Pancatantra: The Book of India's Folk Wisdom (Oxford World's Classics)

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. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 Introduction......Page 10 Sources, Author, and Date......Page 11 Structure and Content......Page 15 The Characters of the Pañcatantra......Page 22 The Political and Moral Philosophy of the Pañcatantra......Page 32 Versions and Translations......Page 41 Note on the Translation......Page 47 Bibliography......Page 49 Guide to the Pronunciation of Sanskrit Words......Page 52 PAÑCATANTRA......Page 54 THE PRELUDE TO THE STORY......Page 56 BOOK I: ON CAUSING DISSENSION AMONG ALLIES......Page 58 Story 1: The Monkey That Pulled the Wedge......Page 61 Story 2: The Jackal That Tried to Eat a Drum......Page 71 Story 3: The Adventures of an Ascetic......Page 75 Story 4: How the Crows Killed the Snake......Page 80 Story 5: The Hare That Outwitted the Lion......Page 83 Story 6: How the Louse Got Killed Trying to be Nice to a Bug......Page 90 Story 7: How the Lion's Servants Got the Camel Killed......Page 99 Story 8: How the Sandpiper Defeated the Ocean......Page 103 Story 9: The Bird That Tried to Advise a Monkey......Page 113 Story 10: Two Friends and Betrayed Trust......Page 115 Story 11: The Iron-Eating Mice......Page 119 BOOK II: ON SECURING ALLIES......Page 124 Story 1: The Ascetic and the Mouse......Page 134 Story 2: How Citranga Got Caught in a Trap......Page 151 BOOK III: ON WAR AND PEACE: THE STORY OF THE CROWS AND THE OWLS......Page 158 Story 1: The Ass in a Leopard's Skin......Page 165 Story 2: The Owl is Elected King of Birds......Page 166 Story 3: How the Rogues Tricked the Brahmin......Page 175 Story 4: The Old Merchant and his Young Wife......Page 179 Story 5: The Thief, the Ogre, and the Brahmin......Page 180 Story 6: How the Unfaithful Wife Tricked her Foolish Husband......Page 182 Story 7: The Mouse That Turned into a Girl......Page 184 Story 8: Frogs Go for a Ride on the Back of a Snake......Page 190 BOOK IV: ON LOSING WHAT YOU HAVE GAINED......Page 199 Story 1: The Ass without Ears or a Heart......Page 205 BOOK V: ON HASTY ACTIONS......Page 208 Story 1: Building Castles in the Air......Page 209 Story 2: The Barber Who Killed the Monks......Page 211 I: Concordance of Stories......Page 213 II: Stories in Other Pañcatantra Versions......Page 215 Explanatory Notes......Page 218 C......Page 234 K......Page 235 N......Page 236 T......Page 237 Y......Page 238 B......Page 240 D......Page 241 F......Page 242 H......Page 243 M......Page 244 P......Page 245 S......Page 246 U......Page 247 Z......Page 248 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 Indian work has had a greater influence on world literature, and no other collection of stories has become as popular in India itself. A significant influence on the Arabian Nights and the Fables of La Fontaine, the Pancatantra teaches the principles of good government and public policy through the medium of animal stories. Its positive attitude towards life and its advocacy of ambition, enterprise, and drive counters any preconception of passivity and other-worldliness in ancient Indian society. 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, including its numerous versions and translations, and the reconstruction of the original text by Franklin Edgerton. 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. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more. Annotation. 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 Indian work has had a greater influence on world literature, and no other collection of stories has become as popular in India itself. Asignificant influence on the Arabian Nights and the Fables of La Fontaine, the Pancatantra teaches the principles of good government and public policy through the medium of animal stories. Its positive attitude towards life and its advocacy of ambition, enterprise, and drive counters anypreconception of passivity and other-worldliness in ancient Indian society. 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, including its numerous versions and translations, and the reconstruction of theoriginal text by Franklin Edgerton. 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 The 'Pañcatantra' is the most famous collection of fables in India and was one of the earliest Indian books to be translated into Western languages. It teaches the principles of good government and public policy through the medium of animal tales.