658. The Rogue Elephant

"We need to expand our hermitage. The existing space is not sufficient. What shall we do?" asked Ishwar Yogi, the founder and head of the hermitage.

"We can buy some land in a nearby place and construct buildings there" said Muthulingam, his secretary.  

Ishwar Yogi laughed and said "Muthu! You are a highly educated man. I am having you as my secretary, expecting that you will give me creative and innovative ideas. Not for coming out with such lousy idea!."

Muthulingam knew that if Ishwar Yogi spoke with a laughter, it meant that he was angry at the person he was speaking to! So, he did not say anything further. 

"There is forest land nearby. We can cut off the trees in five acres of that land and use that place for constructing buildings" said Ishwar Yogi. 

"Swamiji! That is forest land. It belongs to the government. Construction of buildings won't be permitted there."

"The government has kept the land unused. So, we can take it. We can say that we are going to start a yoga school, construct a small building for the yoga school in a corner and use the rest of the land to construct the buildings we need. Tell the architect to prepare the plan. We have to start the construction soon."

"Swamiji! We need to get the building plan approved."

"We will first construct the buildings and then seek approval. We have our people in all the places, to do our bidding!" said Ishwar Yogi and laughed.

Muthulingam realized that this laughter did not result from Ishwar Yogi's anger but from his arrogant self-assurance that the government machinery was under his control.

About five acres of forest land were encroached. The encroached land was fenced and high-rise buildings were constructed in the forest land, after cutting off a large number of trees, defying opposition and protests from local people and environmental activists. 

A number of animals living in that area were confused that the lands they have been using for dwelling and moving about were blocked and began to search for other places of abode nearby. 

At one corner of the encroached land, a small make-shift building carrying the name board 'Ishwar School of Yoga' remained aloof and abandoned, while the other buildings buzzed with activity. Devotees both from within and outside the country flocked to listen to the lectures and discourses of Ishwar Yogi and on special occasions, to witness and enjoy his dancing with glamorous film stars 

A new government that assumed office in the state after three years, by winning the assembly elections, issued a notice to the hermitage that the government was going to demolish the buildings constructed without approval and in violation of rules and take over the land encroached by the hermitage. 

Ishwar Yogi approached the courts, praying for exemption from environmental rules, since his institution was a yoga school. With the central government filing an affidavit in support of Ishwar Yogi, the court quashed the notice issued by the state government. 

"Did you see what happened? You preached to me that we shouldn't buildings on forest land. What do you say now?" Ishwar Yogi gloated to Muthulingam, rubbing him for the reservations he had expressed for the proposal.

'You are the one who preaches to others about ethics and morality. But you do things in violation of both government rules and principles of morality, unmindful of the harm being done to people as well as animals. Who am I to preach to you?' thought Muthulingam.

The lady reading the news in a television channel read the following news:

"This morning, a rogue elephant that entered the hermitage of Ishwar Yogi, lifted him by its trunk and threw him down with force. The Yogi suffered injuries in several parts of his body and was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment. The doctors said that the Yogi has suffered multiple fractures, some mild and some severe. The incident happened, when the Yogi was taking his usual morning walk inside the hermitage. Hearing his cries, several people rushed to the spot from the hermitage. Seeing the people coming out, the elephant ran away. Therefore, no one else was affected.

"Forest minister Vezhavendan told media persons that this incident justified the stand of the government that construction of buildings in forest land posed danger to animals living there. Quoting this incident of a rogue elephant driven out from its abode, attacking the head of the hermitage, the government would approach the court seeking permission to take over the forest land that belonged to the government, he added."

The newsreader paused with a smile and then switched to the next item in the news bulletin. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 66
Purity in Action

Verse 658 (in Tamil):
kadindha kadindhorAr seydhArkku avai thAm
mudindhAlum pIzhai tharum.

Meaning:

The actions of those, who have not desisted from doing deeds forbidden (by the virtuous) will, even if they succeed, cause them sorrow.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'madham pidiththaa yAnai' by the same author.) 

Verse 659
Verse 657

1145. What Makes Poonguzhali Intoxicated?

"I have been repeatedly requesting you to put an end to your drinking habit. But you won't listen to me" said Poonguzhali, in exasperation.

"I have been trying. But I couldn't succeed. I need the state of intoxication, drinking gives me" said Inamkumaran.

"Why do you need that state? I don't feel the need for such a state!"

"Everyone needs a kind of intoxication. I don't know what will make you fee you such a state."

"Just because you are unable to give up drinking, don't theorize that every one needs some kind of an intoxication" said Poonguzhali.

At that time, Poonguzhali's attention was drawn to something she just noticed. Turning her head to look in a particular direction, she told Ilankumaran, "I will be back in a minute" and walked in that direction.

When she came back to Ilankumaran after ten minutes, Ilamkumaran asked her "Where did you go?"

