Significance of Trickery
Trickery is a significant theme across various texts and traditions. In Jainism, it is marked by deceitful methods, such as those used by Vasubhuti and Ravana's brothers. South Asian narratives often employ trickery as a means to achieve financial success. In the Purana, characters like Madhu utilize illusions to confuse others. Kavya emphasizes clever deceptions as central to character motivations, while Mahayana highlights cunning methods used for personal advantage. Overall, trickery serves as a device for achieving various goals across these narratives.
Synonyms: Deception, Deceit, Cunning, Guile, Trick, Subterfuge, Artifice, Duplicity
In Dutch: Bedrog; In German: Trickserei; In Finnish: Huijaus; In Spanish: Astucia
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Trickery'
In Buddhism, Trickery is interpreted as using cunning tactics to deceive others for self-gain, highlighting the moral implications of such actions and their impact on spiritual growth and relationships with others.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The use of cunning methods to deceive or outsmart others for personal advantage.[1]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) The deceit used by the fisherman's wife to distract the neighbors, showcasing the lengths to which people may go for personal gain.[2]
Hindu concept of 'Trickery'
In Hinduism, trickery embodies clever deceptions and schemes prominent in tales, exemplified by characters like Madhu, who employs illusions to confound the gods in pursuit of their objectives.
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) The central theme in the tale, highlighting the various clever deceptions and schemes employed by characters in their attempts to achieve their goals.[3]
From: Padma Purana
(1) Deceptive tactics employed by Madhu, including using illusions to confuse the gods.[4]
Jain concept of 'Trickery'
In Jainism, Trickery signifies deceitful tactics, exemplified by Vasubhuti's underhanded method to kill Amritasvara and the younger brothers of Ravana’s cunning strategies to assault Lanka, highlighting the moral implications of such actions.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The deceitful method used by Vasubhuti to kill Amritasvara.[5] (2) The deceptive strategies employed by the younger brothers of Ravana for attacking Lanka.[6]
The concept of Trickery in local and regional sources
Trickery is a recurring theme in stories, showcasing characters who utilize deception for financial gain or material success. This emphasis illustrates the moral complexities and repercussions tied to their cunning actions.
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) A recurring theme in the stories where characters employ deception to achieve financial gain or material success.[7]