Why is Panchatantra Famous?

Have you ever read a story in which a clever rabbit fooled a lion? Or a gang of friends: a deer, a crow, a mouse and a tortoise who all save each other from danger? If yes, you've already encountered the world of Panchatantra!

Panchatantra is one of the oldest and most popular story collection in the world. For over 2,000 years it has been giving children lessons in life. Panchatantra books are still used by parents and teachers to teach children right from wrong, smart thinking and to be good human beings.

Then why is Panchatantra so popular? Let's see in simple words!

What is Panchatantra? 

The word Panchatantra is derived from two Sanskrit words, Pancha (which means five) and Tantra (which means books or principles). Literally Panchatantra translates to "Five Books of Wisdom.

This was authored by a wise man named Vishnu Sharma in ancient India, around 200 BCE. The story goes that a king had asked Vishnu Sharma to impart wisdom and good governance to his three unconcerned and sluggish princes. Vishnu Sharma didn't give them dull lessons, he told them stories – fun, adventurous, and with hidden wisdom in the animal stories.

The princes enjoyed the stories and learned all the important life lessons without even realising it!

Panchatantra has been translated into Persian, Arabic, Latin and later into more than 50 languages all over the world. It is thought to be one of the most translated books after religious works.

Why is Panchatantra Famous in the World?

Panchatantra is not only an Indian treasure, but a world treasure. Why it remains popular after thousands of years:

1. Stories That Everyone Can Understand: The stories feature animals such as lions, monkeys, rabbits, crows, and tortoises as characters. These characters are believable and enjoyable. Even a very young child can grasp the emotion of the fox or the silly mistake the monkey made.

2. Each Story in the Panchatantra has a simple moral at the end. Children are not only entertained by the story, they are also remembered for the lesson because they felt it through the characters.

3. It Teaches Real Life Skills: Panchatantra is not just about being good. It helps children to think smartly, make decisions, be good friends and face challenging situations. These are skills for life which are applicable in everyday situations.

The Five Books (Tantras) of Panchatantra – A Simple Breakdown

Panchatantra is divided into five sections. Each section focuses on a different lesson about life.

These five themes are just as relevant today as they were 2,000 years ago! Panchatantra has a story for every moment – whether your child is going to school for the first time, or learning to share toys!

What Lessons Do Kids Learn from Panchatantra Stories?

Panchatantra books for kids aren't only entertaining, they are effective learning tools. These are the values that children learn from these stories:

Honesty – The Blue Jackal is a story about pretending to be someone that we aren't. Kids are taught that honesty is always the right thing to do.

Friendship and Teamwork – The Four Friends is a story about four friends, a deer, a crow, a mouse and a tortoise, who help each other out of a difficult situation. Children realize that a true friend is a loyal friend.

Smart Thinking – The Intelligent Hare demonstrates that brains are stronger than brawns. The clever rabbit outsmarts a mighty lion with only his wits!

Kindness – Many stories in the Panchatantra illustrate that those who are kind are rewarded and selfish ones are punished.

Patience and Calm – Some stories help children to wait, observe and then act rather than rushing to decisions.

Most Popular Panchatantra Stories and Their Morals

Some of the most popular Panchatantra stories loved by kids:

The Talkative Tortoise

A tortoise was fond of talking a lot. Two geese agreed to lift him up on a stick and fly. Two geese agreed to lift him up on a stick and fly. They said not to talk to him. However, the tortoise was unable to resist: he opened his mouth and fell down! Moral: Be careful what you say. Too much talking can get us into trouble.

The Blue Jackal

A jackal fell into a bucket of blue dye and turned blue. He feigned to be a special king of animals. All the animals trusted him, until they heard other jackals howling, and he howled back! Moral: You can't be a different person for too long. Always be yourself.

The Crane and the Crab (Chinese fable)

A crane tricked one by one out of their pond, promising them a better place; one by one they were taken out. But a clever crab caught on to his trick! Moral: Watch out for those who like to do too much. Don't rush to judgement.

The Four Friends

A deer, a crow, a mouse and a tortoise became good friends. A hunter caught the deer in a net, and all three friends came to his aid. Moral: A true friend can help a person when he is in trouble. We are strong when we work together.

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How to Choose the Right Panchatantra Story Book?

Choosing the right panchatantra books can be confusing as there are so many choices. A simple guide:

Step 1: Check the Age Suitability: Always check if the book is recommended for your child's age group.

Step 2: Look at the Illustrations: Young children are attracted to pictures first. Select a book that has vivid, friendly and clear pictures.

Step 3: Ensure the language is at your child's reading or listening level. Check for simple English or Hindi versions, depending on your preference.

Step 4: Buy Sets, not one book at a time. If you purchase a set of 5 or 10 Panchatantra books your child will have a range of stories and will get more value for money.

Step 5: Read Reviews: Before making an online purchase, read reviews from other parents. Real parents' good reviews indicate a quality book.

Summary

Panchatantra is so well known that it is famous for its ability to impart deep knowledge in simple and fun stories. The animal stories were written by Vishnu Sharma more than 2,000 years ago and have been cherished by children all over the world and across continents. Each story in a Panchatantra story book teaches something to the child that they can take into real life: honesty, teamwork, smart thinking, kindness, etc.

From reading to a 2-year-old at bedtime to reading with a 6-year-old, Panchatantra books for kids are always the right choice. They really are one of the best story books for children ever written — and that's saying a lot given that they are still popular to this day after 2,000 years!