"I saw two women looking at us and talking. I went near them and listened to what they were talking about us" said Poonguzhali.

"What did they talk about?"

"What will they talk about? They were remarking that you and I have been roaming about the village together. They said that it would be better if we get married and then go about the village as a married couple!"

"Did you fight with them for gossiping about you?"

"Why should I fight with them? After all, what they said was true" said Poonguzhali, with a smile.

"When you went near them, I came after you, stood behind you and observed you. I noticed that you felt elated listening to them speak about our love!" said Ilamkumaran, laughing.

"You will indulge in such surreptitious acts!" exclaimed Poonguzhali, in feigned anger.

"Aren't you doing the same thing? You look for people gossiping about you, listen to their conversation stealthily and rejoice. I think it makes you feel intoxicated!"

"How can you call it intoxication?"

"It is intoxication, alright. I saw the sign of intoxication in your eyes, when you were listening to the gossip. It was as if you were going to enter a state of stupor. The intoxication you get by listening to the gossip about our love is similar to the one I get from drinking liquor!" said Ilamkumaran.

Thirukkural
Section 3

Love

Chapter 115
Shedding Shyness

Verse 1145 (in Tamil):
kaLiththoRum kaLLUNdal vEttaRRAl kAmam
veLippadum thORum inidhu.

Meaning:

Just as one who has a habit of drinking feels delightful, whenever he consumes liquor, we feel delightful, whenever there is a gossip in the town about our love.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'pUnguzhaliyin bOdhai' by the same author.)

Verse 1146
Verse 1144

657. Loan Recovery Officer

If someone were to ask Kumaran where he was working and Kumaran give an answer, that person would look at Kumaran with respect, hearing the name of the multi-national bank he was working for.

Usually, people won't ask him what position he was holding in that bank. If someone asked, he would say, Loan Recovery Officer.' They won't probe him further about the nature of his job.

Kumaran's parents were not alive. His father's brother took the initiative of finding him a suitable match.

When Kumaran's uncle took him to a prospective bride's house, Kumaran expressed his wish to talk to the girl, in private. With the girl's parents acceding to his request, Kumaran and the girl sat inside a room and conversed.

"Do you know about my job?" Kumaran asked the girl. 

"Loan Recovery Officer in a multi-national bank" said the girl, named Girija.

"That is my designation, alright. But, in reality, I am a Loan Recovery Thug!"

"What do you mean?"

"My job is to recover the dues from people who owe money to the bank in the form of credit card dues or loan installments. I would go to their homes, yell at them and speak disparagingly of them, in a way to make them feel humiliated and shamed in the presence of the neighbours, who are bound to hear me deliberately speaking in a loud voice, intending it to be heard by as many people in the neighbourhood, as possible. Sometimes, I would enter the house, lock it from inside and threaten the borrower. Of course, only the borrower and his family members would be able to hear my threats, since I couldn't have any witnesses hearing the threats issued by me. Sometimes, I may even slap or hit some people to terrorize them. I will even threaten the borrower with murder, if he won't clear the dues within a specified period. I would also forcibly seize two-wheelers, TVs and other appliances from the defaulters. This is how I function as a Loan Recovery Office" said Kumaran, feeling bitter.

"Once I saw someone threatening one of our neighbours. We all felt scared" said Girija.  

"In the beginning, I didn't feel bad about what I had been doing. But, nowadays, I feel disturbed about creating a fear in the minds of the borrowers and making them pay the dues, even by taking extreme measures like selling their precious assets. Though I am only doing my duty, I feel that the guilt gets attached to me. Some people would curse me saying, 'You heartless fellow! You think you are going to be happy, after doing these things to us?' Some would curse me saying, 'Take it from me. You will be ruined!' I know that a lot of people would have cursed me silently. One person committed suicide, after I had threatened him of dire consequences, since he was unable to pay his dues."

"Why are you telling me these?"

"I don't want to continue in this job. I am not highly educated. I don't have special skills or experience. So, if I quit this job, I won't be able to get a good job. I may only get a job with a modest salary. Will you still consent to marry me?" asked Kumaran.

"Of course, I will" said Girija. "It is better to have a job with a small salary and live in poverty than have a well-paying job that involves doing harm to others" said Girija.

"In that case, I will come to your house and seek your hand in marriage, after taking up another job" said Kumaran, feeling elated.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 66
Purity in Action

Verse 657 (in Tamil):
pazhi malaindhu eydhiya Akkaththin sAnROr
kazhi nalguuravE thalai.

Meaning:  

The extreme poverty of the virtuous is far superior to the wealth obtained by heaping up sinful deeds.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kadan vasUl adhikAri' by the same author.) 

Verse 658
Verse 656

1144. Sivakami Aunty

"Then?" asked Manimekalai.

