his messenger to report to his King. Dirghamukha and another crane were chosen as the two spies, and their families were held in court as hostages. 

The door-keeper then announced the arrival of the parrot as ambassador from Jambudvipa. Sarvajna asked the parrot to be taken to the embassy room and brought later on, when directed, to the King. Hiranyagarbha said with enthusiasm, So, now, war is in sight.""Sire,"said Sarvajna, ''Do not be enthusiastic as if war is a desirable thing. War should not be resorted to in a hurry any mere than object surrender of one's country to the enemy. Only when soft words, gifts, and threats and breaking off of diplomatic relations fail should War be resorted to by the wise. Every man fancies himself a hero who has not engaged in a life and death struggle. People merrily ring the bells welcoming the declaration of War, but soon they wring their hands when theirs beloved ones die and their country is invaded by the ruthless enemy. All wars must end in peace, some day or other. So peace is the normal state and is far more to be desired than War. But now that War is at hand, let all preparations be made to prosecute it to a successful end. Let us remember that Chitravarna is a powerful King and that the land birds are far more numerous and stronger than sea birds. Our position is like that of a whale fighting an elephant on land. A prudent man will retreat like a tortoise when a strong foe attacks. 

But, when the time comes he will attack in turn like an angry serpent. Let the ambassador, the parrot, be detained and given light refreshments, and made to rest, while we put the fortress in order."General Sarasa, the crane general, was called in and asked to put the fortress in a fit condition to stand an assault or siege. He said that he had done it already, but wanted enough grains and salt to be stored for the garrison inside the fort. The king and Sarvajna nodded approval. The door-keeper announced the arrival of Meghavarna(Cloud-coloured, black), the crow king of Simhala-dvipa with his attendants and his wish to have audience with the king. Hiranyagarbha said that Meghavarna was wise and deserved to be received. "How is he to be received ? As friend, foe or neutral ?", asked Sarvajna. "He is a land bird and therefore prima facie ranged with Chitravarna. Any one who deserts his kith and kin the land birds, deserves to be killed like the Blue Jackal in the story King Kukudruma" "As he has come from a distance, let him be admitted to our presence.", said the king. "All right", said Sarvajna. "We shall also call in the parrot as the spy has been dispatched and the fortress put in order. But as Chanakya slew Nanda by employing an assassin as messenger, let the sovereign be at a distance from him and he surrounded by his warriors."

After the court had assembled, the parrot and Meghavarna were both called. The parrot bowed and took his seat on the seat allotted to him and said, "O Hiranyagarbha! the prosperous and powerful Chitravarna, King of kings, commands you to go to him speedily and do homage to him if you have any love for your life and if you do not intend to flee from your kingdom". Hiranyagarbha cried out loudly, "Is there none in this assembly who will stop his throat?" Give the order, sir, and I shall put this base parrot to death", said Meghavarna. Sarvajna said, "Sire, an ambassador's person, even if he is a barbarian, even if he is insolent, is inviolable, for he only represents his king. And because of the inviolability of his person he talks arrogantly. Leave him alone and send him back."Hiranyagarbha recovered his temper and allowed the parrot to depart in peace. Sarvajna took the parrot out, and gave him the customary gold and other presents and sent him away. 

The parrot went back to his country. Chitravarna asked him, "What news?"The parrot replied, "Your majesty, Let preparations for war be made immediately. Karpura is a powerful country and is indeed a bit of paradise. But King Hiranyagarbha and Prime Minister Sarvajna are adamant." Chitravarna held a meeting of his ministers to consider what was to be done now that war was inevitable. Duradarsin the vulture prime-minister said that war should be resorted to only in the last resort and then too only after full consideration of one's strength compared with that of the enemy, and the possibility of avoiding war by small concessions and that war should not be undertaken in haste. ''Again", said he, a small but good army is better than a rabble of shavellings(A contemptous term for buddhist and jain monks) or cowards or ill-trained men for the flight of the worthless will surely cause the rout also of the good. Fame and reward are the spur to bravery. We must discuss everything fully." The king said impatiently, "What need for so much talk ? We must invade the enemy country at once."He rose and set out with his army at the time already fined by the astrologer. 

Soon after, a messenger appeared before Hiranyagarbha and told him that he had been dispatched by the master spy to tell him that Chitravarna had begun his invasion and that he was camping in the Malaya mountains(Banihal hills, part of the Himalayan foot hills) leading to Karpura valley, and that there was some ground for believing that there was a fifth columnist agent of Chitravarna inside the fort, and that the fort should there- fore be cleared. Sarvajna said that he suspected the crow Meghavarna, a land bird, to be an enemy agent. "That' can never be", said Hiranyagarbha. "Why was he then so eager to suppress the parrot? Besides, he arrived long before the declaration of war". Nevertheless, he is a stranger and is to be suspected", said Sarvajna. "Even strangers deserve to be treated with consideration. Remember that a stranger, Viravara, engaged a few days before was ready to sacrifice his only son's life for King Sudraka'. There are good, bad and indifferent people among strangers as well as among natives.", said the king. 

