Page 4 - Viṣṇu Śarmā

THE STORY OF PAÑCATANTRA

Legend has it that Vishnu Sharma was an aged

scholar who was approached by king Sudarshan with

a request that the former teach his three stupid sons,

Bahushakti, Ugrashakti and Anantashakti, all that

was needed to be known of science, politics and

diplomacy.

Having declined any monetary reward, Vishnu Sharma

accepted the task of making the princes wise to the

ways of politics and leadership within six months

through unconventional means i.e. not by teaching

them the scriptures and texts, but rather telling them

a succession of animal fables where one fable was

intertwined with another.

By adapting stories that had been orally passed on for

generations in India, the Pañcatantra was compiled

into a work of five sections to communicate to the

princes the essence of diplomacy, relationships,

politics and administration that would be helpful to

them when they would succeed their father.

This strategy had the desired effect, for the three

princes, after listening and understanding these

stories, became highly knowledgeable in worldly

wisdom.