688. The Minister's 'Impropriety'

"We are sending Chithiraichelvan as an emissary for the first time. Will he able to perform the role effectively?" the King asked the Minister.

"Your Majesty! There will be a first time for every person. After all, Nandi country is our friendly country. The experience Chithiraichelvan will gain by going as an emissary to a friendly country will prepare him well to take up challenging assignments in future."

"Okay. Let us see how he performs" said the King. 

"Minister! Chithiraichelvan has come back after completing his mission. He seems to have done a good job" said the Minister.

"Yes, Your Majesty! I can confirm it" said the Minister.

"How?"

"You should forgive me, Your Majesty! Without seeking your approval, I arranged to have the emissary monitored."

"How did you monitor him?"

"I sent a message to one of our intelligence agents operating from Nandi country to keep a watch over Chithiraichelvan. The agent monitored every activity of Chithiraichelvan, from the time he stepped into Nandi country. Even before Chithiraichelvan returned to our country after completing his mission, I received a coded message from the agent about Chithiraichelvan's performance."

"Is it not improper to have an emissary monitored by an intelligence agent?"

"It is, Your Majesty! But there was a need to assess how an inexperienced person going to another country as an emissary for the first time performs. Your Majesty also expressed some concern about his ability to perform the role!" said the Minister, apologetically. 

"Ok. What did the intelligence agent say about Chithiraichelvan's performance?"

"Chithiraichelvan had been steadfast in maintaining his character, while being in Nandi country. The intelligence agent set a honey trap to him, by sending a seductive call girl to entice him. But. Chithiraichelvan spurned her seductive moves and sent her away. Secondly, Chithiraichelvan got acquainted with a wise and courageous citizen of Nandi country to get some help he might have needed while being in that country. Thirdly, while conveying your message to the King of Nandi, Chithiraichevan had been bold and unequivocal. He answered the King's questions truthfully. When the King repeatedly asked Chithiraichelvan about things which he was not expected to talk about, he told the king that he had no information on that subject and added courageously that even if he had, he wouldn't reveal it."

"Minister, I am happy about the assessment you made about the emissary. But, as to your act of asking an intelligence agent to follow our emissary..."

The King paused.

The Minister looked at the King, with apprehension. 

"It was an act of impropriety. But, I can't fault you for it, because I also committed the same impropriety!" said the King.

"How, may I ask, Your Majesty."

"Just like you, I also engaged a spy to monitor the emissary. The report given by my source is in concurrence with the report you received from your source!" said the King smiling. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 688 (in Tamil):
thUymai thuNaimai thuNivudaimai immUnRin
vAymai vazhi uraippAn paNbu.

Meaning:

The qualifications required of a person who faithfully delivers his king's message are purity, ability to seek support from sources in the country of his visit and boldness. In addition to the above three, he should also be truthful.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thUtharaip pin thodarndhu' by the same author.) 

Verse 689 (Soon)
Verse 687

687. The Emissary Who Became Ill

"You said an emissary had come from Maragatha country!" King Subhakeerthy, asked the Minister.

"Yes, Your Majesty! He arrived here last night. We have put him up in our guest house. We told him that he could meet you this morning. But, this morning, he suddenly became ill. So, we can get him to the palace only tomorrow" said the Minister. 

"What if he is not well? He can come here, convey the message, go back to the guest house and take rest!" said the King, showing his displeasure.

"He is suffering from severe dysentery, Your Majesty" said the Minister, with embarrassment.

The emissary could not come to meet the King the next day, either. The Minister informed the King that the palace physician was treating the emissary, but that the emissary was still not cured.

"In that case, you may meet him and get the message from him" the King told the Minister.

"I tried to do so, Your Majesty. But, the emissary told me that the King of Maragatha had strictly instructed him that he should personally communicate the message to Your Majesty" replied the Minister.

"In that case, I will visit him at the guest house this evening and hear the message from him."

"Your Majesty! It may not be appropriate for you to go to the place where the emissary is staying and see him."

"There is a dispute between us and Maragatha country about the ownership of the Cardomom island. I am curious to know what message the king of Maragatha had sent to us through the emissary. I am impatient of waiting for the emissary to recover from his illness and come to meet me."

"How is your health, Emissary?" asked the King.

Meganathan, the emissary, who was lying on a cot, was momentarily startled by the King's voice and made a strong effort to get up. 

"Don't strain yourself. You can convey the message to me, lying on the cot" said King Subhakeerthi, in a commanding tone.

"Your Majesty! How can I be llying down, when you are standing?"

The King sat on a seat near the bed and told Meghanathan, "Now, convey the the message to me!"

Meghanathan said something, but his voice being feeble, the King could not hear him clearly. The King bent down, kept his ear near Meghanathan's lips and listened to him. 

After listening to the message conveyed by Meghanathan, the King became livid with anger. In an impulse, he almost drew out his sword to strike Meghanathan, but restrained himself and got up from the seat. 

