Panchatantra is a legendary collection of short stories with a moral at the end of each story. This collection of moral stories have originated in India and are believed to be a composition of a learned man named Vishnu Sharma in the 2nd century BCE (Before Current Era).
These are the earliest folk tale forms in the world that have been translated to many languages. However, the original ancient works are scripted in Sanskrit language. The word 'Pancha' means five and 'tantra' means strategy. As the short stories are written in five sections / parts each representing a strategy / principle to overcome the problems faced in life, hence the collection of short stories is named as Panchatantra. Each short story conveys a message with a moral which is universal and is applicable to these days as well. The collection of short stories in five compact parts are based on certain principles and are composed of five parts / books viz:
1st strategy:- Mitra bheda or difference of opinion in friendship / loss of friends
2nd strategy:- Mitra laabha or gaining friends
3rd strategy:- Kaakolukiyam / Suhrudbheda - enmity or discord between the friends / of crows and owls
4th strategy:- Labdhapranasam / Vigraha - loss / separation
5th strategy:- Apariksitakarakam - Haste / imprudence.
The series of moral stories in the Mitra Bheda which is centered on the loss of friends are written in a conversational form between two jackal friends named Karataka and Damanaka.
In fact the stories from Panchatantra are a real boon to the parents of all times which help in inculcating values in their children and thus guiding them in the right path.
These are the earliest folk tale forms in the world that have been translated to many languages. However, the original ancient works are scripted in Sanskrit language. The word 'Pancha' means five and 'tantra' means strategy. As the short stories are written in five sections / parts each representing a strategy / principle to overcome the problems faced in life, hence the collection of short stories is named as Panchatantra. Each short story conveys a message with a moral which is universal and is applicable to these days as well. The collection of short stories in five compact parts are based on certain principles and are composed of five parts / books viz:
1st strategy:- Mitra bheda or difference of opinion in friendship / loss of friends
2nd strategy:- Mitra laabha or gaining friends
3rd strategy:- Kaakolukiyam / Suhrudbheda - enmity or discord between the friends / of crows and owls
4th strategy:- Labdhapranasam / Vigraha - loss / separation
5th strategy:- Apariksitakarakam - Haste / imprudence.
The series of moral stories in the Mitra Bheda which is centered on the loss of friends are written in a conversational form between two jackal friends named Karataka and Damanaka.
In fact the stories from Panchatantra are a real boon to the parents of all times which help in inculcating values in their children and thus guiding them in the right path.