The Brahmin and the Crooks

Panchtantra Stories

In a small village there was a Brahmin named Mitra Sharma, who was a fire-worshipper. In the month of Magha (February), the sky filled with clouds and it started raining. Sharma went to a neighbouring village to seek a sacrificial lamp from a rich man. He requested a well-to-do man in the village for a healthy lamb to be sacrificed to the Gods, which the wealthy man obliged. Carrying the lamb on his shoulders, the Brahmin began his homeward journey. Three crooks, very hungry and emaciated, crossed his path and seeing the healthy lamb on the Brahmin’s shoulders thought, "Ah, God has sent us good food. Let us trick the Brahmin into parting with it and free us from hunger and cold." At once, they began to act.  One of them changed into a disguise, and overtaking the Brahmin by another route, stopped him and said, "O what a fool you are? Such a great worshipper of Fire, why are you carrying this dog on your shoulders? This will bring you ridicule. Don’t you know that it is a sin to touch a dog, or a rooster, or a donkey?"  The Brahmin lost his temper and said, "You stupid fellow, are you blind? Why do you call a lamb a dog?"  The first crook replied, "Don’t be angry, if you think he is not a dog, please carry on. I have no objection."  The Brahmin hardly walked a little distance when the second crook greeted him and said,  "O respected sir, it is highly regrettable that you are carrying a dead calf on your shoulders, however dear it is to you. The man who touches dead animals or birds has to undergo purification rites."  The Brahmin challenged him, "Are you too blind? This is a live sacrificial lamb and you say he is a dead calf."  The second crook said, "All right, sir. Please excuse me. I am an ignorant fool. Do as it pleases you."  Now it was the turn of the third crook to cross the Brahmin’s path.  Turning to the Brahmin, the crook said, "Sir, it is highly improper. You are carrying a donkey on your shoulders. This is not done. The elders have said he who touches a donkey, knowingly or otherwise, has to take a bath fully dressed. So, please leave him before anybody notices it." Thinking that he was really carrying a donkey, the poor Brahmin threw the lamb to the ground and went home. Sthirajeevi, continuing his advice to Meghavarna, said,  "There is hardly any person Who is not misled by The servility of a new servant orThe sweet words of a guest or The mock tears of a wily woman."  "Also, remember not to quarrel with weak men when they are united because they cannot be defeated. See, for example, how a deadly snake becomes prey of a united army of ants. That is why I want to tell you a few words of caution. Follow them." "We shall do as you command us," said Meghavarna.  Sthirajeevi then began revealing his plan, "Apart from the four strategies I had told you, there is a fifth one. In the presence of everyone, abuse me and punish me branding me as the friend of your enemy. That will convince the spies of our enemy that you don’t trust me any more. Bring some blood and spray it on my body. Then exile to the Rishyamooka hills."  "I shall remain here bruised and when the enemy comes, I will try to earn his mercy and trust by blaming you. You stay in the hills till I find their fort and give you a signal when all the owls are sleeping in the day. Then you can come and with the help of your army kill all the owls. This plan is the result of great thought. We have no alternative."  On Meghavarna approving the plan, Sthirajeevi started a mock fight with the king of crows. The king’s men and others, mistaking it for a real duel, were ready to kill Sthirajeevi when Meghavarna told them, "Don’t interfere. Go away. I will have the pleasure of punishing this unfaithful fellow." Meghavarna then pretended to attack Sthirajeevi with his beak and doused him in blood he brought with him and left for the hills.