167. The Jealous Husband!

"My sister Vanaaja's daughter's marriage has been fixed" Said Saroja, enthusiastically.

Her husband Subhsh, who had just returned home from work said, "Oh!" disinterestedly.

"The groom is working in the U.S." she added, with pride.

Subhash's face expression turned bitter. 

"I have been running a business, earnings millions of rupees. We got our daughter married to a groom working in India. How did your sister's husband, who is working in a small firm for a poor salary, get hold of a groom working in the U.S.?" asked Subhash. 

"What kind of a question is this? We didn't look for a groom working in the U.S. We got our daughter married to a groom from India, who is well-employed and who is earning well. My sister's family did not specifically scout for a groom from the U.S. It so happened that way" said Saroja, in a disapproving tone.

"Well. It is the people, at the bottom who often hit the jackpot!"

"Please remember that you are talking about my sister's family. Don't talk about them in such demeaning terms."

"I am only stating a fact. What is wrong in making an observation that a person of poor means like my brother-in-law was lucky to fix a groom working in the U.S. for his daughter?" said Subhash, defensively. 

"Among the three daughters of my parents, I was the only one to get married to a wealthy person. As a result, I lead a rich life. My two sisters belong to the middle class. My two brothers also have only moderate means. Logically, my brothers and sisters should feel jealous of me. But, you feel jealous of my sister's family! In future, if something good happens to my brothers or sisters, you will feel jealous of them. It is funny. But, I am not amused" said Saroja, with resentment and went inside. 

On another occasion, Subhash spoke to Saroja bitterly about one of his employees sending his son to the U.S. for higher studies.

"He is a clerk in my firm. He is surviving on the salary paid by me. And, he is sending his son abroad for higher education. How strange!" said Subhash.

"What is strange or surprising about it? People from poor families going abroad for higher studies has become so common now. Banks give educational loans. Foreign universities give scholarships. A lot of young people from poor families have gone abroad for studies, got jobs there and transformed the financial position of their parents, by sending them money from abroad!" said Saroja. 

"Is it not natural for me to become upset, if someone below me achieves something I have not been able to?"

"Why should you be upset about another person achieving something? People make use of the opportunity they get. We had only one daughter. We could have given her any education at any place in the world. We had the resources for it. But, she was not interested in higher studies. She didn't want to study further, after getting her undergraduate degree. Subsequently, we got her married. She is living a happy life. Let others do what they want and what they are able to. Why are you perturbed?" said Saroja. 

Knowing that she couldn't change the attitude of her husband, who was resentful and jealous of other people's success and achievements, Saroja managed to put up with the outpouring of his jealous feelings now and then. 

"Saroja! We may have to move over to another house. Will you feel unhappy about it?" Subhash asked Saroja. 

"This is our own house. Why should we move to another house?" asked Saroja, perplexed. 

"There have been some developments, Saroja. I borrowed money for developing my business, by mortgaging our house to the bank."

"Yes. I am aware of it. But, is your business not doing well?" 

"No, It is not. I have been facing problems in the business for the past few years. I have been incurring losses. I didn't tell you about them, lest you should be worried. I thought I would be able to tide over the situation over a period. Facing a financial crunch, I borrowed money from private lenders too, at high rates of interest. But, I was unable to set things right. The losses have mounted. Now the debt burden has gone up, with the accumulation of interest. I am left with no option other than selling our house and using the proceeds to clear my liabilities."

"What about your business?" asked Saroja, shocked. 

"I won't be able to run the business any more. I have to wind it up. After selling our house and settling the liabilities, some surplus money will be left. We will have to deposit the sum in the bank and live on the interest income on that sum. If the interest income won't be sufficient to meet our needs, I may have to go for a job."

Subhash's voice became choked. 

'My husband, who was jealous of other people's success even when he was living a life to the envy of other people, may, hereafter, have to feel jealous of every one around him!' thought Saroja.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy

Verse 167 (In Tamil)

avviththu azhukkARu udaiyAnaich cheyyavaL
thavvaiyaik kAtti vidum.

