# Hiranya — Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit character guide

> Hiranya in Hindu Tales from the Sanskrit by S. M. Mitra.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** IV The mouse, IV, little Hiranya

**First appearance:** 0006-iv

## Snapshot

A sharp-toothed mouse who frees a trapped king of pigeons, then refuses the flattering crow who wants him for a friend.

## Who they are

Hiranya lives in a burrow beneath the ground where the pigeons' net falls, and his teeth make short work of the string that holds them. When the crow Laghupatin approaches with compliments and a proposal of friendship, Hiranya sees straight through the flattery and tells him so — a mouse does not befriend a bird who might eat him. His wariness is the story's engine: it forces the crow to prove himself, and the unlikely bond that follows becomes a lesson in judging offers by actions rather than words.

## Relationships

### [Putraka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/putraka)

_friendship_

Hiranya and Putraka are loyal friends, with Hiranya often providing aid or counsel to Putraka.

### [Sringa-Bhuja](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/sringa_bhuja)

_friendship_

Hiranya and Sringa-Bhuja are companions, working together in various quests and adventures.

### [Sringa-Bhuja](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/sringa_bhuja)

_friendship_

Hiranya and Sringa-Bhuja are companions, working together in various quests and adventures.

## In the story

### [The Story of a Cat, a Mouse, a Lizard and an Owl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/the-story-of-a-cat-a-mouse-a-lizard-and-an-owl)

The mouse is involved in the events, likely trying to avoid being eaten by the cat or owl.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/ii)

The mouse who feeds in the barley field and is hunted by the cat.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/iii)

The mouse peeps through the barley and delights in seeing the cat trapped.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/iv)

The wise little mouse who keeps his presence of mind and negotiates with the cat.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/v)

The mouse who climbs onto the cat's back for safety and pretends to nibble the string, delaying the cat's release.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/vi)

The mouse who reluctantly helps the cat escape but then hides from her.

### [A Crow and His Three Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/a-crow-and-his-three-friends)

The mouse, one of the crow's friends, helps by gnawing through the net.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/ii)

The mouse who frees the pigeons by nibbling through the net.

### [The Mouse and the Crow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/iii)

The mouse who eats the rice and distrusts the crow's offer of friendship.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/iv)

The mouse who hesitates but agrees to have supper with the crow, and later consents to be carried to visit Mandharaka.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/v)

The mouse who travels with Laghupatin and is nearly crushed by the deer.

### [The Rescue of the Deer and the Capture of the Tortoise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/vi)

The mouse who nibbles through the cords to free the deer, despite being previously despised.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/chapters/vii)

The mouse who devises the plan to rescue the tortoise by instructing the deer to feign death and the crow to distract the hunter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters/hiranya
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hindu_tales_from_the_sanskrit_se/characters