Wednesday, May 16, 2012

4 The Jackal And The Drum

© Munindra Misra 

“It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.” ~ Mark Twain
Only the brave succeed in life
Great/brave men harm not the weak – they take on their equals only 

A hungry jackal sought food in an abandoned battlefield unwittingly,
Herein he heard loud and strange sounds which he grasped not truly,
 Scared, he reflected: “Run before what makes these sounds gets me,
After a while he told himself, “I must not run away like that fearingly”.
Panchatantra Book 1. 31.       
 Let me find out what the sounds are and who is making them really,
For whether it is fear or happiness one must know its cause fully,
 Such a person will never regret any actions when knowing wholly,
So let me find the source of these sounds with open mind actually.”
Panchatantra Book 1. 32.       
Warily the jackal marched towards the sounds and found a drum only,
The drum sounded when branches of the tree brushed it repeatedly,
 Relieved the jackal played the drum and thought within could food be,
 He pierced the drum invain and consoled self of ridding fear completely.
Panchatantra Book 1. 33.       
Damanaka told king Pingalaka, “Do not dread this sound your majesty,
I seek your permission to go and find what these sounds do be”,
The king agreed to Damanaka’s request and taking leave respectfully,
Damanaka proceeded in the direction of the sound to inquire hopefully.
Panchatantra Book 1. 34.       
The king worried of grudge for dismissal, may seek revenge really,
Thought “Confiding in Damanaka – I must become very wary”,
Wise say it is difficult to kill the weak who does not trust easily,
But so easy to kill a strong man who trusts others but readily.”
Panchatantra Book 1. 35.       
Under the king’s watch Damanaka went to Sanjeevaka, the bullock slowly,
Seeing just a bullock thought, “I can get into the king’s good books easily,
The kings never follow the ministers’ advice unless in peril or grief they be,
As healthy needs no doctor; a strong, secure king forgets a minister fully.”
Panchatantra Book 1. 36.     
Assured it was just a bullock, Damanaka returned and informed accordingly,
“Is it true?” the king asked and Damanaka said “Its true, grant favour truly”,
The king said “I believe you - Great men do not harm weaker people clearly,
They take on only their equals; that is what unique about brave people be.”
Panchatantra Book 1. 37.       
“What your majesty says is true – Sanjeevaka is great undoubtedly,
If your lordship permits, I will persue him to be your servant earnestly”,
“All right, I will keep you as a minister,” said the king, pleased actually,
Damanaka hurried to Sanjeevaka, told him to stop bellowing instantly.
Panchatantra Book 1. 38.       
He should meet his king – but the bullock wondered who this Pingalaka be,
“What? You know not our lord? You will know the cost of ignorance shortly,
There he is, surrounded by his entourage under that huge banyan tree.”
Sanjeevaka thought his days were numbered and pleaded helplessly.
Panchatantra Book 1. 39.       
“Damanaka Sir, you seem of great wisdom and wit, you alone can save me,
I can approach only if you can assure me that no harm will come to me”,
Damanaka told the bullock to wait for the right time to meet his majesty,
Returning Damanaka told the king “My lord, he not an ordinary being be”.
Panchatantra Book 1. 40.      

 “He is Lord Shiva’s vehicle and by his permission feeds here unheedingly,
I told him the forest belongs to our king who vehicle of goddess Chandika be,
As our guest you can see our king, seek separate space for grazing freely,
He agreed to this plan provided he has an assurance from your majesty”.
Panchatantra Book 1. 41.      
King: “Yes, certainly, but I need assurance from him in return totally,”
Returning Damanaka advised “You have the king’s assurance fully,
But never let it go to your head – working together we prosper only,
Else who respect none - forfeits favour of kings like Dantila surely”.
Panchatantra Book 1. 42.      
Sanjeevaka asked “What is Dantila’s story?”
© Munindra Misra 

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