The Hitopadesha: Wisdom of India

The Origin of Wisdom

Once upon a time, in the ancient land of India, there existed a collection of fables and tales that were known as the Hitopadesha. These stories were not just simple tales; they were rich in wisdom and moral lessons, designed to educate and enlighten people of all ages. Compiled by the wise Pandit Vishnu Sharma, the Hitopadesha aimed to impart knowledge through engaging narratives involving animals, humans, and mythical creatures.

In a kingdom called Mahilaropya, there was a king named Sudarshan. He was a benevolent ruler, wise and kind, loved by his subjects. However, he faced a grave concern. His three sons, though grown up, were devoid of any wisdom and understanding. The king worried about their future and the future of his kingdom. He sought advice from his council, and they recommended the wise Vishnu Sharma to educate the princes.

Pandit Vishnu Sharma was a sage of great renown. He accepted the king’s request and took the princes under his tutelage. To teach them the art of governance and the importance of virtues, he decided to use stories that conveyed moral lessons. Thus began the journey of the Hitopadesha.

The Story of the Lion and the Mouse

In the dense forests of Mahilaropya, there lived a mighty lion named Karalakesara. One day, after a hearty meal, the lion decided to take a nap under a large banyan tree. As he slept, a tiny mouse named Chikura happened to run over his body. The lion woke up with a start and caught the mouse in his powerful paws, ready to crush the tiny creature.

The mouse, trembling with fear, pleaded for his life. "O mighty lion, please spare me! If you let me go, I will surely repay your kindness one day."

The lion, amused by the mouse's audacity, decided to let him go. He thought, "How can a small mouse ever help a lion?" Yet, he released Chikura and went back to his nap.

Days later, the lion found himself caught in a hunter's net. Despite his strength, he could not break free. Roaring in frustration, he summoned all his power but to no avail. Hearing the lion's roars, the mouse remembered the lion’s kindness and rushed to the scene. With his sharp teeth, he gnawed through the ropes and set the lion free.

The lion, humbled and grateful, said, "You have saved my life. I see now that even the smallest creature can be of help to the mightiest." The lion and the mouse became friends, and the story of their bond spread throughout the forest.

The Story of the Crow and the Pitcher

On a scorching summer day, a thirsty crow named Kaka flew across the plains in search of water. After a long search, he spotted a pitcher with a small amount of water at the bottom. The crow tried to reach the water but found it impossible as his beak couldn't reach the bottom of the pitcher.

Kaka, not one to give up easily, thought of a plan. He picked up small pebbles one by one and dropped them into the pitcher. Slowly, the water level rose, and eventually, it reached a point where the crow could drink. Satisfied and refreshed, Kaka realized the power of perseverance and ingenuity.

This tale spread among the animals, teaching them that with patience and cleverness, even the most challenging problems could be solved.

The Foolish Tortoise

In a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery lived a tortoise named Kambugriva. He had two best friends, a pair of swans named Sankat and Vikat. One summer, the lake began to dry up, and the swans decided to migrate to a new place with abundant water. Kambugriva pleaded with the swans to take him along.

The swans agreed but warned the tortoise that he must remain silent during the journey. They devised a plan: the tortoise would bite a stick, and the swans would carry the stick in their beaks, flying together. The tortoise clamped down on the stick, and the swans lifted him into the air.

As they flew over a village, people below pointed and marveled at the unusual sight. Hearing the commotion, the tortoise grew curious and opened his mouth to ask what was happening, forgetting the warning. The moment he opened his mouth, he fell to the ground and perished.

The story of Kambugriva served as a reminder of the importance of self-control and the consequences of foolish actions.

The Monkey and the Crocodile

Along the banks of the river Ganga, there stood a tall Jamun tree. A clever monkey named Raktamukha lived on the tree, enjoying the sweet fruits. One day, a crocodile named Karalamukha swam to the tree and struck up a friendship with the monkey. The monkey, happy to have a new friend, offered the crocodile some Jamun fruits, which the crocodile found delicious.

