Page 13 - Śrī Pañcatantra - Eng

Foreword By Śrīla Bhakti Vikāsa Swami

After publishing his widely read edition of the maxims of
Cāṇakya Paṇḍita, Patita Pāvana Prabhu continues to dive into
the ocean of nīti, presenting to us another pearl from that ocean,
Viṣṇuśarmā’s Pañcatantra.

Śrīla Prabhupāda had learned nīti in his childhood years, and
often used the crisp teachings of Cāṇakya and Viṣṇuśarmā
in his own lectures and conversations, entertaining his eager
audience with humorous lessons, seemingly simple and yet
deep in their wisdom.

This edition of Pañcatantra, more than just a faithful
representation of the original Sanskrit work, also documents
how and when Śrīla Prabhupāda referred to some of its lessons,
along with commentaries from his own books throughout the
entire text.

I recommend this devotionally inspired edition of the
Pañcatantra to anyone interested in the wider aspects of Vedic
culture and wisdom, as well as education and its application
in today’s confused world. Upon becoming acquainted with
their teachings, one feels as if the confusion today had been
foreseen by sages and paṇḍitas such as Viṣṇuśarmā, along with
the solution to it, and we can heartily thank our Godbrother
Patita Pāvana Prabhu for opening our eyes to the greatness and
vision of these ancient stalwarts of nīti.

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