Panchatantra by Visnu Sarma - Timeless pearls of wisdom with practical modern day applications.

Panchatantra is a collection of interconnected animal and human fables written around 200 BCE. Often underestimated, these stories, traditionally used as children's books in India, offer valuable insights into both personal and professional challenges of today. The book starts with a short introduction about a king who seeks wisdom for his 3 sons. A brahmin takes up on the challenge and imparts the teachings with the help of 5 principles.

1️⃣ Mitra Bheda (Conflict Amongst Friends) talks about consequences of impulsive decisions, with animal and human protagonists in short yet engaging tales. The main teachings are around the art of making wise decisions and resolving disputes before they escalate.

“he who is wise is stronger than the strong.”

2️⃣ Mitra Samprapti (Winning of Friends) shifts focus to the delicate dance of forming alliances. Through heartfelt tales of friendship, readers get insights into the value of meaningful connections and the benefits of cooperation.

“Cause and effect are linked to each other just like sun and shade”

3️⃣ Kakulokiyam (Crows and Owls) teaches the importance of strategic thinking. The lessons in diplomacy and foresight presented here are not just relevant to ancient times but resonate with the intricacies of modern life.

“Trust not even a close friend, Who earlier was your enemy.”

4️⃣ Labdha Pranasam (Forfeit of Profits) here the narrative takes a cautionary turn, exploring the consequences of actions taken out of overconfidence, arrogance and anger. These tales explain the delicate balance between success and humility.

“He overcomes all problems, Who does not lose his cool, Even in the face of adversity”

5️⃣ Aparikshita Karakam (Action without due consideration) cautions us about the consequences of taking rash decisions without due comprehension of the issue at hand. It also talks about the importance of taking advice from trusted friends and not acting out in extreme emotions.

“Those who act without prudence, regrets their actions”

Panchatantra is my inaugural read of the year, and also a revisit as I have read this book while growing up. It makes an easy and enjoyable read, offering bite-sized stories. Highly recommended for anyone on a journey of self-development. What's your first book of 2024?