Essay Example on The Pancatantra: A Political Guide to Real Life for Princes

The Pancatatra is a widely recognized literary work by Visnusarman, the court-pandit of the Kind Amarasakti of Mahilaropya in the south. The author original intent of the work was to educate the princes of his supporter in the science of politics and real life. The story contains five stories that consist of stories intermixed with verses that are full of political axioms appropriate to the demands of life. However, the book has various similarities and differences to Mahabharata by Vyasa. Both stories have multiple episodes together, and learners can learn a helpful lesson about life. However, it is essential to note that both stories are a framework of Indian type, yet they do not have like principles. The main difference between the two accounts of the characters and the way the moral story is delivered. Moreover, the tone and choice of words are also different. The paper discusses the differences and similarities seen in Pancatantra and Mahabharata stories.

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Pancatantra contains some fables that are parallel to Mahabharata, although they are modified and reversed to the meaning of political wisdom. The first similarity between these two work is the teaching contained in the story. For instance, the deception displayed in the Pancatantra is intended to indicate the lives others, including the message "do not be like them" (Visnusarma & Olivelle, 1999). The moral story of "the good friend and the evil friend" indicates the critical virtue of friendship. He states shows that friendship is more valued than any other belongings or family as shown in the story of "the poor crocodile who fell in love with a monkey," and forgetting to go home to his wife, while the crocodile's wife faked an illness to try to get her husband to kill the monkey (Visnusarma & Olivelle, 1999). On the other hand, the friendship between Krishna and Arjuna in Mahabhatra indicates a good bond that every learner should look for. Perhaps, this is because Krishna has unconditional support and motivation, which helps Pandavas survive the war (Choudhry, 1994). Moreover, the scene where Krishna rescues Draupardi while her husband gambles her away to shame. The friendship between Krishna and Drapardy is more inspiring to believe in the role of friendship (Choudhry, 1994). Thus, the two materials indicate that friends are essential to human existence and survival. The stories show that friendship is vital to the characters Krishna and Draupadi, and the Crocodile and the monkey.

However, there are various vital differences used by the two authors of the literary works. First, the authors have different perceptions of women. Pancatantra shows women as spoilsports for friendship while Mahabharata shows the power of the women to rise against their oppressors. The author of the previous has not used women roles in most parts of the story, and when a woman character is used, she tries to destroy the friendship between the crocodile and his new friend, the monkey (Visnusarma & Olivelle, 1999). Visnusarman poses women as to male friendships. The author advocates for male companionship, and it is a recurring theme all over the text as seen in the fellowship of the ox, lion, and the two jackals in the story, the four friends. On the other hand, Mahabharata teaches about the strength of the women to rise even after being humiliated. For instance Draupardi is manipulated to take five husbands, and humiliated, but at the end she gets justice by vowing to kill Duryodhana and Dushanana (Choudhry, 1994). She is a woman who fights for her rights. Thus, the two stories show the difference in that; one is indicating women as blockade to male friendship while the other shows the power of women to rise against oppression.

Reference

Choudhry, B. R. (1994). The story of Mahabharata. New Delhi, IND: Hemkunt Press.

Visnusarma, ., & Olivelle, P. (1999). Pancatantra: The book of India's folk wisdom. Oxford, UK: Oxford University. Press.