Panchatantra 0005 - How an Ascetic Lost Everything through Misplaced Trust

 

The story of the ascetic starts somewhere in India, in a place, far away.

In that city, there was an old monastery. In that monastery lived an ascetic. This ascetic was a learned person and used to give discourses and advise people. Over time, he had gained many devotees. They would come, visit him, listen to him and take his blessings. In return, they would give the ascetic expensive gifts. The ascetic would take the gifts and sell them off in the market. In return he would get money. By doing this, he ended up accumulating a lot of wealth. With wealth, came fear and distrust. He trusted no one and kept all his money in bags, and those bags he tied around himself.

His habits of moving around with money bags tied around him, were noticed by robbers. One robber made it his objective to rob the ascetic. He had a problem though. The walls of the monastery were very difficult to climb, and the gates were very high and next to impossible to climb and cross. He decided to please the ascetic with words and swindle him.

One day he went to the ascetic and asked him to become his guru. He used sweet words to please the ascetic. The ascetic, unaware of the swindler’s intentions, agreed.

The ascetic agreed on a condition that the disciple should not enter the monastery after sunset, but sleep outside. The robber agreed.

He served the ascetic while keeping a lookout for the money bags. He noticed that the ascetic always tied the money bags around himself and wondered how to gain the guru’s trust.

One day the ascetic was invited to preside over a thread ceremony at a disciple’s house. The ascetic left for that, and the swindler also left with him. On the way, passing a river, the ascetic decided to relieve himself. He took the money bags and his robes and handed them to the robber, asking him to guard them. Then, he left to answer the call of nature.

Seeing the opportunity, the robber fled as soon as the ascetic was out of sight.

While the ascetic was relieving himself, he saw two rams. They were fighting with each other, ramming their heads until their heads bled. The smell of blood brought a jackal there. It tried to get closer to the rams. Unfortunately, it got caught between the two fighting rams and met his end.

Seeing this happen in front of his eyes, shocked the ascetic. He quickly finished his business and came back to see his money bags missing. Only his robes were lying there. He tried to search for the swindler but no luck. Sad and unhappy, he returned back to the monastery.

Ending the story the jackal, who has started telling the story said – Like the ascetic was responsible for his actions, you too are to blame for creating this situation.

His brother said - Do not worry. I made the lion and bullock become friends. I will also break their friendship. Not by force, but by using my cunning. Like the crow killed a cobra using a golden chain.

How was it - asked his brother?

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The story is about mis-placed trust and the consequences of actions.

The robber’s methods show how flattery can be used to exploit weaknesses (the ascetic’s desire for praise).

The ascetic was so consumed by his physical attachment that he failed to exercise due diligence in evaluating the character and intentions of his new “disciple.” He was too trusting in the wrong area.

Rational thought vanishes when one is scared. The ascetic’s fear of losing his wealth clouded his judgment, leading him to hand them over to the person he should have been wary of.

Panchatantra 0004 - The merchant and the king

 There was a beautiful city, somewhere in India. This city was literally governed by a rich merchant. No, he was not the ruler there. There was a king there, and the merchant ensured that everyone, the people, the king - all were pleased.

Once this merchant’s daughter was getting married. The merchant had invited most of the city’s people to attend the wedding. He treated them to lavish meals and gave them gifts. He then invited the king and his family and gave them special respect and gifts.

A sweeper of the palace heard about this and wanted to try his luck. He had unfortunately, not been invited. Even then, the sweeper went and sat there. The merchant saw this and had the sweeper thrown out. The sweeper felt extremely insulted. The merchant could have been polite and a small meal and gift would not have hurt the merchant. The sweeper went home and lay awake the whole night, thinking of ways to have the merchant fall in the eyes of the king. An idea struck him. He thought over it. This idea seemed good. The sweeper decided to put that idea to action.

A few days passed. The sweeper was sweeping the king’s chamber. It was early morning and the king was not fully awake. The sweeper started murmuring - the audacity of the merchant. He hugged the queen!

The king heard the words. What!! He was now fully awake. He called the sweeper and asked - Did the merchant hug the queen?

The sweeper quietly said - I am not sure what I said my lord. I was up all-night gambling. I am half asleep myself. Forgive me for my words.

This did not satisfy the king. This sweeper has complete access to the palace. He can go to any room. It is quite possible that he saw my queen hugging the merchant.

From that day, the king’s behaviour towards the merchant changed. The merchant would be ignored and when the merchant asked for the reason, the king asked him not to come to the palace.

The merchant was sad wondering why the king was being unfriendly towards him.

Some days passed.

