PT3-05-VedhiyanAndThreeCheats
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 Vedic scholar was the resident of a village. He supplicated to the deities and promised he would conduct a fire sacrifice. He needed a sacrificial animal. The Brahmana went to a rich man in another village and told him of his need. The rich man took a liking for the Brahmana and gave him a goat. The Vediyan put the goat over his shoulders and proceeded to his village.

2. Three ruffians saw him carrying the goat and conspired to take the goat away from him.

3. One ruffian came to the Brahmana and said, "O Brahmana! You are carrying a dog on your shoulder. Should you not fear the dog?"

4. The Vediyan retorted, "You call this a dog. I carry a goat for Yagam. Have your eyes gone bad?"

5. After some distance, a second ruffian came in the Brahmana's way and said, "You are carrying a dead calf. Is this appropriate for your worthy station in life?"

6. The Brahmana told him, "You call a goat a calf. Is your eye blind?" he continued to walk his way.

7. After a while, the third cheat came along and said, "This is vile. Even a Chandalan will ever do this. Is it appropriate for you to carry a donkey?

8. After hearing this, a doubt arose in his mind. I am carrying a goat. Everyone came along and said different things. That means the goat must have given a different appearance to each. This goat is not an ordinary goat. I should not carry this goat anymore because some misfortune may befall me. He put the goat down and went on his way. The cheats took the goat, butchered, cooked, and ate it.