Observing the King's reaction, the Minister, who was standing nearby asked him, "What was the message conveyed by him, Your Majesty?"

"The King of Maragatha asserts that the Cardomom Island belongs to his country and demands that we immediately withdraw our troops stationed there. If we don't, he will send his warships there and decimate our troops stationed in the island! This was the message conveyed by this sick man, lying on the cot! If he had conveyed this message to me in my court, it would have caused me immense disgrace. In such a situation, I don't know what I would have done to him. Driven by an impulse, I could have even beheaded him, violating the tradition of not harming an emissary. Whether the emissary recovers from his illness or not, ensure that by the end of tomorrow, he is taken away from here and left at some place outside the border of our country."

The king left the place in anger, after instructing the minister.

When the minister looked at Loganathan's face, he discerned a faint smile at the corners of his lips.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 687 (in Tamil):
kadan aRindhu kAlam karudhi idan aRindhu
eNNi uraippAn thalai.

Meaning:

Foremost among envoys is one who knows the task,

weighs the time and place, and speaks with sagacity.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thUthanin udalnilai' by the same author.) 

Verse 688
Verse 686

686. The Minister's Suggestion

"We have to send an emissary to Kalanjiya country. Servarayan, the king of Kalanjiya is a scholar. He has read books on a wide range of subjects. He will try to convince our emissary that he is being fair and reasonable. He will cite many historical events to justify his point of view. Therefore, the emissary we send should be an erudite person, be able to present the facts to him boldly and answer his arguments in a logical way. He should be able to convey our message to Servarayan clearly and boldly, without mincing words.

"Servarayan has the habit of trying to intimidate the other person if he fails to convince the other person, or if he finds that the other person is firm in his convictions. Though there is an unwritten rule that no harm should be caused to an emissary, Servarayan will try to intimidate the emissary, using an angry gaze and veiled threats. The person we send as our emissary should be capable of facing these challenges."

The minister listened to the king's words, without saying anything.

"Why are you silent? Are you not able to think of anyone with the capabilities mentioned by me?" asked the king.

"Your Majesty! There is one person who fits the requirements mentioned by you. But, I am not sure whether we can send him as our emissary" said the minister, in a tone of hesitation. 

"Who is he? Why can't we send him as the emissary?"

"If you permit, he can be sent. He is in prison now!"

"Whom are you referring to?"

"Your cousin Nandivarman" said the minister and looked at the king, wondering how he would react to his suggestion.

"Nandivarman! He was sent to jail for his disloyalty to the throne. You are picking up that man for this job!" remarked the king, angrily. 

"Your Majesty! You had entrusted him with with certain duties relating to the administration of the country. But, you were displeased with some of his activities. When you questioned him about his deeds, he justified them from his point of view. You didn't accept his explanation. He averred that he acted after careful thinking of the issues involved and that his actions were aimed at the good of the country. His crime was that he reiterated his views, without being intimidated by your disapproval of his line of thinking. If you can look at his actions from another perspective, you can see that he has the qualities required of an emissary, the qualities listed by you. It is my humble opinion that you should release him from the prison, send him as your emissary to Kalanjiya country and subsequently make use of him in the performance of tasks relating to governance!"

The minister waited with bated breath for the king's response to his suggestion. 

The king was silent for a minute and then said, "Minister! After listening to you, I have realized that the qualities of an emissary listed out by me are possessed not only by Nandivarman, but also by you! Ask Nandivarman to be released, treat him with honour and bring him to me. I will request him to accept the assignment of going to Kalanjiya country, as our emissary" said the king. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 686 (in Tamil):
kaRRuk kaN anjAn selach chollik kAlaththAl
thakkadhu aRivadhAm thUthu.

Meaning:

A good envoy is well learned, can look anyone in the eye without fear, has compelling speech and comes up with timely strategies.

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

Verse 687
Verse 685

169. A Man of Noble Heart

When lyricist Kasilingam came to the film studio, he brought a young man with him.

"Who is this young man? Is he your assistant?" asked the producer. 

"His name is Ilavarasan. He pens good lyrics" said Kasilingam.

"How did you find him?"

"He had been sending his poems to me by post. I have always been receiving poems from a number of budding poets. I won't read most of the poems. I would randomly pick a few poems and read them. Among them were the poems sent by Ilavarasan. I found his poems to be interesting. I sent him a letter appreciating his poems. He came to Chennai from his native place to see me, bringing my letter along, as if it was a call letter for an interview! I told him,' Hundreds of budding poets are roaming about the streets of Chennai, hoping to get a chance to write lyrics for films. But, getting a chance to write for a film is not easy' and sent him away. But he had been visiting my home every morning and waiting at my doorstep. I ignored him all along. However, considering his persistence and talent, I brought him here, to request you to give him a chance in one of your films" said Kasilingam.

The producer told Ilavarasan "Please wait outside the room. I will call you after a while."

