KBS Commerce & NATARAJ Professional Sciences College, Vapi

Semester II - Indian Value System (IVS)

Unit I: Moral Stories

Panchatantra:

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The Panchatantra is an ancient collection of animal fables and moral stories that originated in

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India. Traditionally attributed to Vishnu Sharma, the Panchatantra consists of a frame story
involving animals, with each story imparting valuable life lessons and moral principles. The tales
are often narrated in the form of dialogues between animals and are widely known for their wit,

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wisdom, and universal truths. Through these stories, the Panchatantra teaches important
lessons on leadership, diplomacy, and ethical conduct, making it a timeless work that has

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transcended cultural boundaries and continues to be treasured worldwide.

Chandogya Upanishad:
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The Chandogya Upanishad is one of the principal Upanishads, belonging to the Sama Veda
tradition of ancient Indian scriptures. Composed around the 8th to 6th centuries BCE, this
Upanishad is a philosophical and mystical text that explores profound spiritual concepts. It is
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part of the larger Chandogya Brahmana, focusing on the knowledge of the self (atman) and the
ultimate reality (Brahman). The Upanishad consists of dialogues between teachers and
students, discussing meditation, cosmology, and the nature of the divine. One of its most
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famous statements is "Tat Tvam Asi," meaning "Thou art That," emphasizing the unity of the
individual soul with the universal consciousness.
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Jataka Katha:

The Jataka Katha comprises stories of the previous lives of Lord Buddha before he attained
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enlightenment. These tales, integral to Buddhist literature, illustrate moral lessons and virtues
through the experiences of various beings, often in the form of animals or humans. The Jataka
stories showcase the practice of compassion, selflessness, and ethical conduct, guiding on the
path to enlightenment. Each story presents a unique set of challenges and dilemmas, allowing
readers to reflect on their own moral choices and actions. The Jataka Katha serves as both a
source of inspiration for Buddhists and a reservoir of timeless wisdom that transcends cultural
and religious boundaries.
1. The Story of the Blue Jackal (from Panchatantra)

Once, there lived a jackal. One day he was very hungry, and could not find any food. So,
he wandered into a nearby village in search of food.

The dogs in the village saw the jackal, and a group of dogs surrounded him, barking and
attacking with their sharp teeth.

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The jackal started running to save itself, but the dogs chased. In an attempt to flee from

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the dogs, he ran into a house, which belonged to a washerman. There was a big vat of
blue dye inside.

As he jumped without knowing, his entire body was dyed in blue colour. He no longer

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looked like a jackal.

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Frustrated, he came out. When the dogs saw him again, they were unable to recognize
him anymore. Fearing that it was an unknown animal, they became terrified and ran off
in all directions.
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The disappointed jackal went back to the jungle, but the blue dye would not come off.
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When the other animals in the jungle saw this blue-coloured jackal, they ran away in
terror. They said to themselves, "This is an unknown animal, and we don't know the
strength of this new animal. It is better to run away."
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When the jackal realized that all the animals were running away. He called back at the
frightened animals and said, "Hey animals! Why are you running away? Don't be afraid.
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Brahma, the Lord of all creations, has made me himself, with his own hands. Brahma
said to me, 'The animals in the jungle do not have a proper king. Go to the jungle and
protect the animals.'"
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"That is the reason I have come here", he continued, "Come and live in peace in my
kingdom and under my protection. I have been crowned the King of all three worlds
(Heaven, Earth and Hell)

The other animals were convinced, and they surrounded him as his subjects, and said "O
Master, we await your commands. Please let us know whatever you want".
 The 'blue' jackal assigned specific responsibilities to every animal. They were mostly on
how to serve him. But he did not have anything to do with the other jackals and did not
want to come near them for fear of being recognized. So, the jackals of the jungle were
chased away.

And so it went, while the smaller animals would serve him with his other needs, the
lions and the tigers would go out to hunt for prey and place them before the jackal every
day.

