hitopadesa

[note: I finished this a couple weeks ago, just been busy]
Hitopadesa, by Narayana, was composed from multiple Sanskrit fables and maxims some time between 800 and 950. It is the story of a king who must find a way to teach his three sons the virtues of being a king and what it means to be a good person. They will not listen to the king when he tries to teach them, and a priest volunteers to use his methods to make them listen. He tells them a series of stories about animals, and using unique situations he applies the maxims of kingship and virtue through them. The stories are separated into four books, one on gaining friends, one on splitting partners, one on war, and one on peace.

It was interesting to see how basic qualities of human relationships were expressed through the Sanskrit maxims and personified in animals. And of course, the simple fact that texts like these prove no matter how complex society gets, relationships between people stay the same. The stories were quirky, the animals believable and likable.

The structure confused me at times, because the way it was set up it would have a story within a story within a story, and sometimes I would forget what the original story was about.

Overall, it was an interesting read. I enjoyed it, but I always enjoy a peak into an ancient culture!