29. When the Virtuous Is Provoked...

After serving for thirty five years in a government department, Kuppuswamy retired from his job. 

In the office Kuppuswamy worked, there was a practice of organizing a grand send-off at the time of an employee's retirement. 

The organizers would collect money from the other employees for meeting the expenses for the function, and for buying a valuable gift to the retiring employee. They would ask the retiring person to choose a gift within a price range, buy and present it to him or her.

The gifts presented in the past included air-conditioners, LED TVs, Laptop Computers, Mobile Phones etc.

Since most of the employees working there were earning extra income by way of bribes for providing services to the public, they didn't grudge contributing liberally towards the expenses for the send-off function.

But, Kuppuswamy was cast in a different mould. 'Moron,' 'saint,' 'idealist' and 'person living in a fool's paradise' were some of the sobriquets his colleagues, superiors and subordinates in the office used about him. He was widely perceived as a person, who would neither make use of the opportunities for earning money coming his way. nor allow others to do so.

Kuppuswamy's integrity and incorruptibility were the factors that earned him this kind of criticism. Working in an office where taking bribe was a way of life, but firmly refusing to seek or accept bribes, Kuppuswamy was like an island in the middle of a vast ocean.

Till the day he retired, Kuppuswamy strictly followed the policy of doing his duty as per the rules and regulations, with no deviations or compromises.

However, Kuppuswamy never quarreled with anyone. If he was pressurized by his superiors or colleagues to do something that was not in conformity with the rules, he would politely but firmly decline to do so.

He would never try to explain his stand, by claiming that he was a straightforward man and that he won't do anything in violation of the rules.

Perhaps, he realized that if he gave any scope for others to argue with him, he might end up losing the argument and accepting the other person's stand. Because of this, he was also called a 'hard rock.'

One of his superiors once lamented, "If the man attempts to explain why he wouldn't do a particular thing, it may be possible to argue with him, persuade him or trap him in his own arguments. But he never goes beyond saying, 'Sorry. I won't do it.' What can I do with such a person?"

Kuppuswamy's send-off party was conducted in a lacklustre manner. Breaking with the practice of ordering expensive dishes from a high profile restaurant, snacks and tea were brought from a nearby tea shop. Quite a few employees including some senior executives skipped the function citing some excuse. 

A few of his colleagues made ceremonial speeches, mentioning Kuppuswamy's long service in that office, but made no reference to his contributions or qualities. One of them, however, was a little outspoken. He lamented that if only Kuppuswamy had been more 'accommodative,' he would have been more valuable to himself and to others. 

A wall clock of mediocre quality was presented to him as a gift.

Kuppuswamy's speech was short. He just thanked everyone for their affection and co-operation.

Usually, a retired employee in the office where Kuppuswamy worked, would get his retirement benefits including pension sanctioned within two months after retirement. But in the case of Kuppuswamy, his pension was not sanctioned even after six months.

When Kuppuswamy checked with the head office, they told him that they had not received the papers from the office where he had worked.

Kuppuswamy went to the office where he had worked and met the clerk, who was looking after pension papers. 

The clerk replied nonchalantly, "We have sent the papers long time back!" 

"Don't lie to me!" said Kuppuswamy, angrily.

Offended by Kuppuswamy's acerbic tone, the clerk told him, "Go and ask the executive in-charge."

"Where is the executive? Ask him to come out of his cabin!" shouted Kuppuswamy. His voice was heard throughout the office. The employees who had known Kuppuswamy as an unperturbed and soft-spoken person were surprised by his indignant tone. 

The executive, hearing Kuppuswamy's voice, came out of his cabin.

"What is going on here?" he asked, in an authoritative voice.

"Good Morning, Mr. Dharmalingam! Your clerk lies to me that he has sent my pension papers to the head office. Will you please check and ascertain the position?"

Kuppuswamy was polite, but his tone was loud and assertive. His former colleagues looked at him in amazement, wondering whether Kuppuswamy was capable of being so indignant.

The clerk, taking offence at Kuppuswamy's remark, replied angrily, "How dare you say I lied, you scumbug!"

Kuppuswamy turned to Dharmalingam and told him, "Sir, please ask your clerk to be respectable while speaking to others. I am not seeking any favour from him."

