Panchatantra in Samskritam
The Panchatantra is an ancient collection of animal fables told in 300 BCE by Vishnu Sharma. It teaches us life lessons through engaging animal fables. Panchatantra has stories divided into 5 tantras or chapters. Each of these tantras has a main thread story which expands on the main theme of the tantra by including many sub-stories.
In this page, you can watch the thread stories and all the sub-stories of the 5 tantras of Panchatantra in Sanskrit
Introduction
Aditi and Bhanavi discuss about the structure of Panchatantra, its importance, the contents and its relevance, in Sanskrit language. They also explain the intention behind this project.
kathāmukham कथामुखम्
Why was Panchatantra written? Listen to this introductory chapter of Panchatantra named Kathamukham which explains the situation that led Vishnu Sharma to compose the Panchatantra.
The first Tantra is called Mitra Bheda, which means “Separation of friends”. It shows that breaking of unnatural friendship in the larger interest is a fair game.
The second Tantra is called Mitra Samprapti, which means “Acquisition of Friends”. This Tantra explains how friends could be made and won back if lost. It also explains how friendships could be cultivated for a mutually beneficial cause.
The third Tantra is called Kakolukiyam, which means “Of Crows and Owls”. This Tantra describes how a misunderstanding between enemies could be created to forge deceit and weaken them. It explains this by showing the enmity between crows and owls and how one suppresses the other.
The fourth Tantra is called Labdha PraNasham, which means “Loss of Gains”. This Tantra explains how we could lose what we had previously gained if we do not exercise proper caution.”
The fifth and final Tantra is called Aparikshita Karakam, which means “Rash deeds”. This Tantra describes the ill effects of taking rash action without deliberating on the consequences.