Page 34 - Śrī Pañcatantra - Eng
P. 34
6 The Pañcatantra: First Tantra
he will be let go the moment he fails the king. Only the
intelligent servant who understands what is pleasing and
what is displeasing to the master gains the upper hand. For
when snakes, tigers, elephants and lions can be controlled
in various ways, certainly a smart person can bring the king
under his direction. (1.5)
Karaṭaka reflected on his companion’s reasoning and wondered
out loud, “Therefore, considering the circumstances, what do
you propose?”
“Today something has caused Piṅgalaka and his entire court
a fair degree of apprehension,” Damanaka replied. Therefore
I intend to discover the cause of their fear. Once I know what
has frightened the lion, I will be able to resort to one of the six
methods of diplomacy ...
The six methods of diplomacy are:
—to make peace;
—or to wage war;
—to attack;
—or to entrench;
—to accept the protection of a powerful ally;
—or to provoke a quarrel between one’s opponents. (1.6)
“But how can you tell that Piṅgalaka is shivering in fear?” asked
Karaṭaka skeptically.
“That is obvious,” Damanaka replied, “for according to
Manu (8.26)...
The thoughts of others are easily discerned through their
faces, gestures, speech and the movements of the eyes. (1.7)
