The etymology of term ‘Panchatantra’ suggests that it is a combination of two words, ‘Pancha’ (five) and ‘Tantra’ (practice/ principle). So, the five principles or practices illustrated by Panchatantra are ‘Mitra Bhedha’ (Loss of Friends), ‘Mitra Laabha’ (Gaining Friends), ‘Suhrudbheda’ (Causing discord between Friends), ‘Vigra ha’ (Separation) and ‘Sandhi’ (Union). Here are provided some of the popular tales from Panchatantra.
The Panchatantra is the best guide to enroot moral values in children since its each tale has a moral lesson in its end. The Panchtantra is a great book where plants and animals can speak and converse with human beings too.
The ancient Sanskrit text s contains various animal stories in verse and prose. During all these centuries, many authors and publishers worked hard to make these fables accessible and readable by a layman. These extraordinary tales t are liked, perhaps even loved by people of every age group. In addition to their ennobling morals, these stories are replete with much practical wisdom, which is relevant even to the modern society.
1. THE MERCHANT AND HIS IRON
In a certain town, there lived a merchant's son by the name of jveernadhana. Because he had lost all his money, he made up his mind to leave that part of the country and go somewhere else, for: 'A man who has formerly lived in great style but now lives in great misery, Is looked down upon by all.' Now in his house, the merchant's son had a very heavy iron balance, that he had inherited from his forefathers. He deposited this with another merchant and then left for a different part of the country. 'When he had travelled all over the country to his heart's content, jveernadhana returned to his own town, went to the merchant's house and said, 'Ho! Merchant! Please return the balance that I deposited with you.' 'But brother,' said the merchant, 'I no longer have it. The rats ate it!' 'Merchant,' said