"But ministers have to speak out what they feel to be the truth", said Sarvajna."A physician, a spiritual preceptor, and a minister who hides the truth from the king, soon deprives him of bodily health, morality and prosperity. Counting on great profits from unknown strangers will be acting like the barber who killed an unknown monk from an infatuation that he would get a treasure thereby though, in the result, he was himself put to death.""What shall we do now ?", asked the king* "I hear from our spy that Chitravarna has disregarded the advice of his wise prime-minister Duradarsin, the vulture, and has advanced headlong against our country. We can now attack bis army wearied by the march, and ignorant of the terrain in the mountains, rivers and forests, and otn the roads before they recover from their fatigue. Let General Sarasa and others do it."This was done and many of Chitravarna's advance guards were killed in the mountains and forests and on the roads and the banks of the river. 

The humbled Chitravarna asked Duradarsin's advice, Duradarsin chided him for his hasty declaration of war and rash and headlong advance. Chitravarna begged of him to organize a safe retreat to the Vindhyas. Duradarsin then said, "Do not despair. I have a plan. Attack, the fortress in force". This was done. 

The crane spy reported it to Hiranyagarbha and Sarvajna advised Hiranyagarbha to put the fortress in order, and, forgetting economy, to give the soldiers big largess-es to induce them to defend it bravely regardless of their lives. Meghavarna offered to sally out of the fort to fight the foe. Sarvajna was against this course and was for all taking shelter in the fortress and offering fight to the foe. So, when Chitravarna's army advanced on the fortress, a great battle ensued at all the gates. When Hiranyagarbha's troops were thus engaged, Meghavarna and his crows threw lighted brands on every house inside the fort and there were cries of. Fire' 'Fire' The fortress is captured.' In panic, most of the water birds left the fortress and entered the waters of the moat. Hiranyagarbha and his General Sarasa were sur- rounded by General Cock of Chitravarna. General Cock inflicted terrible injuries on Hiranyagarbha with his spurs. When Sarasa went to protect him, Hiranyagarbha told him "Leave me to my fate. Crown my son, Chudamani, king.'' Sarasa said, "The enemy can get at your majesty only over my body."He pushed Hiranyagarbha into the moat despite General Cock's attempt to prevent it. General Sarasa attacked General Cock fiercely and killed him, but was himself killed by a mass attack by the land birds. Then Chitravarna entered the fort amidst great shouts of "'Victory' 'Victory' The war has ended victoriously."

PEACE

Hiranyagarbha asked his followers, "Who threw the fire-brands at the houses in our fort ? Was it one of the enemy or an inhabitant of our fort employed by the enemy ?"''Sire", said Sarvajna, "Your disinterested friend Meghavarna the crow and his attendants are no longer to be seen here. I think that they did the mis- chief."The king said, "It is our destiny, our misfortune."' "Why blame destiny ? People who will not listen to good advice sustain misfortunes like the tortoise Kambugriva who disregarded the advice of his two geese friends, Sankata and Vikata", said Sarvajna. An emissary came then and told Hiranyagarbha and Sarvajna that Chitravarna had proposed to make Meghavarna King of Karpura for his services in capturing the fortress but that Duradarsin had advised him not to do so but give him gold and robes as a mean and treacherous fellow like Meghavarna should never be put in the position of the great as the meanness would persist as in the story of the Mouse and the Hermit*^, Chitravarna had said, "If I make him the king of Karpura, be will be daily sending me the famous Kashmir shawls and fabrics, saffron and fruits-"Do not build castles in the air like Devasarma", Duradarsin cautioned him. 

Chitravarna asked Duradarsin to advise him as to what he should do. Duradarsin asked him to make peace with Hiranyagarbha and go back to the Vindhyas. "If we linger here till the rainy season, we shall have another battle with the enemy and we shall fare very badly. We have captured the fort and acquired fame. Why take the chance of losing all that? In a battle between forces of equal strength, sometimes both perish as in the story of "The Two Demon". So we should seek peace with an equal like Hiranyagarbha."

Chitravarna, flushed with victory, was at first averse to concluding a lasting peace and alliance with Hiranyagarbha. So Sarvajna sent the junior General Sarasa, who had succeeded his deceased father as commander-in-chief, to Jambudvipa to spread disaffection there and to Simhaladvipa to provoke an invasion of Jambudvipa. Duradarsin asked Chitravarna to consult Meghavarna. Meghavarna too advised peace and alliance with Hiranyagarbha. "The king is a high minded soul and the minister an able and noble person. Both will make worthy allies.'* Chitravarna asked, ' Then how did you deceive the king and minister?' 'Sire'', said Meghavarna. "What credit is there in deceiving the noble ones who trust you, any more than in killing one who trusts you and sleeps on your lap ? A noble soul who takes a rascal for a good man judging him by his own nature may be deceived like the brahmin in the story who was induced by rogues into believing a goat to be a dog'. Rogues may also trap the good as the crow, tiger and jackal did the camel.*' But all this does not disprove my point. "Meghavarna !'' said the king, "How did you manage to live among them and serve them so long ?""I had to do so to achieve my object even as Mandavisarpa in the story' had to do. My lord, I advise you to conclude an alliance with Hiranyagarbha". Sarvajna nodded assent. Chitravarna said, "Let Hiranyagarbha, who has been defeated by me, at best pay tribute to me and act under my orders, as a vassal, Else, let us make war on him again."

Just then the parrot came from Jambudvipa and told him, "A king in Simhaladvipa, a Sarasa, has invaded Jambudvipa."Duradarsin exclaimed "Well done, Sarvajna!". "I shall soon go to the Vindhyas and tout Sarasa and his men", said Chitravarna. "Sire, no use getting angry", said Sarvajna. 'Ill considered action leads to sorrows as in the case of the Brahmin and the mongoose'" Chitravarna was convinced. He then asked Duradarsin to arrange for an honourable peace as suggested by him. Duradarsin then went to Hiranyagarbha with peace pourparlers. The crane spy announced his visit. Hiranyagarbha said to Sarvajna "This is again a trap as in the case of Meghavarna "No", said Sarvajna, "This is different. Duradarsin is an able and honest and noble soul. Do not go by past bad experience. Let us receive him honorably with a gift of jewels."That was done. Duradarsin said to Sarvajna, "Let us make a golden peace between our two kings and countries. Truth and peace based on truth are worth a thousand horse sacrifices."Sarvajna agreed with a joyful heart. A golden peace was accordingly concluded, and Chitravarna and Duradarsin return- ed to the Vindhyas and ruled in peace over a prosperous Jambudvipa. Hiranyagarbha and Sarvajna ruled over a peaceful and prosperous Karpura. Meghavarna ruled over a peaceful and prosperous Simhaladvipa. 

The Panchatantra - Story 73

STORY NO. 73. HEADLESS STRAGGLER COMES TO GRIEF

There was in a certain land a poor charioteer called Ujjwalaka, Nobody would engage his chariot and he found that job no good. He said to himself : "What is the use of sticking to a job which does not pay, or remaining in a country which does not provide enough to maintain yourself ? The whole world is our motherland, and all occupations can be resorted to, to eke out one's living. "So saying, he left his place for another country. On the way, in a forest, he found a baby she-camel abandoned by its mother which had delivered it and gone its way. He took it and returned home and he and his wife fed it on

grass brought from the forest and it grew up into a hefty camel and delivered several little camels, and be could hire out those camels and eke out a living. 

From time to time, he used to make expeditions to the desert of Rajasthan and Gujarat and buy small camels to add to his herd. One such small camel which he brought with him was a lovely one and he put some silver bells round its neck which created a delightful tinkling sound. That camel was very proud of this. The other camels went without such bells and were none too' pleased at the preference shown to this new camel. One day, when the herd was out grazing in a forest, the new camel strayed behind, gamboling and leaping and enjoying itself. An elder camel said to it: "Don't straggle behind, as there is a danger from the lion and other animals, and the

tinkling bells round your neck will easily reveal your presence to such wild beasts."The young camel paid no heed to this advice, but continued to straggle behind the herd which soon passed out of sight. Darkness came, and the young camel did not know the way back home and could not also catch sight of the herd. In its frantic attempt to find out the herd and join it, it ran hither and thither with the bells round its neck tinkling. A lion heard the sound of the bells and rushed to the spot, fell on it, and killed it.

The Panchatantra - Story 72

STORY NO. 72. THE DEMON GHANTAKARNA EXORCISED

In the mountainous region of Sri Parvata(Srisailam in Andhra pradesh) lay the town of Brahmapura. A rumour spread there that a demon called Ghanta-Karna(Bell-ear : Ghanta means bell) was haunting the summit of the mountain. The people were terribly afraid of going to the summit, to gather firewood etc, because of this rumour. The truth was that a thief, when running away with a bell he had stolen, was killed by a tiger, and the bell dropped by the side of his corpse, and some monkeys saw the bell and began constantly ringing it, making the inhabitants of Brahmapura, who heard the sound at all unearthly hours, think it was a demon called Ghantakarna. The people began leaving the town in panic, as some man told them that the demon Ghantakarna was eating men and ringing the bell every time he had finished one. 

The King offered a reward of a thousand gold coins to any one who could exorcise the demon. A courtesan who had gone up the hill with a lover, on a secret assignment with him and had seen the monkeys ring the bell, offered to exorcise the demon and claim the reward. She drew a magic circle and offered worship to Ganesa(The elephant-headed god who removes all danger) with several tantric mantras(Mystic Incantations). Then she went up the hill with a basketful of fruits of the varieties the monkeys loved, and strewed them in the vicinity of the bell. The monkeys left the bell and went after the fruits, and she quietly picked up the bell and returned to the town and told the king, "I have finished off the demon Ghantakarna and brought his ghanta. You will never more hear the demon". Of course, the noise of the bell was heard no more from the hill, and the King gave the reward to the resourceful dancing girl. 

