VASANT PANCHAMI

On the fifth day of Magha (January-February) the festival of Vasant is celebrated. Also known as Sri Panchami, the festival is observed in honour of Saraswati, the goddess of learning and the arts. Books, musical instruments and paint-brushes are kept in front of the goddess to seek her blessings.
In the Punjab, Vasant Panchami is celebrated as the festival of spring when the yellow flowers of the mustard crop are in full bloom. Young boys and girls wear yellow clothes to symbolize the festival. Even adults wear yellow turbans or sarees or at least carry yellow kerchiefs.
In Bengal, images of the goddess Saraswati are taken out in procession and immersed in the Hoogli.

MAKARA SANKRANTI

According to the Hindus, the Sun enters the sign of Makara (Capricorn) in the middle of January. It then moves northwards after completing its six-monthly southern course. The beginning of the Sun's northern course, called Uttarayana, is hailed as an auspicious period. Makara Sankranti, which falls sometime in the middle of January, is therefore considered very sacred.
In Maharashtra, a special kind of sweet called til-gud is prepared. This is exchanged with friends with the greeting:
'Til-gud ghya, god god bola'
('Accept sugared til and speak sweet words.')

The people of Assam celebrates Makara Sankranti as Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. The word bhoga means eating or enjoyment. Harvesting is nearly over and the Assamese look forward to a period of plenty. On the eve of Makara Sankranti, the Assamese raise temple-like structures of fire-wood (majis) and the whole night is spent in feasting, merry-making, singing and dancing. Rice cakes and fish form the main items of the feast. Next morning people bathe before sun-rise, and the majis is lit ceremonially. Half-burnt pieces of firewood are picked up from it and taken home.

Makara Sankranti also, heralds the kite-flying season in India, particularly in Gujarat where kite-flying competitions are very common.
In the Punjab, where December and January are the coldest months of the year, huge bonfires are lit on the eve of Makara Sankranti and celebrated as Lohri. The family members and friends gather round the bonfire, throw rice and sweets into the flames and sing joyful songs.

PONGAL

Pongal is an important festival of the Tamilians. It is observed on the first day of the Tamil month of Thai which falls in the middle of January. It marks the end of the harvest season in Tamil Nadu. A plentiful harvest of rice and sugarcane ensures a period of prosperity and plenty.
The word 'Pongal' actually stands for a mixture of rice, moong dal, sugar or jaggery and milk. It is derived from 'Ponga' which means 'to boil', and the pot containing the 'Pongal' mixture has to boil over to symbolize prosperity and plenty
The Pongal festivities last for four days. On the first day, which is also called Bhogi, the house is scrubbed clean before sunrise. A huge bonfire is lit in which all that is old and useless is discarded and burnt. This symbolizes the beginning of a new year. Elaborate kolams (designs) are made in front of door ways and the houses are decorated with mango leaves and plaited coconut leaves.
The actual festival falls on the second day. In an open court yard, the Pongal dish is cooked in a new pot on a new stove.

Huge stalks of sugarcane decorate the courtyard, and are held over the pot, too. As the Pongal boils over, everybody shouts 'Pongalo-Pongal!' People even visit each other, enquiring, 'Has the milk boiled?' The boiling over of the Pongal is symbolic of plenty and signifies that the harvest has been good. The Pongal dish must be cooked on this day, and later enjoyed by all with great relish.
The third day, called Mattu Pongal, is dedicated to cattle. Cows and bulls are washed and their horns decorated. They are fed with specially cooked Pongal. At certain places, bull fights are also arranged on this day. A bag filled with money is tied to the horns of a bull and young men try to wrest it away from the animal.
It is also on this day that sisters make rice balls and keep them in the open for birds and insects, praying for the well being of their brothers.
The last day of the festival is spent either in visiting friends or sight-seeing.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas, which is celebrated on the 25th of December every year, is the gayest festival of the Christians. It is observed all over the world as the birthday of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity. In India, the Christians who form the third largest religious group in the country, celebrate the occasion with great zest and glee. Our great cities take on a festive air. During the British times, the ten days before Christmas until after the New Year, were declared as public holidays and Christmas was observed as a season of goodwill, merriment, and exchange of greetings. The traditions left behind by them still continue. Although the festival has lost its official patronage, it remains one of the most important religious festivals with an almost universal social participation in the great cities.
Long, long ago, in the days of Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor, there lived in the town of Nazareth, a humble and pious Jewish couple named Joseph and Mary. One day the Emperor decreed that a census of Jews be taken throughout his empire. Every Jew was asked to present himself in the city of his forefathers within a week after the beginning of the winter solstice, or by 25th December. So Joseph and Mary left for Bethlehem, their home town, to register their names. The journey was long and when they reached Bethlehem, it was late in the evening. The town was crowded with visitors who had also come to get their names registered. The one and only inn was full. Poor Joseph and Mary had to take shelter in a stable. There, in the middle of the night, Mary gave birth to a baby. She wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes and laid him in a crib or fodder bin. At that very moment a group of shepherds, watching their flock, heard an angel announce the birth of their Saviour in the stable. The overjoyed shepherds were guided by a mysterious light and hurried to the stable to pay homage to the child.
The child was later named Jesus. He was acclaimed as the 'Son of God' who had come down to earth to guide men back to the ways of Truth.
On Christmas Eve, all churches are brightly lit. The scene depicting the birth of Jesus in the stable is beautifully recreated both in churches and homes. Groups of devoted singers go round from street to street, singing Christmas carols. One of the most popular of these carols is 'Silent Night':
Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright,
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