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He would then distribute the food amongst other animals, and himself. In this manner,

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he discharged his royal duties, for all the animals under his kingdom. Quite some time
elapsed in this way, and there was peace between animals.

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One evening, the 'blue' jackal heard a pack of jackals howling at a distance. Unable to
overcome his natural instinct, he was so spellbound that he was filled with tears of joy.

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He immediately sat up and began to howl like every other jackal.

When the lion and the other animals heard this, they realized how he was only a jackal
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and how they had been fooled all the time. They held their heads down in shame, but
only for a moment - because, they became very angry at the jackal for fooling them.
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They angrily said to each other, "This jackal has fooled us. We will not let him live
anymore. He should be punished."
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When the jackal realized, he tried to flee from them. But the animals got hold of him
and he got severely beaten by them.
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Moral: The true nature of a man cannot be hidden for long.

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2. The Brahmin and the Crooks (from Panchatantra)

In a small village, there lived a Brahmin. He was a worshipper of the Fire God. One day,
during monsoons, when the sky was overcast with clouds, he decided to conduct a
certain sacrificial ritual.
 The Brahmin travelled to a nearby village, to visit a devotee, to request a goat that he
would offer as a sacrifice to the Gods.

On his arrival, he requested the devotee, "Son, I want to perform a sacrificial ritual on
this auspicious time. Please offer me with a well-fed goat." The devotee agreed and
offered him one of his best goats.

The Brahmin started his journey homeward. He carried the goat on his shoulders so that
he did not have problems controlling the animal on the way home.

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On his way home, three crooks (Crook is a person who is dishonest or a criminal.)
watched him from a distance. They were almost starving, and the Brahmin had a goat
and he was all alone.

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They discussed, "We will be saved from the fangs of hunger in this cold monsoon if we

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can lay our hands on this goat that the Brahmin is carrying." They decided to trick the
Brahmin, to gain the goat for themselves.
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As planned, the first of the crooks stood in the Brahmin's path, by taking a shorter road.

When the Brahmin, with the goat on his shoulders, approached him, he queried, "Ho
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Brahmin, Why is it that you behave so ridiculously?"

"Why on earth are you carrying a profane dog on your shoulders?"

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On hearing this, the Brahmin got angry, he replied, "How can you not see any difference
between a goat and a dog? Are you blind? Can't you see I am carrying a sacrificial goat?"
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The crook had played his part, and replied, "Please don't get angry with me. You may
have it any way you want. Please carry on with your journey".
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A little further, he was approached by the second crook, who said, "Ho Brahmin, shame
on you! How can you carry this dead calf on your shoulders like that? Shame on you!"

The Brahmin got even angrier, "Are you blind? Can't you see it is a goat and not a dead
calf?"
 To this, the second crook replied, "Have it any way you want it to be, please don't get
angry with me."

When the Brahmin had gone a little further, the third crook accosted him, "Ho Brahmin.
This is highly improper for you to do something like this. Why do you carry a donkey on
your shoulders? Put him down, before anyone sees you doing this!"

Now, the Brahmin started thinking how can three different persons not see that he was
carrying a goat? He thought that he must be carrying a goblin, which was changing

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shape all the while.

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Fearing so, he put the goat down on the ground and ran home terrified. The crooks had
succeeded in their plan. The crooks caught the goat at once and feasted on the goat to

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their heart's content.

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Moral: Untruth spoken repeatedly appears to be truth.
Another Moral: Acquiring bookish knowledge is not sufficient but one should also
have common sense.
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3. Satyakama: The Seeker of Truth (from Chandogya Upanishad)

Enlightenment is something that can happen right now, in this very moment, if you are
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open to it. A wise teacher can guide you toward a state of eternal awareness. It's up to
the seeker to be brave, determined, and smart enough to start on the path. In ancient
Vedic texts, there are stories illustrating the journeys of seekers aiming for the ultimate
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goal of liberation, or moksha. One such story is about a boy named Satyakama from the
Chandogya Upanishad.
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Satyakama lived in the forest with his mother, Jabala. He had a strong desire to learn
meditation and understand the nature of the Brahman. In his quest for a guru, he found
sage Gautama. The sage, impressed by Satyakama's honesty, accepted him as a student.

