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Panchatantra Stories

Ancient animal fables of wisdom — with morals, in English & Hindi

The Panchatantra, composed by Pandit Vishnu Sharma over 2,000 years ago, teaches practical wisdom (niti) through five books of interwoven animal fables. These are the world’s most-travelled stories — they journeyed through Persia and Arabia to become part of world literature.

🐦The Bird with Two HeadsBook 2 — Mitra Samprapti (Gaining Friends)Those bound to one body and one fate destroy themselves when they quarrel with each other.🐺The Blue JackalBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)However grand the disguise, one's true nature reveals itself in the end.🦦The Brahmin and the Loyal MongooseBook 5 — Aparikshita Karakam (Ill-Considered Actions)Never act in haste on mere suspicion — an unthinking moment can destroy what is most loyal and dear.🐐The Brahmin, the Goat and the Three CrooksBook 3 — Kakolukiyam (Of Crows and Owls)A lie repeated again and again can shake even the truth — trust your own eyes and judgement over the chorus of strangers.🦁The Cave That TalkedBook 3 — Kakolukiyam (Of Crows and Owls)Alertness and presence of mind protect us where strength cannot — the careful escape traps that swallow the careless.🐍The Crows and the SerpentBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)What cannot be won by strength can be won by wisdom and a clever plan.🪺The Elephant and the SparrowBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)Never underestimate the small — with unity and wit, the weakest can humble the mightiest.🐸The Two Clever Fish and the FrogBook 5 — Aparikshita Karakam (Ill-Considered Actions)Cleverness that does not act in time is useless — plain common sense that heeds a warning is worth more than a thousand wits.🦌The Four Friends and the HunterBook 2 — Mitra Samprapti (Gaining Friends)United in true friendship, even the small and gentle can outwit the strongest foe.🦀The Heron and the CrabBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)Those who live by deceiving the trusting are destroyed by their own deceit in the end.🥁The Jackal and the DrumBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)Do not be frightened by mere noise — face your fears boldly and find out the truth first.🐇The Lion and the Clever RabbitBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)Wit is stronger than brute strength — the clever mind wins where muscle fails.🐪The Lion, the Camel, the Jackal and the CrowBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)Beware the honeyed words of the cunning — the innocent who trust flatterers pay dearly for it.⚖️The Merchant and the Iron BalanceBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)Deceit invites deceit — those who cheat others are answered in their own coin.🐘The Mice and the ElephantsBook 2 — Mitra Samprapti (Gaining Friends)No friend is too small — a kindness shown to the humble returns when you need it most.🐊The Monkey and the CrocodileBook 4 — Labdha Pranasham (Loss of Gains)Presence of mind can save us from the gravest danger, but a friendship once betrayed is lost forever.🐒The Monkey and the WedgeBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)Meddling in matters that are not your concern leads only to trouble.🎶The Musical DonkeyBook 5 — Aparikshita Karakam (Ill-Considered Actions)There is a right time and place for everything — even a good thing done at the wrong moment brings trouble.🐭The Sage and the Mouse-MaidenBook 3 — Kakolukiyam (Of Crows and Owls)Nature prevails over all — whatever the outward form, the heart seeks its own kind.🦢The Storks and the MongooseBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)Think a plan through to its very end — a remedy chosen in haste can prove worse than the disease.🐢The Talkative Tortoise and the GeeseBook 1 — Mitra Bheda (The Loss of Friends)Those who cannot hold their tongue at the right moment bring about their own downfall.🐕The Washerman's Donkey and the DogBook 4 — Labdha Pranasham (Loss of Gains)Do your own duty well and leave others' work to them — meddling beyond your station brings blows instead of thanks.

Explore more: Puranic stories · Chanakya Niti · Bhagavad Gita