This carol has been translated into many Indian languages and even set to Indian music.
At the stroke of midnight, the bells in the churches begin to ring, announcing the joyful event, and a special mass is held.
Among the various celebrations connected with the festivities, the sending of Christmas cards to friends and relatives has be come almost a ritual.

Another feature of the festival is the installing of Christmas trees. Little fir trees, or models, are decorated and gifts are placed on them for every member of the family. The children believe that these gifts are brought by Santa Claus, a. jovial figure with a long white beard. The tradition of Santa Claus originated in Belgium where San Nicholas was the patron saint of children. Over the years the name 'San Nicholas' has changed to 'Santa Claus'
On Christmas day, people turn out in their best clothes to go to church and visit their friends and relatives. Sweets and greetings are exchanged. A special lunch of roast turkey and hot plum pudding is made. Christmas for the Christians is the festival of festivals.

PUSHKAR FAIR

Not far from Ajmer is Pushkar whjch is celebrated as the holiest lake in India. The country's most colourful fair is celebrated here in early winter, during the month of November. For seven days, over 55,000 men and animals soften the desert sands with their tread, because the Pushkar fair combines both cattle marketing and a bathing fair.
The word Pushkar in Sanskrit means 'full to the brim'. In Hindu mythology, the famous lake at Pushkar is credited to Brahma, the Lord of Creation in the Hindu Trinity. It is said that water gushed from the barren desert at the spot where the mighty god chose to perform a yagna (sacrifice). This oval shaped place is today known as the Pushkar Lake. At the site where the great sacrifice was actually performed, stands a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. This is said to be the only temple of Brahma in India.
Thousands of camels, horses, cows and sheep are brought to Pushkar several days before the actual fair. Some families put up their own tents, but most of the others spend the whole week under the open sky. Rows and rows of shops spring up. As the majority of the visitors are from Rajasthan, men in colourful Rajasthani turbans and women in swirling ghagras made of over twenty yards of cloth, weave their way about the fair, buy ing and selling all sorts of articles. A special bazaar, offering bells, belts, saddles, silken reins and other finery for camels, does a brisk business. At this fair, camels are not only bought and sold but are also paraded to the merriment of the crowd. The most popular of the camel events is Laadoo Urth or the loaded camel. Camels representing various teams are made to carry the maximum number of persons on their backs and run a certain distance with the full load. Usually the winning camel is able to carry as many as eight to nine persons on its back.

On the full moon day, the crowds at last throng to the holy lake for the ritual sacred bath to wash away their sins. Long before dawn, the bathers crowd the fifty ghats surrounding the lake. After the bath they rush to the main temple, with its impressive four-armed, four-faced, silver-eyed idol of Brahma.
Nightfall presents another exciting sight. Miniature leaf- boats bedecked with flowers and carrying tiny oil-lamps are set afloat on the holy water of the lake amidst the clanging of temple bells. This ceremony marks the end of the weeklong festivities. Next day starts the exodus back to the villages and Pushkar once again becomes the sleepy little town which it normally is.

RATH YATRA OR ‘CAR FESTIVAL’

The Rath Yatra or 'Car Festival' is celebrated just before the rains start and the season of pre-monsoon festivals comes to a close. Lakhs of devotees throng Puri in Orissa around June for the week-long celebrations.
The town of Puri has been famous for many centuries for its temple of Jagannath, the 'Lord of the Universe'. The word 'Juggernaut' is a distortion of the correct name of Lord Jagannath, which is one of the several names of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu. Together with him are worshipped his elder brother Balarama and their sister Subhadra. The Rath Yatra commemorates the journey of Lord Krishna from Gokul to Mathura when he went there to visit his mother's sister for seven days.
Nowadays the preparations for the yatra start several months in advance. The three rathas or chariots, one each for the two gods and their sister, are beautifully carved. The chariot of Lord Jagannath has 16 wheels, Balarama's has 14 wheels and Subhadra's has 12 wheels. These chariots are massive in size, rising to heights of 40 to 45 feet. They are painted in different colours—Lord Jagannath's is yellow, Subhadra's is painted with stripes of red, while Balarama's is blue. The chariots are gaily decorated with flowers, flags and festoons and the large canopies over them are made of applique work, which is the traditional craft of Orissa.