"But your remark that he was lying to you was offensive, wasn't it?" asked Dharmalingam.

"I have checked up with the head office and confirmed that the papers have not been received by them. But your clerk tells me, even without checking the records that he has sent the papers long time back. Am I not justified in saying that he is lying? Let him check the records and tell me when the papers were sent. Then I will apologize to him!" 

"Please come tomorrow. We will check up and give you the details" said Dharmalingam, in an attempt to pacify Krishnaswamy.

"Why should I come tomorrow?" Kuppuswamy's voice became louder again. "As per the norms, the papers should be sent within a month. But nothing has been done even after six months. I won't leave this place, unless you give me the date and reference number of your letter forwarding my papers."

"Why don't you check up now and give him the details?" Dharmalingam asked the clerk.

"I have to search. It will take time. I can't do it now" said the clerk, adamantly.

Dharmalingam looked at Kuppuswamy again. Realizing that Kuppuswamy won't relent, he told the clerk in a low voice, "Please search and take out his file. The public, who have come here for their work, are also witnessing this scene." 

The clerk grudgingly went to the filing cabinet, took out a file after a brief search and browsed through it.

He then told Dharmalingam in a toned down voice, "Sir, the papers are here. I will forward them tomorrow." 

Hearing this, Kuppuswamy said in an angry voice, "So, you lied to me that the papers had been sent already! Why have you kept this pending for six months? Did you want to extract some bribe from me, the way you extract money from the public?"

Dharmalingam moved closer to Kuppuswamy and spoke to him in a low voice. "I am sorry for what has happened. I will see to it that the papers are forwarded tomorrow. Please leave now!"

"Why not today?" said Kuppuswamy. Then, relenting a little, he said, "Okay. I hope you keep your word and send the papers tomorrow. If the papers are not received by the head office within the next two days, I will file a complaint with the Vigilance department."

After Kuppuswamy left the office, Dharmalingam told the clerk, "Process his papers and forward them to the head office today. Don't wait till tomorrow!"

Thirukkural
Section 1: The Path of Virtue

Chapter 3
The Greatness of the Ascetics

Verse 29 (In Tamil)
guNamennum kunRERi ninRAr veguLi
kaNamEnum kAththal arithu.

Meaning:

We cannot withstand, even for a moment, the rage of a person who has scaled the peak of morality.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'sAdhu miraNdAl' by the same author)

Verse 30 

Verse 28

28. An Examination at the Library

Gunaseelan is a publisher. I got his acquaintance through a friend of mine. He invited me to visit his office sometime.

I went to his office after fixing up the time with him. All the books published by him were neatly stacked in a shelf in chronological order. He told me that he had published 247 books so far.

"Oh, you have published 247 books to match the 247 alphabets in the Tamil language" I said.

"I have not stopped publishing. So the number of books may exceed 247!" he said, smiling.

"Okay. Here is the list of books I have published. Quickly go through the names of all the 247 books and their authors. There is a test for you" he continued, handing me a printed sheet.

"If I had known that I would have to face an examination, I wouldn't have come here!" I said, in a lighter vein.

As asked by him, I quickly went through the list, wondering what kind of a quiz I was going to face.

After going through the list, I nodded my head, signaling my readiness to take the test.

"Okay. The test is simple. Randomly recall as many names of the books and names of the writers you have seen in the list, as you can" said Gunaseelan.

Feeling relieved that the test was not as tough I feared it would be, I tried to recall the names from the list I had browsed through. I was able to recall the names of ten books and three writers. 

"Fine! I will tell you something I found surprising. Many people visiting my office have taken this test. The names recalled by all of them are nearly the same. What can you infer from this?" asked Gunaseelan.

I would have liked to say, 'Well, they should also have been dullheads like me!' but wisely chose not to answer his question, awaiting what Gunaseelan was going to say.

"What I found interesting was that though the names of books and authors recalled by people were random, these ten books were written by these three authors!"

"Oh, it is surprising!"