After Ilavarasan had gone out, the producer told Kasilingam, "What is this, sir? The film world is notorious for the fierce competition among the various kinds of artists. Each artist is trying to drive others out so that he could monopolize the field. But, you have brought in a person to be your competitor. And, you are asking me to give him a chance!"

"I thought I could help a person who had talent. If he comes up in this field and overtakes me in future, I am not going to grudge his success!"

"You are a person with a golden heart. I don't think I can find another person like you in this field. I will give a chance to this boy, only out of my respect for you" said the producer.

The very first song written by Ilavarasan earned a name for him. He began to get chances to write songs for a number of films. His graph was rising very fast. A stage was reached when the leading actors began to insist that Ilavarasan should write the songs for their films. Within a short time, Ilavarasan reached a height above the reach of other lyricists in the field. 

"Sir! You will be writing three songs for this film. Lyricist Mani will write the remaining two songs" said Ilavarasan's secretary. 

"No way. Hereafter, I should be the only lyricist for the films I am working for. Tell the producers who come to book me for their films that I would write for their films, only if they agree to this condition" Ilavarasan told his secretary. 

"Why do you want to insist on this condition, sir?"

"If a song written by another person for the same film becomes more popular than the songs written by me, then people will start talking that the other lyricist writes better than me. Should I have to listen to such nonsense?"

'If Lyricist Kasilingam had thought this way, you wouldn't have been able to enter the film world at all!' thought the secretary. 

Though the producers did not like the condition insisted on by Ilavarasan, they were forced to accept it, since the leading actors were adamant that Ilavarasan should write the lyrics for their films. As a result, the other lyricists found opportunities for them dwindling.

When Kasilingam was coming out of the studio, film director Kittu, a long time friend of Kasilingam, ran into him. 

"How are you, Kasilingam? It has been long since we met. After all, I have not directed any film during the last few years" said Kittu.

After conversing for a few minutes, Kasilingam took leave of Kittu. 

"Where is your car? Is your driver bringing it here?" asked Kittu.

"I have no car and hence no driver. I have no money, either. I alone exist!" said Kasilingam, using poetical language.

"What happened, Kasi?" asked Kittu, shocked by Kasilingam's reply. 

"Just as opportunities have dwindled for other lyricists, after the rise of Ilavarasan, opportunities have become scarce for me also. With my present level of income, I can't maintain a car. So, I have sold my car. I use only public transport and on rare occasions, a cab" said Kasilingam.

An Audi car went fast them. 

"It is Ilavarasan!" said Kittu, looking  at the fast moving car.      

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy

Verse 169 (In Tamil)

avviya nenjaththAn Akkamum sevviyAn
kEdum ninaikkp padum..

Meaning:

The wealth of a man of envious mind and the poverty of a person with a good heart need to be analysed.

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

Verse 170 (Soon)
Verse 168

685. Kathirvelan's Questions

"Are not emissaries expected to go alone, when they are on a mission?" asked Kathirvelan.

"Yes, in general. But, why do you ask this question?" asked Kumaravyasan.

"You are the emissary. Why did they ask me to accompany you?"

"They might have sent you along with me, thinking that you would be of some help to me!"

"But I didn't render any help to you. There was neither a need nor an opportunity for me to render any help to you!"

"In that case, you will have to think and find an answer to the question why they sent you with me."

"The minister has not left even that task to me. While briefing me about this mission, the minister told me that he was sending me as your assistant, with a view to give me an opportunity to learn things from you. He exhorted me to keep my mouth shut, quietly accompany you and just observe the things you say and do."

"Why did you ask me the question, then?"

"I asked you with a fond hope that you might give me a different answer! By the way, may I know what the minister told you about me?"

"Of course. He told me, 'Someday, this boy would become an excellent emissary. I am not sure whether you will be alive at that time. So, learn things from him now itself!'"

"Please don't ridicule me. I have a keen desire to learn a lot from you. Can I ask you some questions?"

"You can. But just now, you told me that the Minister had asked you to keep your mouth shut?"

"Again, you are pulling my leg! I am asking you for this favour, only out of my strong desire to learn things from you."

"Okay. Shoot your questions."

"First of all, I would like to convey my astonishment at the way you communicate. You collected your thoughts in an organized way and conveyed the message given by our king in a concise and coherent way, yet ensuring that the communication was comprehensive and clear. I noticed that the king of this country was impressed by the way you delivered the message to him." 

"Communicating the message in a concise and coherent way, ensuring that no point is missed, is the foremost skill to be mastered by a person wishing to serve as an emissary. If you want to become an emissary, you should acquire this skill first."

"I understand, sir. I have another question. When the king asked you how the crop yield in our country was, you told him that since a part of the crops had been damaged by heavy rains, the harvest was lower than normal this year. But, we had a bountiful harvest this year!"