Seven days before the Rath Yatra day, which falls on the second day of the bright fortnight of Asadha (June-July), Lord Jagannath is said to have taken ill. The devotees pray and make offerings for a speedy recovery. After seven days the Lord gets well and is declared fit for his journey!
On the appointed day and at the auspicious time, the ruler of Puri sweeps the place near the chariots. After this ritual, the images are ceremoniously carried to the chariots and then the yatra begins. There is a mad scramble for the sacred ropes with which the chariots are pulled. Many fall and get hurt but they keep trying for a hold of the ropes, as pulling the Lord's chariot is considered a sacred duty and a meritorious deed.

Lord Jagannath's chariot leads the procession, followed by those of his sister and brother. The progress of the journey is so slow that the distance of about three kilometers is covered in nearly twelve hours! After reaching their aunt's temple, the gods are ceremoniously taken inside, stay there for a full week, after which they return to their own temple.
The images of the temple of Puri are unconventional in that they are unfinished. According to legend, Vishvakarma, the divine architect, was requested to make the images by one of the kings of Orissa. Vishvakarma agreed to do so, provided that he was not disturbed until the work was completed. The king agreed and Vishvakarma locked himself in a room. Many days passed but Vishvakarma did not come out. Unable to restrain his curiosity, the king peeped into the room. Vishvakarma at once abandoned his work, leaving the images without hands or feet. The king regretted his folly and prayed for forgiveness. Brahma, the God of Creation, accepted his prayers and assured him that after installation the images would be respected and worshipped even though they remained incomplete. The pilgrims who come for the Rath Yatra, carry back with them brightly painted, but exact replicas of the incomplete images of Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra.
The Rath Yatra festival is nearly 800 years old, but it is as spectacular today as it was in the past. It is one of the grandest festivals of India and is famous all over the world.

BUDDHA JAYANTI

It is believed that the Buddha was born on the full moon day in the month of Vaisakha. The day is now observed as Buddha Jayanti, in memory of this great son of India, one of the great religious teachers of the world.

The miraculous events connected with the birth of the Buddha are narrated in great detail in the Buddhist scriptures. As the time of His birth drew near, Queen Mahamaya traveled to her father's house. On the way, she stopped for rest at the grove of Lumbini. There, as she reached for a flower-laden bough of a sal tree, she painlessly gave birth to a son. As tradition puts it, the full moon shone brilliantly and there was a shower of beautiful flowers from heaven. The child leapt to the ground and took seven steps; at each step, a lotus sprang from the earth.

According to a similar tradition, the Buddha received enlightenment and also gained Nirvana on a full-moon day in the mouth of Vaisakha. Thus, the full-moon day (called Poornmashi ) of Vaisakha marks the three principal events in the Buddha's life.

It is noteworthy that though Buddhism flourished in far-off countries like China, Japan and, other eastern regions, it almost completely disappeared from the land of its birth. In the Indian sub-continent, it is now confined to Ladakh, Bhutan and Sikkim, where it has taken a somewhat different form. Lately there has been a revival of Buddhism within the country, and the neo-Buddhists celebrate Buddha Jayanti most fervently.

BAISAKHI OR VAISAKHI

Baisakhi is also celebrated in April. The Hindu calendar begins with the month of Vaisakha, which starts on the 13th of April. The first day of this month, which is also the New Year day, marks the beginning of the business year in many parts of India. In the Punjab particularly, it is observed with great merry making because it also ushers in the harvest season. The fields are rich with the winter crops and man gets ready to reap the reward of his patient labour. To show his gratitude to bountiful Nature, he dances with joy. The Bhangra dance which is the most popular of the Punjabi folk dances, is performed on this occasion, at melas and fairs all over the state.

To the Sikhs, the first day of Vaisakha is a very special day. It was on such a day that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa. The Sikhs visit their gurudwaras and take part in Akhand Path, the continuous reading of the Grant Sahib from cover to cover. In the evening, the holy book is taken out in a procession: Five leaders of the congregation walk in front of the Granth Sahib with drawn swords, in memory of the Panj Piyare (the five chosen ones). The Golden Temple at Amritsar, the most famous gurudwara of the Sikhs, is beautifully illuminated. The visitors bathe in the Pool of Immortality, after which the city of Amritsar is named.

THE URS AT AJMER

Another festival which is celebrated in memory of a great saint is the Urs or birth anniversary of Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti. It is held at his tomb in Ajmer, Rajasthan. As the Muslims follow the lunar calendar, which is shorter than the solar year, the Urs, which lasts for six days, may occur in any month of the Gregorian calendar.

A hundred years after the death of the Prophet Mohammad(A.D. 632), there rose a class of people in Persia who called themselves the Sufis. The word 'Sufi' is derived from suf (wool) or suphia (wisdom) or from safa (pure). Whatever may be the origin of the word, the Sufis were Muslim saints or mystics who emphasized love and devotion as a means of realizing God. Prayers, fasts and similar rituals were of no importance to them. They were seekers of divine love and looked upon God as the beloved, separation from whom causes untold pangs to the human lover.

