Hitopadesh by Vishnu Sharma Bengali PDF.
Name of Book- Hitopadesh,
Authors- It was originally written around 1675 A.D. by Sri Narayana Pandit, then Indian scholars attributed the text to Vishnu Sharma in 19 Century.
Language- Originally in Sanskrit Hitopadesha,
Translated into Bengali,
Genre: Didactic Literature (instruction through storytelling),
Form: A mix of prose and verse,
Book Format- PDF,
Pages-373,
Vishnu Sharma wrote the Didactic literature (instruction through storytelling) Hitopadesh
Hitopadesh (Hitopadesha) – Vishnu Sharma and Pandit Narayana: Overview
The Hitopadesha is a 12th-century classic collection of Sanskrit fables and moral tales attributed to Narayana, a scholar inspired by the earlier Panchatantra written by Vishnu Sharma. Divided into four sections, the stories use animal fables to teach principles of human conduct, politics, and wisdom in a humorous, non-preachy way. While there is some scholarly debate, many scholars identify Vishnu Sharma as the author of the Panchatantra, the predecessor to the Hitopadesha.
Vishnu Sharma:
Vishnu Sharma was an ancient Indian scholar and the legendary author of the Panchatantra, a collection of inter-related fables in Sanskrit verse and prose. He was appointed to a king’s court to educate his sons through storytelling and created the Panchatantra to impart wisdom about life, politics, and leadership. While little is known about his personal life and the exact composition date is uncertain, the Panchatantra became one of the most widely translated non-religious works in history, influencing cultures worldwide and remaining an important source of wisdom to this day.
Key Aspects of Vishnu Sharma’s Life and Work
The Panchatantra:
This collection is divided into five books (“Pancha” means “five” and “tantra” means “treatises”) that interweave animal fables to teach moral and political lessons.
Storytelling for Education:
Sharma was tasked with educating three “dull-headed” princes and chose storytelling to convey lessons on leadership, relationships, and gaining and losing things.
A Teacher-Scholar:
He was known as a great teacher and scholar, dedicating himself to imparting wisdom and moral values to his pupils.
Limited Biographical Information:
There is scarce substantial information about Vishnu Sharma’s personal life or specific birth and death dates; some scholars place the Panchatantra’s composition between 1200 BCE and 300 CE.
About Vishnu Sharma in Short:
- A wise Brahmin scholar and teacher.
- Lived around the 3rd century BCE (according to tradition).
- Legend says he was tasked with educating three dull princes through storytelling—leading to the creation of the Panchatantra.
- His stories use animals and allegories to teach Niti (wise conduct).
Global Influence:
The Panchatantra achieved significant global reach, translated into numerous languages including Pahlavi, Arabic, Latin, and English, and served as inspiration for later literary works.
Enduring Legacy:
Sharma’s work continues to be a celebrated part of Indian literature and culture, providing insights into ancient Indian wisdom and values to this day.
What is the Hitopadesh?
The Hitopadesh (Hitopadeśa, meaning Beneficial Advice) is a classic collection of fables written in Sanskrit. It’s designed to teach moral lessons, political wisdom, and practical life strategies through stories involving animals and humans.
Relationship to Panchatantra:
The Hitopadesha is based on the earlier Panchatantra, incorporating some stories and introducing new ones.
Key Facts:
Language: Originally in Sanskrit.
Genre: Didactic literature (instruction through storytelling).
Form: A mix of prose and verse.
Structure: Four main books:
- Mitralābha – Gaining friends
- Suhrdbheda – Losing friends (Causing Dissension Between Friends)
- Vigraha – War (Separation)
- Sandhi – Peace
Many of the tales are inspired by or adapted from the Panchatantra, another ancient Indian work, but the Hitopadesh has its own unique format and focus.
Influence and Legacy:
- Translated into many languages, including Persian, Arabic, and English.
- Forms the foundation of children’s moral education in India and beyond.
- Inspired works like Aesop’s Fables, Kalila Wa Dimna, and other global folk tales.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Hitopadesh
What is the summary of Hitopadesha?
It is a collection of human and animal fables in prose, which have been explained by numerous wise and witty sayings in verse. As the prologue explains, the objective of this work was to instruct people in worldly wisdom and the principles of statecraft.
What is the theme of Hitopadesha?
Friendship is a prominent theme in the Hitopadesa. The stories provide the framework for many kinds of friendship. Since the text is largely written in the context of statecraft, friendship is encoded predominantly as diplomacy between inter-state and intra-state actors.
Why is Hitopadesha important?
Importance in Early India: In its time, Hitopadesha was on the forefront of molding the moral and intellectual ethos of society in India. In the backdrop of political upheaval and social change, the text was a beacon of light for rulers and ruled, for scholars and commoners.
Who is written Hitopadesha?
Narayan Pandit is the author of the book Hitopadesh. He was a mathematician in India. It was originally written in 1675 AD.
Who composed Panchatantra and Hitopadesha?
Panchatantra Classic: Originally written in Sanskrit in 200 B.C by Pandit Vishnu Sharma.
Hitopadesha Classic: an ancient Sanskrit Classic written about animals. How they think, feel and act like human beings. It was originally written around 1675 A.D. by Sri Narayana Pandit.
Who was Vishnu Sharma biography?
Vishnu Sharman also known as Vishnu Sharma (Sanskrit:) was an Indian scholar and author who is believed to have written the Panchatantra collection of fables. [The exact period of the composition of the Panchatantra is uncertain, and estimates vary from 1200 BCE to 300 CE.