Sage Gautama taught Satyakama the first step towards knowing self—meditation. Then,
in an unusual move, the sage took Satyakama to a pasture with hundreds of cows.
Gautama asked him to take care of four hundred thin, weak cows and return when they
had multiplied to a thousand. Despite doubts, Satyakama followed the guru's words.
 In the deep forest, Satyakama lost track of time. Initially feeling lonely, he eventually
found companionship in nature and his cows. He became one with the surroundings,
forgetting his original goal. Living in the moment, he tended to the cows, and his mind
became silent. Many years passed, and he lived a peaceful and joyful life.

When it was time to return, a cow approached him, informing him they were now a
thousand. Satyakama returned to the guru with the cows. The Master, seeing them,
declared, "Now one thousand and one cows have returned." At that moment,

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Satyakama, having lost his former identity, became enlightened. The Master's words, 'Tat

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Tvam Asi' or 'Thou art that,' became a reality for him.

The Master has the power to create the right situation in which a disciple can flower. It is

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through the guidance and instruction of an enlightened master that a seeker can reach
the state of the ultimate bliss. Satyakama also had doubts, like any spiritual seeker, but

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he had the intelligence to listen to his Master’s words and the courage to practice the
Guru’s instruction. In this way, Satyakama was able to transcend the plane of the
mundane and reach a higher level of consciousness.
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Moral: The Master is a vessel for our transformation, but the disciple must take the
first step. Once that step is taken, then the possibility of enlightenment, eternal bliss,
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becomes a reality.
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4. Shvetaketu: The Seeker of Truth (from Chandogya Upanishad)

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Once upon a time, there was a wise sage named Uddalaka, and he had a son named
Shvetaketu. However, the irony was that being the son of a great sage didn't
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automatically make Shvetaketu great. Shvetaketu was more interested in playing with his
friends than in learning and wisdom.

As time passed, the moment arrived for Shvetaketu to be initiated as a brahmachari, a

student of sacred knowledge. This meant studying the scriptures and understanding the
ultimate reality, Brahman. Surprisingly, Shvetaketu wasn't interested in this initiation.
Uddalaka, aware that youth is the ideal time for learning, knew his son needed to
embrace self-control, celibacy, and other virtues to truly understand the scriptures.
 To guide Shvetaketu in the right direction, Uddalaka suggested that he go to a
knowledgeable guru, serve him, and learn about the Self, the Absolute Reality.
Shvetaketu, understanding the family tradition and his father's wish, followed his
father's advice and studied under a competent teacher.

After completing his studies, Shvetaketu returned home, but instead of his earlier playful
behavior, he now displayed a different quality—pride in his newfound knowledge.
Uddalaka recognized that pride and true wisdom were incompatible. To teach

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Shvetaketu humility, Uddalaka decided to test and further instruct his son.

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One day, Uddalaka asked Shvetaketu if he had been initiated into the knowledge of the
Self, the Absolute Reality. Shvetaketu, with only superficial knowledge, couldn't grasp

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the depth of his father's question. Uddalaka, simplifying the problem, explained through
examples like a lump of gold. Still puzzled, Shvetaketu admitted his confusion, realizing

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that true wisdom goes beyond mere knowledge of words.

