Panchatantra

" Bruhat katha" is the very first story book written in Sanskrit. It was written by a great writer Gunaadya. In 5th century a pundit called vishnisharma took some stories from out of that collection and wrote a book called “Panchatantra" in Sanskrit. Panchatantra is a mine of knowledge. This is like a fragrant flower parijaata amongst Children's literature. This crossed the borders of the Indian Continent and entered into African and European continents. Not only that, it spread to the entire world. Some 200 translations of this book came out in over 60 languages and it acquired unparalled reputation throughout the world. In the first four thantras animals and birds etc. are the heros. Through these characters the author conveyed not only morals, but also knowledge of state craft. In today's world, madness of atomic war is flaring up. Some centuries ago his book preached the peaceful co-existence theory. From this one can understand what a noble work this is. But the fifth thantra different from the first four thantras. In this only men talk. Perhaps the aim of the author seems to be to show that it is only men who resort to thoughtless deeds and thereby invite disasters on themselves.vishnu sharma skillfully depicted men who have scientific knowledge and yet how brainless they are. There are many morals hidden in Panchatantram. It is because of the desire to convey morals to the children in a simple and interesting manner. The boys and girls who go through this book will read their likes in a moralistic manner and become extremely worldly wise.