The Book of Good Counsels is a timeless masterpiece that offers wisdom and practical advice for life's challenges. Translated from the original Sanskrit text of the "Hitopadesa" by Sir Edwin Arnold, this book presents a collection of fables and stories that impart moral lessons and insights on how to navigate the complexities of human relationships and society.

The author's poetic and insightful translation brings the ancient wisdom of Indian literature to life, making it accessible and relevant to modern readers. Each story is a gem of moral instruction, teaching valuable lessons on virtues such as kindness, compassion, leadership, and wisdom.

The Book of Good Counsels is not just a collection of stories but a guidebook for living a meaningful and fulfilling life. Its timeless teachings are as relevant today as they were centuries ago, reminding readers of the importance of integrity, empathy, and self-awareness in navigating the challenges of life.

Overall, The Book of Good Counsels is a must-read for anyone seeking guidance and inspiration on how to lead a meaningful and virtuous life. Its profound insights and timeless wisdom will resonate with readers of all ages and cultures, making it a valuable addition to any library.

Book Description:
The term ‘Hitopadesha’ is a combination of two Sanskrit terms, ‘Hita’ (welfare/ benefit) and ‘Upadesha’ (counsel). As the term suggests, The Hitopadesha is a collection of tales that gives good counsel.

Hitopadesa was presumably written by Narayan Pandit and is an independent treatment of the Vishnu Sarman's Panchatantra (3rd century BC) which it resembles in form. In Hitopadesha, Vishnu Sarman is depicted as a Sage who undertakes to give good counsel to the sons of Sudarsana, the king of Pataliputra, through stories within stories involving talking animals. The dating of Hitopadesha is problematic as no other work by Narayan Pandit is known. The earliest manuscript of Hitopadesha dates from 1373; it could be of East Indian origin during the Pala Empire (8th-12th centuries).

This book is a condensed but faithful transcript of Hitopadesha in sense and manner rendered in English by Sir Edwin Arnold. Sir Edwin says in the Preface that the Hitopadesa may be styled 'The father of all Fables'; for "from its numerous translations come Esop and Piplay and in latter days, 'Reineke Fuchs'."