"Then what? We have spoken about every thing!" said Chandran.

"Does it mean we don't have anything else to talk about? If this is the state of things now, how will things be after we get married?"

"After marriage, we will have many things to have a fight about. Life will be exciting, with fights and truce coming one after the other."

"Are you suggesting that there is nothing interesting in our love life?"

"Oh, my God! I didn't mean to say so. When we are in love, we will be careful that we shouldn't quarrel, lest a quarrel should lead to a break up. But, after we get married, we won't have this fear. That is what I meant" said Chandran

"It is true that our love life lacks excitement. Normally, there will be opposition to love from the parents. But we didn't have that problem. Your parents are not alive. Though I have not yet told my parents about our love, I have no doubt that they will consent to our marriage. After all, their marriage was love marriage too. So, our love life has been going on without any hitch. Only if some problem crops up, there will be excitement" said Manimekalai. 

They didn't meet for the next five days. Chandran came to their usual meeting place every day, waited for Manimekalai and returned home, disappointed.  

When Manimekalai came to the meeting place the sixth day, she had a worried expression on her face.

"What happened, Manimekalai? Are you not feeling well?" asked Chandran, with concern. 

"Are you not aware of what is happening around us?" asked Manimekalai, in an angry tone.

"What is happening around us?"

"Some people have been gossiping about you and me. Has the gossip not reached your ears?"

"No. But, what are they gossiping?"

"They say that you and I hugged and kissed each other in public!"

"This is atrocious! I have not even touched you. Who created this story?" asked Chandran, angrily.

"There is one Sivakami aunty in our village. Gossiping is her full time profession. She seems to have noticed our talking to each other. She has created a story around our sitting together and conversing with each other, by adding elements like hugging, kissing etc to our conversation and spread it to a wide circle of people."

"What is the reaction of people to this gossip?"

"I don't know about it. But, this gossip has reached the ears of my mother too. She asked me about it. I told her about our love. She told me, 'Ask your lover Chandran to meet me and your father soon and seek our consent to marry you.' But, I was scared to come out, since I didn't know what the people of this village would be thinking about me and how they would be judging me. That is why I didn't come to meet you for the past few days" said Manimekalai.

"We were feeling that there was no excitement in our love life. Sivakami aunty has filled this void, by creating some excitement. Let us go and meet her and and convey our thanks to her" said Chandran, laughing.

Manimekalai stared at him with disbelief, for a while. Then, she relaxed herself and joined in his laughter.

Thirukkural
Section 3

Love

Chapter 115
Gossiping by Others

Verse 1144 (in Tamil):
kavvaiyAl kavvidhu kAmam adhu inREl
thavvennum thanmai izhandhu.

Meaning:

Our love grows due to the gossip of the villagers. Otherwise, it would lose its power and languish.

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

Verse 1145
Verse 1143

656. A Desperate Moment

Ramadas' task was to canvass passengers traveling long distance to board a particular bus. For every passenger brought by him to the bus, he would be paid a small sum as commission.

Ramadas would often lament to himself 'what kind of a profession is this?'

His dissatisfaction with his profession was the reason for his not getting married, despite having been repeatedly persuaded by his mother Kantimathi, to get married. 

"What is the point in marrying and having a family, when I don't have a steady income? How will I feed my family members on the days I don't have any earning?" Ramadas would argue with his mother. 

Kantimathi would counter him, saying, "When the need arises, you will find the means to earn the amount of money required to fulfill the need. Your wife may also be able to earn and supplement your income. Will it not be good for you?" 

But, Ramadas did not want to act on blind faith.

He found it amusing that some people came forward to offer their daughter's hand in marriage to him.

When Ramadas explained his financial position to them, they said, "Don't worry. You will be able to manage. I don't have a steady income too. But, I have been able to manage my family."

Ramadas wondered whether it was their ignorance or the desperation to get their daughter married off that was behind such a blind faith.

Ramadas had no income for two consecutive days. In spite of his repeatedly shouting the name of the destination of the bus and reaching out to people, no one boarded the bus he directed them to.

This situation was not unusual. During those times, he would manage with his savings.

But, this time, his savings had exhausted. Both Ramadas and his mother had nothing to eat that day. He would at least have a few cups of tea at the tea stall in the bus station, on credit. But, his mother couldn't have even a cup of tea.

Only if he earned something that day, he and his mother would have something to eat that night. The thought of how long his mother would be able to withstand hunger created a churning sensation in his gut. 

"What Ramadas, didn't get any customer today?"

Hearing the voice from behind, Ramadas turned back, 

Gokul!

Gokul was running a profession near the bus station. But, his profession was not something that he could speak about. 