Meaning:

Sridevi, the Goddess of Wealth, will despise a jealous person and direct him to her sister, Moodevi, the Goddess of Poverty.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'sarOjAvin kavalai' by the same author)

Verse 168 (Soon)
Verse 166

682. Choosing the Ambassador

"Three people have been shortlisted for being posted as the ambassador for an important country. After seeing the list, I have guessed who would get the job?"

"Who do you think would get it?"

"Chandramurthy."

"How can you be sure?"

"Chandramurthy is well known to the Prime Minister. When the present Prime Minister was the Finance Minister some years back, Chandramurthy was the Finance Secretary. The two had a congruous relationship at that time."

"But, the other two candidates are equally competent!"

"Al the three candidates are competent, of course. That was the reason they have been shortlisted. But I strongly believe that Chandramurthy is ahead of the other two in the race. You will see that my assessment is right, when the selection is announced!"

"But, I expect that one of the other two is likely to be selected!"

"Which of the two?"

"It could be either. Each of them has a better chance than Chandramurthy."

"Can you tell me the basis for your assessment?"

"Well. Let us look at all the three candidates. All the three are intellectuals. They are highly educated and well experienced. They are articulate in expressing their views. They show empathy and get along well with others. So, we can say all the three possess the essential qualities required of an ambassador. ButChandramurthy lacks one attribute that the other two have."

"What is that attribute?"

"My talking about this now won't be appropriate. In case Chandramurthy is selected for the post, I will accept that my understanding was wrong. If one of the other two is selected, I will know that my assessment was right. At that time, I will tell you what that attribute is." 

"The announcement is expected this evening. Once the announcement is made, I will call you."

"Hello, Congratulations! Your assessment has been proved right. Chandramurthy didn't get the post. Can you tell me the attribute that Chandramurthy does not possess?"

"I believe that an ambassador needs to possess three essential attributes. One, empathy for others. Two, a keen sense of perception. Three, speaking after weighing his words. I have observed that Chandramurthy doesn't have the third attribute. That was why I thought that the chances of his getting selected for the post of an ambassador were slim."

"How did you conclude that Chandramurthy didn't possess the attribute of weighing his words before saying something important. He had impressed me as an articulate speaker."

"He is articulate, no doubt. But, is he always discriminating in the use of words? No. You mentioned about his having been the Finance Secretary, when the present Prime Minister was the Finance Minister. On a few occasions, the statements made by Chandramurthy without proper thinking created embarrassments for the Finance Minister. The man who was the Finance Minister then and who is the Prime Minister now would not have forgotten the discomfitures suffered by him on account of the thoughtless remarks made by Chandramurthy as the Finance Secretary. As you know, even one inappropriate word uttered by an ambassador could cause embarrassment to the government. So, I thought that the Prime Minister, who had experienced the consequences of a few thoughtless remarks made by Chandramurthy in the past, won't prefer Chandramurthy for this sensitive assignment."

"Congratulations, again. Your assessment has been incisive and thorough." 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 682 (in Tamil):
anbu aRivu ArAyndha sol vanmai thUtharaip pArkku
inRiyamaiyAdha mUnR.

Meaning:

Love, wisdom and discriminating power of speech are three qualities essential for an envoy.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'veLi nAttu thUthat' by the same author.) 

Verse 683 (Soon)
Verse 681

681. Kamsa's Emissary

"My attempts to kill Krishna have not succeeded. On the other hand, he killed several demons like Putaki, Sakata, Trinavarta, Aka, Bhaka and Vata, whom I had engaged to kill him. Now, he has gained a reputation as a person who has performed incredible feats. He has become a darling of our Yadava clan. He is admired and loved by all sections of people. If I make any more attempt to kill him, the entire Yadava clan will turn against me!" Kamsa told his friend and confidant Chanura.

"What you say is correct. We should kill him only through clandestine means" Chanura agreed.

"How?"

"King Kamsa! All along, you tried to get him killed, by sending an assassin to his place. Those attempts didn't succeed. We can invite him to our place and get him killed here."

