Pancatantra: The Book of India's Folk Wisdom (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

Patrick Olivelle (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0192839888 | ISBN-13: 978-0192839886 | Publication Date: October 2002

The Pancatantra is the most famous collection of fables in India and was one of the earliest Indian books to be translated into Western languages. No other work of Indian literature has had a greater influence on world literature, and no other collection of stories has become as popular in India itself. Patrick Olivelle presents the Pancatantra in all its complexity and rich ambivalence, examining central elements of political and moral philosophy alongside the many controversial issues surrounding its history. This new translation vividly reveals the story-telling powers of the original author, while detailed notes illuminate aspects of ancient Indian society and religion to the non-specialist reader.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A timely new translation and introduction, intelligent, and well informed. Olivelle has done a beautiful job in making these clear and faithful translations. His approach makes these timeless stories accessible to ordinary readers. His introduction offers background and sharp analysis."--William J. Jackson, Indiana University at Indianapolis

"This is an up to date modern translation which will be found useful for all those interested in ancient fables of India."--John Grimes, Michigan State University

"This is without question the best English translation of the Pancatantra."--Richard Lariviere, University of Texas at Austin

"A very useful introduction and an excellent modern translation suitable for all ages. A welcome and long-awaited translation."--N.S.Salgado, Augustana College

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192839888
• ISBN-13: 978-0192839886
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #479,917 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fables from India Well Presented., March 14, 2002

By 

Xavier Thelakkatt (Dayton, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pancatantra: The Book of India's Folk Wisdom (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

Pancatantra the ancient book of fables, is an interesting collection of animal stories composed in India around the third century of the Christian era. It has been one of the first Indian classics to be translated into the western languages. Therefore these fables with their relevance to political, moral and religious life have become widely known and acclaimed. Patrick Olivelle the chair of the department of Asian Studies at the University of Texas in Austin, equipped with necessary expertise and familiarity with the subject matter and language, has translated these fables and rendered them in plain everyday language, though with all their complexities, for the sake of the American readers. The very informative introduction and extensive explanatory notes make the text fairly simple and easy to understand and relish. For those interested in the Indian classics, this storybook is a wonderful gift.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good translation., September 12, 2011

By 

Vish - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Pancatantra: The Book of India's Folk Wisdom (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

This is an eminently readable translation though I still prefer Arthur W. Ryder's translation. I believe Ryder's translation is currently out of print.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, unimpressive translation, October 19, 2011

By 

David Friedman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pancatantra: The Book of India's Folk Wisdom (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

This is a fairly good book of philosophy and wisdom, ALTHOUGH it is quite fallacious in many regards, one of them being its authors' claim that a man is a self-sustaining intelligent being and all his wisdom must derive from himself (instead of God - as it is correctly believed in Christian, as well as Platonic tradition). Nevertheless the book is useful.

Translation is extremely dull and unimpressive. It does not flow. It is a literal translation (word by word). Beauty of the writing is lost. The only way to retain it is by translating it idiomatically, and not word by word. For example, Narayana's Hittopadesa, also published as Oxford World Classics is such a beautiful read that it is almost musical - kudos to its translator. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about this book.