"Just look at the sea of people throbbing this bus station. If you go near a small cluster of men standing alone and murmur the message into their years, a couple of them are bound to respond and come behind you. Take them to the spot and you will get a commission. This is guaranteed. Do you have an idea how many men standing alone here are craving for a female companion? Those men are desperately looking for someone to come to them and solicit them."

Gokul was right. Ramadas has noticed people working for Gokul approaching single men standing in the bus station, talking to them a few words and some of them following the men to a spot near the bus station. 

Sometimes, it had occurred to Ramadas that what those men were doing was easier and definitely more lucrative than his job of canvassing passengers to board a particular bus.

When Gokul made the offer to Ramadas, albeit in an indirect way, there was a momentary thought in Ramdas' mind that he could try doing that at least for that day, since he had no earnings till that moment.

But, Ramadas swept off that thought immediately with a strong resolve and told Gokul, "Sorry, sir! That job won't suit me."

He then moved shouting, "Madurai, Dindigul, Theni" hoping that some passengers heading to those places would hear him and come to him. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 66
Purity in Action

Verse 656 (in Tamil):
InRAL pasi kANbAn Ayinum seyyaRk
sAnROr pazhikkum vinai.

Meaning:

Even when you see your mother starving, don’t do deeds that the virtuous people would deem contemptuous.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'gOkulin yOsanai' by the same author.) 

Verse 657
Verse 655

160. Who Will Win the Endurance Test?

When Mukundan joined that firm, he had high expectations about the job.

It was a small firm engaged in shipping and forwarding business. Mukundan expected that working in such a firm would be both challenging and exciting.

But, within a few days of joining the firm, he began to sense disappointment. The main factor that caused the disappointment was the attitude and actions of the Managing Director of the company. 

The company had a turnover of a few million rupees and was considered one of the best companies in its line of business. But, the Managing Director Marthandam was running it like a farm. 

The employees had no authority to take decisions even on routine matters. They had to seek the approval of the Managing Director at every step. Marthandam had the habit of finding fault with the actions of the employees and severely reprimanding them, without bothering to hear their side.

Only after joining the company did Mukundan realize that Marthandam's abrasive style of functioning made many employees leave the firm within a short time, in spite of the attractive salary package and perquisites offered to the employees.

The only source of solace for the employees was General Manager Kannan. In striking contrast to the Managing Director who acted with arrogance and treated the employees with contempt, Kannan was an embodiment of patience and dignity.

Marthandam treated Kannan also with the same contempt with which he treated the other employees. In fact, he treated Kannan even worse than he did the other employees.

Marthandam acted as if he wanted to humiliate Kannan in the presence of other employees. He would reprimand Kannan in office meetings, in which other employees participated. Sometimes, he would come out of his cabin, come and stand outside Kannan's cubicle and shout at him, unmindful of the fact that this would be witnessed by the entire office. Additionally, he would summon Kannan to his cabin and criticize him for his alleged lapses.

But Kannan was attending to his work, unmindful of the humiliations harped on him by Marthandam. 

If any mistake was committed by an employee, Kannan would talk to him about his mistake calmly and advise him to exercise care to avoid such mistakes in future. 

In fact, on many occasions, Kannan protected the erring employees from the rage of the Managing Director, by dealing with the problem at his level and resolving it, obviating the need for the matter to come to the attention of the Managing Director.

When Mukundan went to the lunch room, he saw Kannan sitting there alone. When Mukundan was about to start a conversation with Kannan, Assistant Manager Kasi entered the room.

"What Mr. Kasi, you are not fasting today?" Kannan asked Kasi, smiling.

"Why, sir? Will Mr. Kasi observe fasting often?" asked Mukundan.

"Yes. He observes fasting five or six days a month, on some count or other" said Kannan. 

"Fortunately, I am not fasting today. If I were, I wouldn't have had the stamina to withstand the verbal thrashing given to me by the Managing Director this morning!" said Kasi. 

"I am amazed that you are able to endure hunger five or six days a month, by observing total fasting" said Kannan. 

"I endure suffering only for a few days a month. But my endurance is no match to yours" said Kasi.

"What do you mean?"

"You listen to the harsh words spoken by the Managing Director every day but remain calm and unperturbed. The endurance I practice is not superior to your endurance" said Kasi.  

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 16
Forbearance 

Verse 160 (In Tamil)

uNNAdhu nORpAr periyar piRar sollum
innAchchol nORpArin pin.

Meaning:

Those who endure abstinence from food are great. But, they rank below those who patiently endure the harsh words of others.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'nALum oru nOnbu' by the same author)

Verse 161 (Soon)
Verse 159

655. The King of Cards

When Selvarangam was watching a video on his mobile phone, the frequently appearing advertisement made its appearance again.

Play Rummy and earn money!

'What If I try playing Rummy on this website just once?'

The moment this thought arose in Selvarangam's mind, his mind went into the past.