"It may appear surprising, but it is really not so. A lot of people write books and some of them write several books, each. Some of the books become best sellers. Some receive acclamation from the scholars and connoisseurs. Some books fall under both the categories. But only a few books stand the test of time. These books live for ever, radiating the wisdom of the scholars who wrote them, for many generations of people, and perpetuating the glory of the authors.

Fortunately, Gunaseelan didn't ask me, 'What do you infer from this?' If he had asked, I would have said, 'The inference I draw is that people like me shouldn't attempt to write books!"

Thirukkural
Section 1: The Path of Virtue

Chapter 3
The Greatness of the Ascetics

Verse 28 (In Tamil)
niRaimozhi mAndhar perumai nilaththu
maRaimozhi kAtti vidum.

Meaning:

The glory of people who have spread their wisdom through their words will be revealed to the world through the books they have left behind.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nUlagaththil oru parItchai' by the same author)

Verse 29 

Verse 27

27. The Connoisseur of Food

Rajagopal, employed in Nilakantan's house as a home cook, was upset on seeing Murthy visit Nilakantan that morning.

'Oh, my God! This carper, an expert in finding fault with cooked dishes, is here!' he thought and felt tense, in anticipation of Murthy's carps about his cooking.

"Hi Murthy! I am about to have my breakfast. Please join me" invited Nilakantan.

"Thank you, sir. But, it is too early for me to have my breakfast. Please go ahead. I will talk to you as you are having your breakfast" said Murthy.

"Okay. But you can at least have a cup of coffee."

"Sure. Given the culinary skills of your chef Rajagopal, I am sure that the coffee made by him will have an exquisite taste" said Murthy, smiling at Rajagopal.

Wondering whether Murthy's appreciative remark about his culinary skills was genuine or sarcastic, Rajagopal made coffee, taking extraordinary care, and brought it to Murthy.

"You know Rajagopal?" asked Nilakantan, in a tone of surprise.

Before Murthy could answer, Rajagopal was quick to pitch in. "He met me in a marriage, in which I was the chief cook. He came to the kitchen and appreciated my cooking."

Murthy just smiled.

As soon as he took the coffee cup in his hand, Murthy told Rajagopal, "Mr. Rajagopal! The milk seems to have overboiled. I can smell the flavour of the overboilt milk!"

'Here he goes. He can't help finding fault' thought Rajagopal, containing his irritation.

"But I couldn't sense it!" said Nilakantan.

After taking a sip of the coffee, Murthy said, "Great! What a flavour!" and looked at Rajagopal, in appreciation.

He then turned to Nilakantan and asked him, "You usually buy A.R. brand of coffee powder. Now, you seem to have switched over to M.K. brand."

"What! You can detect the brand of the coffee powder used, by taking a sip of the coffee!" exclaimed Nilakantan.

'Why, he can even detect in which place the coffee was grown! His nose and tongue have such an acute sense of perception. Have I not experienced it?' reflected Rajagopal.

About two months back, Rajagopal had taken the catering contract for a marriage.

Murthy, one of the guests at the marriage, after having his lunch, came to the kitchen and confronted Rajagopal.

"Are you the chief cook? The food was good, but you had messed up on a couple of aspects" he said.

"Which aspects?"

"You have have used some rotten coconuts, for preparing the coconut chutney."

"I used thirty coconuts. One might have been rotten and I might not have noticed it" said Rajagopal.

"Isn't one drop of poison enough to vitiate one pot of milk? Then, while preparing the buttermilk kuzhambu, you have used too much of turmeric powder. Because of this, the buttermilk kuzhambu tasted a trace bitter."

"A lot of people relished the buttermilk kuzhambu and conveyed their appreciation to me" said Rajagopal, defensively.

"After conveying their appreciation, they would have been wondering why a bitter taste was still lingering in their mouths! And then, the cashew nuts used in the milk kheer seem to be stale. They smelled like naphthalene balls!"

"Anything else?" asked Rajagopal, trying to control his anger.

"There are a few others, but they are not significant. I don't want to sound like a carper, by bringing them in. There is no doubt that your culinary skills are excellent. If only you take care to avoid these kinds of lapses, you would excel even more. Oh, I almost forgot. You have put coriander leaves in rasam and boiled it. Ideally, you should add coriander leaves, when the rasam begins to boil and then put off the flame. Otherwise, the bitterness of coriander will sink in and affect the taste of rasam, the bitterness intensifying, as time passes. For those who take lunch in the last batch, the rasam will taste like a bitter syrup!"

