A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1308

c5.1308

PANCHA-TANTRA. A famous collection of tales and fables in five (*pancha*) books (*tantra*). It was compiled by a Brāhman named Vishnu-sarman, about the end of the fifth century A.D., for the edification of the sons of a king, and was the original of the better-known Hitopadesa. This work has reappeared in very many languages both of the East and West, and has been the source of many familiar and widely known stories. It was translated into Pahlavi or old Persian by order of Naushīrvān in the sixth century A.D. In the ninth century it appeared in Arabic as Kalila o Damna, then, or before, it was translated into Hebrew, Syriac, Turkish, and Greek; and from these, versions were made into all the languages of Europe, and it became familiar in England as Pilpay’s Fables (Fables of Bidpai). In modern Persia it is the basis of the Anwār-i Suhailī and Iyār-i Dānish. The latter has reappeared in Hindustani as the Khirad-afroz. The stories are popular throughout Hindustan, and have found their way into most of the languages and dialects. There are various editions of the text and several translations.