Hitopadesa Timeless Tales of Wisdom

Dive into the enchanting world of the Hitopadesha, a captivating collection of tales that impart valuable life lessons. Derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Hita’ (welfare) and ‘Upadesha’ (counsel), this work is attributed to Narayan Pandit and serves as a unique interpretation of Vishnu Sarmans Panchatantra, dating back to the 3rd century BC. In these stories, Vishnu Sarman, depicted as a wise sage, shares his counsel with the sons of Sudarsana, the king of Pataliputra, through delightful narratives featuring anthropomorphic animals. While the origins of the Hitopadesha remain a mystery, the earliest manuscript dates to 1373 and is believed to have roots in East India during the Pala Empire. This faithful English rendition by Sir Edwin Arnold captures the essence of the Hitopadesha, which he famously called The father of all Fables, influencing countless tales from Aesop to modern fables. Join us as we explore the wisdom contained within these timeless stories.