205. A Costly Venture!

Low salary, crushing workload. 

But, Venkatachalam knew that he couldn't get a better job, given his qualification and experience.

Frustration of not being able to make both ends meet, made it difficult for him to be peaceful even at home.

Unexpectedly, he was made the cashier in his office. With the person who held that post quitting the job suddenly, the proprietor of the firm gave the responsibility to Venkatachalam.

Even while offering him the position, the proprietor cautioned him to be cautious and honest. "If there is any irregularity in handling the cash, I won't tolerate it" he told Venkatachalam, firmly. 

In the beginning, Venkatachalam handled his job with a feeling of nervousness. However, after some time, when he became confident of handling cash and adept at making entries in the cash register, he realized that he could make an extra buck, by making some "adjustments" to the entries.

There were expenses for which signed vouchers could not be obtained. For certain purposes, Venkatachalam would pay out cash on oral instructions from his superiors in the office. 

Some times, some employees would take an advance amount for expenses and would give accounts after a few days, after all expenses have been made . On such occasions, Venkatachalam would take the signature of the employee on a blank voucher, since often, the employee would usually be in a hurry to receive the money and proceed with his work.

Venkatachalam used such opportunities to his advantage, by carefully overstating the expenses by small amounts and pocketing the extra money. He could earn only a small amount through these means. But, he was happy that he was able to earn at least a little extra, regularly.

There was no system of supervision in the firm. A part-time accountant would come to the office once a week and post the entries from the cash book to the appropriate heads of accounts in the ledger.

He had no idea about the correctness or reasonableness of any amount posted in the cash book. Since he was not given any authority to scrutinize the entries, he would act as if his only job was to post the figures entered in the cashbook to the ledger. Whether it was fifty rupees or five hundred rupees, the figures didn't make any difference to him.

The proprietor would, now and then, check the cash book entries. He would point to a few entries and ask for details from Venkatachalam. He would listen to Venkatachalam's explanation, nod his head, apparently indicating his satisfaction with the details provided by Venkatachalam and hand the cash book back to him, without saying anything.

Venkatachalam understood his proprietor's action as a way of making Venkatachalam believe that his proprietor was keeping his eyes open and watching things vigilantly.

The proprietor would often withdraw some money from the office cash, on his personal account. He would usually withdraw five hundred rupees or one thousand rupees once or twice a week. There was no system of getting a voucher signed by the proprietor for the amount paid to him. Venkatachalam would just make the entry in the cash book. 

At the beginning of every month, the accountant would prepare a voucher for the total amount withdrawn by the proprietor during the previous month and get his signature.

Venkatachalam did something audacious. During a particular week, the proprietor received five hundred rupees from the office cash. Venkatachalam made an entry in the cash book showing another payment of five hundred rupees made to the proprietor after two days. 

For the next few days, Venkatachalam was careful to not take out the five hundred rupees shown as the second withdrawal during the week. He reasoned that if the proprietor found out about the second entry, he would plead that he entered it for the second time, by mistake and show that the cash balance showed the correct position. Since there was no system of anyone checking the cash balance now and then, there would be no question about the actual cash balance being five hundred rupees in excess of the balance shown in the cash book.

When the accountant got the proprietor's signature on the voucher for his withdrawals during the month, the proprietor did not dispute the total amount shown as withdrawn by him during the month.

After a month, the proprietor summoned Venkatachalam to his cabin. 

"Venkatachalam! You won't be working in this office from tomorrow. I will pay you the salary for the current month till today. You may go home" said the proprietor.

"Why, sir?" asked Venkatachalam, shocked.

"Do you think I am a fool? Whenever I withdraw cash from the office, I will note it down in my diary. Two months back, I noticed that you had shown excess withdrawal of five hundred rupees in my account. Even at that time, I became suspicious of you. Then, I kept checking your accounting entries. I observed how much money you pay for an expense and how much you enter in the cash book. I have seen through your method of overstating some expenses and pocketing the extra cash. Since it has been confirmed that you have been swindling money from thr firm, I am terminating your services" said the proprietor, angrily. 