The Sufis formed into several orders and spread out to far- flung lands. Muin-ud-din; who belonged to the Chishti Order, came to India with his disciples much before the Slave dynasty established its rule in the country. He settled down at Ajmer and soon gathered a large number of followers because of his piety and love for his fellow beings. He encouraged music and believed that devotional music was one way of coming closer to God. Some of the finest music could be heard at his gatherings.

Muin-ud-din died in A.D. 1256. His tomb became an important place of Muslim pilgrimage. The Mughal Emperor Akbar used to visit the tomb every year—many times walking the entire distance from Agra to Ajmer. He endowed the tomb richly and donated two huge brass vessels in which nearly 3000 kilograms of sweet rice could be cooked. This practice continues till today and rice is served to all the pilgrims.

The Urs at Ajmer attracts pilgrims not only from India but also from countries as far away as Malaysia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Both Muslims and Hindus pay their homage to the saint, who is affectionately called Garib Nawaz ('cherisher of the humble') and Khwaja Ajmeri.

The qawwali which became popular during the saint's life time, still retains its importance. During the Urs, qawwali competitions are held when the best qawwals of India assemble at Ajmer.

GURU PURB

Guru Purb is a Sikh festival. It commemorates the birthday of Guru Nanak. the founder of the Sikh faith. It is celebrated on the full moon day in the month of November.

More than 500 years ago, in AD. 1469, Nanak was born in a village called Talwandi, now known as Nankana Sahib. It is about 64 kilometres from Lahore in Pakistan. Several shrines connected with the Guru are found in Nankana Sahib. On Guru Purb day, a group of Sikhs from India visits the place after taking permission from the Government of Pakistan.

Even in his childhood, Nanak showed signs of being different from other children.At the age of seven he composed a poem in praise of God, each verse of which began with a different letter of the alphabet. He was a bright student and learned quickly whatever the village schoolmaster could teach him Nanak's father therefore thought of putting him in business. He gave him twenty rupees to buy some merchandise for his business, to earn some profit. However, Nanak was of a different bent of mind and spent the entire amount in feeding hungry ascetics whom he met on the way.

Nanak started spending more and more time in the company of holy men. This worried his parents, who married him off at an early age. But marriage did not change him. Every evening he would sit with his Muslim friend Mardana, singing shabads (poems) in praise of the Lord.

Nanak traveled widely in India and beyond its frontiers. He visited Sri Lanka, Tibet and even Mecca, the holy place of the Muslims. Wherever he went, he raised his voice against meaningless rituals and wasteful outward ceremonies. He disliked caste distinction and hated injustice. He said, 'There is but one God. He is the Supreme Truth. His grace can be invoked by faith. Meditation, repeating His name, seeking the company of saints, righteous living and the service of humanity are the only means of salvation.'

The poems and hymns which Nanak sang in his lifetime were later collected and are known as Japji. The Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, begins with the Japji.

The reading of the Granth Sahib from cover to cover is a regular feature of the celebration of the Guru's birthday. The reading commences two days before the auspicious day and continues day and night without interruption. On Guru Purb day, the holy book is taken out in a procession from the four famous gurudwaras, or Sikh temples, situated in Amritsar (Punjab), Patna (Bihar), Anandpur (Punjab) and Nanded (Maharashtra).

Although all important gurudwaras run regular free community kitchens, called langars, for pilgrims and the general public, a special langar is held on Guru Purb day. These langars were started by Guru Nanak himself, to do away with all distinctions between the rich and the poor, and with all differences of caste and creed, and to promote equality and brotherhood.

THE LEARNED BRAHMIN AND THE THREE ROGUES

In a small village, once there lived a learned Brahmin called Mithrasarma. He wanted to perform a Yagna (a holy ritual). So, he went to a rich man in the next village and requested him to give an Animal for that purpose. The rich man gifted him with a Goat.

Mithrasarma was returning to his village dragging the Goat. But as the animal went here and there, he lifted it, put it on his shoulder and continued the journey. Three people who were learned and intelligent but lazy saw the Brahmin when he was passing through a forest. They did not have anything to eat that day and were starving. So, the Rogues decided to cheat the Brahmin and take away the Goat from him. They thought by so doing they could kill the Goat and feast on its meat. Then all the three left that place in three different directions.

The first Rogue came near the learned Brahmin and looked up and down. "What are you looking at?" asked the Brahmin. The man replied, "You seem to be a religious man. How is it that you are carrying a Dog? Can a Brahmin even touch a Dog? Don't you know that our elders have said that Dogs, Cocks, Asses and Camels are untouchables?"

On hearing this, the Brahmin shouted at him angrily, "You Rogue! Are you blind? What I carry is not a Dog. It is a Goat for Yagna. Please note it." "Is it so, sir? Please excuse me" said the Rogue and kept quiet. But he followed him.

