Narrative and Wisdom Heritage in Indian Knowledge Systems: A Study of the Pañcatantra

Abstract

Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) comprises the rich, tangible and intangible heritage developed, evolved, and practised in the Indian subcontinent. Oral traditions have served as significant pedagogical tools to transfer knowledge from one generation to another. Pañcatantra is one of the most celebrated and widely disseminated storytelling traditions in the world. The text is considered to be part of N?ti ??stra. The present study intends to explore the Pañcatantra as a didactic text. The purpose is to unearth its potential to impart complex lessons. The engaging animal fables disseminate lessons about strategic thinking, decision-making, governance, and conflict resolution. By exploring the narrative and thematic structures, the study highlights the continuing relevance of the text in contemporary society. This paper contends that the text functions as a means of moral illustrations as well as a cognitive framework to cultivate emotional intelligence and situational judgment. The study generates an appeal to consider the incorporation of IKS-based stories in contemporary
educational curricula and professional development, stating that these ancestral wisdom traditions provide an appropriate response to the increasing demand for values-based leadership and sustainability in a complex world. Through select stories and their interpretations, the paper portrays the timeless relevance of the narrative and wisdom heritage of Pañcatantra, offering practical solutions and ethical guidance to contemporary social, educational, and corporate contexts.