"Please forgive me, sir. I committed a wrong, because I was struggling to make both my ends meet. I won't repeat this. Please give me some job other than handling cash. If you throw me out of the job, my family will come to the street" said Venkatachalam. 

Unable to bear the shock, he began to sob. 

"Having money troubles is no excuse to resort to stealing. Now, with no job, your money troubles are going to intensify. I sympathize with you. But I won't be able to help you" said the Proprietor, firmly. 

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 21
Dread of Evil Deeds

Verse 205 (In Tamil)

ilan enRu thIyavai seyyaRka seyyin
ilan Agum maRRum peyarththu.

Meaning:

Commit not evil, saying, "I am poor": if you do, you will become poorer still.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kaNakku poyththadhu' by the same author)

Verse 206 (Soon)
Verse 204

738. Five Questions

Purushotham, the President of the country announced his intention to contest the election again, a couple of months before his four-year term was to end. 

During Purushotham's tenure, the country's economy witnessed a sharp downtrend. Except for the incredible growth of of a few business houses considered close to Purushotham, there was no growth in the country.

However, a large section of the media predicted that Purushotham would secure a handsome victory in the election and be elected President of the country for a second term. It was another matter that most of the media was subservient to Purushotham, as a result of his bringing them under his thumb, using a carrot and stick approach towards the media. 

If a media house supported him, it would receive a bonanza from the government in various forms. If one chose to be even mildly critical of the government, it would face a ruthless oppression, both by way of outwardly lawful acts like income tax raids, inquiries into alleged violations of rules etc. and by way of threats and coercion from Purushotham's party's outfits. 

Kesav, the leader of the principal opposition party, announced that he would contest against Purushotham.

The media ridiculed him, saying, "Kesav is an infant. He doesn't have the maturity of even a five year old boy. He will be no match to a tall leader like Purushotham."

Kesav announced  a press meet. The entire media including the print and the electronic media was present for the meet.

"What weapon do you have to fight the might of Mr. Purushotham?" asked a media person, apparently aiming to convey his loyalty to Purushotham.

"I don't have any weapon. Mr. Purushotham's security forces allowed me into this hall, only after thoroughly frisking me" said Kesav, raising both his arms in a mock gesture.

This provoked a spontaneous laughter among the media persons present there.

"Representatives of the media! I know that you have been waiting to pose a number of questions to me. I will answer all your questions. But, after that, you should answer few questions I will be asking. Now, you may shoot your questions" said Kesavan.

For the next one hour, the media persons drilled Kesav with a wide array of questions. Several questions were by way of mocking him and insulting him. But, Kesav answered all the questions patiently, without getting offended, with a smile adorning his face throughout.

Eventually, the media persons found that all their questions had been exhausted.

"You said you would be asking us some questions!" one person reminded Kesav. 

"Yes, I did. But, the questions are not directed at you. They are for Mr. Purushotham, the man who has been at the helm of this country for the past four years. I had posed these questions to him many times in the past, through various forums. But, he didn't answer them. Unable to answer my questions, he mocked me saying that I was an immature boy. Many of you also joined him in ridiculing me. Now, through you, I am going to pose five questions to the President of this country.

"1. During the past four years, our country's growth has stagnated, unemployment has become more severe and millions of people have been pushed into poverty. Your government is responsible for this deterioration. What is your plan to solve this problem?

"2. The medical infrastructure of the country has totally collapsed. More and more people have been afflicted by health problems, but there are not enough hospitals or doctors to treat them. What is the reason for the collapse of the health infrastructure? How are you going to rectify this?

"3.The farmers have been becoming poorer day by day. Their income has been falling steadily, while their debt burden has been going up. The number of farmer suicides has increased steeply during the last four years. What is your strategy to address this problem?"

"4. You didn't pay attention to the defence of our country. Emboldened by your laxity, our enemies in the neighbourhood have, on several occasions, crossed the borders and attacked our soldiers. We lost some of our soldiers in those attacks. Why did you neglect the country's security?"

"5. As a result of the above problems created by your misgovernance, a situation has been created in which people are not able to lead a happy and peaceful life. After pushing our country into such an abysmal state, on what grounds are you seeking another term in office? Do you want to perpetuate the misery you have inflicted on our country, through four more years of misgovernance?"

