A Study of The Ethical and Manly Nature as Illustrated in The Panchatantra's Fable

Introduction

A fable is a timeless piece of wisdom presented in story form. The Panchatantra contains three fables which teach about morals, but they also offer insights into human nature. We will identify these insights contained in the Panchatantra and analyze them.

A Study of The Ethical and Manly Nature as Illustrated in The Panchatantra's Fable

The Foolish Friend

In the story “The Foolish Friend,” a king befriends a monkey and treats it as if it were the most treasured human companion. He even gives the monkey a sword. In Hindu religion, animals have a very prominent role in divinity. The monkey in Hindu religion represents the god known as Hanuman, the god of power and strength. This could have influenced the king's decision to befriend the monkey. Unfortunately, the monkey accidentally slays the king while trying to get a bee off his head with the sword. The king was over-trusting and forgot what his friend really was, a monkey. He was very foolish and blind because he couldn’t see the danger in trusting a monkey. Humans are blind when they are foolish; they cannot see what is right in front of them. The king in this fable is an apt example of this human trait. This story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of discernment and the danger of misplaced trust.

The Gold Giving Snake

In the fable “The Gold Giving Snake,” a farmer befriends a snake that gives him gold in exchange for milk. When the farmer’s son tries to slay the snake and steal the gold, he is killed by the snake. The farmer goes back and attempts to redeem himself with the snake, but the snake rejects him because he is there out of greed and selfishness. Hindus believe that the snake is a symbol of one of their gods, in this case, the god of wisdom. In Hindu society, the snake is a creature of wisdom. Naturally, the farmer was wise to offer it tribute in return for gold. However, his wisdom was overshadowed by greed. The father cared for the gold from the snake more than his own son. The farmer was greedy, which led to his ultimate destruction. This narrative highlights the destructive power of greed and the necessity of valuing human relationships over material wealth (Sharma, 2002).

The Brahman’s Wife and the Mongoose

In the fable “The Brahman’s Wife and the Mongoose,” the mother distrusts her son simply because he is a mongoose. In Hindu society, a mongoose is a vile creature that is not to be trusted. The Brahman was not greedy in this story but just thought it was more important to get money to support the family than to protect one son from another son. The mother was distrustful, which brought her downfall. This story teaches a moral, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” It emphasizes the consequences of prejudice and the importance of trust based on actions rather than appearances (Rao, 2005).

Conclusion

Where would we be without stories with morals? How would wisdom be passed down? Human beings have always valued bravery, selflessness, and other similar classical values. Epics were one way to pass down these values. Fables are another. Fable stories are moral compasses, guiding us toward ethical behavior and deeper understanding of human nature.

References

Sharma, A. (2002). Understanding the Panchatantra: A New Approach. New Delhi: Penguin Books.

Rao, K. (2005). The Wisdom of the Panchatantra. Mumbai: Jaico Publishing House.