← Panchatantra
Ill-Considered Action
Fateful Choices and the Wisdom of Folly
by Vishnu SharmaFablesPhilosophyFolklore
पञ्चतन्त्र
Originally in Sanskrit300 BC
12 chapters38 pages51 min read
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About This Book
Step into a world where every action—no matter how small—can tip the balance between fortune and disaster. In these timeless fables, quick judgments and ill-placed trust set the stage for suspense, irony, and hard-earned lessons. Discover what happens when the line between loyalty and suspicion blurs, and when desperate friends chase treasures with more at stake than gold.
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Vishnu Sharma
c. 300 BCE
Vishnu Sharma, believed to have lived around 300 BCE, is traditionally credited as the author of the celebrated Sanskrit work, The Panchatantra. While concrete details about his life remain elusive, legend holds that Sharma was a learned scholar and teacher in ancient India. He is said to have been entrusted by a king to educate his unruly sons in the principles of wise governance and practical life skills, a task he accomplished through the innovative use of engaging animal stories. The Panchatantra thus stands as both a pedagogical tool and a literary achievement, reflecting the intellectual milieu of ancient India.
Places and Terms in this Book
Brahmans— Brahmans are members of the priestly caste in Hindu society, often associated with religious rituals and scholarship; the term 'Brahman' is also used generically for an individual member.
Book V— The fifth book of the Panchatantra, titled 'Ill-considered Action.'
Moon-Lord— A poetic reference to the Hindu moon god, Chandra, often used in Indian literature.
Twilight— Personified as a being who catches the monkey, possibly a metaphor for death or fate.
Avanti— A historical region in ancient India, visited by the Brahmans.
banyan— A type of large, sacred fig tree native to India, under which part of the story takes place.
Vocabulary
fiend— An evil spirit or demon; used here to describe the weaver's frightening appearance after his wish is granted.
stanza— A grouped set of lines in a poem, often set off from others by a blank line or indentation.
bosom— The chest or breast, often used to signify affection or closeness.
cudgels— Short, thick sticks used as weapons.
provender— An old-fashioned word for food or fodder, especially for livestock.
prudence— Cautiousness or wisdom in practical affairs.