There was absolute silence for several seconds, after Kesav had completed his statement.

Breaking the silence, one reporter asked Kesav, "Finding fault and playing the blame game can be done by anyone. Do you have solutions for the problems listed by you?"

"I do" said Kesav, smiling at the reporter who posed this question. "My election manifesto has been structured around the five questions raised by me in this meet. I have detailed how I would address each of these issues, if I am elected the President. And, I am releasing my manifesto now in your presence."

He then cut open a cardboard box brought to him by one of his assistants, took out the printed copies of his manifesto and distributed them to the media persons assembled there.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 74
Divining the Mind

Verse 736 (in Tamil):
piNi inmai selvam viLaivu inbam Emam
aNi enba nAttu ivvaindhu.

Meaning:

Freedom from epidemics, wealth, rich yield of crops, happiness and protection (to subjects); these five, the learned say, are the ornaments of a kingdom.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'aindhu kELvigaL' by the same author.) 

Verse 737
Verse 735

737. The Crown Prince

When Santhavi was conversing with her son Ananthan, Karuvelar came there.

"Madam! The time has come for your son to climb the throne" he said enthusiastically.

"What do you mean, respected Karuvelar? Has my brother-in-law Marudhan become reformed, accepted that my son is the rightful heir to the throne and invited him to get crowned as a king?" asked Santhavi, in a sarcastic tone.

"Will Marudhan ever reform himself? That venomous snake was so power hungry that he even made an attempt on the life of the young prince!" said Karuvelar, with indignation.

"After the sudden demise of my husband, the King, his brother Marudhan assumed power as the acting King, since Santhan was a boy at that time. He fooled all of us by promising us that he would hand over the throne to Santhan, when the boy attained the age of 12, but hatched a conspiracy to kill Ananthan. You thwarted his assassination attempt, safely brought Santhan and me to this place situated on the border of our country and sheltered us here. From that time, you have been protecting us. Now, when you make an unexpected announcement that the time has come for Santhan to climb the throne, I am perplexed, sir" said Santhavi. 

"Madam! As you are well aware, people residing in this region have not accepted Marudhan as their King, since he usurped power using deceitful means. They consider Ananthan as their King and have been protecting the two of you, from the time you took up residence here. That was the reason I chose this place as a safe shelter for the prince and you. People of this region have refused to pay taxes to Marudhan's government. They have been running a local government, by collecting taxes from the people of this region. When Marudhan sent his troops here to capture you and the prince, the people of this region offered stiff resistance and prevented the troops from entering the region. Fearing that attacking this region would cause a lot of bloodshed which, in turn, would trigger widespread resentment against Marudhan throughout the country, Marudhan asked his troops to retreat. He never tried to send his troops again. He has also accepted the independent functioning of this region as a fait accompli. Now, the people of this region want to formally declare it as an independent country and they want our prince to be crowned the King of this country" said Karuvelar.

Santhavi closed her eyes and remained silent for a while.

"What are you thinking, Madam? Are you feeling sad that your son who should be ruling the entire country is going to be crowned the King of a small region?"

"No, sir! I am reflecting how this region has been blessed to possess the requirements of an ideal country. This region has a regular rainfall every year, which helps the crops to grow and thereby bring prosperity to the people living here. This region also has abundant ground water, which caters to the needs of the people throughout the year. There is an array of mountains on one side of this region. The streams coming from the mountain enrich the soil. This region is nurtured by mother nature, like a child would be by its mother. This region is well protected with the mountains on one side, forests on two sides and a river on the fourth side, all serving as protective walls. Thinking that this wonderful region is going to be declared a country and that my son is going to be crowned the king of this privileged country, I am overwhelmed with joy. Though small, this is an ideal country. I am grateful to you and the people of this region for choosing my son to lead this country" said Santhavi, with tears of joy falling from her eyes.

Thirukkural

Materialism

Chapter 74
The Country

Verse 737 (in Tamil):
iru punalum vAyndha malaiyum varu punalum
val araNum nAttiRku uRuppu.