After sometime, the second Rogue met the Brahmin. He said to the Brahmin, "I salute you, Respected Sir." "May God bless you!" replied the Brahmin. "I have a small doubt, Sir. Will you please clear it?" asked the Rogue. The Brahmin asked him "What is it?"

The Rogue said, "Our Scriptures say that the dead-body of a Man, Bird or Animal should not be touched. If, so touched, one should purify oneself by a holy bath and rigorous ritual. Is it not a fact?" "Certainly," said the Brahmin. "It is quite true. What has it got to do now?"

The Rogue said, "You seem to be a Brahmin of high learning and virtue. How is it that you are carrying a dead Calf on your shoulders?" Hearing this, the Brahmin patted the Goat and it began to move its body. With great anger the Brahmin said to the Rogue. "You fool; have you lost your senses? How do you call a live Animal as dead? Go away from my presence at once." On hearing this, the second Rogue kept silent and he also followed him.

After going a few more yards away, the third Rogue met him as per plan. After seeing the Animal and the Brahmin he began to laugh, The Brahmin was both surprised an angry. He cried out angrily, "Why do you laugh like a mad man on seeing me and this Animal intended for the Yagna?" "Holy Sir," replied the Rogue. "You say that the Animal you carry is intended for sacrifice at the Yagna. But I don't think that it is intended to be used for Yagna. For, it is an Ass. How can an Ass be sacrificed at the Yagna? If we touch an Ass knowingly, we must immediately bathe along with the cloth we wear. Then only we will get purified.This I have heard from my elders. But you are carrying an Ass on your shoulder. That is why I am not able to suppress my laughter."

On hearing the words of the third Rogue, a doubt really began to creep in the mind of the Brahmin. He began to think for himself. "Am I really carrying a Goat? If so, why should it appear differently to different men. There is something wrong about this Animal. I don't think that it will be good to use this Animal for the Yagna. When he thought like this he was caught by a sort of fear in his mind. So, he dropped the Animal and began to run away without looking back. After be went out of sight three Rogues joined together, killed the Goat and ate its meat. They felt glad that their trick proved successful.

The moral of this story is:

Even though a man is learned and intelligent, he is likely to be confused and cheated by intelligent and cunning Rogues.

--ANCIENT INDIAN FABLES OF MORAL FROM PANCHATANTRA --

THE SPARROW AND THE HARE

There was a huge Banyan tree in a forest. There was a hollow in that tree. A Sparrow was living in it. One morning the Sparrow went out in search of food. But he did not return in the evening and for many more days after that.
In the meanwhile a Hare came and occupied that hollow. After some more days, all on a sudden, the Sparrow came back. When he saw a stranger living in his residence, he angrily told the Hare, “This is my house. How can you live in it? Please get out.”
“Dear Mr. Sparrow,” replied the Hare. “How can you say that this is your house. Don’t you see that I am living here?”
The Sparrow said, “I am living in this place for the past many years. There are many witnesses to prove that. According to law, if a person is in occupation of a place for twelve years, he becomes its owner. So, as per this law, this place belongs to me.”
The Hare said, “The law you quote is applicable to Human Beings only and not to Birds and Animals like us.”
“Both of us are not learned persons.” said the Sparrow. “Let us refer this issue to some wise person who also knows the law. His decision will be binding upon both of us.” The Hare also agreed to this. Both of them then left the place.
A Wild Cat was watching their quarrel. He went and sat at the root tree on which the Hare and the Sparrow were quarrelling. He spread Holy Grass below his seat and shut his eyes. He raised his forepaws and pretended to worship the Sun. God. When the Sparrow and the Hare came near him he said to himself, “The family life is full of sorrow. Wealth and money are not permanent and will not stay with a person forever. Death may come to a person any minute. All the pleasures of life are like a dream. So, to get salvation from these worldly worries, one must always do charity and good to others. One should not even think of doing evil to others.”
The Hare and the Sparrow heard these words. The Hare said to the Sparrow, “Here is a Sage who is doing Penance here. Let us refer our dispute to him.” The Sparrow replied, “Even though he is doing penance, he is our enemy by birth. So we should not go near. Let us stand at a distance and tell our case to him.” Then both of them addressed the Wild Cat thus: “Respected sir, we, the Hare and the Sparrow salute you.” The Cat then opened his eyes as if he was doing it only then and said, “May God bless you both with long life!”
The Hare and the Sparrow then said to the Wild Cat, “Respected Sir, a dispute has arisen between us. You must kindly settle it. You can kill and eat the one that is at fault.” On hearing this, the Cat covered both his ears. “Friends, don’t say like that. I have ceased doing evil acts. I have taken a vow not to do any harm unto others. So, I will not even think of killing you. As asked for, I shall settle your dispute. I have become old and so, I am not able to hear well. Both of you, please come near me and tell your case. After hearing both sides, I shall deeply think over and then tell what is just and reasonable. Then only God will bless me.”
On hearing the sweet and fraudulent words of the Cat, both the Sparrow and the Hare were very much pleased. They believed that they would get justice and with that firm faith both of them went near and stood by his sides. Immediately the Wild Cat caught both of them, killed them and ate them. The poor Sparrow and the Hare met their death as they approached the wicked Cat for justice.