"While travelling in this country, I noticed that there was famine in some parts of this country. If I had said that we had a bountiful harvest in our country, the king would have felt bitter about the famine in his country. A person, however good he is, will be inclined to compare his status with that of another. Such a comparison will invariably create a feeling of bitterness towards the other. This has nothing to do with a person being good or bad. This is human nature. When I told the king that our crop yield was lower this year, that information would have given some consolation to the king. That is why I gave a slightly gloomy picture about the crop yield in our country. This does not amount to telling a lie."

"I understand. But, you also lied about one thing!"

"What was that?"

"You told the king that people of this country were very hospitable and that they offered food and shelter to us, during our travel within the country. But this was not true. No one offered food to us. We had to starve during the major part of our journey, since there were not many places that offered food for money, either."

"If we speak to a king highly about his people, will he not feel proud and elated? When he is in a happy state of mind, he will be more inclined to listen to us. The chances of his giving us a favourable response will also be good, won't they be?'

"In fact, that is what has happened! By accompanying you, I have learnt how an emissary should conduct himself to make his mission successful and secure benefits to his country through his mission" said Kathirvelan, with a feeling of happiness and satisfaction.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 685 (in Tamil):
thogach chollith thUvAdha nIkki nagach cholli
nanRi payappadhAm thUthu.

Meaning:

Being coherent in speech, avoiding harsh words, and speaking in a pleasing manner are the ways an envoy should adopt, to get an outcome favourable to his country.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kadhir vEndhanin kELvigaL' by the same author.) 

Verse 686
Verse 684

684. The Emissary

Arivanandam, who returned to his home country, after completing his mission of carrying a message to the king of a hostile country, met the king of his country and conveyed to him what transpired in the meeting he had with the enemy king.

After Arivanandam had briefed the king and left, the king summoned the minister and told him, "Arivanandam's mission has been successful. King Kathirvelan has accepted our proposal."

"Very happy to know this, Your Majesty" replied the minister.

"I don't see any sign of happiness in your tone or on your face!" said the king, with a chuckle.

"I am happy, Your Majesty."

"I understand that you are unhappy about my sending Arivanandam as our emissary, instead of Ramadasar, recommended by you."

"Your Majesty! I recommended Ramadasar, considering that he is intelligent and erudite and hence highly appropriate for the mission. But, I am not unhappy about your sending Arivanandam as our emissary."

"Acting on your recommendation, I asked Ramadasar to accept the mission. But, he told me that he won't be the appropriate choice for the mission and recommended Arivanandam, instead. I requested him to advise Arivanandam about the intricacies of functioning as an emissary. Accordingly, he advised Arivanandam. Arivanandam went as our emissary and performed his task successfully. Since you were indisposed and confined to your home as per the advice of the palace physician, I had no opportunity to appraise you of these developments, earlier" said the king. 

"Your Majesty! I am perplexed by the question why Ramadasar considered himself unsuitable to act as an emissary.When he had considered himself unsuitable for the job, how could we consider his advising Arivanandam appropriate?" remarked the minister. 

"Minister! When I told Ramadasar that you considered that he possessed the intelligence and erudition required to serve as an emissary, do you know what his response was?" 

"What did he say?"

"He said 'An emissary should have one more trait - an impressive appearance. I don't have that. The minister might have overlooked this disqualification, because of the affection he has for me. But, a good appearance is also important for an emissary. Only a person with good appearance, a keen intelligence and erudition is competent to serve as an emissary.' He then recommended Arivanandam for the job" said the king and looked at the minister. 

The minister recalled Ramadasar's face studded with freckles and wondered how he had failed to consider his unattractive appearance, while recommending him as the emissary. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 684 (in Tamil):
aRivu uru ArAyndha kalvi im mUnRan
seRivudaiyAn selga vinaikku.

Meaning:

Intelligence, good appearance and thorough learning - he who has these three in abundance, let him be the one to go on a diplomatic mission.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'amaichcharin parindhuraiyai ERkAdhadhu En?' by the same author.) 

Verse 685
Verse 683

168. Valliappan's Fall

When Muthu joined as the Manager of 'Meenakshi Bhavan,' a restaurant owned by Valliappan, he found Valliappan to be a wonderful person, kind and considerate towards his employees and customers. 

During the next few years of Muthu's association with Valliappan, he often wondered whether there would be other people in the world, with the noble qualities of Valliappan. Because of his esteem for Valliappan, Muthu did not consider attractive offers he received from some other reputed restaurants, at various places. 

Muthu was therefore surprised by the changes in the attitude and behaviour of Valliappan, since the time 'Meenakshi Bhavan' met its competitor in the business.

'Meenakshi Bhavan' had, for the past several years, the reputation of being the best restaurant in the town. Though some other restaurants came up from time to time, they did not grow to the level of becoming a competitor of 'Meenakshi Bhavan.'

But, after 'Lakshmi Vilas' restaurant was opened in that town, the situation changed. Very soon after its opening, 'Lakshmi Vilas' attracted more customers than 'Meenakshi Bhavan.'

"What is there in that restaurant that pulls people? Are the dishes they offer more delicious than the ones we do?" Valliappan asked Muthu.