Uddalaka then shared profound teachings about the creation of the world, emphasizing
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that the One became many and permeated all living things. Shvetaketu struggled to
understand, especially the concept of the One remaining unaffected.
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To help Shvetaketu gain a deeper insight, Uddalaka asked him to fast for a fortnight,
living on water only. At the end of the fast, Shvetaketu's memory faded, and he could
hardly recite the Vedas. After nourishment through food, his memory returned.
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Shvetaketu realized that the mind also belongs to matter, and anything derived from
something else cannot have independent existence.
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Uddalaka's teachings made Shvetaketu understand the need for a change in outlook
towards reality. He grasped the importance of assuming the role of a witness, realizing
that the Self is identical with the Absolute Reality.
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Shvetaketu learned to examine his three states of consciousness—waking, dreaming,

and deep sleep—to understand his witnessing Self. Uddalaka explained that the best
way to realize the Self is to adopt a witnessing attitude.

The culmination of Shvetaketu's learning came when Uddalaka imparted the

Mahavakya, "Tat Tvam Asi" (Thou Art That). In a flash of realization, Shvetaketu
 understood the profound significance of this great saying, realizing that he was identical
to the Absolute Reality.

To further prove the truths he had learned, Uddalaka showed examples from nature, like
the potential of a seed to grow into a vast tree and the permeation of saltiness in water
from a lump of salt. These examples illustrated the interconnectedness and
interdependence of all existence.

Shvetaketu grasped that spiritual life isn't just about faith or belief but is based on direct

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experience and understanding. Uddalaka emphasized the importance of experiencing

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the truths of religious life through observation and analytical understanding, leading to a
direct perception of the Truth.

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Moral: True wisdom comes not just from bookish knowledge but from a holistic
understanding of the interconnectedness of all existence and a direct experience of

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Absolute Reality.
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5. Little Prince No - Father (The Power of Truth) (from Jataka Katha)
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The King of Benares once went for a picnic in the woods. He was overjoyed by the
stunning fruits, trees, and flowers. He slowly moved deeper and deeper into the forest
as he took in their beauty. He soon realised he was alone after becoming separated from
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his friends.

Then he picked up a young woman’s charming voice. She was gathering firewood while
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singing. The king followed the sound of the charming voice to avoid being afraid of being
by himself in the forest. He eventually found the singer of the songs, who he
immediately fell in love with because she was a stunning, fair young woman. They grew
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close, and the king eventually adopted the firewood woman’s child as his own.

Later, he revealed how he had become disoriented in the woods and persuaded her that
he was, in fact, Benares’ King. She provided him with directions so he could return to his
palace. The king said to her as he gave her his priceless signet ring, “Sell this ring if you
have a girl child and use the proceeds to raise her well. Bring our child to me along with
this ring so I can recognise him if he turns out to be a boy.” After saying this, he left for
Benares.
 The firewood woman eventually gave birth to an adorable baby boy. She saved the king’s
signet ring because she was a simple, timid woman who was hesitant to take him to the
opulent court in Benares.

The infant developed into a little boy after a few years. The other kids in the village
teased him, mistreated him, and even started fights with him when he played with
them. The other kids picked on him because his mother wasn’t already married. He was
yelled at, “No-father! No-father! You ought to be called No-father!”

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Of course, this caused the young boy to feel guilty, hurt, and depressed. He frequently
ran sobbing home to his mother. He revealed to her one day what the other kids called
him “No-father! No-father! You ought to be called No-father!” His mother then

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continued, “My son, don’t feel embarrassed. You’re not just a regular little boy, you
know. The Benares King is your father.”

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The young boy was astonished to the core. She then informed him that his father had
given her a signet ring, and if the child was a boy, she was to take him and the ring to
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Benares as proof. “Then let’s go,” the young boy said. She consented due to what had
occurred, and the following day they left for Benares.
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The gatekeeper informed the king that the firewood woman and her young son wanted
to see him when they got to the king’s palace. They entered the royal assembly room,
where the king’s ministers and advisors were seated. The queen brought back memories
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of their time spent together in the forest. She concluded by saying, “Your majesty, this is
your son.”
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In front of all the ladies and gentlemen of his court, the king felt humiliated. He
therefore asserted, “He is not my son,” despite knowing that the woman had spoken the
truth. The lovely young mother then displayed the signet ring as evidence.
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The king again denied the truth out of embarrassment, saying, “It is not my ring!”