Selvarangam learned to play cards, when he was studying in the college. After becoming adept in playing the game, he watched some students play cards in the hostel for stakes. Seeing the winners earn money, Selvarangam would often think that he could also earn money, by playing for stakes. But, since at that time, he didn't have money, he didn't venture into it.

After taking up a job, Selvarangam began to play cards for stakes with his friends, during the holidays. Most of the time, he won and went home with more money than he had with him, when he entered the game. 

One day, Umapathy, one of his friends, lost his entire salary in the card game. 

Unable to bear the loss, Umapathy began to cry. 

"I have lost my entire salary. How am I going to feed my family for the next one month? I have to pay house rent, electricity charges and other expenses too. I also have loan instalments to pay."

Selvarangam was moved by Umapathy's lament. 

A thought occurred to him. 

He handed over the entire sum earned by him in the card game that day to Umapathy and told him, in a commanding tone, "Hereafter you shouldn't play cards. I also won't."

Umapathy looked at Selvarangam in disbelief, while his other friends protested his action calling it crazy. 

From that day, Selvarangam had stopped playing cards. Even if someone invited him to a card game not involving stakes, he would decline the call.

'Earning money by playing cards is snatching money from other people. Just because it is done with the consent of the other person, will it become a justifiable act? Why did I indulge in this activity, without thinking about its moral aspects?' reflected Selvarangam. For a long time, he regretted his practice of playing cards for stakes.

But, seeing the Rummy advertisement now, a thought occurred to Selvarangam. 

'What if I play this game now? After all, I am going to play online. I am not going to play against any person.'

But another thought countering this hit him immediately.

'What kind of a thinking is this? The money I may win by playing the game online is going to come from someone. Have I not been reading news stories about people losing large sums of money in online Rummy and some of them ending their lives, heartbroken by the huge loss suffered by them. I committed this wrong in the past. Then I reformed myself and resolved not to commit this wrong again. What has happened to that resolve?'

Selvarangam cursed himself for harbouring the thought of committing the wrong again and made even a stronger resolve that he would never give room to such thoughts in future.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 66
Purity in Action

Verse 655 (in Tamil):
eRRenRu iranguva seyyaRka seyvAnEl
mRRanna seyyAmai nanRu.

Meaning:  

Never do acts that would lead you to grieve saying, "What is this I have done?" But, if you do, do not ever repeat them.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'sIttukkattu rAjA' by the same author.) 

Verse 656
Verse 654

159. The Pilgrim

"Ganesan!"

Hearing his name addressed as if a servant was being summoned, Ganesan quickly came near the person who called him and said, "Yes, Please tell me sir!"

"What can I say? Everything is so poor" said Nilakantan, in an angry tone.

"What is the issue, sir?"

"You keep forgetting that I joined this tour, by paying money. I am an old man. You left me in the temple and returned to the bus, with all others."

"No, sir. Muthu was there to bring you along to the bus."

"He is a boy. He virtually dragged me to the bus. I could have tripped and fallen down. My legs are aching, because of getting dragged fast" said Nilakantan.

"Muthu might have walked fast taking you along, concerned that the bus should not be delayed. I will tell him to be more careful, hereafter. You said your legs are aching. Shall I give you some pain balm?"

"I have the pain balm with me. I am not a beggar. You don't feel the responsibility for having not escorted an old man with care. You are offering me a pain balm, instad!" said Nilakantan, his anger still not subsided.

Ganesan tried to move away, without saying anything. 

"Wait! I have not yet finished. Switch off the a/c*. I am feeling cold" said Nilakantan.

"Sir! This is summer. If I switch off the a/c, other passengers will suffer discomfort, since it will be very hot" said Ganesan 

"Does it mean that it is alright, if I suffer?"

"Sir! I can do one thing. My catering team is following the bus in a van, with cooking vessels and supplies. You can sit in the front seat of the van, next to the driver. That van is not airconditioned."

"You want to humiliate me by making me travel in the van carrying goods! I have paid for this trip. What do you think of yourself?" yelled Nilakantan.

"Traveling by this bus is your right, sir, since you have paid for it. But, I am sorry I can't switch off the a/c, since other passengers won't agree to it. Please bear wit me" said Ganesan, with folded palms and moved away. 

Ganesan was the person who organized the trip for us, the pilgrims, taking us to a set of sacred places. Though he was young, he managed the tour efficiently, like an experienced tour operator.

Everyone in our group, except Nilakantan, was satisfied with Ganesan's arrangements and the quality of services provided by him including food and lodging arrangements. Only Nilakantan had been finding fault with the arrangements and services, from the time the tour had begun. 

Taking advantage of his advanced age, Nilakantan always addressed Ganesan in a disrespectful way. He kept finding fault with something or other, using harsh words, while criticizing Ganesan.

But, Ganesan never lost his temper. He did not even protest at Nilakantan's disrespectful address or language. 

