592. After the fall

At the time Mala got married to Damodaran, he was working as a Sales Executive in a small firm.

After a few years, Damodaran quit his job and started a small business of selling goods on commission basis. 

After tasting some success in his business, Damodaran invested a small sum of money as capital and expanded his business by buying goods from wholesalers and selling them to small shops.

Damodaran's graded approach helped him make good progress in his business over a period. 

After a few years, he ventured into manufacturing activity in the name 'Damodaran Industries.' This activity brought him more profits and made him prosper even more, at a faster phase.

Mala's father was elated by his son-in-law's growth. He told Mala, "When we got you married to Damodaran, he was holding a mediocre job in a small firm, with a modest salary and riding a career with lacklustre prospects. But today, he has become an industrialist. You are a lucky girl."

"It is Mala's luck that has catapulted her husband to a high position" said Mala's mother. 

"You attribute my husband's success to his luck. You won't give credit to his dedication and zeal which have been driving him!" said Mala, disapproving of her parents' comments.

"Look at the way our daughter stands up for her husband. Have you ever spoken in support of me?" Mala's father teased his wife, in a lighter vein.

"What a great misfortune has befallen me!" lamented Damodaran.

"What has happened to make you feel so depressed?" asked Mala.

"What more should happen? I started from scratch, worked hard and came up gradually. I suffered a huge loss in one deal and this loss impacted my business in a big way. I won't be able to continue my business. I will have to wind it up soon. And, we have to sell all our assets to meet my liabilities. We have lost everything."

"What if we lose everything? Two things I found in you when we got married still remain with you" said Mala.

"What are the two things you talk about?" asked Damodaran, feeling irritated, even while he was curious to know what his wife was referring to.

"Zeal and persistence. Over the years, you achieved many things, only by using these two attributes of yours. Since you are still in possession of these attributes, you can achieve many more things again" said Mala. 

"I am beginning to get the confidence that as long as you are here, reminding me of the two attributes I have, I will be able to achieve success and regain the wealth I have lost" said Damodaran, his enthusiasm stimulated by his wife's words. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 61

Possessing Zeal

Verse 592 (in Tamil):

uLLam udaimai udaimai poruL udaimai
nillAdhu nIngi vidum.

Meaning:

Possessing passion is the true possession; all other wealth

is transient and will vanish.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'eppadi irundha nAn' by the same author.) 

Verse 593 (soon)
Verse 591