"How do we bring him here? And how do we kill him, after he comes to our place?"

"There are many ways to kill him. We can get him attacked by the rogue elephant Kuvalayapeeta, which has been locked up in our palace. If Krishna is killed by the rogue elephant, people will perceive it as an accident. In case, he escapes from the elephant, we will invite him to a wrestling contest. There is no one to beat me in the sport of wrestling. I will challenge him to wrestle with me and kill him when he wrestles with me" said Chanura, with excitement. 

"Your idea appears plausible. But how do we make Krishna come here?" asked Kamsa.

"There is a archery contest in our capital city. We will invite Krishna and his elder brother Balarama to the event" suggested Chanura. 

"Good idea. But, they will attend the event, only if you invite them properly, by sending an emissary" said Kamsa. 

"We will send the invitation to Krishna and Balarama, through one of our palace guards and instruct the guard to bring the brothers to our palace" said Chanura. 

"We cannot send anyone as an emissary. A person to be chosen as the emissary should have some attributes."

"What are those attributes?"

"The most important attribute an emissary should have is acting with love or kindness towards others. He also needs other qualities."

"What are the other qualities?"

"He should hail from a noble family. He should have manners that will be appreciated by kings."

"Do we have a person with such attributes?" asked Chanura. 

"There is one. He is Akrura, the Minister!" said Kamsa.

"But, he is too soft and gentle. Will he fit the bill?"

"His softness is only an expression of his innate attributes like kindness and good manners. He is my father's younger brother's son. Thus, he is also the maternal uncle of Krishna. So, Krishna will accept the suggestion from Akrura to attend the event, at our place. I will send him as my emissary and ask him to bring Krishna and Balarama to my palace" said Kamsa.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 681 (in Tamil):
anbudaimai AnRa kudip piRaththal vEndhavAm
paNbudaimai thUthU uraippAn paNbu.

Meaning:

The qualification of an ambassador are benevolence, born in a respectable family, and the possession of attributes pleasing to royalty.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kamsanin thUthar' by the same author.) 

Verse 681
Verse 680

166. Priya's Wishes

"What mom, isn't there any other shirt?" asked Priya.

"Choose something good among the ones available" said her mother Thangam. 

"I don't find any new shirt!" said Priya, in a voice that appeared to be breaking down. 

"I will take a salary an advance from my office today and buy you a new set of dress tomorrow."

"I have the function in my school today. What is the use of your getting me a new dress tomorrow?" asked Priya, feeling frustrated.

Thangam found a lump of grief rising up in her throat. Why should her husband Raghuraman have left the world so early, orphaning her and Priya?

"Mom! Are we poor, or rich?" asked Priya.

"Neither. We are stuck in the middle!" said Thangam. Immediately, a thought occurred to her whether people like her who didn't want to admit that they were poor had been taking shelter under the dubious identity called 'the middle class.'

"If daddy were alive, would we be rich?" asked Priya.

Thangam didn't answer her. Her mind set out to take a quick tour of the past. 

Raghuraman was the eldest son of his parents. Kesavan was his younger brother. When Kesavan was a boy, a relative wanted to adopt him. He was a wealthy person. His wife was not alive. He was living alone. 

As per the terms of adoption, Kesavan could live with his parents. His adoptive father would take care of his education and marriage. He would visit him now and then. When he died, Kesavan should cremate him and perform the obsequies in the traditional way, as a son would perform the rites for his father. After his death, Kesavan would get his property. A will would be executed to facilitate this.

Considering that Kesavan would continue to live with his natural parents and that this arrangement would help Kesavan live a comfortable life after the death of his adopted father, his father agreed Kesavan to be adopted by the relative.

Raghuraman's education stopped at the school level, since his parents didn't have the means to give him a college education. Since, they lived in a village, college education had to be pursued in a nearby town, by staying in a hostel, making it even more expensive.

Kesavan, who completed his schooling the next year, joined a good college in a city, by taking up residence in a hostel, with his college and hostel fees met by his adoptive father. 

Raghuraman felt that it was unjust that while he couldn't pursue college education, his younger brother had the opportunity to study in a college, just because he had an adoptive father, who was rich.

