Page 33 - Śrī Pañcatantra - Eng

Mitra-bheda (Confict among Friends) 5

it from closing up. Naturally the playful monkeys looked upon
the scene as their personal recreational area. One unfortunate
monkey with a short destiny dangled his two legs into the cut
of the log and then yanked on the wedge to see what would
happen. All at once the wedge came out as the cut in the log
suddenly closed. The poor monkey’s legs were crushed and he
died instantly.

“And that is why,” said Karaṭaka, “it is a mistake to meddle in
the affairs of others. And our business is to be content with the
leftovers that the lion has left behind.”

“Nonsense!” retorted Damanaka. “Why do you think our only
interest lies in pleasures of the palate? I cannot disagree more,
for as it has been wisely stated ...

Only contemptible crows live to eat. (1.4)
Commentary: “Too much eating means eating more than is
required to keep the body and soul together. There is no need for
men to eat animals because there is an ample supply of grains,
vegetables, fruits and milk. Such simple foodstuff is considered
to be in the mode of goodness according to the Bhagavad-gītā.
Animal food is for those in the mode of ignorance. Therefore,
those who indulge in animal food, drinking, smoking and eating
food which is not first offered to Kṛṣṇa will suffer sinful reactions
because of eating only polluted things.” (Bg 6.16, purport)
“Anyway,” Karaṭaka reasoned, “We have been dismissed from
our royal posts, so why should we become concerned for his
situation?”
Damanaka retaliated, “My friend, please do not speak like
that, for ...

He who is not a minister is promoted to the post through
serving the king well. But if the minister slips in his duty