The Panchatantra is a legendary collection of short
stories from India. Originally composed in the 2nd century B.C,
Panchatantra is believed to be written by Vishnu Sharma along with many
other scholars. The purpose behind the composition was to implant moral
values and governing skills in the young sons of the king. The ancient
Sanskrit text boasts of 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. The grand
assortment has extraordinary tales that are liked, perhaps even loved by
people of every age group.
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 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), ‘Vigraha’ (Separation) and ‘Sandhi’
(Union). Here are provided some of the popular tales from Panchatantra.
Ass has no Brains
This is one more interesting story from the album of Panchatantra. Once
upon a time, there lived an old lion. The lion, the king of the forest
had grown old. He became frail and due to this, he could not hunt for
his food. Many a times, he didn’t get even a single animal to eat.
With each passing day he became more and more weak.
Bird with Two Heads
Here is another story from the album of Panchatantra. Once upon a time,
there lived a strange bird named Bharunda. He lived on a banyan tree
near the banks of a river. The strangeness of the bird lies in the fact,
that he had two necks, but shared a common stomach.
Blue Jackal
It is another nice story from the Panchatantra collection. Once, there
was a jackal in a forest by the name of Chandaraka. One day, Chandaraka,
driven by hunger, went to a nearby village in search of food. He was
extremely hungry. Unfortunately, he met a group of dogs and they started
chasing him.
Brahmin's Gift
Here is one more interesting tale from the album of Panchatantra. Once,
there lived a pious Brahmin in a small village, by the name of Mitra
Sharma. He used to perform religious rituals. On one occasion, he was
rewarded with a goat for his services by a wealthy man.
Crows and the Serpent
Here is another interesting tale from the collection of Panchatantra.
Once upon a time, there stood a huge banyan tree on the outskirts of a
small village. In this, tree there lived a pair of crows with their
young ones. One day, a snake came to live in the hole at the bottom of
the tree.
Foolish lion clever
Rabbit
This is one of the most famous stories of the Panchatantra. Once upon a
time, there lived a cruel lion by the name of Bhasuraka, in a dense
forest. He was very powerful, ferocious and arrogant. He used to kill
the animals of the forest to gratify his hunger.
Girl Who Married a Snake
Here is another interesting story from the Panchatantra album. Once
upon a time, there lived a Brahmin with his wife in a village. Both of
them were sad, as they had no children. Every day, they prayed to God in
the hope, that one day they would be blessed with a child.
Gold Giving Serpent
Here is another interesting story from the collection of Panchatantra.
Once upon a time, there was a poor Brahmin named Haridatta. He used to
work hard in the fields, but could not get the result out of it. One
day, after the tiring working hours, he laid down in the shade of the
tree, in the middle of the field.
Heron and the Crab
Here is another interesting story from the collection of Panchatantra.
Once upon a time, there lived a crane by the side of a pond. He used to
catch the fish from the same pond. The crane always had a full meal, but
with the growing age he got older and weaker.
Lion that Sprang to Life
Another story from the album of Panchatantra goes like this. Once upon
a time, there were four friends in a village. Three of these four
friends were learned in all sciences, but had no common sense.
Little Mice and Big
Elephants
It is one of the interesting stories from the Panchatantra collection,
giving the idea that a friend in need is a friend indeed. Once upon a
time, a village was ruined by a strong earthquake. The houses and roads
got totally damaged. The village was shattered on the whole.
Mice that ate Iron
Here is another interesting story from the album of Panchatantra. Once
upon a time, there lived a rich merchant in a village, by the name of
Jveernadhana. He was the owner of a big business. The village, in which
he lived, was situated near a river. Once, due to heavy rains the river
was flooded.
Mongoose and Brahmin’s
Wife
This is another good story from the collection of Panchatantra. Once
upon a time, there lived a Brahman by the name of Deva Sharma with his
wife. His wife delivered a son and they were happy to have their first
child.
Monkey and Crocodile
Here is another interesting tale from the Panchatantra collection. Long
ago, there lived a monkey named Raktamukha, on a Jamun (Black-berry)
tree by the side of a river. The tree was always full of fruits, which
were as sweet as nectar.
Musical Donkey
Here is one more interesting story from the Panchatantra collection.
Once upon a time, there lived a washer man in a village. He possessed a
thin donkey by the name of Udhata. The donkey used to work for the
washer man and carry loads of clothes to the river bank by the day.
Brahmin’s Dream
Here is another interesting story from the Panchatantra collection.
Once upon a time, there lived a poor Brahmin by the name of
Swabhavakripna in a village. Swabhavakripna was all alone and had no
friends or relatives. He was known for his miserliness and used to beg
for his living.
Sparrow and Elephant
This is a nice fable from the album of Panchatantra. Once upon a time,
there lived a sparrow with her husband on a banyan tree. They built a
nest and the sparrow laid her eggs in the nest. One afternoon, a wild
elephant came under the tree unable to bear the heat of the sun.
Talkative Tortoise
This is one more interesting story from Panchatantra. Once upon a time,
there was a tortoise by the name of Kambugriva and two geese by the name
of Sankata and Vikata. The tortoise lived in a pond and he made friends
with two geese who used to come and visit him at the pond.
Two Headed Weaver
It is another funny story from the Panchatantra collection. Once upon a
time, there was a weaver by the name Mantharaka. One day when he was
weaving the cloth, the wooden frames of his loom broke. He took an axe
and went to the forest to bring wood in order to make new frames.
Hunter and Doves
This is one more nice fable from the collection of Panchatantra. Once
upon a time, there was a flock of doves that flew in search of food.
This flock was led by their king. Once, it happened as such that the
flock had flown a long distance and all the doves got tired.
