abstract:The Panchatantra (IAST: Pañcatantra, , 'Five Principles') is an ancient Indian inter-related collection of animal fables in verse and prose, in a frame story format. The original Sanskrit work, which some scholars believe was composed in the 3rd century BCE,, Introduction, page xv; , Translator's introduction, quoting Hertel: "that the original work was composed in Kashmir, about 200 B.