When Murthy left, after making these remarks, Rajagopal felt like having the experience of having been hit by a tempest that struck unexpectedly, caused extensive damage and then receded.

'Thank God, today he didn't have his breakfast here. If he had had, he would have said things like 'the idli was not cooked enough, the pongal had a little excess salt, the dosa was burnt' etc.'

Nilakantan, having completed his breakfast, went to the washroom in the adjoining room.

When the two were alone in the dining room, Murthy told Rajagopal, "Don't feel bad about my not eating the dishes you have made for breakfast. I told Nilakantan that it was a bit too early for my breakfast, only as an excuse. This is my breakfast time, alright. In your cooking, you use oil, ghee and spices a bit too much. That's why I avoided taking my breakfast here. Though I have a fine taste for food, I am not a gourmand. I am careful about what I eat. I have no health issues. But I want to be restrained in my food habits, both because I want to preserve my health and because I want to live a disciplined life. Next time when I come here, I will definitely taste some of the dishes cooked by you."

Murthy then looked at the bowl of sambar kept on the table and said, "It seems that the sambar has not been boiled adequately. I sense the flavour of chilly powder. This flavour would have been contained, if the sambar had been boiled adequately. Poor Nilakantan won't perceive these things!" and smiled at Rajagopal.

Thirukkural
Section 1: The Path of Virtue

Chapter 3
The Greatness of the Ascetics

Verse 27 (In Tamil)
suvai oLi URu Osai nARRmena ainthin
vagai therivAn kattE ulagu.

Meaning:

One, who has mastered the perception of sensory objects through the five senses taste, sight, touch, sound and smell, but is restrained in pursuit of pleasures through them, will control this world.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'sAppAttu rAman' by the same author)

Verse 28

Verse 26

26. An Indefatigable Spirit Called Manga

When Krishnamurthy died at the age of thirty, the only assets he had left for his wife Manga were their three year old son and one year old daughter.

"What are you going to do?" asked Manga's elder brother Karthikeyan. "Come and live with me. I will take care of you and your children." 

He turned to his wife Uma hoping for her approval, but she turned her face away as if signaling her disapproval.

Sensing Uma's reaction, Manga said, "It won't work out, Karthik. I will take up a job and look after my family."

"Given your level of education, what kind of a job will you get? Anyway, you can stay with me, till you get a job. How will you be able to pay the rent for this house?" 

This time, Uma showed her disapproval, by throwing a stern look at her husband. She then asked Manga, "Won't you get any money from your husband's company?"

"He had worked there only for a few years. So, I may not get anything substantial" said Manga.

"I will manage to stay here, Karthik. Please help me get some job" she told Karthikeyan.

Manga went to her landlord and told him, "Sir, I am not in a position to pay the rent. We have paid you six months' rent as rental deposit. Please allow me to stay here for three months. At the end of three months, if I am not able to get a job, I will vacate the house. You can deduct the rent due from the deposit and refund the remaining amount to me. If I get some job, I will pay the rent due and continue to live here."

After hesitating for a few minutes, the landlord acceded to her request.

During the next few days, Karthikeyan came to Manga's house a few times. 

Every time, he came with a job offer for Manga. The jobs were to work as a housemaid or as a home cook. Manga, not willing to take up these jobs, told him, "I will think about it" and sent him away.

After a few days, Manga went to the office where her husband had worked, met the Branch Manager, and asked him, "Sir, can you give me a job in your company?"

"What is your educational qualification?" asked Vasan, the Branch Manager.

"I have studied up to the 10th grade. My parents didn't want me to study further, in view of their financial constraints. However, I am sincere and hardworking. I am also a fast learner. Whatever work is given to me, I will quickly learn to do it and do my job with efficiency and sincerity."

"I am sorry. We don't have any job, matching your educational profile. Moreover, we can't recruit anyone, without getting the approval from our head office at Mumbai."

"Can I go to your head office at Mumbai and request them to give me a job?"