The Panchatantra - Story 71

STORY NO. 71. THE CUNNING SLUT

In the town of Dwaravati(Dwaraka in Gujarat) there was a wanton cow-herdess who used to entertain two lovers, the magistrates of the town and his youthful son, unknown to each other and to her husband. One day she was sporting with the magistrate's son merrily, when the magistrate knocked at the door seeking her company. The young man was frightened to death. But the cow-herdess promptly put the terrified youth in a cupboard, and opened the door and admitted the magistrate and sported with him. The cowherd unexpectedly returned and knocked at the door.. The magistrate was alarmed at the prospective loss of his reputation. The cow-herdess becalmed him and said, "You just walk out of the house with this stick, wearing an angry look, and nothing will happen to you" and handed to him a stout lathi(A stout stick).

She then opened the door, and the magistrate rushed out with the stick. The cowherd asked his wife, "Why has the magistrate come to our house She replied, The silly old man had a row with his son, and chased him with that stoat stick in order to give him a heavy beating. The frightened young man rushed into our house, and I shut him up in our cupboard to save him from the beating. The angry old man who had lost track rushed into our house, seeking his son, and, on not finding him, is rushing out with the stick as angrily as ever. Here .is his young son"and opened the cupboard and let out the young man. The cowherd praised his wife for her act and the young man went home in peace. 

The Panchatantra - Story 70

STORY NO. 70. MAKE YOURSELF INDISPENSABLE

In a mountain called Arbbudasikhara(wonderful peak), in the Aravallis, there was a lion called Mahavikrama. When he went to sleep in his cave a mouse used to climb over him

and nibble at his mane. The lion used to become angry and try to catch the mouse, but in vain. The mouse invariably ran away nimbly, and slipped into his hole. The lion said to himself, "What is to be done now? They say that an insignificant foe who cannot be overcome by valour must be dealt with by engaging one who is a match for him'. So he engaged a cat called Dadhikarna, to keep the mouse from him, and gave him nice bits of meat for his service. 

The mouse saw the cat, and, from fear, never left his hole, and the lion slept undisturbed, and fed the cat well. One day he gave him a specially delicious bit of meat. The cat out of gratitude chased the famished rat, which had come out of its hole, in a desperate search for food, and killed it. On seeing that, the lion, rid of the mouse, saw no reason to give the cat any more meat, as there was no more need for his services. Dadhikarna realized too late that a master should never be made entirely free from cares and that a servant should always make himself indispensable if he is to retain his post and salary. 

The Panchatantra - Story 69

STORY NO. 69. KANDARPAKETU KICKED BACK TO EARTH 

Kandarpaketu was the handsome son of Jimutavahana, king of Simhaladwipa(Ceylon) and

was in the prime of youth. A merchant told him in his pleasure ground one day, that on every Chaturdasi(The Fourteenth day of the lunar fortnight, the day before the new moon or full moon) day a maiden, beautiful like Lakshmi and bedecked with wonderful ornaments could be seen seated on a costly couch in the midst of the great sea under a Kalpavriksha tree(The mythical wish-fulfillment tree). Kandarpaketu's curiosity was roused. He went to the spot indicated, at the time indicated, and saw the dazzling beauty seated under the Kalpa tree as described. On seeing him, she disappeared into the sea. Smitten with love, he jumped after her from the Kalpavrikisha. He went down and down and saw a golden city below the waters. 

The beautiful maiden was sitting on a golden couch surrounded by young and pretty vidyadhans(Celestial songstresses) in a golden palace there. On seeing him she sent a vidyadhari to him. She told him, "This is Ratnamanjari the daughter of Kandarpakeli the

king of the Vidyadharas, She has vowed that she would marry anyone who would defy death by jumping into the sea after seeing her and succeed in visiting the golden city. So she is wilting to marry you."He was delighted and married Ratnamanjari according to the Gandharva(A love marriage, with no rituals whatever) rights. They lived in the golden palace in great luxury enjoying heavenly comforts. There was a golden statue of Swarnarekha(The presiding deity of mirages. When touched by reality the mirage disappears and we are kicked back to reality) in the great hall. Ratnamanjari told him, "Do not ever touch that statue, my lord, for that will spell ruin." Kandarpaketu's curiosity was roused. One day when Ratnamanjari was away, he touched Swarnrekha's statue. The statue thereupon kicked him back into the world and Simhaladvipa. 

The Panchatantra - Story 68a

STORY NO. 68a. THE JACKAL AND THE ELEPHANT

There was an elephant named Karpurathilaka in the forest of Brahmaranya. On seeing him, all the jackals said to themselves, 'If we can find out some way of killing him, we shall have plenty of food for four months.' Then an old jackal said, ' I can bring about his death by the power of my intellect.' He then went to Karpurathilaka and prostrating

before him said, 'Sire, grant me an audience.' The elephant asked, 'Who are you? Where do you come from.?' He replied, 'I am a jackal sent by the assembled beasts of the forest with this message for you. "Since it is not fit for us to live without a King, your majesty has been selected for being crowned as King of this forest in consideration of your kingly qualities- He who is pure in family, nobility and conduct, is chivalrous, pious and versed in politics, is fit to be a King. One should first obtain a King, then a wife, and then wealth. If there is no King, what is the use of having a wife-or wealth since they will be robbed away in no time? Like rain, the King is the support of all creatures, with this difference that life can be sustained even during a drought but never when there is no King. 