"Dad! Kesavan's adoptive father is wealthy. Why couldn't he have helped me join the college, by financing my college education?" Raghuraman asked his father. 

"How can we expect such favours from him?" replied his father.

Raghuraman could not reconcile himself to the incongruity.

After completing his college education, Kesavan landed a good job in Chennai. Raghuraman also managed to get a job in Chennai. The job was not attractive, but given his level of education, he couldn't get a better job.  

A few months after Raghuraman married Thangam, his parents passed away in quick succession. 

After both his parents had passed away, Kesavan moved to a spacious house in Chennai, bought by his adoptive father. His adoptive father also stayed with him. After some time, Kesavan's adoptive father got Kesavan married to a girl from a wealthy family, 

The relationship between Raghuraman and Kesavan was reduced to almost a non-existing level. When Kesavan's adoptive father passed away, Raghuraman didn't visit Kesavan to express his condolences.

Though Raghuraman had completely cut off his connection with Kesavan, he would keep talking to Thangam disparagingly of Kesavan and his adoptive father, almost on a daily basis.  

"I wonder whether an injustice like the one done to me was ever done to anyone else in the world! We are two brothers. But, one gentleman adopted my brother and gave him everything, completely ignoring me, who was watching the show like a starving child watching in desperation another child eating a sumptuous meal. How does God tolerate this injustice?" he would say one day. 

Another day, he would say, "If somebody came forward to adopt my brother and shower him with riches, how could he accept it? Should he not have rejected it saying that he would stand only with his parents?"

"If my brother had come up in life by his own efforts, I would not have grudged his success. He is living on the charity of someone. This is not right!" he would fume another day. 

"Don't talk disparagingly of other people. Focus your thinking on what we could do to make our life better" Thangam advised him several times. Bur he didn't pay heed to her words.

One day, Raghuraman had a heart attack and passed away. Kesavan attended the funeral, as a show of courtesy. After that, he didn't bother to find out how Thangam was managing her life. 

Thangam got herself a job. She was struggling to live her life, taking care of her daughter Priya. 

"Come and have your dinner!" Thangam called out Priya.

"I find it boring to eat at home every day. Can we go to a restaurant?" asked Priya. 

"You know I can take you to a restaurant only once in a month, just after I receive my salary."

"Not good enough, mom. My friends dine in restaurants almost every weekend. I don't have good dress to wear. We are unable to enjoy dining in a restaurant now and then. Why are things this way for us?" asked Priya, giving vent to her exasperation.  

"I don't know" replied Thangam. 

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy

Verse 166 (In Tamil)

koduppadhu azhukkaRuppAn suRRam uduppadhUm
uNbadhUm inRik kedum.

Meaning:

One who feels envious of the wealth given away as charity to another person, will have even his kin suffer without adequate food and clothes.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'piriyAvin kuRai' by the same author)

Verse 167
Verse 165

680. Say No to Ransom Demand!

"Pay ransom to another country? Even if rejecting the ransom demand were to result in all of us dying, fighting a war with the country demanding ransom, paying ransom would be unthinkable" said King Rajavarma.

"Your Majesty! Your stand is laudable. But we are a small country. If the Solinga country wages a war with us, our troops cannot withstand the attack of the Solinga forces, even for two days. But, if we can strike a peace agreement with the King of Solinga, you can continue to rule our country" said the Minister.

"I don't like to be a king, by paying ransom to Solinga country" said Rajavarma, firmly.

After a few days, Rajavarma summoned the Minister and told him, "Minister! After pondering over the advice given by you earlier, I have decided to strike a peace agreement with the King of Solinga, by paying the ransom demanded by him."

"It is a wise decision, Your Majesty. But, may I know why you came to this conclusion?" asked the Minister, politely. 