Vasan looked at her with surprise. "Our General Manager from our head office will be visiting our branch tomorrow. Please come to our office tomorrow. I will talk to him and see if anything can be done."

When Manga was introduced to the General Manager the next day, she told him about her having been good at studies, her flair for learning things, her perseverance and her hard working nature.

Seeing that Manga was talking non-stop in Tamil, a language the General Manager couldn't follow, Vasan tried to stop her. But, the General Manager restrained Vasan and signaled Manga to continue.

After Manga had completed presenting her case, the General Manager told Vasan, "Did you notice one thing? This lady is not talking about her problems and she is not asking for our sympathy!"

"How did you understand what she had spoken in Tamil?" asked Vasan, in a tone of surprise.

"I could gauge this from her tone and face expression. I find that this lady has a remarkable sense of self-confidence and drive. I have a feeling that her services would be useful to our company. See whether you can fit her in some position" said the General Manager.

Vasan thought for a while and said, "Our lady-typist has been looking after the work of receipt and despatch of letters also. She complains that she has been overburdened. Moreover, she is getting married next month and she may quit her job after the marriage. I think we can recruit this lady for the job of a despatch clerk." 

"Go ahead!" said the General Manager. He then smiled at Manga and said, "You are appointed."

Manga said, "Thank you, sir," speaking in English for the first time.

Deploying her natural traits of sincerity, curiosity to learn new things and deep involvement, Manga became skilled and efficient in doing her tasks, within a short time.

Since she was handling both inward and outward correspondence, she had an opportunity to read through the letters. She made good use of this opportunity and got a sense of what was going on in her company, in general and in her branch, in particular.

Since the lady-typist didn't have much work to do and was idle most of the time, Manga learnt basic typing with her help. When the typist resigned after a few months, Manga offered to do the typing work also. Vasan readily accepted her offer.

Once, there was a discussion in the office about the receipt of a particular letter from the head office. The employee concerned asserted that such a letter was never received. Manga stated the content of that letter from her memory and also showed her entry of that letter in the register maintained by her. After that, a thorough search was made for that letter and it was located.

This incident revealed to everyone in that office that there was a person in that office who was functioning with alertness and efficiency. This earned Manga an element of respect, from everyone.

The time for admitting Manga's son to school arrived. Manga wanted to admit her son in one of the best schools in the city. But she learnt that the school followed an unwritten rule that only children whose parents had a degree would be given admission.

A few days after submitting the application for admission of her son in that school, Manga went to the school to meet the Principal. She was informed that the Principal won't meet any of the applicants' parents, unless they were called by the school for an interview.

Manga was standing outside the Principal's cabin for more than two hours. The Principal came out of her cabin a couple of times, when she noticed Manga. She called Manga in.

"Madam! I am aware of your school's policy. But I would like to make a submission. I am not a graduate. After my husband had died, I requested his company to give me a job, though I was not well educated. They gave me a job. I learnt the job in two months' time. I am now doing the job, which a graduate is expected to do. If you also give me a chance, I will do my best to ensure that my son studies well. I don't have the competence to help him in his studies at home. I am sure that you won't expect me to do that. But I will monitor his studies and guide him properly" said Manga.

The Principal looked at Manga with interest, but didn't say anything.

"In fact, in anticipation of my son getting admission into your school, I have located a house near your school, for taking on rent . The house-owner has agreed to give the house to me on rent. I only have to pay the rental deposit, to confirm my renting it" continued Manga.

"You can pay the deposit!" said the Principal, with a smile.

On returning to the office from the school, Manga went to Vasan's cabin to explain to him that she was late for the office, since she had been to the school, to meet the principal.

Even before she could apologize to him, Vasan told her, "Congratulations, Mrs. Manga! You have secured admission for your son in a good school."

"How did you know, sir?" asked Manga, with surprise.

"The school principal rang me up just now."

"For giving this information?" asked Manga, in disbelief.

"Well, not exactly. She wanted to find out whether you could afford to pay the school fees!"

"Oh, my God!"

"Don't worry. I told her, 'if you want to know what her salary is, I won't be able to give that information. But I can assure you that Mrs. Manga is a person who keeps her commitments, at any cost. So, if you give admission to her son, she won't default in paying the school fees!"

