Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Panchatantra
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
A Jain Recension of the Panchatantra The Panchatantra Leopard Delivering the Lion's Command: A 16th-Century Illustration from the Panchatantra
Quizzes
Row of colorful books on a bookshelf. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
The Literary World
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
A Jain Recension of the Panchatantra
A Jain Recension of the Panchatantra An illustration of a fable about the adventures of two traveling priests; from a circa 1700-1725 Jain recension of the Panchatantra, Panchakhyana.

Panchatantra

Indian literature
Also known as: “Pancatantra”, “The Fables of Bidpai”
Written by
Urnesha Bhattacherjee
Associate Editor, Britannica India
Urnesha Bhattacherjee
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

Panchatantra, popular collection of Sanskrit beast fables composed about 200 bce, according to Sanskrit scholar Johannes Hertel. The work has been widely circulated and translated, both in India, its country of origin, and throughout the world. This collection was known in Europe as The Fables of Bidpai. The tales contained therein were supposedly narrated by an Indian sage, Bidpai—also referred to as Vishnuçarman, Pilpay, or Sendebar—to his king, with the intention of inculcating wisdom and...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile