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 excuse. 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 well-versed in 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 has disrupted the penance of several people including Viswamitra. What your Manager is 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 akalvisumbuLAr 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