"I don't think so. sir. People seem to have been attracted by the ambience of that restaurant. The restaurant is housed in a new building, which has a shining floor. The restaurant has other attractions like a attractive display board, fancy furniture etc. However, our business has not been affected. Some of our customers might have gone there out of curiosity, but they have not left us. Perhaps, some customers of other restaurants might have shifted their patronage to the new restaurant. Since we have not been affected by the opening of 'Lakshmi Vilas,' we need not be concerned about its popularity" said Muthu. 

"A person who came from nowhere is trying to compete with us. How can we watch it passively?" asked Valliappan. 

For the first time, Muthu saw a different facet of Valliappan's personality. 

'Why is this man, who is so kind and considerate towards every one, has a rancor towards the proprietor of 'Lakshmi Vilas,' especially when his business has not been affected by the entry of 'Lakshmi Vilas?' Muthu wondered.

From that time, the Valliappan that Muthu saw was a person totally different from the one he has been working under in the past. 

Valliappan was constantly obsessed with the thought of sabotaging 'Lakshmi Vilas.' He often discussed his plans towards that end with Muthu. Though Muthu politely suggested to him that such negative approach won't be helpful, he didn't pay heed to his words.

'Lakshmi Vilas' began to face some problems. Rumours were afloat about that restaurant. 

One rumour was that the restaurant bought rotten vegetables for a cheap price and used them for cooking. There was another rumour that some people who had dined in that restaurant developed symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach ache etc, that they were treated in an hospital and that Kannan, the Proprietor of 'Lakshmi Vilas' met the treatment expenses but made the affected people promise that they would keep the health problems developed by them after eating in his restaurant and the treatment received by them a secret. 

Other such rumours surfaced now and then. However, the business of 'Lakshmi Vilas' did not seem to have been affected by those rumours. 

Muthu had a suspicion that Valliappan could have engineered the generation and spreading of such rumours. Whenever there was a negative news about 'Lakshmi Vilas,' Valliappan would look at Muthu and smile.To Muthu, that smile appeared similar to the smile of a child that had committed a mischievous act secretly.  

After some time, an impression began to be created in the minds of the people of that town that Valliappan, driven by a sense of business rivalry, had been causing problems to 'Lakshmi Vilas,' with the intention of besmirching the good name of the restaurant. 

This perception created a sympathy for 'Lakshmi Vilas,' and an aversion for 'Meenakshi Bhavan.'

The business of 'Lakshmi Vilas' was growing exponentially. For the first time since the inception of 'Meenakshi Bhavan,' the turnover of 'Meenakshi Bhavan' began to decline. 

"Sir! Please don't mistake me for saying this. I think you should stop thinking about 'Lakshmi Vilas' and focus on improving the business of our restaurant, which is showing a decline" Muthu told Valliappan. 

"I ddon't care if I have to close down my restaurant. I won't stop till I bring down 'Lakshmi Vilas!" said Valliappan, his voice reflecting his anger and frustration. 

After a few months, a stage was reached, when 'Meenakshi Bhavan' had to down its shutters. due to mounting losses on the one hand and the lack of patronage from customers, on the other. 

Muthu took leave of Valliappan, accepted a job in a restaurant in another town and moved there.   

After a few months, Muthu happened to meet a person, who was a resident of the town where Muthu had been working as the Manager of 'Meenakshi Bhavan'

"How is Mr. Valliappan?" Muthu asked him.

"Have you not heard the news? One day, a number of people who had dined in 'Lakshmi Vilas' suffered an attack of diarrhea and were hospitalized. The police registered a case. The investigation by the police revealed that Valliappan had bribed an employee of 'Lakshmi Vilas' and made him contaminate a dish by mixing a toxic substance. Valliappan was arrested. After a few days of incarceration, he was released on bail. He has to fight the case in the court but people say that he has no money to engage a lawyer" he said. 

'What a fall from grace for a person who was wealthy and honourable!' regretted Muthu. 

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy

Verse 168 (In Tamil)

azhukkARu ena oru pAvi thiruch cheRRuth
thIyuzhi uyththu vidum..

Meaning:

Envy is a damned ill that will destroy one’s wealth and consign him to a fiery inferno.

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

Verse 169
Verse 167

683. Who Should Be the Emissary?

"We have received intelligence reports that Gandharva country is planning to invade us. Though we have the strength to repulse their attack, we should make efforts to avoid the war, considering that a war will cause hardship to the people of both the countries. What can we do to avert a war?" asked King Neethivarma.

"We can send an emissary to Gandharva country immediately to persuade the king of Gandharva against waging a war with us" said the Minister. 

"If we send an emissary, after knowing that Gandhrva country has been planning to wage a war against us, will it not make us appear weak? The King of Gandharva may even think that we are afraid to face his troops in the battle field!"

