Stories from the Hitopadesa: Goodness Alone Is Not Enough!

byIndira Rajagopal

The stories in the Hitopadesa expose many intricate complexities of human nature. One would think that the highest goal is to cultivate good habits and morals in life. But in this story, Vishnu Sarma teaches that it is not enough just to be good. One must always have good discernment of truth. Otherwise, one can easily be duped to waver away from the truth.

Stories from the Hitopadesa: Goodness Alone Is Not Enough!

The theme of the story is expressed like this:It means that even a very good man can be led astray by listening to wicked people (not realising they are wicked). One always needs sound judgement and the ability to distinguish a façade from truth. Once upon a time, there was lion king ruling over a