Pañcatantra: The Book of India's Folk WisdomPatrick Olivelle The Pancatantra is the most famous collection of fables in India and was one of the earliest Indian books to be translated into Western languages. No other work of Indian literature has had a greater influence on world literature, and no other collection of stories has become as popular in India itself. Patrick Olivelle presents the Pancatantra in all its complexity and rich ambivalence, examining central elements of political and moral philosophy alongside the many controversial issues surrounding its history. This new translation vividly reveals the story-telling powers of the original author, while detailed notes illuminate aspects of ancient Indian society and religion to the non-specialist reader. |
Contents
Introduction | ix |
Note on the Translation | xlvi |
PAÑCATANTRA | 3 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
ancient India animals Arimardana Arjuna Artha ascetic asked banyan became birds black cobra Book Brahmin Bṛhaspati Bṛhatsphic carry Ciramjīvin Citragrīva Citranga cows crocodile crow Cūḍākarṇa Damanaka death deer Dharmabuddhi dire straits Edgerton Edited elephant emboxed End of Story enemy enmity evil favour foes fool forest fortress Fortune Frame Frame Frame frame story friendship frogs goat happen hare heard heart Hertel Hiranyaka hunter Indian jackal Jātakas Karataka killed king Laghupatanaka lion lion king live look lord Mahābhārata Majesty Mantharaka Meghavarna merchant mind ministers mongoose monkey mouse narrated this story never ogre once one's owls Pañcatantra Pingalaka Raktākṣa reason replied rites Samjīvaka sandpiper Sanskrit servants sesame sesame seeds Śiva snake someone Sub-Story tell thief thing thought told Translated tree turned turtle verse virtue Viṣṇuśarman wealth what's wife wise word means