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Panchatantra

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The Panchatantra is a Sanskrit classic, written by Vishnu Sarma around 200 BC.

anthropomorphic illustration of the five most important priniciples of Raja neeti (political science) through animals. The five principles illustrated are:

  • Mitra Bhedha (The Loss of Friends)
  • Mitra Laabha (Gaining Friends)
  • Suhrudbheda (Causing Dissension Between Friends)
  • Vigraha (Separation)
  • Sandhi (Union)

The Panchatantra reached its current form in the 4th-6th centuries AD. It is one of the most influential Sanskrit contribution to world literature. It was exported to China and South East Asia through the Buddhist Monks on Pilgrimage.

Travellers carried the stories to Persia, Arabia, where they are known as the stories of Kalilag and Damnag.

They were then transmitted in the 11th century to Greece and thence to the rest of Europe. But it was a 12th century Hebrew translation that became the source of most European versions. The French fabulist Jean de La Fontaine acknowledged his indebtedness the work in the introduction to his Second Fables:

"This is a second book of fables that I present to the public... I have to acknowledge that the greatest part is inspired from Pilpay, an Indian Sage" ("Je dirai par reconnaissance que j’en dois la plus grande partie à Pilpay sage indien") Avertissement to the Second Compilation of Fables, 1678, Jean de La Fontaine

The stories also travelled to Indonesia in both oral and written forms. Similar tales are found in almost all cultures of the world - many folklorists look upon India as the source of all the tales.

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