"Yes. Unfortunately, a well-intentioned move from us may be seen as a sign of weakness on our part. The King of Gandharva will be inclined to form such an impression. But, a skilled emissary will be able to dispel such an impression and make the other side realize that we are trying to avert the war, only in the interests of the people of both the countries. In fact, he can even create an impression that averting a war would be more beneficial to Gandharva country than to us!" 

"What you say is correct, Minister! So, it is essential that we choose the right person and send him to Gandharva country, as our emissary!" said the King, smiling. 

"I have an idea about who the right person is. If you agree with my choice, we can send that person as the emissary!" said the Minister, with a smile.

"I have a feeling that you and I have the same person in our minds. That person is..." the King left the sentence incomplete.

"Tell me, Your Majesty!" 

"You are that person! It is not surprising that you were reluctant to suggest your own name for the job" said the King. 

"No, Your Majesty. I had another name in my mind!"

"Who is that?"

"The Crown Prince!"

"The Prince!" exclaimed the King. "He doesn't have much experience in dealing with people. How will he be suitable for the job?"

"Your Majesty! We need to convey two messages to the King of Gandharva. One, our country has always despised war. We have strived to have friendly relationships even with countries much smaller than ours. Two, whenever we were forced into a battle, despite our efforts to avert it, we emerged victorious. The above two messages should be strongly delivered, by presenting historical evidence recorded by writers of history and by poets, who immortalized the victories by describing them in their poems. Who can do this better than our Prince, who, even at this young age, shines as an erudite scholar, by having read a number of literary works and records of history?"said the Minister.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 683 (in Tamil):
nUlAruL nUl vallan Agudhal vElAruL
venRi vinai uraippAn paNbu.

Meaning:

An emissary on a mission, seeking to secure a win for his country, by conveying messages to other rulers in an apt manner, must be a learned person among the erudite.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thUthu sellap poruththamAnavar' by the same author.) 

Verse 684
Verse 682

167. The Jealous Husband!

"My sister Vanaaja's daughter's marriage has been fixed" Said Saroja, enthusiastically.

Her husband Subhsh, who had just returned home from work said, "Oh!" disinterestedly.

"The groom is working in the U.S." she added, with pride.

Subhash's face expression turned bitter. 

"I have been running a business, earnings millions of rupees. We got our daughter married to a groom working in India. How did your sister's husband, who is working in a small firm for a poor salary, get hold of a groom working in the U.S.?" asked Subhash. 

"What kind of a question is this? We didn't look for a groom working in the U.S. We got our daughter married to a groom from India, who is well-employed and who is earning well. My sister's family did not specifically scout for a groom from the U.S. It so happened that way" said Saroja, in a disapproving tone.

"Well. It is the people, at the bottom who often hit the jackpot!"

"Please remember that you are talking about my sister's family. Don't talk about them in such demeaning terms."

"I am only stating a fact. What is wrong in making an observation that a person of poor means like my brother-in-law was lucky to fix a groom working in the U.S. for his daughter?" said Subhash, defensively. 

"Among the three daughters of my parents, I was the only one to get married to a wealthy person. As a result, I lead a rich life. My two sisters belong to the middle class. My two brothers also have only moderate means. Logically, my brothers and sisters should feel jealous of me. But, you feel jealous of my sister's family! In future, if something good happens to my brothers or sisters, you will feel jealous of them. It is funny. But, I am not amused" said Saroja, with resentment and went inside. 

On another occasion, Subhash spoke to Saroja bitterly about one of his employees sending his son to the U.S. for higher studies.

"He is a clerk in my firm. He is surviving on the salary paid by me. And, he is sending his son abroad for higher education. How strange!" said Subhash.

"What is strange or surprising about it? People from poor families going abroad for higher studies has become so common now. Banks give educational loans. Foreign universities give scholarships. A lot of young people from poor families have gone abroad for studies, got jobs there and transformed the financial position of their parents, by sending them money from abroad!" said Saroja. 

"Is it not natural for me to become upset, if someone below me achieves something I have not been able to?"

"Why should you be upset about another person achieving something? People make use of the opportunity they get. We had only one daughter. We could have given her any education at any place in the world. We had the resources for it. But, she was not interested in higher studies. She didn't want to study further, after getting her undergraduate degree. Subsequently, we got her married. She is living a happy life. Let others do what they want and what they are able to. Why are you perturbed?" said Saroja. 

Knowing that she couldn't change the attitude of her husband, who was resentful and jealous of other people's success and achievements, Saroja managed to put up with the outpouring of his jealous feelings now and then. 

"Saroja! We may have to move over to another house. Will you feel unhappy about it?" Subhash asked Saroja. 

"This is our own house. Why should we move to another house?" asked Saroja, perplexed. 

"There have been some developments, Saroja. I borrowed money for developing my business, by mortgaging our house to the bank."

"Yes. I am aware of it. But, is your business not doing well?" 