It was mentioned in the brochure advertising the tour that people advanced in age should bring along an escort to help them during the tour. But, Nilakantan joined the tour, without any escort.  

Ganesan tried to extend all possible help to Nilakantan on several occasions, without even pointing out that not bringing an escort along was Nilakantan's fault. In spite of everything that was being done by Ganesan to help him, Nilakantan kept finding fault with Ganesan. 

"The food is so unpalatable!" remarked Nilakantan. 

Other people eating the food turned their eyes towards Nilakantan. It was surprising to al of us that while all of us were relishing the food, Nilakantan flagged it as unpalatable.

"What is wrong, sir?" asked Ganesan, coming near him.

"The sambar** is so spicy. If I ingest this, my stomach will be upset. I won't be able to come out. I will have to spend the time, sitting in the room" said Nilakantan. 

"No, sir. We have used only a minimum quantity of spices" said Ganesan.

"Are you suggesting that I am making it up?"

"Sir, they have used Beans in the sambar. You might have bitten a piece of Chilly mistaking it to be a piece of Beans. Please drink some water. It will be fine." 

"Just now you said that you have not used spices. But now you admit that you have used Chillies in the sambar. And you have the temerity to advise me to drink water! It was my fault that I trusted you and joined the tour!" burst out Nilakantan.

"I am sorry, sir. It is the normal practice to add a few pieces of Chillies to the sambar, for improved taste and flavour. One piece of Chilly might have found its way to your plate. If you like, I will get you a pinch of sugar. If you put the sugar on your tongue, the hotness of the Chilly will go away" said Ganesan.

"You will saturate the sambar with Chillies. And then, you will ask me to coat my tongue with sugar! I have had great help from you" yelled Nilakantan.

When I got a chance to talk to Ganesan in private, I asked him, "Mr. Ganesan! Don't you think that Mr. Nilakantan's antics are crossing all limits?"

"Leave it, sir!" said Ganesan. 

"Except for Nilakantan, no one has any grievance. All of us are satisfied with your service. Why should you pay heed to his complaints?" 

"Sir! He is advanced in age. He has come alone. He has no one to help him. He is not able to manage on his own. He is also reluctant to accept our help, perhaps feeling guilty or uncomfortable about taking help from us. So, he feels irritated and yells. After the tour is over, I am not going to have any contact with him. I just have to put up with him for a week" said Ganesan.

"Mr. Ganesan! We are taking this pilgrimage hoping to get God's grace, by visiting sacred abodes of God. But, you are the real pilgrim. Looking at your patience and maturity of thinking, I consider you a sage!" I said.

*a/c - air-conditioner

**sambar - a gravy used in South Indian meal.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 16
Forbearance 

Verse 159 (In Tamil)

thuRandhArin thUymai udaiyar iRandhAr vAy
innAchchol nORkiRpavar.

Meaning:

Those who bear with the uncourteous speech of the insolent are as pure as the ascetics.

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

Verse 160
Verse 158

654. An Unexpected Offer

The company in which Sethupathy had been working for twelve years had been under the grip of financial problems for quite sometime. As a consequence, the company retrenched some employees Sethupathy was one among those who lost their jobs.

Sethupathy was trying to get a new job. But, despite making hectic efforts, he couldn't get a job, even three months after losing the job. 

When Sethupathy attended an interview in a company, he was surprised to find that the Managing Director of the company was his classmate Sabhari.

Sethupathy and Sabhari had studied together in the college. But, after completing the college education, the two were not in touch. 

"Hi Sethupathy! I didn't expect that you would attend an interview for a job in my company" said Sabhari, with a smile. 

"It is a surprise to me also" said Sabhari. "I am happy to see you as the Managing Director of a company, sir" said Sethupathy. 

"Don't call me 'sir.' Even when you will be working in my company, you can call me by my first name, as you did in our college days."

"Does it mean that I am getting the job?" asked Sethupathy, with a mild laugh. 

"Of course, you are" said Sabhari. "However, I want to make you a special offer. Can you meet me at my home this evening?"

Sabhari gave his visiting card to Sethupathy. 

When Sethupathy met Sabhari at his house that evening, Sabhari ascertained the details of Sethupathy's past experience. He then told Sethupathy about the state of his business.

"My business has been doing very well. I am planning to expand my business. But I have to consider the tax implications. Already, I have been doing a part of my business, without bringing it under the purview of tax. Expanding my business, without covering it under tax will be risky. So, I have been thinking of doing part of my business in the name of another person. And, you have come to me at the right time!" said Sabhari. 

"What do you mean?"

"My company is a private limited company. I propose to start a proprietary firm, with you as the proprietor and divert part of my business to this firm."

"How can it be done? First of all, I don't have money to invest. Secondly, how will it benefit you?"