Meaning:

The constituents of a kingdom are the two sources of waters (rain and ground water), well situated hills, streams emanating from the hills, and an indestructible fort.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'mazhai vaLamum maN vaLamum' by the same author.) 

Verse 738
Verse 736

204. The Missed Message

The end of the month was nearing. There was a sizeable gap for Sekar to reach the monthly target. 

As Sekar was wondering how he was going to reach the target in two days, the Branch Manager called him over the intercom.

Sekar knew that the Branch Manager had called him, only to talk to him about his having not reached the monthly target. He walked towards the Branch Manager's cabin, feeling low in spirits.

When he came out of the Branch Manager's cabin after half an hour, he was even more depressed.

Only after returning to his desk and sitting down did Sekar realize that while going to the Branch Manager's cabin, he had left his mobile phone on his desk, forgetting to take it with him.

He picked up the phone and checked. There were no new messages or calls.

After lunch, Sekar called a number of prospects, using the office telephone. No one seemed to be interested in taking up an insurance policy.

By 5 o' clock, Sekar felt exhausted both physically and mentally. Devoid of all energy, he sank in his seat.

His mobile phone rang. It was his friend Sudarshan.

"Did you meet the gentleman?" asked Sudarshan.

"Which gentleman?" asked Sekar, perplexed by the question. 

"Did you not read my message?"

"What message? I didn't receive any. When did you send it?"

"At about 1 o' clock. A person known to me wanted to take an insurance policy. He was planning to pay an annual premium of three lakh rupees. Since I was in a meeting, I sent his number to him, asking you to contact him."

Even as Sudarshan was talking, Sekar located the message sent by Sudarshan. 

Ok. I will call him" said Sekar and ended the conversation.

It was clear to him that when he had left his mobile on his desk and went to see the Branch Manager, someone, hearing the notification sound for a new message, should have clicked his phone and read the message. That was how the message was not highlighted when he saw his phone, leading to his missing the message.

He called the phone number given by Sudarshan and introduced himself. 

"Well, you came in the afternoon, got my signatures on the forms and took the cheque for the premium. What do you want now?" asked the person on the other side of the phone, showing his annoyance.

"Sir! My friend Sudarshan had referred you to me. My name is Sekar."

"Yes. I told Sudarshan about my plan to take a policy. He said a person from your company would contact me. He told me your name. But, I didn't remember it. Someone from your company called me up, came to my house and got the policy. Just a minute. He gave his card. I will check...His name is Thanikachalam."

"Thank you, sir. Sorry for the disturbance" said Sekar and ended the conversation.

He was struck by a mix of anger, disappointment and helplessness.

He remembered that Thanikachalam was sitting at the adjacent desk, when he left for the Branch Manager's cabin. Hearing the sound of the notification of a new message, he would have taken his phone, opened the message and read it. Seeing a golden opportunity, he would have taken advantage of it.

This was not the first time that Thanikachalam indulged in such practices. There have been complaints against him already about his stealing prospects from other insurance agents, using unfair means. But, till now, no action was taken against him, since the allegations against him were not proved.

This was the first time that he crossed paths with Sekar. 

Sekar cursed himself for keeping his mobile phone on his desk, while going to the Branch Manager's cabin. He felt a surge of anger against Thanikachalam, for depriving him of an excellent opportunity, at a time, when he was struggling to reach his monthly target.

If he complained to the office against Thanikachalam, people would laugh at him. He couldn't produce any evidence against Thanikachalam. 

'There is no way I can punish Thanikachalam. I am helpless. God should punish him. May Thanikachalam meet with an accident while riding his bike and lie on an hospital bed for a couple of months!'

'Oh, what a heinous thought!' He checked himself immediately.

His mobile phone rang. It was his wife.

The moment he picked up the call, she began to lament in a loud voice,"I have lost the golden chain of eight sovereigns worn by me on my neck. When I was walking on the street, a person riding a bike snatched my chain." She began to cry.

Sekar was not sure which was the overwhelming emotion felt by him - anger or grief.

