The king looked at the mentor, with an embarrassed expression and said, "Guru! You can't be unaware of the fact that our country has been facing a lot of problems, for the past couple of years. The problems are intensifying day by day and new problems are cropping up every day. I feel that things are going out of my control. I requested a meeting with you, to seek your help and counsel."
"Tell me. What is your problem?"
"Guru! For the past few years, there have been a lot of protests and agitations in the country. People who were affectionate towards me earlier, seemed to have developed a dislike towards me. They are even angry with me. It is true that there are problems like food shortage etc. in our country. But what is the justification for people becoming angry with me because of these problems?"
"Is it true that you invited me only to seek my counsel?"
"Yes, Guru. Why do you have this doubt?"
"In that case, I should tell you some truths. You said that earlier, people were affectionate towards you."
"Yes, Guru. I have experienced their affection."
"It is true. I have also witnessed it. But there should be a reason for people who had affection for you to develop a dislike for you."
The king remained silent.
"In your heart, you know the reason for people's anger towards you. But you are reluctant to accept it. I will be frank with you. In the beginning, you governed the country with righteousness and compassion. You had concern for people's welfare. People reciprocated your good rule, by showing their affection towards you. But, when the problem of food shortage arose, instead of coming to people's help, you imposed more taxes on them. When people protested, you put down the protests, by unleashing repression on the protesters, by the use of force. The protesters were beaten up by the guards and many of them were imprisoned for long periods. You did these on the advice of some people surrounding you. Since you knew that I wouldn't have approved of your actions, you avoided meeting me. I was aware of your predicament. Since, people affected by food shortages, undaunted by your highhandedness, have intensified their protests, you realized that the situation had gone out of control and then called me for advice. Am I right?" asked the mentor, looking into the king's eyes.
The king turned his face away, averting the mentor's gaze. "Guru! What you say is right. But what is perplexing me is that people don't respect my authority" he said, in a faint voice.
"People respect only the authority of the sceptre of the king. If the sceptre is straight, they will respect and love the king. If the spectre's uprightness is violated, the king will lose his respect. However, I think you are a lucky person!"
"Lucky person! What do you mean?" asked the king, perplexed.
"Because, even when the people are dissatisfied with you, you continue as the king! In some countries, a new system of rule called democracy has come into force. Under that system, people will decide who should rule them through a system of voting. The person who gets the votes of the largest number of people will rule the country for five years. After that, there will be another election. If people are not happy with the person who ruled them for the last five years, they will vote him out and elect another person as the new ruler. You don't have to face such a situation. That is why I called you lucky" said the mentor, smiling.
The king looked at his mentor with a mixed feeling of amazement and apprehension.
mannAvAm mannarkku oLi.
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