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Panchatantra Paperback – January 1, 1991
Purchase options and add-ons
- Print length272 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherRupa & Co.
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 1991
- Dimensions8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
- ISBN-108171670652
- ISBN-13978-8171670659
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From the Publisher
In Conversation with Pandit Vishnu Sharma
The original text of the Panchatantra in Sanskrit was probably written about 200 B.C. by a great Hindu scholar, Pandit Vishnu Sharma. But some of the tales themselves must be much older, their origin going back to the period of the Rig-Veda and Upanishads (from 1500 B.C. to 500 B.C.). According to some scholars of the Indo-European languages, the Panchatantra is oldest collection of Indian fables surviving.
In course of time, travellers took these stories with" them to Persia and Arabia and ("many through Greece, they’ reached Europe. It is surmised that a version of the Panchatantra was composed in the Pahlavi language of pre-Islamic Iran sometime in the 6th century A.D., being followed by an Arabic one in the 8th century AD. The Greek translation was made towards the close of the 11th century A.D. from which it was translated into various European languages. This accounts for the fact that to many Westerners,
some of the stories have a familiar ring. So far it has been translated into 50 or more languages of the world.
Whose Indian origin is well established, also helped in spreading these tales in Europe. The Panchatantra is essentially connected with one of the branches of science known by the Indians as the ‘Nitishastra’ which in Sanskrit means ‘A book of wise conduct in life’. It attempts to teach us how to understand people, how to choose reliable and trustworthy friends, how to meet difficulties and solve problems through tact and wisdom, and how to live in peace and harmony in the face of hypocrisy, deceit and many pitfalls in life.
The Panchatantra is woven round the fame of a tale of a king who entrusts his three ‘dud’ sons to a learned man, a Brahmin, called Pandit Vishnu Sharma, to enlighten their minds within six months. The Brahmin promises to educate them and takes them to his ashram (hermitage).
There he recites to them his especially composed tales divided into five tantras (in Sanskrit: Pancha=five and tantra=systems or parts) of how to deal with people in life.
The language of the author is both artistic and elegant. The tale is narrated in prose while the exposition of a philosophical and moral theme is put in verse; maxims or wise sayings are also expressed in verse, which either sums up the narration or introduces the next tale. The storyteller’s art sugars the pill of his sober philosophy. He sets story within story and keeps us waiting for the sequels and so leads us on through the five ‘tantras’. As one fable follows another, people and animals are constantly changing places, and they share the same characteristics of love and hatred, compassion and wit, selfless courage and base cowardice, generosity and meanness. Each story has a moral and philosophical theme which has stood the test of time and so is true even in modern times—an age of atomic fear and madness.
The Panchatantra is a rare book, for in no book will you find philosophy, psychology, politics, music; astronomy, human relationship, etc., all discussed together in such a simple and yet elegant style. This is exactly what Pandit Vishnu Sharma had in mind, to give as much knowledge to the princes as possible. And no doubt not only the princes but also millions of listeners and readers for the last 2,200 years have benefited from this most unique book. The book is intended for the adult mind, though children will love it if helped; it contains a fountain of India’s philosophical wisdom—a fountain of nectar.
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About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Rupa & Co. (January 1, 1991)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 8171670652
- ISBN-13 : 978-8171670659
- Item Weight : 11.3 ounces
- Dimensions : 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,390,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #40,682 in Short Stories (Books)
- #120,320 in Social Sciences (Books)
- #530,361 in Religion & Spirituality (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Vyanst Publication, started in 2013, is committed to bring Indian Literature to the modern ebook Platform. India has a rich cultural heritage and is a diverse nation. The classic literature is not only confined to the traditional folk stories but also the rituals and diverse practices of the multiple religions that can be found in India. Our aim is to capture and preserve these stories and the Indian way of life onto modern platforms. We hope that our endeavor will reach out everyone across the globe and help people to understand the beauty of India.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book enjoyable and interesting. The stories provide meaningful lessons and are thought-provoking. However, opinions differ on the translation quality - some find it easy to understand, while others consider it poor or like reading direct translation.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book easy to read. They mention it's a nice book to read off work to relieve stress and is a great children's story.
"It's a Wonderful Book that every one should read and apply it on a day to day basis in there lives even in doubt and conflict situations that we..." Read more
"Good to read to and talk about with children ,or any age person." Read more
"It was a very nice book to read especially off your work to take the stress and yet a self-educating experience." Read more
"Great children story book..." Read more
Customers enjoy the stories. They find them enjoyable, thoughtful, and suspenseful. The stories are interesting and morally stimulating.
