Anu-Chintanam

Hitopadesha is a collection of ancient Indian fables that is believed to have been written in Sanskrit around the 12th century CE. The word “Hitopadesha” translates to “Beneficial Advice” or “Good Counsels” in English. It is a compilation of moral stories that were intended to educate and impart wisdom to readers.

The author of Hitopadesha is traditionally attributed to Narayana, also known as Vishnu Sharma, who was a scholar and teacher in the royal court of King Amarashakti. The stories in Hitopadesha are primarily written in verse form and are framed within a narrative structure, where a teacher imparts wisdom to his students through storytelling.

The fables in Hitopadesha draw inspiration from earlier sources like the Panchatantra, another collection of Indian fables, and the Jataka tales, which depict the previous lives of the Buddha. Hitopadesha aims to teach important life lessons, moral values, and practical wisdom through animal and human characters, often portraying their virtues and vices.

The stories cover a wide range of subjects, including governance, friendship, morality, love, and the consequences of actions. They often explore the themes of deception, loyalty, greed, and the importance of critical thinking and foresight. The fables are meant to entertain as well as to educate, making them suitable for readers of all ages.

Hitopadesha has been translated into numerous languages and has influenced storytelling traditions across various cultures. It continues to be read and appreciated for its timeless wisdom and engaging narratives.

विद्यां ददाति विनयं,
विनयाद् याति पात्रताम् ।
पात्रत्वात् धनमाप्नोति,
धनात् धर्मं ततः सुखम् ॥

Knowledge gives modesty, modesty brings respect, respect brings wealth, wealth leads to righteous conduct, and righteousness brings happiness.

विद्या विनय देती है, विनय से सम्मान मिलता है, सम्मान से धन आता है, धन से धर्म का आचरण होगा, और धर्म से सुख प्राप्त होता है।

ಜ್ಞಾನವು ನಮ್ರತೆಯನ್ನು ನೀಡುತ್ತದೆ, ನಮ್ರತೆಯು ಗೌರವವನ್ನು ತರುತ್ತದೆ, ಗೌರವವು ಸಂಪತ್ತನ್ನು ತರುತ್ತದೆ, ಸಂಪತ್ತು ನೀತಿವಂತ ನಡವಳಿಕೆಗೆ ಕಾರಣವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಸದಾಚಾರವು ಸಂತೋಷವನ್ನು ತರುತ್ತದೆ.