"You don't have to invest any money. I will put in the capital required. Part of it will be shown as your capital and the remaining amount as loans. Being a proprietary firm, we can do a major part of the business by way of cash transactions and understate the turnover and profit in the account books. You will get a salary and also a share in profit. In practice, you will be working in my company. But you will have the tag of a proprietor. You will earn a good amount of money, more than what you will in a salaried job. What do you say?" asked Sabhari.

"Can you give me a job, without this arrangement?"

"Are you a fool? I am giving you an opportunity to be a proprietor of a firm, with no risk of investment, with a guaranteed monthly income by way of salary and a bonanza at the end of every year by way of a share in profit. What is the problem you have? You are going to work as you will, if you are in a job. You can proudly show your visiting card with your name as the proprietor of a firm to your friends and relatives. If you want, I will also give you a cabin with a nameboard outside, announcing your name as the proprietor."

"I am sorry, Sabhari. I don't want to be a part of an arrangement, which is both illegal and immoral. I will be thankful to you, if you can give me a job that will pay me a salary every month" said Sethupathy.

"I am not looking for an employee. I am looking for a person who can be the proprietor of a firm" said Sabhari, showing his unhappiness about Sethupathy's response.

Sethupathy got up to leave. He walked out, gripped by a concern about getting a job.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 66
Purity in Action

Verse 654 (in Tamil):
idukkaN padinum iLivandha seyyAr
nadukkaRRa kAtchiyavar

Meaning:

Those with unfaltering clarity and vision won’t do deplorable deeds, even when they are in distress.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'karumbu thinnak kUli' by the same author.) 

Verse 655
Verse 653

158. The Anonumous Letters

When his personal assistant Lila told Branch Manager Rudramurthy that the General Manager (GM) from the Head Office was on the line, Rudramurthy took the call immediately and said, "Good morning, sir!"

"Is your personal assistant with you?" asked the General Manager.

"Yes, sir" said Rudramurthy. Understanding that the General Manager wanted to speak to him in private, he signaled Lila to leave his cabin.

"Now I am alone. Please tell me, sir" said Rudramurthy.

"I hear that you are being very intimate with your persona assistant" said the General Manager.

"Sir" exclaimed Rudramurthy, momentarily taken aback.

"I am glad that you didn't respond 'how do you know, sir?' We have received an anonymous letter carrying this allegation."

"Sir! This is scandalous. Completely false!"

"Do you think we would believe this? Can you guess who could have written this letter?"

"I don't have to guess. I know for sure who wrote the letter. I am grateful to you for your faith in me."

"If you tell me who you think has written the letter, we will keep that person under watch and take action against him at the appropriate time."

"No, sir! I will deal with this" said Rudramurthy.

After the conversation was over, Rudramurthy summoned the peon and told him, "Ask Bhaskar to come."

When Bhaskar came to his cabin, Rudramurthy asked him, "I told you to attend to a customer complaint. What is the status?"

"I went to the customer's place and met him in person. He accepted my explanation and withdrew the complaint" said Bhaskar.

"Good" said Rudramurthy. "What do you think of Lila?"

"Sir, I don't understand the question."

"Someone has written an anonymous letter to the head office, saying certain undignified things about her."

"They wrote about Lila?"

"What did you expect? That they would have written about me?"

"Why are you telling me this, sir?"

"Because you are a wise man. You have a good understanding about every thing that is going on in this office. Someone, intending to paint me bad, has ended up besmirching the name of a good person like Lila."

Bhaskar was silent. 

"You are a person with a sense of responsibility. Find out who wrote that anonymous letter and advice him appropriately. If someone has a grudge against me, let him fight with me directly. People intending to hurt me should not end up in hurting other people. You may leave now."

Bhaskar went out of the cabin, without saying anything. 

After Bhaskar had left his cabin, Rudramurthy reflected. Bhaskar's face expression and reaction to the information about the anonymous letter confirmed that he was the author of that letter. It appeared to Rudramurthy that Bhaskar would have realized that dragging Lila's name was wrong.

Right from the time Bhaskar joined the company, he was maintaining a hostile attitude towards Rudramurthy. 

Rudramurthy's strictness during Bhaskar's training period and his repeated warnings to Bhaskar that he would be terminated without getting confirmed in his job, if he did not carry out the responsibilities given to him properly, created an impression in his mind that Rudramuthy was not fair and that he was unduly strict, while dealing with Bhaskar. This perception resulted in a feeling of bitterness and hostility towards Rudramurthy. 

Rudramurthy was aware that Bhaskar was doing things, with an intention to bring a bad name to Rudramurthy. It came to Rudramurthy's knowledge that Bhaskar, on several occasions, tried to spread false information about Rudramurthy among the employees and that he had written anonymous letters to the head office, making false allegations against Rudramurthy. 