In this world, people keep within the bounds of righteousness mostly through dread of the King's punishment . A man who is naturally virtuous is difficult to find. It is only through fear of punishment that women are faithful to their old, deformed, sickly and penniless husbands. You are an ideal King. So we are all waiting to crown you."Sire, therefore come with me quick so that the auspicious moment(Hindus are very particular that the auspicious moments fixed by priests and astrologers are never transgressed) may not be passed.' Karpurathilaka was moved by the greed of a kingdom and followed the jackal and

ran before him lightly. The jackal passed over a concealed quagmire by skirting a firm edge of it. The deluded elephant however went straight into the quagmire and got stuck waist-deep into it. He called out 'Friend jackal, what am I to do now ? I have got stuck in this quagmire. I shall perish miserably. Turn back and look at me.' The jackal looked back with a smile and said ironically, 'Catch hold of my tail and get up. Since you were fool enough to place confidence in the words of one like me, suffer this unavoidable misery. It is said that those who delight int the company of the good will prosper and that these who consort with wicked persons will come to grief.' The elephant died in the quagmire, and the jackals ate his body for many a day. 

The Panchatantra - Story 68

STORY NO. 68. THE FOOLISH HUSBAND

Tungabala was the governor of the city of Virapura in the kingdom of Kanauj. Handsome and young and fabulously wealthy, he saw one day, when walking along the streets of the

city, the beautiful Lavanyavati, the wife of a young merchant named Charudatta. He was at once possessed with a violent desire for her and sent a woman skilled in such matters to her with a view to get her to meet him secretly. It has been said that a man keeps to the path of virtue, curbs his senses, has a sense of shame, and clings to modesty only so long as a beautiful and charming woman has not cast her piercing glances of love at him. For Lavanyavati too had fallen in love with him as soon as she saw him, and her looks had clearly betrayed her feelings. 

To the broachings of the messenger, Lavanyavati said, 'I am devoted to my husband. How can I be faithless to him without his consent ? A wife should be diligent in the management of the household, give birth to numerous children, love her husband as her own life, and obey his every behest- She ig unworthy to be called a wife who does not please her husband. If the husband is pleased with her, all the gods too are pleased with her. So, I shall unhesitatingly do whatever my husband orders me to but shall do nothing without his orders.' The messenger asked ' Do you really mean it, and will you act up to what you say?' Lavanyavati replied, 'Certainly.' Then the messenger returned to Tungabala and told him everything. He said, 'How is it possible to induce her husband to bring her here and offer her to me?' The go-between said, 'Seemingly impossible things, which can never be accomplished by valour, can easily be accomplished by a cunning device. An elephant was killed by a jackal by being entrapped in a quagmire. The governor asked her to relate the story. Then she related the story of "The Jackal And The Elephant".

The governor said to the go-between, 'Find out some device by which I can make this

merchant bring his wife and offer her to me.' She suggested a device, and he acted upon it He engaged Charudatta as an officer under him and employed him in the most confidential affairs. One day, he bathed and put on fine clothes and costly ornaments and said Charudatta, 'From to-night I have to observe a vow in honour of Gowri(Parvati, the consort of Siva, Her worship as Sakti is usually done by worshipping a young female in absolute privacy) for a month. Bring me therefore every night a young woman of good family. 

I shall have to worship her in due form.' Charudatta took that night a young damsel of good family and watched through the key-hole of the locked room what the governor did with her. Tungabala knew that he would be watching. So, he worshiped the young lady from a distance without touching her and gave her costly clothes, ornaments and unguents and sent her away with a guard. Charudatta's avarice was roused at this great reward. He was also deluded by the exemplarily decent treatment of the young lady by Tungabala. Desirous of securing such presents for his own wife, he took Lavanyavati for the next night without telling the governor who she was. Then he watched through the key-hole as before. Tungabala recognised Lavayavati from the very outset. As soon as the door had been securely locked, he fervently embraced her and consorted with her. Seeing this, Charudatta, not knowing what to do, stood like a figure drawn in painting, plunged in great sorrow, but impotent to do anything. 

The Panchatantra - Story 67

STORY NO. 67. ANOTHER'S DUTY IS DANGEROUS 

Karpurapataka was a washer-man in the holy city of Varanasi(Benares). One night, he

spent the major part of the time in love prattle with his newly-married young wife and slept soundly afterwards, being thoroughly exhausted. In his courtyard were tied his donkey and his dog who was sitting on its haunches watching. A thief entered the court- yard. The ass said to the dog, 'Friend, why don't you bark aloud and rouse our master as you are bound by your duty to do?' The dog replied, 'Don't meddle with my work or tell me what my duty is. You know that I used to guard his house faithfully day and night, since he has been happy and free from care of a long time, he does not realize my value to him and does not give me enough to eat. Unless there is some

danger, masters care but little for their servants. Let the thief steal some articles today. From tomorrow our master will feed me better.' 