Vasan looked at her with a smile.

"I don't know how I should thank you, sir. You are an angel!" said Manga. She couldn't control her tears.

"It's fine. I hear that their fee structure is quite steep. How are you going to manage it?" asked Vasan, with genuine concern.

"I don't know, sir. I am hoping that I will manage somehow."

"Okay. The fee for the kindergarten classes may not be so high. You can manage for the first two years. Once the boy completes the kindergarten and enters Grade 1, I will suggest you a plan."

After two years, Manga asked Vasan, "Sir, my son has completed the kindergarten. He will be entering Grade 1, now. I managed to pay the fees for the kindergarten classes. You told me that you would suggest a plan, when he enters Grade 1."

"Well, I thought, in two years, you would get several promotions, overtake me and become the General Manager. But you have managed to get only one promotion!" said Vasan, gravely.

Manga was perplexed. She felt like crying. "Sir!" she said, not knowing what to say.

"Oh, I was just kidding, Mrs. Manga. Don't get upset. In fact, in the history of this company, you are the only person to earn a promotion, within two years of joining!" 

"It was entirely on account of your support and encouragement, sir. I am indebted to you" said Manga, gratefully remembering his continued help, from giving her a job to elevating her to a higher position.

"No, Mrs. Manga. It was entirely on account of your dedication and hard work. Coming to the point, there are some private trusts that have been helping the deserving students by granting them scholarships. But they have been doing this quietly, with no publicity. I will give the address of one such trust. Approach this trust and request for a scholarship. I learnt about this trust from a friend of mine. Since people who run this trust don't like publicity, they shouldn't know that my friend gave this information. If this is known to them, my friend will feel embarrassed."

"I won't reveal the source of information to them, sir!" assured Manga.

When Manga met the administrator of the trust and requested for a scholarship for her son, the first thing he asked her was, "Who told you about this trust?"

"A friend of mine told me" said Manga.

"What is the name of that person?" persisted the Administrator.

Manga remained silent.

"Look, madam. This is a private trust. We grant scholarships only to students from the families known to us. We can consider granting the scholarship to your son, only if you tell us who told you about us."

"I am sorry, sir. The person who told me about your trust asked me not to reveal his name. So, I won't be able to reveal the source of my information" said Manga, politely.

"In that case, we won't be able to help you" said the Administrator, stubbornly.

Manga got up with disappointment and walked towards the door. As she was about to step out of the room, the Administrator called her.

"I appreciate your integrity. I will make an exception in your case and help you. Fill in this application form."

After going through the details given by her in the application form, the Administrator said, "Okay. We will grant the scholarship to your son. We will send the payment for tuition fees, other fees, books etc. to the school directly. But, there is a condition. The student should score more than sixty percent every year."

"Okay, sir. This condition will serve as a motivation for my son to study well."

"Most of the parents, on hearing this condition, will feel worried that if their children fail to score sixty percent in a particular year, the scholarship will be terminated. But you have taken this condition in a positive spirit" said the Administrator, appreciatingly. "You have a daughter. Won't you need a scholarship for her also, when she enters Grade 1?" he continued.

"Yes, sir. But how can I ask you to grant a scholarship to her also?" asked Manga, smiling.

"You are right. We give the scholarship only to one person in a family. But I know another trust. When your daughter is ready to enter Grade 1, come to me. I will recommend your case to them."

Manga stared at him in disbelief for a moment. Then she said, "Sir, you are like God. So, there is nothing wrong in my prostrating at your feet" and bent down to prostrate before him.

The Administrator stopped her.

Many years passed. Manga's son was in the final year of his Engineering course. He was recruited by a reputed firm in the campus interview. Her daughter was studying in the college.

Manga had climbed up many steps in the ladder of her career, and became a senior executive of her company. Vasan, who was the Branch Manager earlier, earned his promotions and moved to the head office at Mumbai. He eventually became the Executive Director of the company.

Manga, who was always one of the first persons to come to the office, didn't come to the office that day.

Murali, the Branch Manager, called Kumaran, the Deputy Branch Manager, to his cabin.

"Kumaran! One shocking news. Mrs. Manga is no more. She died in her sleep. I got the information just now" said Murali.

