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. The Pancatantra teaches the principles of good government and public policy through the medium of animal stories, providing a window on to ancient Indian society. Its positive attitude towards life and its advocacy of ambition, enterprise, and drive are a salutary antidote to the pious pronouncements about the passivity and other-worldliness of ancient Indiansociety and religion. 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. Pancatantra -- The Prelude To The Story. Bk. I. On Causing Dissension Among Allies. Story 1. The Monkey That Pulled The Wedge. Story 2. The Jackal That Tried To Eat A Drum. Story 3. The Adventures Of An Ascetic. Story 4. How The Crows Killed The Snake. Story 5. The Hare That Outwitted The Lion. Story 6. How The Louse Got Killed Trying To Be Nice To A Bug. Story 7. How The Lion's Servants Got The Camel Killed. Story 8. How The Sandpiper Defeated The Ocean. Story 9. The Bird That Tried To Advise A Monkey. Story 10. Two Friends And Betrayed Trust. Story 11. The Iron-eating Mice. Bk. Ii. On Securing Allies. Story 1. The Ascetic And The Mouse. Story 2. How Citranga Got Caught In A Trap. Bk. Iii. On War And Peace: The Story Of The Crows And The Owls. Story 1. The Ass In A Leopard's Skin. Story 2. The Owl Is Elected King Of Birds. Story 3. How The Rogues Tricked The Brahmin. Story 4. The Old Merchant And His Young Wife. Story 5. The Thief, The Ogre, And The Brahmin. Story 6. How The Unfaithful Wife Tricked Her Foolish Husband. Story 7. The Mouse That Turned Into A Girl. Story 8. Frogs Go For A Ride On The Back Of A Snake. Bk. Iv. On Losing What You Have Gained. Story 1. The Ass Without Ears Or A Heart. Bk. V. On Hasty Actions. Story 1. Building Castles In The Air. Story 2. The Barber Who Killed The Monks -- App. I. Concordance Of Stories -- App. Ii. Stories In Other Pancatantra Versions. Translated From The Original Sanskrit By Patrick Olivelle. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "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.A significant influence on the Arabian Nights and the Fables of La Fontaine, the Pañcatantra 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, conventional enterprise, and drive refute any perception of passivity and other-worldliness in ancient Indian society. Patrick Olivelle's new translation vividly reveals the story-telling powers of the original author and presents the Pañcatantra in all its complexity and rich ambivalence. A detailed introduction examines central elements of political and moral philosophy in the text, while extensive notes illuminate aspects of ancient Indian society and religion for the non-specialist reader." The PANCATANTRA is the most famous collection of fables in India and was one of the earliest and most influential Indian books to be translated into Western languages. Patrick Olivelle's 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.