The donkey replied, 'Hear me, you wretch. What servant is he and what friend is he who thinks of his reward at a time when his duty is action?' The dog replied, 'What master is he who starves his servants and talks merely sweet words to them in times of need ?' The donkey said in a rage, 'O, wicked wretch, you are surely a debased villain

since you neglect our master's interests at this critical time. Well, I must then do what I can and wake up our master. One should warm one's back in the sun, one's front before the fire, one should serve a master with all his heart, and strive for the next world with a pure soul/ Saying this, the donkey brayed aloud. The thief ran away, and the washer-man, coming out and finding nobody, took a big stick and belabored the donkey mercilessly, angry at his sleep having been unnecessarily disturbed. 

The Panchatantra - Story 66a

STORY NO. 66a. JARADGAYA AND DIRGHAKARNA

In the hollow of a big tree in Gridhrakuta hill on the banks of the Ganges, there lived a vulture called Jaradgava with his eyes and talons gone by an adverse fate. Out of pity for his plight, the birds living in that tree used to give him small portions from their food. He lived on them and in return watched the young birds while their parents were away in search of food. Once when the parent birds were away, a cat called Dirghakarna came to the tree to eat the young ones of the birds. Seeing him coming, they were terror stricken and raised a cry, Dirghakarna, seeing the vulture rush up said to himself, 'Alas, all is over with me. Still a danger should be dreaded only so long as it has not happened. When it has come, one should do his best to get out of it I am now in his presence and cannot escape by running away. So let what is destined to happen occur. I shall first create confidence in him and then approach him.' So he went to him and said, 'Sir, please accept my salutations.' The vulture asked, 'Who are you ?' He replied, 'I am a cat.' The vulture said,

'Get away; else, I shall be obliged to kill you.' The cat said, 'First, hear me, and then, if you consider me worthy of death do as you like. 

Is anyone honoured or killed merely because he happens to belong to a certain caste or tribe ? It is only after fully ascertaining one's conduct that we can know if he deserves to be honoured or killed.' The vulture said, 'Why have you come here ?' The cat replied, I live here on the banks of the sacred Ganges, bathing everyday, leading a life of celibacy and observing the Chandrayana(A fast of a severe type with graded meals) fast. Trustworthy birds told me that you were devoted to the study of the religious law books. So I came here to hear the holy law correctly expounded by you who are advanced in years and knowledge. Now I find that you are so ignorant- of it that you want to kill me, your guest. The sacred laws say, "Fitting hospitality should be shown even to a foe coming to one's house. The tree does not withdraw its shade from the cutter. Even if a man has not got wealth to entertain a guest he should entertain him with kind words at least. A grass mat, a place to sit in, water for washing the feet, and kind words are never absent for a guest in a good man's house. The good show kindness even towards creatures devoid of merit. The moon does not withhold his rays even from the out caste's hut. Fire is honoured by the Brahmins, the Brahmins by the four castes, the husband by a wife, and the guest by all men.

A guest turned back takes away all the accrued merit of the householder who has turned him back. Even a low caste guest should be duly honoured when he comes to the house of a high caste man, for every guest represents- all the gods."The vulture said, 'The cat is fond of flesh, and the young unfledged birds live here. So it is that I told you like that.' The cat thereupon touched the ground and his ears and said, 'I have learnt the sacred laws, am free from passion, and am undergoing the arduous Chandrayana fast. Though the sacred laws differ regarding many things, they are absolutely unanimous on abstinence from inflicting injury being the highest duty of a man. The reason is dear. Those who abstain from inflicting any injury, who forgive every injury to themselves and who give

refuge to all go to heaven. Only one's secured merit follows one after death as a friend. All else is destroyed with the body. When one eats the flesh of another, note the disproportion' between the evil done and the good secured. The eater enjoys but momentary pleasure of the palate. The eaten loses its very life. The agony that a creature suffers at the thought of approaching death cannot be imagined or described by another. Which sane person will commit deadly sin by killing animals for eating when he can easily fill this accursed belly with herbs growing by themselves in the forest?' 

The vulture was taken in by these words and allowed the cat to live in the hollow of the tree without telling the birds. Every day the cat swooped on some young bird or other stealthily, took it to the hollow and gobbled it up. After some days the sad parent birds whose young ones had been eaten up held a vigorous inquiry to trace the murderer. On seeing this, the cat quietly slipped out of the hollow and ran away. The birds made a close search all over the place, discovered the bones of their young ones in the hollow of the tree, came to the unanimous conclusion that the vulture had eaten their young ones, and killed him. 

