664. The Guide

I have heard my father often say about his friend Sundaram, "Sundaram is a knowledgeable person. He knows how to do various things. If you seek his guidance on any matter, he will show you the correct way."

Since my friend Selvam had a problem relating to his property, I took him to Sundaram, for getting his guidance.

When Selvam explained his problem to Sundaram and asked him whether there was a way to resolve the problem, Sundaram said, "There is a way to do anything."

"Executing a task is similar to going to a place on a top floor of a multistory building. If you want to go to any higher floor, you can take the stairs. If the destination is at the first floor, the number of steps will be small. If it is at the tenth floor, you will have to climb a large number of steps. It will be a tedious exercise. But you can climb. If you can't or don't want to climb the stairs, you can use a facility like a lift or escalator, if it is available. But creating such a facility is expensive. In the same way, if you want to carry out a task with minimal efforts, the process will be expensive. If there are no stairs, you will have to use shortcuts like using a rope to climb up. Not everyone will be able to adopt such shortcuts, either because they can't afford them, or because they won't like to use them. Some of these shortcuts could be illegal or risky. Therefore, before doing any task, if we can prepare a blueprint listing out the steps involved, the tasks involved at each step, the alternative ways available, advantages and disadvantages of different approaches etc, then we can execute the task in a methodical way and achieve the result we want."

After this long explanation, Sundaram came to the problem relating to Selvam's property. 

"Your property matter is somewhat complicated. There are issues like undivided ancestral property, a fairly large number of heirs, new claimants due to the passing away of some people etc. I will tell you what you should do, step by step. Make a note of the steps" said Sundaram and then listed out the steps. 

"It will require time and efforts and it will entail some expenditure. But, if you start doing things in the order mentioned by me, you will be able to complete the task. It may take five or six months for you to complete the process. But, after completing the process, you will have the satisfaction of carrying out an arduous task with perfection, following a systematic approach" said Sundaram.

After listening to Sundaram explain the process by breaking it into detailed steps, Selvam felt confident about doing the task. 

Selvam thanked Sundaram and got up to leave. I also stood up.

"Wait for a while. People who visit me shouldn't leave without having a cup of coffee. My wife is making coffee. But, excuse me. I have to leave now" said Sundaram and left.

After a couple of moments, Mrs. Sundaram came from the kitchen, with a coffee tray on her hands. She greeted me with a smile and said, "How are you? How are your parents?"

"All are fine, auntie!" I said, taking a coffee cup from the tray extended to us by her.

I introduced my friend to her and said, "He is my friend Selvam. There is an issue about his family property. We came to seek Sundaram uncle's advice about how to resolve the issue. Sundaram uncle explained the steps very clearly."

"Yes, auntie. He gave me excellent guidance" said Selvam.

"He will give good advice, alright. But, he cannot do anything for him or for our family" said Mr. Sundaram.

"Why do you say so, auntie?" I asked her, perturbed.

"There is a property in the name of my husband's mother. When she was alive, she announced that she would give that property to my husband. Her other sons - my husband's brothers agreed to abide by her wish. But, she passed away before she could execute a will. The title deeds of the property are still in her name. Only if the title of the property is transferred in my husband's name, he will be able to claim ownership of the property. My husband told me that this could be done by getting a legal heir certificate and then getting a release deed executed by his brothers, relinquishing their share in the property in favour of my husband. His brothers are willing to execute such a relinquishment deed. It has been three years since his mother passed away. But, my husband has been procrastinating on taking steps to get this done. I have lost all hopes of his doing it. I apprehend that the property worth ten lakh rupees may go out of our hand, because of my husband's inaction" said Mrs. Sundaram, her voice showing her concern.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 67
Efficiency in Action

Verse 664 (in Tamil):
solludhal yArkkum eLiya ariyavAm
solliya vaNNam seyal.

Meaning:  

It is easy for a person to say how a task is to be done, but it is difficult for the person to do it the way outlined by him.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'vazhi kAtti' by the same author.) 

Verse 665
Verse 663