One day the merchant decided to visit the palace When he went there, the palace guards caught him and asked him not to enter. The sweeper happened to be there and he said - beware of the merchant. He had me thrown out of his banquet. He could do the same to you.

As soon as the merchant heard this, he knew the reason for the king’s behaviour. He thought of a way to resolve the issue. He invited the sweeper, gave him gifts and asked him to forgive him.

Happy with the gifts, the sweeper decided to help the merchant.

The next day, early morning, when the king was half asleep, the sweeper started saying - What a king!! He eats cucumbers in the toilet.

The king was fully awake. What nonsense is this? You are a trusted servant and that is why I am not saying anything to you. If there was anyone else, I would have punished that person.

The sweeper said, - Sir, I was up the whole night gambling. I am half asleep. Forgive me for my words.

The king realized his mistake. He should not have trusted the words of a sweeper.

The merchant was invited to the court respectfully and given great gifts. Things became, as before.

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The jackal stopped and said - this is why I am saying; Give me respect that is due.

The bullock agreed and the jackal brought him and introduced him to the lion.

The lion and the bullock became friends. The lion then went to the river and drank all the water he needed.

Soon problems started appearing. The bullock started telling the lion that killing animals for food was not good. The lion tried to please the bullock.

The animals, including the jackal brothers, who lived on scraps were disheartened.

The two jackal brothers were discussing. The brother who had told the story of the monkey and the wedge, said to his brother - All these issues were created by you. If you had not introduced the lion and the bullock, these issues would not have happened.

The other jackal said - Yes, it is like a jackal that got caught between the fighting rams.

What is this - asked his brother.

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The merchant worked hard to please both the king and the people. He was someone was expert in balancing interests.

Any person who is of power should not believe rumours. Also, people who maybe on the lower rung can exert influence, if needed.
The merchant resolved the issue through diplomacy. He used appeasement and strategic kindness to manage conflict.

Anyone in power should manage all levels.

Remember, a strong reputation built over years can be demolished over-night.

Next time, another story. Till subscribe and leave a note for me.

And you want the previous story? Here it is. 

Panchatantra 0003 - The Jackal, the Drum, and the Scared Lion

 In a place, far far away, lived a jackal. Always hungry, the jackal was always in the lookout for a proper meal. His hunger took him all over the land. Wherever he found food, was home for him. Wandering like this he came across a battlefield. The battle was over for the day. It was evening and the armies had retired. There were many things scattered on the ground. The jackal, seeing an empty field, began sniffing around. Among many things lying there was a drum. The drum was lying near some bushes. Incidentally, that day, there was a strong wind blowing, and this wind was making the branches of the bushes hit against the drum. This was creating a strange noise. Imagine branches of bushes beating drums. And a deserted battlefield. Sounds eerie.

This was a sound that the jackal was unfamiliar with. He got scared and decided to immediately leave the place. He was about to turn back, when he suddenly thought it would be foolish not to see what was causing the sound. At least he could peep from a distance and see what was happening.

He gathered courage and slowly walked towards the source of the sound. When he approached it, he saw what it was. A mere drum. He laughed and went closer. There he found food. Enough to last him for days. This made this jackal very happy. He decided to settle and enjoy the food.

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The jackal finished telling the story to the lion and said - you should not be scared of a strange noise. You need to find out what is causing that.

The lion said - What are you saying? My brave warriors, the tigers, wolves, leopards - they have heard this noise. All are scared. No one wants to be here.

The jackal said - They are scared because you are scared. If you are brave, they will get courage, seeing you.

The lion looked at the jackal and said - So are you telling me that you are brave enough to find out what is causing this noise?

The jackal said - I am brave. I am confident.

The lion said - Good. Go. Find out what it is. Come back and tell me. God bless you.

The jackal took leave of the lion and set forth to find out the source of the noise.

After the jackal had left, the lion started cursing himself.

I am a fool. I have made a big mistake. How could I trust the jackal and tell him about my weakness. Now he will go to my enemy and tell them all this. I will now have to go and hide somewhere. I cannot live like this!

In the meanwhile, the jackal had reached the source of the sound. He himself was scared. He then saw it – a lone bullock standing there, bellowing. Our jackal was very relieved. Oh - it is just a bullock. This is my lucky day. I have the winning cards in my hand. I will talk to the lion, based on the situation, I will either make the bullock his friend or enemy. He went back to the lion.

The lion saw him return.

The lion asked - Did you find out what is causing the sound.

The jackal said - Yes, I did.

The lion said - Come on. You are joking. You are not telling the truth.

the jackal said - Will I lie, in front of you?