The Panchatantra - Story 66

STORY NO. 66. SAVED BY A CROW

In the forest of Champakavati in Magadha lived a crow and a deer who had been intimate friends for long. The deer was plump and sleek. When once roaming about at will in the forest, he was seen by a jackal who said to himself, 'How can I taste his delicious flesh? The only way is to make him trust me.' So he went up to him and said, 'Friend, are you keeping good health ?' The deer asked, 'Who are you ?' The jackal said, 'I am the jackal

Kshudrabuddhi. I drag on a maimed existence here, having lost all my relatives. Now that we have met and become friends I can once more love a full life. I want to be your constant attendant.' The deer said, 'All right.' They wandered together till sunset. Then they both went to the abode of the deer. 

The crow Subuddhi, the old friend of the deer, was sitting on the branch of a champak tree. Seeing the deer come with a jackal, he asked him, 'Friend, who is this other?'. The deer said, 'This is a jackal who desires our friendship.' The crow said, 'Friend, sudden friendship with a stranger is not advisable. Shelter should not be given to anyone whose family and nature are not known. For the fault of a cat, the vulture Jaradgava Suffered death.' 'How so?' asked the deer and the jackal. Then the crow related the story of "Jaradgava and Dirghakarna". 

'So it is that I say' continued the crow 'that shelter should not be given to one whose family and nature are not known.' The jackal said angrily, 'The day when the deer met you

first you too were one with family and nature unknown. How is it then that he is becoming more and more intimate with you every day? Your little wisdom shines only here. Where there are no learned men, even a man of feeble intellect is lauded. In a treeless tract even a castor plant is regarded as a tree. 'This is mine, this is a stranger', these are thoughts indulged in only by the mean and narrow-minded. To the large-hearted the whole world is their family. Just as this deer has become my friend, so have you too.' The deer said, 'Why all this use- less wrangling? Let us all live happily together and have friendly discussions. For, nobody is born as another's friend or foe. It is only by intercourse that people become friends or foes.' The crow said, 'All right.' From that day the three lived together but wandered about separately during daytime in search of food. 

One day, the jackal said to the deer when they were alone, 'Friend, in a corner of this forest there is a field full of standing paddy. I shall take you there and show it to you.' Then he took the deer there. Every day thereafter the deer used to go to the field and eat the paddy. The owner of the field saw this and set a snare for it. When he went there again as usual, the deer was caught in the snare. Then he said to himself, 'Who but a friend can deliver me from this death-trap ?' Presently the jackal came along and, seeing the deer ensnared, said to himself - 'My desire has been accomplished by this clever device of mine. The farmer will surely cut him up here and leave the bones with the adherent flesh and blood. There will be ample food for me for some time.' 

The deer was delighted at the sight of his friend and said, 'Friend, snap my bonds at once with your teeth and set me free. The worth of a friend is to be tested in times of

calamity, of a warrior in battle, of an honest man when overwhelmed with debt, of a wife when all the money is gone, and of relatives in times of grief. He alone is worthy to be called a relative or friend who stands by one in festivities and mourning, in famine and anarchy, at the King's gate and on the cremation ground.' The jackal looked again and again at the net and said to himself with satisfaction, 'Ah,, this net is very strong and this deer cannot possibly escape from it himself.' Then he said to the deer, 'Friend, this snare is made with sinews. How can I touch these unclean things of animal matter with my teeth on this Sunday, the most sacred of all days, being dedicated to the Sun, the source of all light and purity? So please do not misunderstand me for my inability to comply with your wish to-day. Tomorrow morning I shall come and do whatever you ask me to do.' Then he went and concealed himself in an adjoining bush waiting for the farmer to come and lit up the deer and leave the coveted bones. 

The crow, seeing that the deer did not return in the evening as usual, searched for him everywhere and found him at dusk in the snare in the field. He asked, 'Friend, what is this?' The deer said, 'This is the result of my having disregarded your wholesome advice. Adversity overtakes him who listens not to the wise words of well-meaning friends. Such a man is the delight of his enemies. The crow asked, 'Where is that traitor ?' The deer said, 'Hankering after my flesh he is hiding in yonder bush.' The crow said, 'I had already warned you. Simply because we are innocent and blameless it is no reason for trusting a wicked man, for even the virtuous come causelessly to grief at the hands of the wicked. Those whose death has knelled perceive not the smell of an extinguished lamp(That is, do not know when their lease of life has run out by a senseless act like the deer's befriending the jackal), listen not to the wise words of a friend and have not keenness enough to see the tiny star Arundhathi(The meaning is that only the very keen can perceive this tiny star or danger looming very small in the horizon like this star). 

A friend who speaks sweetly in one's presence and frustrates one's object in his absence is to be shunned like a pot of poison with milk on the surface.' The crow then heaved a deep sigh and said, 'O villain, why have you done such a wicked act? What credit is there in deceiving friends who are made to be associated with you and to entertain hopes from you by your delusively sweet words and hypocritical attentions ? Oh, goddess earth, how can you bear the burden of a wicked wretch who, violating his promise, practices evil upon a benevolent, unsuspecting, simple-hearted soul? One should not love or form a friendship with a wicked person who like a charcoal burns when hot and soils the hand when cold. But why do I complain of the conduct of the jackal, seeing that this is the settled course of conduct of the wicked ? First, the wicked man falls at our feet, then sings some sweet and wonderful humming song into our ears, and finally ends by biting us. 