The moral of this story is:

If a cunning and wicked man is appointed as a judge, his decision will not be just; both parties to the dispute will have to face danger and hardship.



--ANCIENT INDIAN FABLES OF MORAL FROM PANCHATANTRA --

THE ELEPHANT KING AND THE MOON

Once there lived an Elephant King named Four-Tusker in a forest. At one time there was acute scarcity of water owing to lack of rain. Not even drinking water was available. All the Elephants left that place and went in search of water At last they saw a big tank full of water in the midst of a beautiful forest. On finding water all the Elephants got into the water, and began to play about merrily.

Very near that tank a large number of Hares were living in the holes. The Elephants treaded on them with their huge feet. As a result some of the Hares died and some others were wounded. This caused the greatest sorrow to the Hares. The next day all the Hares met together to find out ways and means to put an end to this calamity.

At that time the Leader of the Hares said, “Friends, don’t be afraid. Our aim is to stop the Elephants from coming here. I have thought of a means to do that.. What we should do is, one of us should sit on the top of a lofty tree. When the Elephants come to the tank, the King of the Elephants should be told thus: ‘O Mighty Elephant King! This tank and forest belongs to our great Leader named Vijayadatta. He rules the vast Kingdom in the region of the Moon with the support of the Moon God. You are all coming here and causing the greatest havoc to all his subjects living near this tank. So, our Leader and King is very angry with you all. He has sent me to inform you that you should not come here hereafter and also to stop you if you persist in doing so. You would do well to go away at once.’ After saying this let us watch what happens.”

An intelligent Hare named Long- ear agreed to do as stated by the Leader of the Hares. The same day at nightfall, Long-ear climbed upon the top of a huge tree and sat on it. The Moon was shining brightly. When the Elephant King Four-Tusker came there, followed by the herd of Elephants, the Hare Long-Ear shouted out, “Stop!” On hearing this, Four-Tusker asked, “Who are you? Why do you stop us ?“

“I am the Hare named Long-ear,’ replied the Hare. “This forest belongs to our Leader and King named Vijayadatta. He rules the vast Kingdom in the region of the Moon. He is also under the protection of the Moon. We are all his loyal subjects and we are living here. Yesterday when all of you came here to play in the water you treaded on many of us with your huge feet. As a result some of us died and some others were injured badly. When our great King Vijayadatta came to know about this he got very angry and reported it to the Moon-God. The Moon-God also was angered very much to hear about this. He has therefore ordered that you should not come here hereafter and that if you do not obey his commands you will be punished severely. I have been specially sent to convey this strict order of the Moon-God.”

King Four-Tusker believed it as true and said to the Hare Long-ear. “I am really very sorry for the harm done to you all. But it was not done wantonly. I want to apologize to the Moon-God. Please take me to HIM.”

Long-ear asked the Elephant King Four- Tusker alone to follow him. The sky was clear and the Moon was shining very brightly. Long-ear asked the Elephant King to stop at the bank of the tank and look into the water. There he saw the reflection of the Moon in the water. The Hare said to the Elephant, “Please, look here. He is doing penance in this tank. He came here specially to console the unexpected calamity caused by you. If you disobey His order and enter the tank, He will drag you all inside. You can worship Him in all humility and go away.”

The Elephant thought that all this was true. He knelt down and worshiped the Moon and vowed not to come that side any more and left the place at once. Then all the Hares praised the Hare Long-ear for his tact and presence of mind.


The moral of this story is:

Association with great persons and their names will always bring good results.



--ANCIENT INDIAN FABLES OF MORAL FROM PANCHATANTRA --

THE LION AND THE HARE

Once upon a time a Lion lived in a big forest. One day he did not get anything to eat till the evening. After wandering here and there, he reached a cave in a mountain. He went inside the cave. But there was nothing living or dead. Then he thought, “Some animal must be living here. Perhaps it has gone out and will be returning by nightfall. Let me stay here. If the animal comes back I shall kill it and have it for my food.” Then he hid himself in a corner.
The cave was the place of abode of a Hare. He had gone out when the Lion visited that cave. Just at night fall the Hare returned to the cave. Before entering the cave he saw the footprints of the Lion. From the foot prints he guessed that a Lion had gone inside but had not come out. Yet he wanted to get this confirmed. He immediately called out “Oh, cave! Oh, cave!”. There was no reply. Again he called out. This time also there was no reply. The Hare then said, “Oh, cave! Why are you keeping quiet? Have we not come to an agreement? As per that agreement you agreed to reply to me when I called you on my return from outside.
Have you forgotten that agreement? Or are you angry with me? Now that you are not talking to me I have decided to go to Some other cave.”
On hearing these words of the Hare, the Lion thought “It seems that the cave used to talk with the Hare. Because of my presence the cave is perhaps afraid. That is why it is not talking to the Hare.” He decided to talk so that the Hare might think that the cave was talking. He said to the Hare, “My dear friend, Mr. Hare. Come inside.” On hearing the Lion’s voice, the Hare ran away from the place.