The lion said - So how come you were able to escape this strange thing?

The jackal said - Whatever it is, I have the power to make you friends with this. I will make this thing serve you. I can do that.

The lion said - What! You are serious? You can do that?

The jackal said - If one has brains, nothing is impossible.

The lion said - I like you. I will make you an advisor.

Thanking the lion, the jackal ran and went back to the place, where the bullock was and said - Why are you bellowing always? Our king is getting disturbed. He wants to meet you.

The bullock said - Who is this king of yours?

The jackal said, pointing at a direction - He is our king, the lion. He is sitting near the hill you see, along with his courtiers.

The bullock was scared. He said - I can’t face a lion. Look, you seem to be a clever being. Could you help me? Save me so that the lion does not kill me?

The jackal thought for a moment and said - Then wait. Let me talk to the king and then return back to you.

Saying this, the jackal ran back to the lion.

There, he said - Sir, this is an animal. Not an ordinary one. This is the bullock of great Shiva. The bullock told me he had taken a break from his duties and Shiva had granted him leave for some time to eat the grass and play around in the forest.

The lion said - No wonder. So, it is Shiva’s bullock. Makes sense. That is why this bullock can roam around fearlessly in the forest. So, what did you tell him, when he said all this to you?

The jackal said - I told him he was in the forest which had presented to her lion by great goddess Durga herself. I told him he was welcome to stay under the protection of the great lion. He was happy and said he would, only if his life was spared.

The lion said - I am sure I made a good decision by appointing you. Go to him and tell him I will spare his life, as long he spares mine. Go, bring him to me.

The jackal left happy with himself.

He then went to the bullock and said - I have spoken to the lion. He has called you and has agreed to spare your life. Don’t forget all this happened because of me. So, give me proper respect. Else misfortune will be yours like that which happened to the merchant.

What was that? - asked the bullock.

This story focuses on the need to conquer fear through knowledge and the demonstration that cunning is superior to might.

Fear is a product of ignorance. The lion and his courtiers are scared. They are unsure about the unfamiliar sound. Finding out the truth is necessary to survive and dominate.

The Jackal in the battlefield was also scared till he discovered the drum and eventually, food.

If one has brains, nothing is impossible - this needs to be noted.

Panchatantra 0002 - The monkey and the wedge

The monkey and the wedge

In a city there lived a rich merchant. One day the merchant decided it was time to build a temple. He chose the appropriate spot for building the temple. A nice shady place.

He gathered workers who would help in the construction work, and appointed them. He then told them what they were supposed to do, and the timeline by when he needed the work completed. Payment terms were discussed and agreed on, and the date when the workers would start, was decided.

On the set date, the workers arrived at the site, ready to start their work. They would go there every day early morning and start work. When afternoon came, the workers would take a break. They would call out to each other, and then would leave the site. They would return after sometime and resume their work.

This site was a shady place. There were many trees there. And in those trees, lived monkeys. Every day the monkeys would observe the workers busy with their work.

Let’s talk about this specific day. A carpenter was trying to split a log into two. He had managed to cut part of the log. It was just then, that his fellow workers came and called him, and told him it was time for a break. The carpenter really needed a break. But how to handle the log? If he left it, the cut part would snap back, closing the gash. To ensure it remained in that position, the carpenter pushed a wedge into the gap in the log, and then left with his colleagues, for his break.

The monkeys, up in the trees, saw the workers leave the site. They were used to the schedule of the workers. When the workers left, the monkeys would come down and roam around the site freely. When the monkeys were there, the curiosity bug caught one of the monkeys. This monkey saw the wedge, which had been pushed into the gash, in the log. It was something that the monkey had never seen before and it was curious. What is this? It thought. The monkey went closer and touched the wedge. It was sturdy, and refused to move. The monkey then grabbed the wedge and began to pull it. Unfortunately for the monkey, the wedge shot out of the log. Taken aback, the monkey moved and his legs got caught in the gash in log. With the wedge out, the log closed in, crushing the monkey, killing it.

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The jackal finished telling his brother the tale of the unfortunate curious monkey. Saying this he said -
Why should we be curious? Why the lion returned back without drinking water, should not be for us to worry about. We need to be content. When the lion kills and eats, he leaves scraps around. We need to be happy eating that. So, stop thinking about the lion.

The other jackal said,
I disagree. Are we here just to hunt for food? What are we? Crows, that we need to roam around, looking for food?

The first jackal said,
look, we are not in the service of the lion. When we did, things were different. Just forget the lion and his affairs.

