Page 38 - Śrī Pañcatantra - Eng

10 The Pañcatantra: First Tantra

Silk is produced from the worm; gold is found in the earth; fire
springs from a piece of wood; and pearls grow in the hoods
of cobras. Thus good qualities are sometimes found even in
the low-born. (1.15)
Commentary: “So progress in devotional service means one is
becoming perfect. Because he is perfect, everyone is perfect, but
he’s covered with some dirty thing. Just like gold is covered with
some dirty earth. But if you wash the gold—or if you cleanse it
by a chemical process—then real gold will come out. Similarly,
we are all part and parcel of God. Therefore godly qualities are
there, in every one of us. It is simply covered by these material
dirty things. This will be cleansed by this hearing process. The
more you hear, the more it becomes cleansed, the more you
become fixed up in devotional service. The more you give up
your other nonsense habits.” (Lecture, 1 Jul 1972)
Piṅgalaka replied thoughtfully, “What difference does it make
whether you are born high or low? Since you are the son of
my former minister, feel welcome to say at once whatever is
on your mind.”
“O master,” Damanaka answered, “I shall indeed.”

“Then speak your mind,” the king agreed.

“But let us speak in confidence,” the jackal responded, “for ...

Whatever is heard by six ears can never remain hidden.
Therefore a wise person does not allow his secrets to reach
six ears. (1.16)
The king’s followers, including tigers and wolves amongst them,
understood the sign the king made in their direction, and they
slipped away respectfully. Only then did Damanaka begin to
speak, “Your Majesty went to the river to have a drink, but soon
returned without a sip. How could this be?”