The sun., 1900-06-17
"

Although In epic and dramatic poetry
scarcely any interchange Of influence can be
traced between India and the West, the case
Is widely different In the domain ~ fables and
fairy tales. Before following the romantic
story Of their westward migration. we should
observe that the didactic and sententious note
which prevails In classical SansKrit literature
Is especially pronounced In the fairy tales and
fables. which are characterized by the frequent
introduction OF ethical reflections and proven
bial philosophy. A distinguishing feature Of tho
Sanskrit collections Of Apologies Is the inser-
ton Of u number Of different stories within the
framework OF a single narrative. The char
acters Of the principal tale relate In turn va
rious stories to ed!fy one another or to prove
the correctness Of their particular views This
method Of narration was borrowed from India
by the neiGhboring peoples Of Persia and Ara
bia the most familiar instance Is the Arabian
Nights" The most interesting work in this
branch Of Indian literature is the "Panchatan
ira" so called because II IL divided into five
books. II consists for the most part of fables
which are written In prose with an admixture
Of Illustrative aphoristc verse. We know that
II existed In the first half Of the sixth century
A. D.. since 1t was translated by order of King
Khoaru Anushirvan (SSi-70) into Pehlevi, tho
literary language Of Persia at that time. We
may indeed assume that 1t was known in the
fifth century. since a considerable time
must have elapsed before II became so famous
that foreign king would desire Its translation.
II not actually Buddhistic work the "Pancha-
tantra" must have been derived from Bud
dhi'itc sources This Is manifest from the
fact that number Of its fables can be traced
to Buddhistic writings and from the internal
evidence Of the work itself. Apologies and
fables were current among the Buddhists from
the earliest times. They were ascribed TO
Buddha. and their sanctty was enhanced bv
Identifying the best character In any story
with Buddha himself in a previous birth. Hence
such tales were called Jatakas. or birth
stories" There Is testimony that n collection
of stories under that name existed as early as
the Council Of Nesali about $50 B. c. Two
Chinese enryclopedia' tho older Of which
WA completed in COS A. D., contain a larpe
number Of Indian fables translated into Chi
nese, md citn no fewer fhnn ,o2 Buddhigt worls
as their sources. In IT, present form the
"pancha'an'ra" Is the production Of Brahmons
who. though thev transformed or omit,ed
such parts NJ betrayed animus against Brah-
mGnism, have nevertheless left unerocod
many traces ~ the Buddhlstic origin n, ,ho
collection.
Originally the "panchatantrn' seems %
have bon intended as manual for tho
instruction or the sons Of kings in the nrin-
ciples ~ conduct, II is introduced win tho
story of sovereign who wishes 10 al cover
n scAoInr cnpabe Of trimming his three stunid
and id." .onS. NE NJ lat finds Brab,nnn
who rnlertakc " teach the Prince. in six
moEtn' enough 10 maze them surpass all 9TH
err IN an,Hiedxe of moral science. This task
b" a"con'ii 'he+ by composing the "Pancha-
i.,,. i.... rJct.lg 1t to the young Princes. Tho