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Articles: Moral Stories | Panchatantra stories
- Mr. Siri Siri
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Construction of a temple was on outside a town. Near the site, a huge wooden log was being split. At the lunch, the workers fixed a wedge between the split wood and went to dine. A monkey had been watching the activities of the workers since morning. When the workers were away, the monkey descended from the tree and began to meddle with that log of wood. During the play, he saw the wedge and began to withdraw it. But he forgot that his tail was hanging between the split ends of the log. As soon as the wedge was out, the split ends closed squeezing the tail of the monkey. The monkey tried hard to get himself free but in vain. No help was available nearby. By the time, the workers returned from their lunch, the monkey had died.
Kartak said that if an inferior person advises a king without being asked for, he is always dishonored. That is why, one should see the situation, think and then only talk..
Damanak argued that even the inferior people become superior when they serve the king. On the contrary, superior people, who do not guide the king, become inferior.
A king trusts all people around him even though they might be uncultured, uneducated and ignorant. Though servants, who constantly contemplate on the causes and reasons behind a king's happiness and sorrow, are slowly graded to a higher position by a hostile king. Those people who think that it requires a lot of penance and hard work to please a king are infact uncautious, lethargic and stupid.
If one can train animals like a snake, elephant and lion using different methods, it doesn't need great efforts for wise people to control a king.
Kartak asked Damanak what did he want to do? 'Today, our king along with his family is scared and terrified. We should therefore go to him and enquire about the cause for his terror'. Kartak enquired how does one know that the king is terrified or not?
Damanak replied: 'What is so great about knowing that. It is said that even an animal can understand spoken commands. With inspiration, a horse can bear the weight on an elephant and the wise people understand even the unspoken things.
One can understand the feelings of a person on the basis of following things: hints, thinking, actions, speech, eyes and facial expressions.
That is the reason why I shall approach the terrorized king and using my intellect appease him and regain the post of the minister once again', said Damanak.
Kartak said: 'You don't even know what is service, how shall you serve the king then'. Damanak said: 'I am well acquainted with principles of service. When I was a child, I had heard, in my father's lap, practical rules of wisdom from saints'.
People, who don't recognize individual's merit, should not serve the king because it is like ploughing a barren field and one is sure not to get fruit in lieu at all.
It is still good to serve the king even if he lacks wealth and powers because doing so one reaps the fruits of his service in future.
The wise people should never think of material gains from an ignorant king in return of their service.
Those, who criticize the king, should be their own critics first, because either they are not fit for service or not aware of the rules to serve. The servant should pay due respect to the queen, the prince, the princess, the chief minister, the priest and the sentries of the royal palace as well. He who always greets the king and knows his dos and don'ts well and acts accordingly is beloved to the king. One who stands at forefront in the battle, walks behind the king in the city and waits at the door of the royal chamber is beloved to the king. Kartak asked, 'What shall you say first to the king when you approach him'? Damanak said: 'When the rain is good, a seed germinates and grows into a tree and from the tree many more seeds take birth. In the same way, one tale gives birth to another tale and so on. I shall, therefore, not talk about his bad times because even the Lord feels insulted by the talks that highlight omens about him'. With these words, Damanak proceeded towards Pingalak. When the king saw Damanak arriving, he instructed the guard to let him in for Damanak was the son of his former minister. The lion king was pleased to see him. Very respectfully, Damanak said: 'Although my visit appears purposeless, but all the inferior as well as superior people find a purpose to visit a king'.
Pingalak said- 'Let us keep this discussion aside. I have allowed you in because you are the son of my former minister. I do not know whether you are capable or incapable, so please speak openly and express what you desire'.
Damanak said- 'The king shouldn't express even the menial task in the court. If you intend to listen to my desire you may hear it in privacy'.
A secret heard by six ears is easily spread. On the contrary, a secret heard by four ears remains a secret. That is why a prudent king should perform the task in such a way that six ears don't even get a whisper of it.
In privacy, Damanak asked Pingalak: 'Why did you hide that day while you were drinking water in the river'. Pingalak replied: 'Didn't you hear the strange roar and bellowing. It seems that some dangerous animal has come in the forest. I intend to abandon this forest for life'.
Damanak said that: 'Is it right for a king like you to run away just listening to the loud bellowing. It could possibly be noise of drums or anything else. That is the reason why one should not fear noise, like Gomayu'. Pingalak asked in surprise 'how'?
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