The poor woman realised that she lacked a witness and solid proof to back up her
claims. I only have faith in the validity of the truth. She addressed the king by saying,
“May this little boy, if he is really your son, stay in the air without falling. May he die on
the ground if he is not your son!
 The boy was suddenly grabbed by his foot and thrown into the air by the woman. The
boy was sitting cross-legged, suspended in the air, and he wasn’t falling. Everyone was
shocked, to put it mildly. The young child addressed the powerful king while still in the
air. “I was indeed born your son, my lord. Numerous people you look after are not
related to you. You even care for a large number of horses, elephants, and other
animals. But you don’t consider taking care of and raising me, your own son. Please look
after my mother and I.”

The king’s pride was damaged upon hearing this. The power of the young boy’s words

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humbled him because they were true. Come to me, my son, and I will take good care of

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you, he said while holding out his arms.

All the other people in the court extended their arms in amazement at such a marvel.

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They also requested the arrival of the floating youngster. But he landed in his father’s
arms without stopping in midair. The king announced that his son would be the crown

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prince and his mother would be the first queen while his son was perched on his lap.

The king and his entire court thus came to understand the importance of truth. The city
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of Benares gained a reputation for fair justice. Soon the king passed away. The mature
crown prince wished to demonstrate to the populace that everyone is deserving of
respect, regardless of place of birth. Therefore, he had himself crowned as “King
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No-father” in official documents. He continued to rule the kingdom in a kind and just
manner.
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Moral: The truth is always stronger than a lie.

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6. Dirty Bath Water (from Jataka Katha)

Once upon a time, in a kingdom in India, the finest of the royal horses was taken down
to the river to be bathed. The groomers took him to the same shallow pool where they
always washed him.
 However, just before they arrived, a filthy dirty horse had been washed in the same spot.
He had been caught in the countryside and had never had a good bath in all his life.

The fine royal horse sniffed the air. He knew right away that some filthy wild horse had
bathed there and fouled the water. So he was disgusted and refused to be washed at
that place.

The groomers tried their best to get him into the water but could do nothing with him.
So they went to the king and complained that the fine well-trained royal stallion had

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suddenly become stubborn and unmanageable.

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It just so happened that the king had an intelligent minister who was known for his
understanding of animals. So he called for him and said, "Please go and see what has

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happened to my number one horse. Find out if he is sick or what is the reason he refuses
to be bathed. Of all my horses, I thought this one was of such high quality that he would

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never let himself sink into dirtiness. There must be something wrong."

The minister went down to the riverside bathing pool immediately. He found that the
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stately horse was not sick but in perfect health. He noticed also that he was deliberately
breathing as little as possible. So he sniffed the air and smelled a slightly foul odour.
Investigating further, he found that it came from the unclean water in the bathing pool.
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So he figured out that another very dirty horse must have been washed there, and that
the king's horse was too fond of cleanliness to bathe in dirty water.
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The minister asked the horse groomers, "Has any other horse been bathed at this spot
today?" "Yes," they replied, "before we arrived, a dirty wild horse was bathed here." The
minister told them, "My dear groomers, this is a fine royal horse who loves cleanliness.
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He does not wish to bathe in dirty water. So the thing to do is to take him up the river,
where the water is fresh and clean, and wash him there."
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They followed his instructions, and the royal horse was pleased to bathe in the new
place.

The minister returned to the king and told him what had happened. Then he said, "You
were correct your majesty, this fine horse was indeed of such high quality that he would
not let himself sink into dirtiness!"
 The king was amazed that his minister seemed to be able to read the mind of a horse. So
he rewarded him appropriately.

Moral: Even animals value cleanliness.

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