Chapter 4 - Arthashastra and Panchatantra—a comparison

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up.94 Thus, the former and latter statements leave a mutual
contradiction and may be considered as one of the demerits of
any author.
On the other hand, it may be said that this demerit is just
apparent. For, one has to read properly the former and latter
statements appearing to be contradictory in their contextual
perspective. To understand the latter statement in its context
one reads the story attached to it. It is - there was an ascetic
named Devaśarmā who had a lot of wealth by fare and unfare
means. Due to his utter greed for wealth, he did not ever trust
on any one and kept all wealth with himself. Knowing this,
another person of crooked nature, remained in close association
with him and took away all the wealth accumulated by
Devaśarmā. Owing to great loss of all wealth, Devaśarmā was
very disgusted, and at last he spoke out the words "ff:
“धिगर्थाः
[dhigarthāḥ
] 95 Now, it is a point of introspection. No doubt,
Devaśarmā had singular purpose of accumulating the money in
the life even at the cost of his personality as an ascetic. And,
according to Viṣṇuśarmā mere a acquisition of wealth is not the
sole purpose of life. If it were to be so like Devaśarmā, then
such wealth falls disregarded. In view of Viṣṇuśarmā,
94. अर्थानामर्जने दुःखमर्जितानां च रक्षणे ।
[arthānāmarjane duḥkhamarjitānāṃ ca rakṣaṇe |
] ¾à giá að god ferref: perieren: ||
Pañcatantra, Mitrabheda, Kathā - 4, verse - 174, p. 57.
95. Pañcatantra, Kathā - 4, verse - 174,
174, p.
57