"Why did you roam on the streets wearing an eight sovereign chain? Will you always remain stupid? Did you give a police complaint?" he asked, venting out his anger, even while suppressing his tone, since there were other people nearby.

"It happened just now and I called you immediately. Please come home immediately. You need to come with me to the police station."

Sekar disconnected the call, even before she had completed the sentence.

'Oh, God! Why are such things happening to me?'

He recalled his thought a few minutes back, wishing that Thanikachalam meet with an accident and lie on an hospital bed. 

'Is it because I had wished something bad for another person that a bad thing happened to me? Is this a case of instant justice?' 

He sat on his seat feeling depressed, not knowing how to cope with the situation.

His mobile phone rang again. It was his wife again.

"I am coming. Why do you call me again?" he burst out in anger.

"You don't have to come. I got back the chain" said his wife, calmly.

"Got back the chain! How?" asked Sekar, unable to believe his ears.

"The security guard of a nearby house saw the chain snatcher pulling the chain from my neck. He seems to have served in the army. He intercepted the chain snatcher, by blocking on his way. The chain snatcher dropped the chain and rode away. Thank God, I don't have to go to the police station. Only thing is that the chain has to be soldered..."

He didn't hear his wife any further.

'Oh, God! What has happened? Even for wishing something bad for a person who caused me harm, I received an instant punishment by way of the loss of a chain. But, relief was also given immediately. Perhaps, this incident was intended to be a warning to me. Is it conveying me the message that I shouldn't wish any harm, even to a person who has harmed me?'

He wonderd.

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 21
Dread of Evil Deeds

Verse 204 (In Tamil)

maRandhum piRan kedu sUzhaRka sUzhin
aRam sUzham sUzhndhavan kEdu.

Meaning:

One shouldn't wish any harm to another, even unconsciously. If one does, righteousness will decide to inflict harm to the one who harbours such a wish.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thavaRa vitta seydhi' by the same author)

Verse 205(Soon)
Verse 203

203. Lakshmi's Philosophy

After Murthy's elder brother Selvam had passed away, Murthy wanted to manage Selvam's lands, along with his own. But Selvam's wife Lakshmi did not agree to his proposal.

Lakshmi never stepped out of her house, during the time Selvam was alive. But, after Selvam's demise, she sat on the pial of her house and munching betel leaves spiced with lime and betel nut, directed the men employed by her for carrying out agricultural activities in the lands inherited by her from her late husband. 

"Sister in law! You don't know anything about farming. You won't be able to manage the lands. Sit at home and relax. I will look after your lands and deliver the harvest to your home" said Murthy.

"Don't bother, brother in law! You may look after your lands and I will look after mine" said Lakshmi, tersely. 

After that, Murthy began to give trouble to Lakshmi in various ways. Lakshmi thwarted his attempts, even without getting down from the pial of her house. 

One night, Murthy diverted the water from Lakshmi's field to his field. Lakshmi's men came to her and reported this.

"Take the Vilage Headman to the field and show him what Murthy has done" said Lakshmi. 

Accordingly, Lakshmi's men took the Village Headman to the field and showed the violation to him. The Village Headman imposed a fine of hundred rupees on Murthy.

"This is not adequate, madam. We need to retaliate. If you permit us, we will ensure that water flow to Murthy's fields is stopped completely. No one can prove that it was done by us" said one of her men. 

"No need for such steps. The humiliation of paying a fine should be adequate punishment to him" said Lakshmi. 

But, Murthy was not put down by the humiliation suffered by him. He became even more infuriated. Like a wounded tiger waiting to strike, he was planning to hurt Lakshmin in a big way. 

When Lakshmi's fields were ready for harvest, Murthy set fire to the crops, during the night. Someone saw Murthy setting fire and caught him red-handed.

Some villagers knocked at the door of Lakshmi's house during the night and conveyed the news to her.

"Okay. It is good that the fire was extinguished. I would like to meet the person who put out the fire and thank him" said Lakshmi. 

"Murthy had been creating trouble for you, since long. But, today, he was caught red-handed. We should make a complaint to the police. He will be imprisoned at least for six months" said a villager. 

"I don't want to give a police complaint. After all, the fire was put out and the crops have been saved. Let us leave the matter at this stage" said Lakshmi.