"No, It is not. I have been facing problems in the business for the past few years. I have been incurring losses. I didn't tell you about them, lest you should be worried. I thought I would be able to tide over the situation over a period. Facing a financial crunch, I borrowed money from private lenders too, at high rates of interest. But, I was unable to set things right. The losses have mounted. Now the debt burden has gone up, with the accumulation of interest. I am left with no option other than selling our house and using the proceeds to clear my liabilities."

"What about your business?" asked Saroja, shocked. 

"I won't be able to run the business any more. I have to wind it up. After selling our house and settling the liabilities, some surplus money will be left. We will have to deposit the sum in the bank and live on the interest income on that sum. If the interest income won't be sufficient to meet our needs, I may have to go for a job."

Subhash's voice became choked. 

'My husband, who was jealous of other people's success even when he was living a life to the envy of other people, may, hereafter, have to feel jealous of every one around him!' thought Saroja.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy

Verse 167 (In Tamil)

avviththu azhukkARu udaiyAnaich cheyyavaL
thavvaiyaik kAtti vidum.

Meaning:

Sridevi, the Goddess of Wealth, will despise a jealous person and direct him to her sister, Moodevi, the Goddess of Poverty.

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

Verse 168
Verse 166

682. Choosing the Ambassador

"Three people have been shortlisted for being posted as the ambassador for an important country. After seeing the list, I have guessed who would get the job?"

"Who do you think would get it?"

"Chandramurthy."

"How can you be sure?"

"Chandramurthy is well known to the Prime Minister. When the present Prime Minister was the Finance Minister some years back, Chandramurthy was the Finance Secretary. The two had a congruous relationship at that time."

"But, the other two candidates are equally competent!"

"Al the three candidates are competent, of course. That was the reason they have been shortlisted. But I strongly believe that Chandramurthy is ahead of the other two in the race. You will see that my assessment is right, when the selection is announced!"

"But, I expect that one of the other two is likely to be selected!"

"Which of the two?"

"It could be either. Each of them has a better chance than Chandramurthy."

"Can you tell me the basis for your assessment?"

"Well. Let us look at all the three candidates. All the three are intellectuals. They are highly educated and well experienced. They are articulate in expressing their views. They show empathy and get along well with others. So, we can say all the three possess the essential qualities required of an ambassador. ButChandramurthy lacks one attribute that the other two have."

"What is that attribute?"

"My talking about this now won't be appropriate. In case Chandramurthy is selected for the post, I will accept that my understanding was wrong. If one of the other two is selected, I will know that my assessment was right. At that time, I will tell you what that attribute is." 

"The announcement is expected this evening. Once the announcement is made, I will call you."

"Hello, Congratulations! Your assessment has been proved right. Chandramurthy didn't get the post. Can you tell me the attribute that Chandramurthy does not possess?"

"I believe that an ambassador needs to possess three essential attributes. One, empathy for others. Two, a keen sense of perception. Three, speaking after weighing his words. I have observed that Chandramurthy doesn't have the third attribute. That was why I thought that the chances of his getting selected for the post of an ambassador were slim."

"How did you conclude that Chandramurthy didn't possess the attribute of weighing his words before saying something important. He had impressed me as an articulate speaker."

"He is articulate, no doubt. But, is he always discriminating in the use of words? No. You mentioned about his having been the Finance Secretary, when the present Prime Minister was the Finance Minister. On a few occasions, the statements made by Chandramurthy without proper thinking created embarrassments for the Finance Minister. The man who was the Finance Minister then and who is the Prime Minister now would not have forgotten the discomfitures suffered by him on account of the thoughtless remarks made by Chandramurthy as the Finance Secretary. As you know, even one inappropriate word uttered by an ambassador could cause embarrassment to the government. So, I thought that the Prime Minister, who had experienced the consequences of a few thoughtless remarks made by Chandramurthy in the past, won't prefer Chandramurthy for this sensitive assignment."

"Congratulations, again. Your assessment has been incisive and thorough." 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 682 (in Tamil):
anbu aRivu ArAyndha sol vanmai thUtharaip pArkku
inRiyamaiyAdha mUnR.

Meaning:

Love, wisdom and discriminating power of speech are three qualities essential for an envoy.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'veLi nAttu thUthat' by the same author.) 

Verse 683
Verse 681

681. Kamsa's Emissary

"My attempts to kill Krishna have not succeeded. On the other hand, he killed several demons like Putaki, Sakata, Trinavarta, Aka, Bhaka and Vata, whom I had engaged to kill him. Now, he has gained a reputation as a person who has performed incredible feats. He has become a darling of our Yadava clan. He is admired and loved by all sections of people. If I make any more attempt to kill him, the entire Yadava clan will turn against me!" Kamsa told his friend and confidant Chanura.

"What you say is correct. We should kill him only through clandestine means" Chanura agreed.

"How?"

"King Kamsa! All along, you tried to get him killed, by sending an assassin to his place. Those attempts didn't succeed. We can invite him to our place and get him killed here."

"How do we bring him here? And how do we kill him, after he comes to our place?"