Karalamukha took the fruits home to his wife, who developed a craving for the monkey's heart, believing it would taste even better than the fruits. She demanded that her husband bring the monkey’s heart for her. Torn between his wife’s desire and his friendship, Karalamukha invited the monkey for a ride on his back, intending to take him to his wife.

As they swam, the crocodile revealed his wife’s wish. The monkey, quick-witted, feigned surprise and said, "I left my heart back on the tree. Let’s go back and get it." The crocodile believed him and swam back to the tree. The monkey swiftly climbed to safety and scolded the crocodile for his treachery. Realizing his folly, the crocodile swam away, regretting the loss of a good friend.

The Wise Parrot

In the kingdom of Mahilaropya, there lived a parrot named Sukhsari, known for his wisdom. He was a trusted advisor to the king. One day, the kingdom faced a severe drought, and the people were suffering. The king sought Sukhsari's counsel on how to bring rain to the land.

Sukhsari advised the king to perform a grand yagna (sacred fire ritual) to appease the rain gods. The king followed the parrot's advice and organized a yagna with great fervor. The entire kingdom participated in the ritual, praying for rain. Their devotion and collective effort pleased the rain gods, and soon, dark clouds gathered in the sky, bringing a bountiful rain that revived the land.

The kingdom rejoiced, and the king praised Sukhsari's wisdom, recognizing the importance of wise counsel and the power of faith.

The Cunning Jackal

In the depths of the forest lived a jackal named Chandarava, who was known for his cunning nature. One day, while searching for food, he stumbled into an abandoned dye pit. The dye turned his fur into a bright blue color. The jackal, seeing his reflection, devised a plan to become the king of the forest.

He returned to the forest and announced that he was sent by the gods to rule over all the animals. His unusual appearance convinced the animals, who accepted him as their king. Chandarava enjoyed his newfound power and privileges.

However, his reign was short-lived. One night, while the animals were gathered, they heard the howling of jackals in the distance. Unable to resist, Chandarava joined in the howling, revealing his true identity. The animals, feeling deceived, chased him out of the forest.

This tale highlighted the perils of deceit and the importance of honesty.

The Elephant and the Sparrows

In a dense forest, a majestic elephant named Mahagaja roamed freely. He was kind-hearted but oblivious to his own strength. One day, he accidentally destroyed the nest of a pair of sparrows while foraging for food. The sparrows, devastated by the loss of their home and eggs, approached the elephant for help.

Feeling remorseful, Mahagaja promised to protect and help them rebuild their nest. He used his trunk to gather materials and, with great care, helped the sparrows create a new home. The sparrows, grateful for his kindness, sang songs in his praise.

This story of Mahagaja and the sparrows spread across the forest, teaching animals about compassion and the importance of being mindful of their actions.

The Mongoose and the Farmer’s Wife

In a small village, there lived a farmer with his wife and their newborn child. They had a pet mongoose named Nari, who was very loyal and protective of the family. One day, while the farmer and his wife were out working in the fields, a deadly snake entered their home and slithered towards the child.

Nari, sensing danger, attacked the snake and killed it. When the farmer’s wife returned and saw the mongoose with blood on its mouth, she assumed that Nari had harmed her child. In a fit of rage, she killed the mongoose. Moments later, she found her child safe and the dead snake nearby. Realizing her grave mistake, she wept in sorrow for her hasty actions.

This tragic tale served as a cautionary lesson about the dangers of acting on impulse without understanding the full situation.

The Conclusion of Wisdom

Pandit Vishnu Sharma, having narrated these tales, looked at the three princes. They were no longer the same

ignorant young men who had started their journey with him. Each story had instilled a lesson, a piece of wisdom that they would carry forward in their lives. The princes thanked their teacher for his guidance and vowed to rule their kingdom with wisdom, justice, and compassion.

King Sudarshan, seeing the transformation in his sons, was overjoyed. He praised Vishnu Sharma for his exceptional teaching methods and for saving the future of his kingdom.

The Hitopadesha, with its timeless wisdom, continued to be passed down through generations, enriching minds and hearts with its profound lessons. These stories, though simple, carried deep moral values that resonated with people of all ages, making them a cherished part of Indian heritage.