The second jackal said
No. All one has to do, is serve the king. Doing so, even an ordinary person, can become a minister.
If a minister is not doing their job properly, they can be let go.
We need to find out what the king likes, dislikes; his wants, his desires. Doing so, we can get closer to the king.

The first jackal was listening.
Tell me. What is your plan? What are we supposed to do?

The second jackal said
I have a plan. I have seen the lion. He went to drink water but came back thirsty. I know the river is not dry. Also, have you noticed something? The lion has said something to the other animals, and they all look a bit scared. I will use diplomacy to find out what is happening.

And how do you know that the lion is scared - asked the first jackal.

The second jackal said -
Look closely. Can you not see the lion. He is looking back towards the river time and again. Also, his voice. And the way his eyes are twitching. All these are signs, that tell me, something is bothering the lion. I will go to the lion and become friendly with him. I will gain his trust and then, I will remove his fear. By doing so, I will help regain our father's position, as his advisor.

The first jackal said - You are talking about serving the lion. What do you plan to do? Fine, tell me. What will you say when you go to the lion?

The second jackal said - I have not planned anything. All I know is, I will be successful I need to understand the situation, and then based on the situation, I need to say what is correct. If the lion is angry, I'll flatter him. I will treat all his friends and allies as my own. And appreciate all that he says and gives.

The first jackal said - Good luck. I will remain here and watch and see what you do.

The second jackal then took leave of his brother and went and greeted the lion.

This lion was not like the ferocious lion we hear of. He was a nice person. When he saw the jackal approaching, he greeted him and asked -
How have you been? All well? I have not seen you for a long time?

The jackal said - You are the king, and I am just a subject. I offer my services to you. A king needs high ranking people to serve him, and he also sometimes needs nobodies like us.

The lion said - What high and lows? You are the son of my ex-advisor and I have respect for you. If there is anything to say, do not hesitate.

The jackal said - I have come here to say something to you. I am not sure, what I want to say is something that I need to say in front of all.

The lion looked at the other animals near him. He saw some tigers and wolves sitting there.

Could you please leave me and the jackal alone for some time - he said.

They understood. The tigers and wolves walked away from there.

When they were gone, the jackal said - I think, your majesty, you went to the river to drink water, but came back thirsty. Any reason why?

The lion was taken aback. He stammered and said - Oh nothing, let it be.

The jackal said - I understand you are not comfortable sharing things with me. Let it be. The jackal got up, ready to leave.

The lion thought for some time and then said - you seem trust worthy. Let me tell you. So I was at the river and heard a scary noise. Wait .... can you hear it now?

The jackal heard the bellow of the bullock.

He said - So what? This is a jungle. You will hear noises here.

The lion said - Look, I am not comfortable. Some scary animal has come here and has made its home. It makes these strange noises. It’s not visible.

The jackal said - You have just heard some noise and that is scaring you? It’s your jungle. You were born here, raised here. Noises should not scare you. Drums make strange noises. When a jackal overcame his fear of noises, he found food.

Which jackal is this, what happened? asked the lion.

The jackal began telling the lion the story of this jackal.

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Analysis Summary

A jackal says, avoid curiosity. One should be "content" with what authority provides. The second jackal says No; I do not accept this. I am ambitious. I refuse to settle for scraps.

• The story talks about the danger of interfering with things that one does not understand. The monkey, driven by "curiosity," interfered with the wedge in the log and died. It says curiosity without knowledge can be fatal.
• The second jackal's approach shows the importance of intelligence and planning before action. His goal is to regain his family's position by knowing the king's weaknesses and using "diplomacy".

Panchatantra 0001 - How A Bullock's Bellow Scared The Lion

 So, let me start with the first story from Panchatantra.

And as with most of the Panchatantra stories, this is a nested story - where one-story thread leads to another story. This is from the first book of Panchatantra called ‘Conflict among friends’.

This is a story of a bullock. About how the bullock became friendly with a lion. And how that friendship was destroyed by a jackal.

This is how the story proceeds:

Somewhere in India was a city. A beautiful one. In that city lived a merchant. He was ambitious. His father had been a prosperous merchant and he wanted to make a name for himself. His motto in life was - everything in money, and everything in life can be achieved by money. One should always think of ways of increasing wealth. If one was rich, he would have friends. He would get recognized by people in the society. He decided to make money for himself. Away from home. The city of Mathura seemed to be a good option. The city was on the banks of river Yamuna. His plan was - he would travel to Mathura, set up his trade there, sell his wares and make money and come back richer. He made his mind. He would travel to Mathura.

He spoke with the elders in the family and decided the date of travel. On the date that was decided, he took leave of all and set off for Mathura.

