LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE
INTRODUCTION.
O parrot-damsel that showereth forth speech (that is pleasant)
as milk! do thou, after having refreshed thyself by taking the honey
that we have brought, relate without losing time some interesting
adventures so as to cause joy to grow up in our minds invaded by
grief. Tell us what interesting occurrences thou hast witnessed (literal-
ly, seen near at hand) while flying hither from a distance. Then the
good green parrot, with delight removing (all) heaviness of mind,
said with pleasure:-"I have no wisdom or ability for speaking.
Only if there be wisdom will words be of effect. Be pleased to
know that all that is power (all power) is wisdom (i. e. comes by
wisdom). Wisdom alone overcometh all things. Is it not a settled
point that there is nothing in these three worlds that is not ac-
complishable by wisdom? When we reflect on the things that the
Brahmin Chánakyan, “that excellent man, did by the power of wisdom,
we cannot but say how wonderful were the arts of the son of Chanaka."
On hearing what was thus said by the parrot-damsel, all with
abundant delight said:- “Well then, O gem (lit: jewel-necklace) of
parrot sages, tell us the history of Chanakya, the prosperous." Having
heard which, the parrot-damsel, having piously worshipped Ganapati
(the god of learning) and Saraswati (the goddess of learning) and
having also worshipped her spiritual preceptors, she, the virtuous
one, spoke softly (as follows). “Famous men versed in polity will
find great delight when they hear the various principles of polity
which are (to be met with) in this history. So I shall relate the
history with (all due) propriety. Let all listen exulting with delight.