"I am unable to believe this, sir. It is as if a machine, that was working non-stop, has stopped suddenly" said a visibly shaken Kumaran.

"I should convey the news to Mr. Vasan, the Executive Director. He was the Branch Manager here, when Mrs. Manga joined. In fact, he was the one who gave her the job. He has spoken to me many times in admiration of her traits and capabilities" said Murali. 

He then called up Vasan.

After Murali spoke to Vasan, Kumaran asked him, "How did Mr. Vasan take the news?"

"He was speechless for a minute and then said, 'A remarkable person.' He couldn't speak any more."

When Kumaran got up from his seat to leave, Murali told him, "The Executive Director told me that all our branches would remain closed tomorrow, as a mark of respect for Mrs. Manga. Please circulate this information to all our staff."

"It is surprising, sir. This has not been done in the case of any employee, in the past" said Kumaran.

"True. Mrs. Manga has created history. She is a legend" said Murali.

Thirukkural
Section 1: The Path of Virtue

Chapter 3
The Greatness of the Ascetics

Verse 26 (In Tamil)
seyaRku ariya seyvAr periyar siRiyar
seyaRku ariya seykalAthAr.

Meaning:

Great are the ones who can do seemingly impossible things. The ones who can't do such things are ordinary people.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'avaL oru sariththiram' by the same author)

Verse 27 

Verse 25

25. In the Footsteps of Indra

"From the time I joined this company, I have worked hard and contributed to the growth of the company's business, by bringing more orders month after month. But my Manager is unable to stomach my success. He keeps sabotaging my efforts."

"What does he do?"

"He refused to accept some of the orders brought in by me on some flimsy grounds. He delayed sending supplies against some other orders and thereby undermined my reputation with the customers. Now he has assigned me a tough area, where it will be difficult for me to sell our product."

"It appears that he is apprehensive of your success. He may be worried that you would overtake him."

"Even if that were the case, why should he do these kinds of things?"

"This is nothing new, bro. Such incidents find a place in our mythology also."

"Oh, is it so? I didn't know that."

"Don't you know the story of Menaka luring Sage Viswamitra and sabotaging his penance?"

"Yes, I have heard this story. Menaka was sent by Indra, to entice Viswamitra and disrupt his penance. Viswamitra fell for Menaka's charm and carried on a love life with her, for sometime. Sakuntala was born to them."

"So, you are familiar this story, after all. Do you know why Indra tried to disrupt Viswamitra's penance?"

"I don't know."

"Some mythological stories talk about a belief that if a man controls his senses and does penance, he will become one among the celestials. Such a person can even pose a challenge to Indra, the head of the celestials. Fearing that those who do penance and become celestials may unseat him and take his place as the head of the celestials, Indra would often disrupt the penance of the ascetics. He had disrupted the penance of several people, including Viswamitra. What your Manager has doing is similar to what Indra had been doing!"

"Oh! Controlling our senses and practicing asceticism can be so powerful! I didn't know this. This is amazing!"

Thirukkural
Section 1: The Path of Virtue

Chapter 3
The Greatness of the Ascetics

Verse 25 (In Tamil)
ainthaviththAn ARRal agal visumbuLAr kOmAn
indhiranE sAlum kari.

Meaning:

Indra himself stands testimony to the power of someone who has controlled his five senses.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'indhiranE sAtchi' by the same author)

Verse 26 

Verse 24

24. Controlling the Wild Elephant

"I had bought some snacks and kept in this jar. The jar is now empty. Have all the snacks been exhausted?" asked Mukundan.

"If you keep opening the jar and taking a bite every now and then, how will it not get exhausted? You have cholesterol, but you are unable to resist the temptation of snacking all day!" said his wife Sunitha.

"Well. My parents and your parents also have the habit of snacking. They take pills for diabetes, hypertension etc, while also consuming eatables without restraint. The only person in our family who observes restraint is my grandpa!" said Mukundan.

He then turned to his grandfather Narasimhan and asked him, "How do you manage to be so disciplined in your food habits, grandpa?" 

"I am restrained not only in my food habits, but also in other aspects relating to my life. I do this not only because I want to be healthy, but also because I want to reach heaven after my death" said Narasimhan. 