The moral of this story is:

Wise people always save themselves from danger by their cautious acts.


--ANCIENT INDIAN FABLES OF MORAL FROM PANCHATANTRA --

THE CROW AND THE OWL

Once all the Birds in the world met together. The purpose of the meeting was this : The King of all Birds was Garuda, the white-necked Kite and Bird-vehicle of Lord Sri Narayana. Because he was moving in such a high society of the great God Himself he did not care about the welfare of the other Birds. So, the Birds thought that there was no use in having as their King a person who did not care about them. So they met together to choose a King capable of protecting them. Of all the Birds present there, the Owl had a huge personality. So all of them decided to have him as their King.

From then on, arrangements were made quickly to make the Owl, the King of Birds. Some Birds brought Holy Waters from Sacred Rivers. Some made beautiful garlands. Some decorated the Throne. The ground was cleaned. Tiger’s skin was spread. Lights were illuminated, and the whole place wore a festive look.

The Owl and his wife dressed themselves well and were sitting in the midst of all Birds. The function to declare him the King was about to begin. Just at that time, a Crow came there flying from somewhere. When he saw all the preparations, he asked, “Friends, what are all these preparations for?”

On the arrival of the Crow, the other birds thought, “The Crow is a very clever Bird. It is a pity that we did not hear his views beforehand. At least now, let us know his views about the choice of our King.” They then told him about the uselessness of Garuda, the white-necked Kite as their King and their having chosen the Owl to be their King.

On hearing this the Crow began to laugh loudly and said, “Friends, what a great mistake you were about to commit? There are many other Birds like the graceful Swan, the pretty Peacock, the sweet-voiced Cuckoo, the beautiful multi-coloured Parrot, etc. etc. We ought to have chosen one of them to be our king. Forgetting them all, you have after all chosen a blind Bird, the Owl to be our King, I do not at all approve of this. He is having a face showing signs of anger, bent nose and a crooked vision. How did you decide to choose him as our King? And, where is the need for choosing a King at all? The fact that Garuda is our King will alone be enough. Nobody will dare to do any harm to us. He is a great personality. He knows when to protect us and how to protect us. Is it not a great privilege for us to call the Bird-vehicle of the Great God Himself, as our King? So let us altogether drop the idea of choosing another King in place of our Mighty Garuda. Further this Owl is wicked by nature, lazy and bears ill-will to others. We will have no good by having him as our King. On the other hand many great evils may come to us by having him as our King. . I have told you what appeared right to my mind. Then it is left to you to heed it or not to heed it.”

Then all the Birds felt that the Crow came at the proper time and gave them sound advice. So they all dropped the idea of making the Owl as their King and left that place at once.

The Owl that was about to be chosen as King was not only blind, but deaf also. He was feeling glad that he was about to be crowned as King and did not know or hear any thing of what the Crow said. But his wife was able to hear what all the Crow said. Then the Owl said, “Who are all there? Why are you delaying? Go ahead with the crowning ceremony.” Hearing this the wife said, “There Is nobody here except you and me. All others have gone.” “Why ?” asked the husband Owl. “For,” replied the wife, “a Crow came flying from somewhere, gave them a lecture against making you the King of the Birds and stopped the function. So, let us also go away from here.” The Owl then declared, “The Crow has unnecessarily interfered and stopped my becoming the King. He becomes my enemy from today onwards and I shall do everything to destroy the tribe of Crows.”

The Crow was overhearing this and felt sorry for his action. He regretted very much for having earned enmity and bad name unnecessarily.

The moral of this story is:

However powerful and intelligent a person may be, he should not create enmity with others. Simply because the Doctor and Medicines are ready at hand, nobody will swallow poison boldly.


--INDIAN FABLES OF MORAL FROM PANCHATANTRA --

THE STORY OF SOMILAKA

There once lived a Weaver named Somilaka in a village. He was an expert in weaving beautiful silk cloths. Yet his income was just enough to lead his day-to-day life. He was not able to save anything for the future. In the same village there were many other Weavers. They were weaving cloths which were not as good as his. Yet they were all very rich. Perhaps it was their luck.

One day Somilaka told his wife, “Dear Lady, I am the only expert in this place in weaving nice silk pieces. Yet, the others only are very rich and I am just earning enough to feed my family only. So, I have decided to go to some other village and do my business there. After earning sufficient wealth I shall return. .Please permit me to leave.”