A gnat and a wicked man are quite alike in this. That a wicked man speaks sweetly is no

reason at all for trusting in him, From his tongue flows honey, but in his heart of hearts is the deadliest of poison, Oh, friend deer, the farmer will come at dawn and I am unable to snap your bonds. So' when I see him from afar 1 shall warn you. You lie down flat and pretend to be dead. When I caw again get up and run quickly.' At dawn, the farmer came with a stick in his hand. Seeing him come from a far, the crow warned the deer who lay down flat and pretended to be dead. Seeing hint lying thus in the net, the farmer said with joy, 'Ha ! You died by yourself, did you?' and removed him from the net. When he was folding his net the crow cawed and the deer got up and ran in headlong flight and soon passed the bush where the jackal was hiding. The chagrined farmer flung his stick at him with all his might. It hit the jackal and felled him dead. 

The Panchatantra - Story 65

STORY NO. 65. THE TRAVELLER AND THE BRACELET

In a southern forest there was an old tiger. One day, he bathed and sat on the banks of a lake with kusa(A long grass used for making ropes. It is sacred to the Hindus and is used by them on ceremonial occasions) grass in one hand and a gold bracelet in the other and cried out to all the passers-by, 'Oh, ye travellers, here, take this gold bracelet as a gift.' All passed by without responding to the offer. At last, there came a traveller whose greed was roused and he said to himself, 'I am lucky to have this offer made to me. But I should proceed cautiously since there is some risk. Even a desired object when got from an undesirable source, leads to evil just as even nectar, if contaminated by poison, will bring about death But every attempt to obtain wealth is attended with risk.

Without risking something, nobody will grow wealthy. He who risks something and survives

will become wealthy. I shall scrutinize this offer further. He then asked the tiger » ^Where is the bracelet ?' The tiger stretched forth his paw and showed it. The traveller said, 'How am I to trust such a ferocious creature like you?' The tiger replied, 'Oh, traveller, listen to my tale and be convinced. In my youth I was extremely wicked. Owing to my slaughtering many men and cows, my wife and sons perished, leaving me as the sole survivor. I was then advised by a holy man to give charity and do such holy acts. Acting on his advice, I am now bathing daily and giving gifts. I am old and have lost my teeth and the power of ray claws. Why should you then mistrust me? Sacrifice, study of the Vedas, charity, penance, truthfulness, patience, forgiveness and absence of greed, this is the eight-fold path of righteousness laid down in our scriptures. Of these, the first four may be practiced for mere display, but the last four can only be found in a great soul. I am so far free from greed that I wish to give away to anybody who will have it this valuable gold bracelet which is in my hand. But it is difficult to dispel the slander of the world that a tiger will eat a man whenever it gets a chance.

Blindly following one another, people do not regard a preaching bawd as an authority in religious matters though they recognize even a Brahmin who has killed a cow to be such an authority. I have studied all the sacred laws. A gift to a poor man is as fruitful as rain in a desert or food given to a hungry man. Everybody loves his life just as dearly as we do. The good regard all creatures with kindness comparing them unto themselves. A man will know what to refuse and what to give, what is pleasure and what is pain, and what is agreeable and what is disagreeable, by applying the test to himself. He alone is a wise man who looks upon another's wife as a mother, another's wealth as a lump of earth, and all creatures as equal unto himself. You are very poor. I want to give you this valuable bracelet. Wealth should be showered on the poor and not on the rich. Medicine is for him who is sick. Of what use is it to a healthy man ? The sages consider that to be the best of gifts which is given purely for the sake of charity, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place to one who has not done anything in return and who is a proper recipient. So, bathe in the lake and accept this bracelet.' 

The traveller believed the tiger's words and, moved by greed for the bracelet, entered the lake for bathing. No sooner had he entered it than he got stuck waist-deep in the mire and was unable to run away. The tiger, seeing him stuck in the quagmire, said 'Alas, you have got stuck in the quagmire- I shall pull you out.' Saying this, he approached him

slowly. Seeing him approach, the traveller said to himself, 'A villain is not to be trusted simply because he reads the sacred law books or studies the Vedas. It is the innate nature of a person that matters in the last resort just as cow's milk is sweet whatever the now eats. The actions of those whose senses and mind are not under control are as unreliable and worthless as the bath of an elephant(An elephant covers itself with dust immediately after a bath).' Mere preaching without practice is so much heavy lumber like ornaments bestowed on an ugly woman. 

I committed a folly in trusting this ferocious beast. One should never trust rivers, armed men, clawed and horned animals, women, and Kings. It is innate nature that has to be looked into, for it prevails in the end. Even the mighty moon, the wanderer of the sky, the destroyer of darkness and sin, the thousand-rayed one marching in the midst of stars, is devoured by Rahu(The reference is to the eclipse- In Hindu mythology, the eclipses are brought about by the demon Rahu trying to swallow the sun and the moon) by Fate's decree. Who can go against what is written on his forehead by Fate ?' When he was thinking in this strain, he was killed and eaten by the tiger.