"How are discipline and self control related to reaching heaven?" asked Sunitha.

"I will explain. Take the elephant. It will look serene and composed. But some times, it will become wild. At that time, the mahout will control it, using a hook. Our senses will also, sometimes go astray and seek to enjoy pleasures. During those times, they need to be controlled by wielding the stick of self-restraint. When our senses are struck by desires, we need resoluteness to ward off those desires and protect our senses from going astray. Controlling our desires, using the stick of self-restraint is the seed we sow for attaining heaven. I don't know whether you people will accept this idea. But, you accept the idea that eating foods and snacks without restraint poses a risk to good health. If you develop your sense of discipline, it is primarily good for your health. You don't have to think of ways of reaching heaven at this stage" said Narasimhan.

.

Thirukkural
Section 1: The Path of Virtue

Chapter 3
The Greatness of the Ascetics

Verse 24 (In Tamil)
uran ennum thOttiyAn Or aindhum kAppAn
varan ennum vaippiRku Or viththu.

Meaning:

One who controls the elephant named five senses, using the hook called resoluteness, is sowing the seeds for gaining a place in the Heaven.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'manathil uRuthi vENdum' by the same author)

Verse 25 

Verse 23

23. Should we tell Ashok's Parents?

Ashok and Kumar studied in the same school. Ashok was outstanding in his studies. Kumar also studied well, but didn't excel as much as Ashok did. 

Ashok was the school topper in the school final examination.

Both Ashok and Kumar got admission in the same college. Both stayed in the college hostel and pursued their studies.

After dropping off Kumar at his hostel room, his father Neelakantan told Ashok, "Please take care of Kumar." 

Perhaps, he felt that Ashok, being a better at studies, would be able to guide Kumar.

Soon after joining the college, there were some changes in Ashok's behaviour. The freedom he enjoyed, by being away from parental control, made him cross his own limits of morality and discipline. He spent a lot of time with his new friends in the college, by going out with them to movies and other entertainment programs quite often, sometimes skipping his classes even. He also fell prey to habits like smoking and drinking.

Kumar tried to restrain Ashok but his efforts were in vain.

"These are small pleasures one should relish in life. If we can't enjoy these pleasures at this young age, we may never get an opportunity to enjoy them in the later part of our life. In fact, I often wonder why you are not joining me. You act like a saint!" said Ashok.

When Kumar came home for vacation, he reluctantly told his father about Ashok's unhealthy habits and ways.

Neelakantan was not surprised. 

He said, "It is natural for teenagers like you to get exposed to unhealthy habits and vices at this stage of your life. One should have the maturity to restrain oneself and not fall prey to them. I am happy that you have that maturity. It is unfortunate that Ashok doesn't have it."

"I thought Ashok would be more matured than you and asked him to look after you!" he added.

"Are you going to apprise Ashok's father of Ashok's actions?" asked Kumar.

"I should, but I think I won't. My acquaintance with Ashok's father is limited. I am not very close to him. He may be feeling proud of his son doing well in his studies. If I tell him that Ashok has been deviating from the path of virtue, he may not take it well. He may think that I am jealous of Ashok being better in studies than you! In general, parents don't like to hear bad things about their children. Ashok's parents will come to know of his unhealthy ways sooner or later. I don't want to mar their happiness and the good relationship we have with them, by talking to them about Ashok now.

As envisaged by Neelakantan, Ashok's parents came to know of Ashok's problems very soon. Ashok's father received a phone call from the principal of the college, informing him that drugs were found in Ashok's hostel room and asking him to take Ashok home, immediately.

Thirukkural
Section 1: The Path of Virtue

Chapter 3
The Greatness of the Ascetics

Verse 23 (In Tamil)
irumai vagai therindhu INdu aRam pUNdAr
perumai piRangiRRu ulagu.

Meaning:

The greatness of those who have known the nature of both worlds (like good and evil, this life and the life after death, birth and attaining heaven etc.) and eschewed desire, so as to live a righteous life, is most admirable in this world.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kallUrich chAlai - gavanam thEvai' by the same author)

Verse 24 

Verse 22