PANCHATANTRA - CONFLICT AMONGST FRIENDS - THE STORY OF THE JACKAL AND THE DRUM

"There was once a jackal called 'Gomaya*. One day, he was very hungry arid he wandered about in search of food. At last he came to battlefield. The fighting armies had left behind a drum, lying near some creepers. Because of a strong wind, the creepers were rubbing against the drum and making a noise. When the 'jackal heard this, he got frightened and thought to himself, 'Unless I can make myself scarce before whoever is making this noise sees me, I am done for. But then, it is unwise to desert one's house suddenly, so instead I must try to find out who is making this noise.'

"So he took all his courage in his hands and as he crept forward he realised that it was only a drum. He continued his search and nearby he found sufficient fool'l to last him a long time.

-"-''And, so you see," Damanaka went on, "you-shiluldn't be afraid of a mere noise.''

-"How can I be brave," said Pingalaka, "when my whole court is trembling with fright and wants to get away from here?"

-"Master," said Damanaka, "servants should not be held responsible for they only follow their master's example. They say:

' 'Horses, �eapons, books, conversation,

The harp and a wife,

They all become worthy or worthless According to the man they belong to.'

-"And so," continued Damanaka, "be brave and wait here patiently until I return. I am gding to find out about the noise. And then we shall do whatever is for the best."

-"Are· you brave enough to go?.'' asked Pingalaka.

-"Certainly," said Damanaka, why should a servant ask questions whether a thing is to be done or not, if it is his ma.ste.r's pleasure.''

-· "My, dear friend I" said Pingalaka. "Well, if that's the case, then by all means, go. May God protect you."

Damanaka bowed before the king and set out, following the noise made by Sanjivaka. ,

After the jackal had taken his leave, Pinga'.laka got

frightened. He sank into a deep reverie and began to think to himself, "I have made a mistake in confiding my intentions to him. As I deprived him of his position, he may join hands with my enemy and thus revenge himself on me. And so I shall hide somewhere so as

to ·find out wh�t he is u,p to and to make

does .rot lead my enemy straight here to they say:

'A strong man · who puts his faith in others, May pay with his life,

But a weakling who is always wary, Escapes death,

Even at the hands of the stro:p.gest of men.' "

And so having come to tliis decision; Pingalaka took off and waited anxiously foi Damanaka's return.

In- the meantime, Damanaka .came near to where Sanjivaka was, and realised that it was only a bullock, making the noise. He was overjoyed, thinking to himself, "This is a lucky omen: now I shall have Pingalaka under my thumb because I have the power to make him and

this bullock friends or enemies, whichever � choose, for:

'As a man in good health requires n6' doctor I

So a king free from troubles pays no att.ention to his minister.' "

With these thoughts, Damanaka returned and searched ou t Pingalaka. Bowing before him, he took his place.

-"So did you se,e him?" asked Pingalaka.

-"With your good favour I have seen him," replied Damanaka.

-"Honestly?" asked Pingalaka. "Are you telling the truth?"

-"Do you think anyone would dare lie to you?" said Damanaka.

-"So, it's true?" said Pingalaka, "You have seen him. The great do not assert themselves against weaklings, that's why he did not kill you, for:

'The storm spares the low-bowing and weak grass

uproots the tall trees. The strong fight the strong But not the weak.' "

-"Well. however great he may be, and however helpless we seem by comparison," said Damanaka, 'just say the word a.n,d I will make him your servant!"

Pingalaka breathed a sigh of relief and said, "What! Could you really do that?"

-"Wh;it is impossible for a man of intelHgence?" replied Damanaka.

'-"Well," said Pingalaka, "if that is the case, I appoint you my minister from this very day." ,

Damanaka took his leave and went straight to Sanjivaka.

He began to scold him, "Despicable ox! Aren't you afraid of our master Pingalaka that you bellow at such odd hours? Come with me. My master Pingalaka has. summoned you."

When Saajivaka heard this he said, "My dear fellow, who is this Pingalaka?"

-"What!" exclaimed Damanaka. "You haven't heard of Pingalaka? Just you wait, you'll get to know him alright soon ! He is over there, sitting under the banyan tree, surrounded by his retinue.''

When Sanjivaka heard this, he thought that his end had come and his heart sank. He said to Damanaka, "My friend, you seem sympathetic and an expert in the arts of conversation. If you want to take me to the lion, get me a guarantee that my life will be safe.''

-"You are right to ask for security," -said Damanaka, for:

'A man, can reach the ends of the earth

Or the depths of the sea

Or the tops of the mountains,

But none can fathom the deep thoughts of a king.'

-"So wait here. I shall take you to him when the time is ripe."

Then Damanaka returned to Pingalaka and said, "Master, that is no ordinary animal. He is an ox who is a special mount of Shiva*. When I asked him he explained to me, 'My Lord Shiva was very. pleased with me and gave me leave to enjoy tpe tend�r grass of the river Yamuna. And Lord Shiva said that the whole jungle should be my playground.' "

-"Now I know the truth!" exclaimed P!ngalaka__terrified. "How else could a grass-eating animal wander feaFlessly in a jungle full of dangerous beasts, except he had the blessings of Shiva. But what did you say to him when you heard that?"

-"Master," said Damanaka, "I told him, 'This jungle has already been presented to our master by the goddess Durga*, whose mount he is. But, all the same, you are welcome. Come and stay with king Pingalaka as if you were his own brother, spend your time making merry with food and drink and gam�s .' Well, he agreed but has requested that you should' guarantee that his life will be safe. So, the rest is up to you.''

When Pingalaka heard this, he said, "Well done, my efficient minister. You have acted exactly according to my wishes. I do assure him that his life shall be safe but get me a similar assurance from him too and bring him to me quickly."

Damanaka bow�d before Pingalaka and, on his way to Sanjivaka, he thought .gleefully, "My master is very gracious towards me and js behaving exactly as I hoped. I think I must be the luckiest being alive."

When he reached Sanjivaka, he said to him respectfully, "Friend, I made a request to my master that your life should be spared. He has promised that it shall be so. And so, accompany me with confidence. But when we arrive at the king's place, you .should respect me as much as you respect yourself. Don't get too big for your boots and start bossing me about. On my part, I shall

consult you in the exercise· of my duties as a minister.. In this way, we can both enjoy Lakshmi*, for:

'A man who; OU� of pride,

Does not properly handle the high, the middle and the low,

Shall be· ruined, as Dantila* was ruined,

Even though l;ie was the favourite of the king.' "

-"How was that?" asked Sanjivaka. And D amanaka told :