Page 29 - Śrī Pañcatantra - Eng

FIrST TanTra

Mitra-bheda

(Conflict among Friends)

Śrī Viṣṇuśarmā began …

nce upon a time there were two very good friends, a lion
Oand a bull, who lived deep within the jungle. Yet a very
wicked jackal named Damanaka spoiled their friendship. This
is how the story goes ...

In Southern India, in the city of Mahilāropyam, there lived the
son of a wealthy merchant named Vardhamānaka. One night
as he pondered his financial situation, he concluded,

Even a man of means should endeavor to expand his estate.
For what is there in life that cannot be achieved through
money? As it is said, he who is wise devotes his time to
increasing his wealth. He who has wealth is popular and has
friends. His relatives respect and acknowledge him and even
strangers become kinsmen to the wealthy. But a poor man is
shunned even by his own family. A rich man is hailed as a
scholar. The old become young when they have money, while
the young grow old simply by yearning for riches. (1.1)

Thus the merchant Vardhamānaka knew what he must do. He
consulted with paṇḍitas and asked them to choose an auspicious
muhūrta for his trip which would aid in his accumulation
of wealth. Then he called some servants to accompany him.

1