PT3-03-WhiteRabbitOutwitsElephant
Panchatantra Stories  
பஞ்சதந்திரம் pañca-tantiram , n. pañcan +. The Tamil version of Pañca-tantra consisting of five books, viz., mittira-pētam, cukirl- lāpam, canti-vikkirakam, artta-nācam, acampirēṭciya-kārittuvam; மித்திரபேதம், சுகிர்ல்லாபம், சந்திவிக்கிரகம், அர்த்தநாசம், அசம்பிரேட்சியகாரித்து வம் என ஐம்பகுதியுடையதாய்த் தமிழில் மொழிபெயர்க் கப்பட்ட நூல்.
1. மித்திரபேதம் = mittira-pētam = Sowing discord among friends.
2. சுகிர்ல்லாபம் = cukir-l-lāpam = the acquisition of friends.
3. சந்திவிக்கிரகம் canti-vikkirakam  = Associating with a foe with a view to ruin him.
4. அர்த்தநாசம் artta-nācam  = Loss of wealth.
5. அசம்பிரேட்சியகாரித்துவம் a-campirēṭciya-kārittuvam , n. a-sam-prēkṣya-kāri-tva. Action without forethought.
Inspiration: N.Natchiyappan
 
1.A large elephant herd lived in a fearsome forest. Drought affected the region, and even the streams dried up. Availability of water was scarce. The king of elephants asked its scouts to find potable water reservoirs.

2. The scouts went on a search and returned with good news: It found a reservoir with a large body of water. The herd walked to the water source.

3. Around the reservoir, a rabbit colony lived. The elephants made a nuisance of themselves to the colony of rabbits. They feared elephants, trembled to approach them, and had no courage to go to the waterfront when elephants were nearby. They concluded that they would have no peace and freedom with elephants around them. The king of the rabbits called the ministers for consultation. The king said to them, ̎We lived freely around this reservoir of water until the elephant herd moved in. We cannot move around with no care and no fear anymore. There is no other place to move to, for us. We have been living here for generations. For us to remain here and the elephants to move out of here, I need some advice. ̎

4. Among the ministers, a white rabbit was the most intelligent, rose and spoke, ̎Dear king! It is not difficult to defeat these elephants. Permit me, and I will go out and return with victory.

5. The king blessed the white rabbit and sent it out to return with victory.

6. The white rabbit left its place and went towards the herd. Upon seeing the herd, it trembled.

7. The rabbit imagined that if the elephants caught it, they would use him as a ball, and it is better to stay at a distance.

8. To avoid being close to the herd, the white rabbit went on top of a mud hill.

9. From the mud hill, the rabbit addressed the king of elephants, ̎Hey elephant! Are you in good health? Surprised to hear the rabbit's voice, the king turned around and saw the rabbit on the mud hill. The king asked the rabbit, ̎Who are you? ̎ The rabbit answered, ̎I am the emissary from the Moon who lights up the world. I came to tell you about my king's order to the elephants. ̎ The rabbit's voice was majestic.

10. The king of elephants feared that if the Moon sent a message to the king of elephants, it must be an evil one. The king of elephants addressed the rabbit and said  ̎Oh Moon's delegate! What is the purpose of your visit? ̎

11. Knowing the apprehension of the elephant king, the white rabbit summoned pluck and zeal.

12. We established a water reservoir for the Moon King and his divine consorts to bathe and play in this water body. Every night, they enjoy bathing in this reservoir. Therefore, they appointed us to safeguard this pool.

13. Our king ordered that even devas cannot use this pool. Knowing you and your compatriots came here to drink water, he requested me to stop you.

14. I follow the code of conduct of an emissary by not causing any anger to the receiving king. I must say without provocation what my king said, though the opponent may attack me with the sword. The emissaries, whatever they say and though they are from the enemy king, intelligent kings must never become angry with them.

15. Though endowed with physical strength, hostility towards the elders may cause losing the battle with them and giving up life. If one shows no enmity and offers praise, he can save his life. Our king lives on the head of the foremost God Siva, and not earning enmity with him by leaving this reservoir of water will be in your interest. I spoke to you in such detail, so you do not face the wrath of our king. The Moon king entertains deep anger towards you. If you leave this water body, I will do my best to dispel his anger. Thus, the white rabbit did its best to persuade the herd to pack up and leave the pond.

16. The king of the herd asked the rabbit, ̎When will the moon king come to the pond and I will ask for his forgiveness in person. ̎

17. The rabbit agreed to the proposal and took the king elephant to the reservoir that night. Showing the reflection of the Moon, the rabbit said to the king of elephants, ̎Here, you see. ̎

18. The elephant king thought of the shadow of the Moon as the Moon King and the reflections of the stars as his consorts. The elephant king addressed the Moon king, ̎ O Moon king! If only I knew this waterbody is yours to use, I would not have come here. Please forgive me for my mistake. I will leave this place with my herd. ̎ Saying these earnest words, the king of elephants lifted its trunk in homage to the Moon king. It went with the herd, looking for another water body.

19. Since the elephants' departure, the rabbits lived by the reservoir with freedom and happiness.