526. Prabhu's Anger

"Prabhu is a benefactor. He helps every one, particularly his relatives. That's why all his relatives consider him a member of their family."

"Yes, I have noticed that he is often visited by his relatives. Well, if one is wealthy, it is only natural that he is flocked by his kith and kin."

"No, not that way. It is true that wealthy people are respected by people around him. I also have wealthy relatives. If I meet them occasionally, I just greet them and move away. I have no regards or affection for them. Prabhu is different in that he loves his relatives and helps them in many ways. That is the reason for the intimacy between him and his relatives."

"I agree that Prabhu has been helping his relatives. But, I have heard that he is an irascible person. He often bursts out at his relatives and uses harsh words against them. His relatives have been putting up with his irascibility, only because he is wealthy."

"I don't think it is true. There is a difference between tolerating a person and being affectionate towards him. We have to put up with our boss in the office, whatever may be his behaviour towards us. But if the boss, rather than display his authority, treats us with kindness and consideration, won't we have a liking for him? The affection Prabhu's relatives have towards him is similar to that."

"Going by your own example, if our boss is cantankerous, will we have respect or concern for him? We will just be tolerating him, because we have no choice. I think Prabhu's relatives tolerating him is also similar to this."

"How do you say Prabhu is cantankerous? As far as I have observed, he has been genial towards all."

"I will share an anecdote I heard about him. Once, when there was a delay in his getting an approval from a government department, he went to that office and shouted at the official concerned. Hearing his yelling, all employees rushed to the spot. The public visiting that office also witnessed his outburst. Rattled by his angry outburst, the official pacified him by promising to look into his case immediately and kept his promise by giving the approval in a couple of days. Prabhu's anger is so notorious!"

"I have also heard about this anecdote. But there is a twist to this narrative. The official concerned had demanded a bribe for giving the approval. That is what made Prabhu angry. In fact, I have heard people close to Prabhu remark that Prabhu displayed his anger in public, only to expose the official and make him behave. So, Prabhu is not an irascible person at all. It is only because Prabhu is kind and helpful that his relatives flock to him, not because he is wealthy."

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 53
Assessing Before Acting

Verse 526 (in Tamil):

perum kodaiyAn pENAn veguLi avanin
marungudaiyAr mAnilaththu il.

Meaning:

None on this earth can have better kin than a person who gives generously and is free of anger.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'prabhuvin kObham' by the same author.)

Verse 527 (Soon)
Verse 525