"Don't you think that the person who committed a wrong should be punished?" asked the villager in surprise.

"If Murthy is imprisoned, he won't be the only person punished. After he goes to jail, won't his wife and children undergo suffering? I know about the sufferings of a single mother. If you are still holding him, please set him free and let him go home."

"You are living up to your name 'Lakshmi.' You are indeed the embodiment of Lakshmi, the Goddess of compassion and grace. You may not be educated, but you have the wisdom of great people" said an old man from the village.

"What wisdom do I have? I just think that I should not cause any harm to any other person. Except for that, I don't know anything" said Lakshmi.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 21
Dread of Evil Deeds

Verse 203 (In Tamil)

aRivinuL ellAm thalai enba thIya
seRuvArkkum seyyA vidal.

Meaning:

Those who refrain from doing harm even to those who do harm to them are the wisest among the wise.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'latchumikkuth therindha niyAyam' by the same author)

Verse 204
Verse 202

736. A New Beginning

Kalivaradhan, the King of Sundara country, who had been displaying a hostile attitude towards Salya country for long, suddenly sent a goodwill message to Magizhvanan, the King of Salya, expressing his desire to establish a peaceful relationship between the two countries.

Magizhvanan welcomed the proposal of Kalivaradhan, and invited him to visit his country.

Accepting Magizhvanan's invitation, Kalivaradhan visited Salya country.

Magizhvanan received Kalivaradhan warmly. Even before the two kings could sit together for talks, Magizhvanan took Kalivaradhan on a tour of his country.

"King Magizhvanan! I visited your country, only to discuss with you in person, the issues between us and find solutions to them. But you have taken me on a tour to various regions of your country!" said Kalivaradhan, appreciating Magizhvanan's gesture.

"King Kalivaradhan! What is your impression of our country?" asked Magizhvanan, with a smile.

"Your country is prosperous. I could see that the people are happy, energetic and enthusiastic. I observed that agricultural and manufacturing activities were on full swing."

Observing that Kalivaradhan's face expression suddenly turned sullen, Magizhvanan asked him, "What is wrong, King Kalivaradhan?"

"I could not help comparing the state of my country with yours. My country has been ravished by frequent wars. My people are gripped by poverty. You have also fought quite a few wars. How is it that your country has not been affected by the consequences of war?"

"We also suffered the consequences of wars. But we managed to overcome them. We have always tried to avert wars. We had no occasion to engage in a war with any country other than yours" said Magizhvanan, looking at the eyes of Kalivaradhan.

"I understand what you are trying to convey. I have been engaged in wars with all my neighbouring countries. It is only after realizing that my country had been devastated by frequent wars did I decide to make peace with my neighbouring countries. I have begun to make efforts to end hostilities and establish peaceful relationships with all my neighours" said Kalivaradhan. His tone betrayed a sense of remorse. 

"Whatever might have happened in the past, I commend you for your decision to desist from engaging in wars in future. You can take pride in having taken this bold decision, after clear thinking. I feel happy that we have become friends. I am confident that using our friendship and goodwill, both of us can work towards the progress of our countries" said Magihhvanan, touching Kalivaradhan's shoulder.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 74
Divining the Mind

Verse 736 (in Tamil):
kEdu aRiyAk ketta idaththum vaLam kunRA
nAdu enba NAttin thalai.

Meaning:
A country that faces no harm from its enemies and even if it does, suffers no erosion in its resources is the foremost among nations.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'pagaivarum naNbargalAm' by the same author.) 

Verse 737
Verse 735

202. I Swear...

It was the last day of the training program for the newly recruited sales executives of the company.

Training Officer Markandeyan looked at the trainees, with satisfaction.

"I have no doubt that all of you would excel in your roles as sales executives. However, I would like to give you one piece of advice..."

After a brief pause, he continued. "I observed that while conversing among yourselves during the breaks, some of you were using swear words, without any inhibition. For example, 'SOB,' the word starting with 'Bas,' etc. I would appeal to you to exercise caution and ensure that such words won't slip out of your lips, even inadvertently."

