Fear Of Daemon: A Classic Panchtantra Story of Wit

In the ancient lands of India, where wisdom was passed down through the whispers of sages and the rustling of leaves, there lived a poor but pious Brahman named Drona. Drona was a man of simple means, living a life of austerity and devotion. He had no worldly desires, yet fate decided to test his resolve in the most peculiar way. One day, a wealthy devotee, impressed by Drona’s piety, gifted him two sturdy, young calves.

Drona cared for these calves with the utmost affection, feeding them the best grass and oil cakes. As the calves grew into strong, healthy bulls, their fame spread across the neighboring villages. However, as is often the case with prosperity, it attracts eyes that are not always well-meaning.

The Unholy Alliance

A thief named Satyavachan had his eyes on these bulls. He thought to himself, “If I can steal these two bulls, I can sell them for a fortune in the city.” He was a seasoned criminal, one who had seen much of the world, much like the wandering protagonist in the story of The Dog Who Went Abroad. He planned his heist for a moonless night, unaware that he wasn’t the only predator lurking in the shadows.

As Satyavachan approached Drona’s hut, he encountered a terrifying figure. It was a Rakshasa (a daemon) with protruding teeth, a flaming red beard, and eyes that glowed like embers. The thief was paralyzed with fear, but the daemon spoke first. “I am Kroormukha,” the creature hissed. “I intend to eat that Brahman tonight.”

Relieved that he wasn’t the intended meal, the thief shared his own plan. The two struck an unholy alliance, deciding to help each other. However, their partnership was fragile, built on mutual greed rather than trust. They failed to realize that when two villains collaborate, they often fall prey to their own selfishness, a theme frequently explored in the tale of The Greedy Cobra And Frog King.

The Clash of Interests

Upon reaching the Brahman’s hut, a dispute arose. The daemon insisted, “Let me eat the Brahman first. Once I am satiated, you can take the bulls.”

The thief, however, was cunning. He thought, “If the Brahman wakes up while the daemon is eating him, he might raise an alarm, and I won’t be able to get the bulls. This would be The Price of Indiscretion on my part.” He argued back, “No! If I steal the bulls first, I will be long gone before you start your meal. If you try to eat him first and he screams, I lose everything.”

The argument grew heated. Their ego and lack of foresight reminded one of the foolishness found in The Musical Donkey, where a lack of timing leads to total disaster. The thief and the daemon were so absorbed in their bickering that they forgot to be quiet.

Wisdom Prevails Over Fear

The loud whispering and the demonic growls eventually woke Drona. He opened his eyes to see the thief holding his rope and the daemon looming over his bed. The thief shouted, “Brahman, beware! This daemon wants to eat you!”

The daemon countered, “Brahman, look! This thief is here to steal your bulls!”

Drona, though initially struck by a momentary ‘Fear of Daemon,’ quickly regained his composure. He was a man of intellect, not unlike The King Devoted to His Wife who used his heart and mind to navigate life’s complexities. Drona realized that the two villains were actually helping him by exposing each other.

He immediately began chanting a powerful protection mantra dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The sacred vibrations and the Brahman’s spiritual strength were too much for the daemon, who fled into the darkness with a howl of pain. Seeing the daemon vanish and the Brahman reaching for his heavy staff, the thief also took to his heels, leaving the bulls behind.

By staying calm and using the conflict between his enemies to his advantage, Drona saved both his life and his livelihood. The story teaches us that when enemies fight among themselves, the wise man remains the ultimate beneficiary.