PT3-04-Rabbit&MynaFallPreyToCat
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 homeless rabbit wandered in the forest looking for a home. Finding a tree hole, it jumped into the hole.

 

2.       A little while later, a myna bird arrived and challenged the rabbit saying, ̎This is my home. How could you move in? ̎The rabbit said Who knows, this is your house? The shade, the trees, the roads, the lakes, the wells, the water Pandals, public inns, and public halls are common for all to use. You have no property right to claim this tree hole is yours. 

 

3.     The verbal exchange deteriorated into a fight. The rabbit said to the myna, ̎Why should we fight like this? Let us go to a mediator for resolution. The myna replied, ̎To resolve our dispute, who are the good souls. 

  ̎ 

 

4.     The rabbit said, ̎On the banks of Yamuna River, a feline Tapasvin will deliver justice. We will ask him to give us justice. ̎ Afraid of the cat, the myna said, ̎What if the cat eats us. ̎ 

 

5.      The rabbit said, ̎No, he will not eat us. But we will stay far away from him and ask him to dispense justice. ̎ They both left and found the cat in deep meditation. Witnessing the austere Tapas he was performing, the plaintiff and the defendant declared he was a great Jnani and will not catch and eat them. They fell on the ground prostrate at his feet, got up, and stood with opposed palms and in great reverence. The cat awoke from Tapas, opened its eyes, and looked at the two. 

 

6.       The cat, in a commanding voice, questioned them, ̎Who are you? What is your business with me? ̎

 

7.       The rabbit and the myna announced their names and stated the purpose of their visit. 

 

8.     The cat: ̎I am old and cannot hear you well. Why don’t you come closer and tell me? ̎

 

9.       The two went forward an inch and restated their case. 

 

10.    The cat: ̎I hear half of what you say, and the other half I do not hear. I do not stay on one side and render justice. I offer justice by staying right in the middle. 

 

11.   ̎ Dharma will save dharma lovers. Dharma destroys those who speak ill of Dharma. Dharma stands in truth and maintains the world. Therefore, I will only speak Dharma and never lies.  

 

12.    Whatever vows and observances I had to do, I did already. I observe even higher vows like abstaining from killing and not telling lies. I will not take sides in a case. 

 

13.    ̎If you come closer and state your case, I could hear you well. If you stay far away and state your case, I cannot hear you well. Only if I hear you well with clarity, I could render sound judgment. Come closer, ̎

 

14.  The rabbit and the myna went closer, thinking the cat spoke the truth. Immediately the cat caught hold of them, one in each hand, bit their necks, and drank the blood. 

 

15.   Pity! The rabbit and the myna who came to resolve the dispute became the prey to the cat and appeased the cat’s hunger.

 

16.  The truth from this story is those who associate with imposters never live.