Husband dear, said his intelligent wife, “how will you be able to earn elsewhere what you are not able to earn here? What if there are other Weavers in this village? What is due to you, you will always get. We are facing hard times now as a result of our sins in our previous birth. Even if you go to some other village, how can you be sure that your ill-luck will not chase you there also? Please, therefore, drop the idea of going to some other village.”

“I cannot agree with you,” said the husband “It is our duty to make every effort. Mere desire to earn money alone will not suffice. We must make sincere efforts and we are sure to succeed. The prey will not come and fall into the mouth of a Lion that is sleeping idly. The man who does, not try sincerely will be called a coward.”

At last, the wife half-heartedy gave him leave to go out.

In the new village, Somilaka had good business and earned a lot of money. With that wealth, he set out for his own village.

He had to pass through a thick forest. He reached this forest just before nightfall. He wanted to save himself from Robbers and Wild Animals. He climbed upon a big Banyan tree and sat there. At about midnight he fell asleep. He had a dream then. In that dream he saw two men scolding one another severely.

“Don’t you know,” said the first man to the second, “that this Somilaka should be given money enough only to meet the expenses of his food and dress Such being the case, why did you give him so much of wealth?”

“It is not my mistake. It is my duty to pay proper wages for one’s labour. I have done it. Leaving it with him or snatching it away from him is your duty. You may do It.” said the second man.

“All right. I shall do it.” said the first man. Immediately after that Somilaka woke up. He found that all the money be was having had disappeared mysteriously. He felt very sorry over this. He went back to the same village again and began to earn money. After earning sufficient money, he left for his village again.

This time also he had to pass through the forest during the night. But he decided not to sleep this time. So he was walking on with a firm mind. At midnight, he heard the same talk as he heard on the previous occasion. At the end of the talk he lost all his money. He became broken-hearted and decided to kill himself. For, he did not wish to go back to his wife without money. He decided to kill himself by hanging himself in a big tree. He climbed upon the tree. He tied one end of a rope to a branch of that tree. He made a loop with the other end of the rope and put his neck in that loop. He was then ready to move down so that the loop might get tight and he might die.

At that time, one of the two men he saw in his dream appeared before him and said, “Somilaka! What you do is not correct. I am the person who took away your wealth. According to your actions in your previous birth, you will have money. just enough for your food and clothing. You are not destined to have more. So, please don’t feel sad. Go back to your village. But I am very glad to see your sincere efforts. You can ask for a boon and I shall grant it.”

“In that case,” said Somilaka, “give me a large amount of wealth.”

“Dear man.” said the mysterious man, “having much money will not do you any good. Then what do you require it for?”

“Doesn’t matter,” replied Somilaka. “Only a man having wealth and money is being treated with respect. I don’t care whether money will be of any use to me or not. In any case, I do want to have the money.”

Thereupon the mysterious man said to Somilaka, “You do as I say.

There is a village called Vardhamanapura nearby. There are two merchants there by name Gupthadhana and Upabukthadhana. You can go and stay in both their houses.You must inutely watch the way of the two for your own living. I shall grant it.”

Somilaka left the forest at day-break. He reached the house of Gupthadhana, first. It was just getting dark. Even at the entrance, Gupthadhana, his wife and son were standing and tried to stop him from getting inside But he forcibly got inside and begged them to allow him to stay there for the night. As they had no other go, they allowed him to stay.

The family was about to take food. They did not think it proper to ignore the guest. So they gave him some food. After taking food, he slept in the space available between the front door and the next. In his dream at midnight the same two persons appeared and talked among themselves as follows :-

The First Man: “You have put Gupthadhana to extra expense today. For, he had to give food to Somilaka. Is it not extra expense for him? Why did you do like that?”

The Second Man: “I give both income and expense to a man. What should be the net result is your look out.”

On hearing this talk, Somilaka woke up. At that time Gupthadhana was suffering from stomach pain. He suffered like this throughout the next day. So he did not eat anything on that day.

The next night Somilaka went to the house of Upabukthadhana. All the members of the family gave him a hearty welcome and gave him all comforts. After taking food that night Somilaka went to sleep. As before, he again saw the two men in his dream. They talked between themselves as follows :--

The First Man: “Why did you give extra expense to this man today? As a result of the feast given by him he had to take away a greater amount from his savings Why did you do like that?”

The Second Man: “I have done my job. You do yours.”

When Somilaka woke up the next morning, he saw the King’s messenger at the doorsteps of that house.. He gave Upabukthadhana plenty of gift as having been given by the King.

Somilaka was no longer confused. He realized that it is no use merely having money. One should know how to enjoy it.

The next night the strange man appeared in his dream and asked him “Which way of living do you choose — that of Gupthadhana or that of Upabukthadhana?” “I choose the way of living of Upabukthadhana,” replied Somilaka. The strange man blessed him that he would have it and disappeared.


The moral of this story is :

Earning money alone is not enough. One should know how to enjoy it by spending it usefully for his own self and to help others also.


--INDIAN FABLES OF MORAL FROM PANCHATANTRA --