"...I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the book has the entire collection of stories...." Read more
"The book is comparable to Aesop's fables. The stories are thoughtful and suspenseful; but unlike Aesop, the stories are too long...." Read more
"...be a wise leader. Simple, enjoyable tales, and good advice." Read more
"Interesting and morally and intellectually stimulating." Read more
Customers find the book's content meaningful and stimulating. They say it's interesting and morally enlightening.
"...This book has meaningful lessons in it." Read more
"...read especially off your work to take the stress and yet a self-educating experience." Read more
"Interesting and morally and intellectually stimulating." Read more
Customers have different views on the translation quality. Some find it well-written and easy to understand, while others think it's horrible and almost like reading a direct translation.
"...I must say the Author has kept it very simple,easy to understand form." Read more
"...I believe this was translated from Hindi and the translation is horrible. Go with Aesop, still the gold standard!" Read more
"...be a wise leader. Simple, enjoyable tales, and good advice." Read more
"The translation was not made in a way that relates to today's reader. Almost like reading direct translation...." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2017It's a Wonderful Book that every one should read and apply it on a day to day basis in there lives even in doubt and conflict situations that we come across.
It is very beautifully said and so easy to understand.
Thank You So Much :) I must say the Author has kept it very simple,easy to understand form.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2017I've always been a fan of panchatantra as I grew up with its stories. Akin to Aesop's fables which is more familiar in the West, however, with much more depth in terms of morals and plots, in my opinion.
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the book has the entire collection of stories. The quality of translation and language used is superb as well. I would highly recommend it for kids anywhere in the world for its literary richness interlaced with cultural references here and there that give a nice cultural touch of ancient India.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2016The book is comparable to Aesop's fables. The stories are thoughtful and suspenseful; but unlike Aesop, the stories are too long. The kid's attention is often lost. I now read the stories first myself and precis them for the 5-12 yr olds.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2010In the office, one of the women mentioned that her and her daughter would read the Panchatantra comics.
What's that? Oh, it's a bunch of comic books with morals. Our comics in the states have long since
strayed to the more adventurous, exciting comics we see today which may or may not have a moral.
The kids looked forward to more comics. These comics that are the stories of relationship building,
deceit and the eventaul outcomes of friendships, treachery, honesty and deceit.
How did we do it when we grew up. Well, I guess we had Aesops Fables. But I never saw them in comic
book form.
This book is a subset of the textual versions of those morals. I hear that the comics are still available,
but there are about 2000 of them. I liked it. The storeis reminded me that some of the stuff you
hear may not always be honest. After all, people may have a reason for being dishonest at one time or
another. Eventually, they'll come around.
Thanks for the recommendation, Chandrika.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2021Not commenting about the content but Panchatantra stories are written specifically to teach kids values and morals through stories involving animals, as kids are attracted to animals. This book has just two images of animals, and that too on the cover. Kids will have no motivation to spend time reading this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2013I love stories about the east because they always have lessons in them,but this was way too childish for me.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2014Like most movies, I can guess the middle and ending at the beginning. Same old formulas. This book is like a foreign film, it makes you feel deeply. This book has meaningful lessons in it.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2016Great short stories using animal characters but having a message. I use to tell a story whenever my daughter persists for it.
Top reviews from other countries
- TeReviewed in Mexico on January 22, 2021
3.0 out of 5 stars It's only for grown-up people. No colors and pictures
Its very good story book but I don't recommend this book for kids as it lacks pictures and colors. It's presentation is not for kids.... I bought this for my little girl and she doesn't like it because its not colorful and no pictures.....
- Amandeep Singh GujralReviewed in Canada on June 11, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Good
Good. Reminded me of my childhood
- ReaderReviewed in Germany on April 16, 2019
1.0 out of 5 stars Don't buy, it is not complete
Please don't buy this book. These stories are incomplete. There is no connection between each of the stories. Also it contains only first part of the book. Some fake publishers using the name of panchatantra to lure in customers. Stay away. I will report about this seller.
- RaviReviewed in India on October 26, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Easy language good short stories which are easy to understand and reciprocate to the kids
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Invaluable insights to the intricate working of worldly affairs, friends and enemies.