"After we discussed the matter earlier, I visited various places of our country in disguise, to ascertain what people were thinking about the situation. I listened to the conversations among the people. I realized that many people were apprehensive of the tyrannical rule of the King of Solinga, if he were to take over our country, after defeating us in a war. People were saying 'Our King can levy additional taxes and use the sum raised from the additional taxes to pay ransom to the King of Solinga. We will be happy to pay more taxes as the price for continuing to live happily under the rule of our King. But, if the King of Solinga were to rule our country after defeating our King in a war, it will be a disaster for all of us!' Coming to know of the faith our people had in me made me feel proud. But, it also made me feel that I should not allow our people to come under the rule of the King of Solinga, under any circumstances. Though paying ransom to another country is dishonourable, I decided to accept Solinga's demand for ransom, in the interest of our people. I believe that dispelling the fear in the minds of our people is more important than upholding my honour. So, let us send a message to the King of Solinga that we are willing to negotiate a peace agreement with that country" said Rajavarma.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 68
The Method of Executing An Action

Verse 680 (in Tamil):
uRai siRiyAr uL nadungal anjik kuRai peRin
koLvar periyArp paNindhu.

Meaning:

The ruler of a smaller state, perturbed by its people fearing a bigger state attacking them, will submit to the superior power, if his concerns are addressed.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'mudivai mARRik koNda mannan' by the same author.) 

Verse 681
Verse 679

165. Maheswaran's Concerns

"Sundar is leaving for London tomorrow. Shall we go to the airport to send him off?" Kavitha asked her husband Maheswaran.

"Why don't we accompany him to London, leave him at the hotel he is going to say and then return to India?" asked Maheswaran, sarcastically. 

"Is my younger brother going abroad not a significant event? Every one in our family is going to the airport to see him off."

"Till two years back, your brother was struggling to find a regular job. After he had got a job in this company, his status changed overnight. He has been showing off, like a pauper who stumbled on a treasure. Should I become a bearer of the palanquin he is traveling on? If you want, you can go to the airport. Don't drag me along."

'You can't stomach other people's success!' Kavitha murmured to herself. 

A few months back, Maheswaran avoided attending the sixtieth birthday celebration of his elder brother.

"Anyone who lives long enough will grow to the age of sixty. What is there to celebrate about it? Having worked in a government department, he earned well, augmented his income by taking bribes and accumulated a lot of money. He doesn't know what to do with all that money. So, he is squandering money to exhibit his wealth. I am not going to attend the function. You can attend along with our children" Maheswaran told Kavitha.

"What will I say, if your brother and other relatives ask me why you didn't come?"

"Tell them that I am laid up with fever, unable to get up from the bed."

Kavitha told every one, "He has high fever. He was unable to get up from the bed this morning. He is feeling chill and is lying on the bed, covering himself with a blanket."

Concerned about Maheswaran's health, his brother came to visit him the next day.

Maheswaran was sitting on the sofa, watching television.

"The fever subsided this morning. Just now, he got up from the bed and came to the hall" said Kavitha, by way of explaining Maheswaran not looking like a sick man.

When it came to becoming jealous, Maheswaran did not distinguish between his relatives and his wife's relatives. He hated every one who was successful in life. He was jealous of anyone who achieved something in life and who enjoyed or celebrated life. He had a similar attitude towards his office colleagues and friends.

After Mukundan, a close friend of Maheswaran, got a promotion, Maheswaran began to move away from him. Though Mukundan continued to move with Maheswaran in the same friendly way as he had always moved, Maheswaran did not reciprocate his affection. 

"He knows nothing about the work in our office. He would ask for my help and guidance, even for little tasks. Now, he has got a promotion and moved above me. How strange!" he told Kavitha, about Mukundan. 

Maheswaran looked dull and fatigued.

"Are you not well?" asked Kavitha.

"When I ponder over my life, I feel depressed. During the last ten years, many people in my circle have overtaken me and risen to higher levels. I don't understand why nothing good has been happening to me. I didn't get promotion in my office. I tried for a better job, but I didn't succeed. I find that several people like my brother, your brother and my friend Mukundan, who are much below me in intelligence, competence and capabilities have risen up to levels much higher than mine. I am unable to stomach this incongruity. Sometimes I wonder whether someone is conspiring against me" said Maheswaran, his voice showing his frustration and exasperation.

