Hitopdesh is written by Narayan Pandit. It is largely based on
"Panchtantra", a similar kind of book by Vishnusharma. Title itself suggests
that what is the book all about.In this book all characters are animals and they
deliver story and moral message at the end of the story. It is allegorical book,
not just story of animals but intentionally written to teach people.
The book is devided into four sub sections - Mitrabhed, Mitraprapti,
Labdhapranashan, and Aparikshitkarak.
The background of the story is like that There was a king and
he has a four son. But all of them were dumb / fool. so king declared that whoever
takes responsibility to educate his sons in four months will be rewarded by king.
and then through this story their education begins. and he successfully makes all
sons wise in given time.
Narayana says that the purpose of creating the work is to encourage proficiency in Sanskrit expression and knowledge of wise behaviour . This is done through the telling of moral stories in which birds, beasts and humans interact. Interest is maintained through the device of enclosed narratives in which a story is interrupted by an illustrative tale before resuming.
वज्रादपि कठोराणि मृदूनि कुसुमादपि ।
लोकोत्तराणां चेतांसि को नो विज्ञातुमर्हति॥
Vajraadapi kathhoraani mridooni kusumaadapi
Lokottaraanaam chetaamsi ko nu vijnaatumarhati.
The hearts of the best of men who are a cut above the ordinary people are harder than diamond (when facing obstacles or enemies ) and softer than flowers (towards the less privileged and the miserable). Who can understand the hearts of such men?
ज्ञानं भारः क्रियां विना
Jnaanam bhaarah kriyaam vinaa
Without action knowledge is a burden (knowledge, not put into practice, is sheer waste)
No comments:
Post a Comment