"Why, sir?" asked one trainee.

There was a mild wave of laughter.

"When I ask you not to use swear words, you ask me 'why!' Such words have become so much integrated into your everyday vocabulary. I am happy that you didn't ask 'why not?'" said Markandeyan, dryly. 

"Please don't mistake me. sir. I asked you the question, only because I have been hearing a lot of people, even those considered dignified, using such words freely" said the person who asked the question, in a tone of remorse. 

"I appreciate your asking the question openly. The use of swear words can't be considered acceptable, just because a lot of people use them. First of all, you should look at the meanings of such words. Many of them are insulting to women, particularly to one's mother. When you call some X an 'SOB,' you are demeaning not X, but his mother! Is this justified? Is this not atrocious? We don't even think about it!"

"That is the point, sir. When people use a swear word casually, they really don't mean it. So, can we not consider such use harmless?"

"Some people may consider such words harmless. If you call your friend a fool, he won't mind. But you can't use that word with a stranger, your boss or even with your colleague."

The trainers were silent, expecting Markandeyan to talk more on this topic.

"Bad words are even more dangerous than bad deeds. Because, before committing a bad deed, a person will think about the consequences of that deed. But we use bad words casually. There are people who may not know a language, but will know the bad words in that language! When it comes to the use of bad words, we have no hostile feelings towards any language. What I consider most dangerous is that many people find a thrill in using swear words. Many among even cultured and respectable people find a thrill in using swear words. Everyone knows that a burning match stick or a cigarette bud should not be thrown on the ground, before fully extinguishing it. But, a lot of people throw them on the ground without extinguishing them. I have observed people watching the glow in the match stick or cigarette bud thrown away by them, with a sense of satisfaction. They will realize the gravity of their action, only if it leads to a fire accident.

"Why do you feel so strongly about this, sir?" asked a trainee.

"There is a reason for it" said Markandeyan.

After a pause, he continued.

"In the beginning of my career, I worked in a small firm. Once, I accompanied my boss when he visited the offices of some of our customers to collect the long pending payments due from them. The person I referred to as my boss was the proprietor of the firm I was working in. Payments were overdue from a particular customer, since a long time. My proprietor was upset about it. 

"During the times people from my firm visited that customer's office, the customer was not available. During our visit too, the customer was not in his office. His wife was there. When we reminded her about the long overdue payments, she replied in an indifferent way. Infuriated by her nonchalant reply, my proprietor spoke to her angrily. While venting his anger, he uttered a swear word, It was an unintended slip of his tongue. It was a word inappropriate to be used in front of woman. Don't ask me what that word was! 

"That lady took advantage of it and went on to create a scene. Hearing her shout at the peak of her voice, employees in that office came to the room, where we were sitting and discussing. My proprietor was rattled by the reaction of that lady. He realized his blunder but didn't know how to extricate himself from the situation. So, he denied using any inappropriate word. I also went to his help, by asserting that he didn't use any undignified word and that that lady might have heard him wrongly. I lied of course, but I wanted to save my proprietor from embarrassment. After a while, we managed to come out of that office. 

"After that, my proprietor never went to that office. He sent me and other employees for collection. Whenever I went there and asked the customer for the payment due to us, he raised the issue of my proprietor using a swear word against his wife and forced me to be on the defensive. Using that incident as an excuse, he persisted with his default, without feeling guilty about it.

"My proprietor cursed himself for putting himself in a position of not being able to demand the payment due to him from a defaulting customer, because of an unconscious use of a swear word by him. After that, he stopped using swear words,

"It was a lesson to me also. At that time, I decided that I would never use bad words, in any situation, whatever the provocation. The reason I am stressing this point so strongly is to impress on you that bad words can be as harmful as bad deeds. We should fear bad words the way we fear fire."

"You are the real boss, sir!" said one trainee. 

Thirukkural
Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 21
Dread of Evil Deeds

Verse 202 (In Tamil)

thIyavai thIya payaththalAl thIyavai
thIyinum anjap padum..

Meaning:

Since evil produces evil, evil should be feared more than fire.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'bAs engiRa...' by the same author)

Verse 203
Verse 201