"Why do you think so? Many good things have happened to us also. Some of the things you had expected to happen might happen with some delay. Our children and I are happy about the life you have given us" said Kavitha, in an attempt to assuage his frustration.

After some hesitation, she added, "If you won't mistake me, shall I share my feelings with you?"

"Yes. I am eager to hear what you are going to say" said Maheswaran, with interest.  

"You said that you were unable to stomach the success of other people. Why should you think that way? If something good happens to another person, we don't have to feel happy about it. But, why should we feel sad or disappointed? You said that someone might be conspiring against us. Why should anyone do so? After all, we have no enemies. I have heard the principle that it is our thoughts that shape up our life. Perhaps your feeling jealous about other people's success is blocking your progress. I don't know whether I am right. But, please think about what I have said and come to your own conclusion" said Kavitha.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy

Verse 165 (In Tamil)

azhukkARu udaiyArkku adhu sAlum onnAr
vazhukkAyum kEdInbadhu.

Meaning:

One who is afflicted by envy doesn't need enemies to cause him destruction. The envy itself will destroy him.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nAn varavillai' by the same author)

Verse 166
Verse 164

679. Unsolicited Help

"I called you several times during the past two days. You didn't pick up my calls" Ramaswamy told his friend Madhavan, in a complaining tone, over the phone. 

"I am sorry. I was unable to do the help you wanted from me. I was trying to arrange for the money you asked for. I thought I would call you after I got the money. I didn't pick up your calls, since I didn't want to disappoint you with negative information" said Madhavan.

"You have never failed me in the past. I was depending on you a lot" said Ramaswamy, with disappointment.

"I am unable to help you this time. I am sorry" said Madhavan and ended the telephone conversation. 

"He is your friend. He asked you for a loan for his business. You could have helped him" Madhavan's wife Parvathy told him.

"If I had money with me, I would have helped him."

"But, in the past, you have helped him, by arranging funds through some other friends."

"If it was possible, I would have arranged. This time, I couldn't do so. Sometimes, it happens like this!" said Madhavan, ending the topic.

"I will never forget the help you have extended to me" Manickam told Madhavan. 

"One should never borrow money from loan sharks. If one does, one will end up in a situation like this" said Madhavan. 

"You are right. I chose to borrow money from them for an urgent need. I was paying interest to them regularly. But, when I could not pay the interest for two months, due to a tight money situation, they began to apply the screws on me. I was terrorized to the extreme. I have heard that these people would even go to the extent of kidnapping the family members and threaten to harm them, if the dues are not paid within the deadline set by them. You and I have been rivals in the business. There have been occasions, when we have had bitter confrontations. But, you have kept every thing aside and come forward to help me, after coming to know of my situation through some source. By quickly arranging for the money and helping me, you have saved me from a desperate situation. I can never thank you adequately for your timely help. I will repay the money to you at the earliest" said Manickam, holding Madhavan's hands, with gratitude. 

"Well, don't borrow from another loan shark, in order to repay the money to me!" said Madhavan, smiling. "But, I do expect something in return from you."

"Tell me, Mr. Madhavan. I will do anything I can."

"A friend of mine asked me to lend him money for his business needs. I have always helped him in the past. But, this time, since I wanted to help you, I had to say no to him."

Manickam was waiting to hear what Madhavan was going to say.

"The reason I chose to help you, rather than help my friend was to use this opportunity to end the bitterness in our relationship. It is true that we are competitors in the business, but we don't have to feel inimical to each other. This is what I expect from you" said Madhavan. 

"If I am going to be inimical towards you, even after you have rendered such a great help to me, I won't be considered human at all. Though we are rivals in the business, let us be friends" said Manickam, extending his hand.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 68
The Method of Executing An Action

Verse 679 (in Tamil):
nattArkku nalla seyalin viraindhadhE
ottArai ottik koLal.

Meaning:

Befriending foes should be considered more pressing than doing good to friends.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kEtkAmalE seydha udhavi' by the same author.) 

Verse 680
Verse 678