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Articles: Moral Stories | Panchatantra stories
- Mr. Siri Siri
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Long ago there was a city named Vardhamaan where a rich businessman lived. His name was Dantil and he was the headman of the city. He had pleased the king with his work. During his marriage, Dantil invited the king, the queens and the ministers and honored them all. At that time, a sweeper named Gorambh arrived and occupied a higher seat. This was an insult to the king. Hence the sweeper was thrown out of Dantil's haveli.
Feeling terribly insulted the sweeper could not sleep for many nights. He was smouldering for vengeance. He always kept on devising the ways how could he create rift between the king and Dantil.
One day, early in the morning when the king was relaxing, Gorambh went near the window of the king's bedroom and said aloud: 'It is surprising that Dantil has become so bold that he goes and hugs the queen'. Listening to this, the king immediately woke up and asked Gorambh if his words were true. He asked: 'Did Dantil really hug the queen?' Gorambh replied: 'Your highness, I was playing a game of cards with my friend late last night and thereafter could not sleep. My friend frequently visits Dantil's home. He says he has overheard Dantil saying: 'I have enjoyed closer contacts with the queen'. But I don't remember the words exactly. I am feeling very sleepy now so I don't know what I blabbered.'
The king thought that the sweeper came here daily and Dantil was also a routine visitor. It could be possible that Gorambh might have seen the queen hugging Dantil. It is also said-
The person who has latent desires during the day, utters the same thing during his sleep. The latent emotions or feelings of a person are expressed while drinking or dreaming. In this way, one should not even believe the women because-
They talk to one and look at the other with desirous eyes and think about the third in their heart.
Fire is not satisfied with wood. The oceans are not satisfied with rivers. In the same way women are not even satisfied with many men.
Contemplating on the character of the women, the king felt sorry and passed a decree that Dantil should hence forth not be allowed to enter the court. This decree confused and surprised Dantil. He could not figure out the possible reason behind this unexpected development. He had not committed any crime that would make the king unhappy. One day, Dantil tried to enter the court but was stopped by the guards. Looking at this, Gorambh laughed and said to the guards: 'O guards, this man himself decides about the punishment or pardon. If you stop him, you shall be insulted in the same way that I was insulted by him.'
Dantil heard this and thought that Gorambh might have said something to the king.
In this way, Dantil invited the sweeper Gorambh home and gifted him with articles and clothes. Thus repenting for his misdeeds, Dantil begged for his pardon. Gorambh forgave Dantil and assured him that the king would reappoint and invite him to court.
The very next day in the morning, Gorambh went near the king's bedroom to sweep and mumbled at the window, 'It is very surprising indeed that our king is like a fool who eats cucumber while answering nature's call.' The king overheard this and was annoyed. He said angrily- 'Why do you talk all this nonsense. You are the servant of this house that is the reason I forgive you'.
Gorambh said: 'I played the gamble throughout the night. I'm feeling very sleepy right now. I don't know what I mumbled. Please forgive me, I was really not in my senses.' Suddenly, it struck the king that just as the sweeper said something about me, he could have said something about Dantil when he wasn't in his senses. It is sure that Dantil was good and had no illicit relations with the queen. So, he needs to be reinstated. He immediately summoned his ministers and asked them to invite Dantil to the court with honor and respect. When Dantil received this news he was happy.
Listening to all this Sanjeevak said, 'O Lord, I will do whatever you expect from me. Please take me to Pingalak.' Damanak escorted Sanjeevak to Pingalak and introduced him to the king. Very soon, the bull and the lion became fast friends. In the company of Sanjeevak and listening to his tales, Pingalak gave up violence and killing animals. Pingalak now began to like Sanjeevak so much that he wouldn't even pay attention to Damanak when Sanjeevak accompanied him.
As a result, all the carnivorous animals that depended on flesh began to starve. Moreover, Damanak's family left him and went away. Seeing this Damanak was very unhappy. Kartak blamed Damanak for the situation. It is because of Damanak that the bull met the lion and transformed him into a herbivore as a result of which they were now starving.
Damanak accepted his folly and said: 'This Pingalak has given up hunting and eating flesh. Our families are starving. We will have to change the king's lifestyle. Although the king has been misguided, it is our duty as his ministers to bring him on the right path.' Damanak agreed and said: 'Yes, it is not the king's but my mistake. We have lost our honour by our misdeeds in the same way as the three jackals who had to pay for their misdeeds fighting against two rams. Kartak asked: 'How was that?' Damanak then narrated the following tale to Kartak.
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