Since Bhaskar was doing his job well, Rudramurthy did not mind his activities against him. This time, he spoke to Bhaskar, only because Bhaskar had dragged Lila's name by alleging an illicit relationship between Lila and Ruframurthy. Still, he spoke to Bhaskar only indirectly, hoping that he would realize that casting aspersions on Lila's character was not fair, when he had no grudge against her.

Bhaskar continued to indulge in similar activities, even after Rudramurthy spoke to him about the anonymous letter. He continued to send anonymous letters to the Head Office. But he did not involve other employees. It appeared to Rudramurthy that after his talk with Bhaskar about the unfairness of besmirching Lila's name, Bhaskar changed his ways. 

"Sir! There is a call from the GM" said Lila. 

Rudramurthy attended the call.

"Mr. Murthy! We keep getting anonymous letters about you, every now and then!" said the GM. 

"Are you going to take action on me, for the offenses alleged about me, in the anonymous letters?" asked Rudramurthy, in a lighter vein. 

"Though you won't reveal to us who has been writing these letters, we know the identity of the person."

Rudramurthy was silent. 

"We received the information about who was writing these letters, from one of your employees. Bhaskar is the culprit, isn't he?"

Rudramurthy remained silent. 

"You have been patiently tolerating his actions aimed at causing harm to you. I commend you for your forbearance. But, you have done something I am unable to digest" said the GM.

"I understand what you are referring to!" said Rudramurthy.

"You have recommended Bhaskar for the post of Assistant Manager - that too when there are three others senior to him!"

"Sir! Bhaskar is on top, on the basis of his competence and performance. For a position of responsibility, these two factors are the most important to be considered. This is my view."

"Have you forgotten the troubles he had caused to you? How can you put a person who tries to cause harm to others in a position of power and responsibility?" 

"Sir! When it comes to discharging his responsibilities, Bhaskar's performance has always been good. I think that it is reasonable to expect that it will continue to be so in future. I expect that once he is given a position of responsibility, he will act with greater responsibility. I only considered what was good for the company. Why should I block Bhaskar's deserved elevation, just because he tried to cause harm to me?" said Rudramurthy.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 16
Forbearance 

Verse 158 (In Tamil)

migudhiyAn mikkavai seydhAraith thAn tham
thagudhiyAn venRu vidal.

Meaning:

Defeat a person who has, out of arrogance, done you harm,

by your forbearance.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'mottaik kadidham' by the same author)

Verse 159
Verse 157

653. The Rise and the Fall

No one expected Bharani to come up so fast in the ranks, within two years of joining that political party.

Normally, ordinary members of the party won't have an opportunity to be noticed by the party supremo.

But, Bharani attracted the attention of the party president, by organizing public meetings at frequent intervals in his region and inviting top leaders of the party to address them. 

The party president sent word to Bharani to come to the headquarters of the party and meet him. After having a direct meeting with the party president, an opportunity available only to important functionaries of the party, Bharani had his reputation within the party go up even higher.

Having earned the commendation 'Bharani is another name for vibrancy,' from the party president, Bharani was made the head of the newly created Training Wing of the party, which was entrusted with the job of orienting and training new members of the party. Many people in the party felt that the new wing was created, only for giving a position of responsibility to Bharani.

After getting a position in the party, Bharani's importance within the party went up still further. 

"What have you done, moron! You are educated. Don't you have common sense?" flared the district secretary of the party.

"Sir, I was quietly dining in a restaurant. The man sitting opposite to me accused me of spilling water on his side of the table. It led to some argument between us. After he used abusive language against me, I was provoked and used some harsh words against him" said Bharani, twisting his body, with a feeling of embarrassment.  

"Used some harsh words against him! What an understatement! You berated him using indecent and vulgar words, words seldom used in public. In fact, I didn't know that there were such vulgar words in Tamil! Someone took a video of your indecent outburst and shared it in the social media. That video became viral in no time. The opposition parties and the media have been deriding our leader saying, 'Look at the 'dignified' language used by a functionary of the party, whose leader often gives discourses on dignity and decorum in political discussions. And, this 'man of words' is in charge of the training wing of the party. One can imagine what kind of training the members of the party will get from this gentleman!' Our leader is understandably enraged by your behaviour. I don't know what action he is going to take against you. You were coming up so fast in the party, through your hard work and dedication. But, by this one act of yours, you have ruined your future" said the district secretary.

That evening, there was a press release from the parry headquarters that Bharani was expelled from the party and relieved of all positions held by him in the party with immediate effect.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 66
Purity in Action

Verse 653 (in Tamil):
Odhal vENdum oLi mAzhgum seyvinai
Adhum ennum avar.

Meaning:  

Those who seek to scale greater heights should shun deeds that dent their reputation.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'suRusuRuppukku oru baraNi' by the same author.) 

 Verse 654
Verse 652