In those days, there were no mechanized modes of travel. People had to rely on carts. Either pulled by horses or by bullocks. This merchant had two strong bullocks. They were sturdy and were capable of carrying heavy burden. He harnessed them the bullocks to a cart and set out for Mathura, accompanied by a few servants.

A few days of travel, and they approached the river, Yamuna. That is when tragedy struck. The cart was parked. The bullocks had been let loose to graze. One of the bullocks suddenly fell. The merchant and the servants managed to save the animal and then they noticed, that the bullock had, unfortunately, broken one of its legs. The merchant felt sorry for the animal. He decided he would stay there with the bullock and nurse it.

The servants were not very happy with the idea. They spoke to the merchant and said

This place is an unknown place. There are forests nearby. Who knows what kinds of wild animals are there, lions, tigers etc. We do not advise you to stay here. For the sake of an animal, it is not fair to put everyone’s lives in danger.

This seemed reasonable to the merchant. He chose a few servants and asked them to stay with the injured animal. He then asked the cart driver to drive the cart using the lone bullock, and they resumed their journey for Mathura.

As soon as the merchant had left, the servants who had been left behind, started thinking. Why sacrifice their lives for an injured bullock? The next day they left the place and caught with retinue of the merchant.

Why are you here? I asked you to be with the bullock. This bullock was born in front of my eyes and he is like a dear one. I left you there and asked you to take care of the animal. Please go back and be with him.

The servants had planned what to say. They said - Sir, the bullock died in the night. We cremated his body and after that, we have come looking for you.

The merchant was very sad to hear this. He said prayers for the departed bullock, performed funeral rites and resumed the journey.

Incidentally, the bullock did die then. He limped around the place. He found tender plants growing in a forest, near the river and he ate those. Slowly, he gained strength and his leg too started healing. He began to call this place, his new home and began living there, eating grass that grew near the banks of the river. Even though misfortune had struck him, the bullock had been able to survive there.

In that forest lived a lion. The lion had a group of animals that would accompany him, wherever he went. It so happened that, one day this lion was feeling very thirst. He went to the river, all alone, to drink water. As soon he was about to step closer and drink, he heard a terrible noise. This noise was the bellow of the bullock. The lion was confused. Even though he felt scared, he did not want express his feelings. He turned around and without drinking any water, went and sat near a tree. The group of animals, that followed him, came and sat near him. This lion once had a jackal had an advisor. This jackal was forever scheming and plotting. When the lion had discovered this, he had dismissed the jackal, from the post of the advisor. He had two sons, who roamed around the lion, trying to earn the lion’s favour.

The jackals sensed something was wrong. The lion had gone to drink water. He had come back. It looked weak, was looking at the river again, but not wanting to go there.

One of the jackals said

Brother, we need to talk to the lion. He went to drink water, but looks like, he came back thirsty. He seems tired and is sitting under a tree, surrounded by other animals.

The other jackal said

My dear brother. Why should that concern us? The lion has other animals to take care of him. We should not start doing jobs, that are not meant for us. If we do, we will act like the monkey who decided to take the wedge out of a log of wood.

What happened? What is all about - asked the other jackal.

Listen as I tell you about the monkey - said the jackal.

And here ends the first story from Panchatantra.

Analysis and Key Takeaways

Now let’s look through the story. Beyond the characters.

“Everything in money, and everything in life can be achieved by money” - the thought of the merchant represents excessive focus on wealth and ways to increase that.

While gaining wealth may be an aim of life, it should not be the sole aim.

The bullock survives despite being abandoned and injured, shows resilience and adaptation.

The servants’ decision to abandon the injured bullock illustrates the principle of self-preservation. They leave aside duty and empathy and leave the injured animal alone.

This story introduces the characters here. The lion, the bullock and the jackals are characters, which will appear in many stories going forward. And as earlier, while Panchatantra has names for the characters, I have avoided the names. The names have meanings - like lion, being brown/ tawny in colour is called Pingalaka, meaning brown. The jackals are called Karataka Damanaka who act as fraudsters and manipulators.

The Merchant represents attachment. His focus on wealth leads him to abandon a trusted asset (the bullock).

The Bullock is an outsider, living alone in the wild. Its bellow is an unknown force entering the forest, which confuses the lion.

The Lion is the king in his forest. His fear of the unknown becomes exploited later by the jackal.

The Jackals represent mind focused on manipulating circumstances for personal gain. They want to regain their father’s position.

One thing that needs to be seen here is, do not trust easily. The merchant trusts his servants without verifying facts.

The next story, next week will be about a monkey and a log of wood.

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