"There are many ways to kill him. We can get him attacked by the rogue elephant Kuvalayapeeta, which has been locked up in our palace. If Krishna is killed by the rogue elephant, people will perceive it as an accident. In case, he escapes from the elephant, we will invite him to a wrestling contest. There is no one to beat me in the sport of wrestling. I will challenge him to wrestle with me and kill him when he wrestles with me" said Chanura, with excitement. 

"Your idea appears plausible. But how do we make Krishna come here?" asked Kamsa.

"There is a archery contest in our capital city. We will invite Krishna and his elder brother Balarama to the event" suggested Chanura. 

"Good idea. But, they will attend the event, only if you invite them properly, by sending an emissary" said Kamsa. 

"We will send the invitation to Krishna and Balarama, through one of our palace guards and instruct the guard to bring the brothers to our palace" said Chanura. 

"We cannot send anyone as an emissary. A person to be chosen as the emissary should have some attributes."

"What are those attributes?"

"The most important attribute an emissary should have is acting with love or kindness towards others. He also needs other qualities."

"What are the other qualities?"

"He should hail from a noble family. He should have manners that will be appreciated by kings."

"Do we have a person with such attributes?" asked Chanura. 

"There is one. He is Akrura, the Minister!" said Kamsa.

"But, he is too soft and gentle. Will he fit the bill?"

"His softness is only an expression of his innate attributes like kindness and good manners. He is my father's younger brother's son. Thus, he is also the maternal uncle of Krishna. So, Krishna will accept the suggestion from Akrura to attend the event, at our place. I will send him as my emissary and ask him to bring Krishna and Balarama to my palace" said Kamsa.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 681 (in Tamil):
anbudaimai AnRa kudip piRaththal vEndhavAm
paNbudaimai thUthU uraippAn paNbu.

Meaning:

The qualification of an ambassador are benevolence, born in a respectable family, and the possession of attributes pleasing to royalty.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kamsanin thUthar' by the same author.) 

Verse 681
Verse 680

166. Priya's Wishes

"What mom, isn't there any other shirt?" asked Priya.

"Choose something good among the ones available" said her mother Thangam. 

"I don't find any new shirt!" said Priya, in a voice that appeared to be breaking down. 

"I will take a salary an advance from my office today and buy you a new set of dress tomorrow."

"I have the function in my school today. What is the use of your getting me a new dress tomorrow?" asked Priya, feeling frustrated.

Thangam found a lump of grief rising up in her throat. Why should her husband Raghuraman have left the world so early, orphaning her and Priya?

"Mom! Are we poor, or rich?" asked Priya.

"Neither. We are stuck in the middle!" said Thangam. Immediately, a thought occurred to her whether people like her who didn't want to admit that they were poor had been taking shelter under the dubious identity called 'the middle class.'

"If daddy were alive, would we be rich?" asked Priya.

Thangam didn't answer her. Her mind set out to take a quick tour of the past. 

Raghuraman was the eldest son of his parents. Kesavan was his younger brother. When Kesavan was a boy, a relative wanted to adopt him. He was a wealthy person. His wife was not alive. He was living alone. 

As per the terms of adoption, Kesavan could live with his parents. His adoptive father would take care of his education and marriage. He would visit him now and then. When he died, Kesavan should cremate him and perform the obsequies in the traditional way, as a son would perform the rites for his father. After his death, Kesavan would get his property. A will would be executed to facilitate this.

Considering that Kesavan would continue to live with his natural parents and that this arrangement would help Kesavan live a comfortable life after the death of his adopted father, his father agreed Kesavan to be adopted by the relative.

Raghuraman's education stopped at the school level, since his parents didn't have the means to give him a college education. Since, they lived in a village, college education had to be pursued in a nearby town, by staying in a hostel, making it even more expensive.

Kesavan, who completed his schooling the next year, joined a good college in a city, by taking up residence in a hostel, with his college and hostel fees met by his adoptive father. 

Raghuraman felt that it was unjust that while he couldn't pursue college education, his younger brother had the opportunity to study in a college, just because he had an adoptive father, who was rich.

"Dad! Kesavan's adoptive father is wealthy. Why couldn't he have helped me join the college, by financing my college education?" Raghuraman asked his father. 

"How can we expect such favours from him?" replied his father.

Raghuraman could not reconcile himself to the incongruity.

After completing his college education, Kesavan landed a good job in Chennai. Raghuraman also managed to get a job in Chennai. The job was not attractive, but given his level of education, he couldn't get a better job.  

A few months after Raghuraman married Thangam, his parents passed away in quick succession. 

After both his parents had passed away, Kesavan moved to a spacious house in Chennai, bought by his adoptive father. His adoptive father also stayed with him. After some time, Kesavan's adoptive father got Kesavan married to a girl from a wealthy family, 

The relationship between Raghuraman and Kesavan was reduced to almost a non-existing level. When Kesavan's adoptive father passed away, Raghuraman didn't visit Kesavan to express his condolences.

Though Raghuraman had completely cut off his connection with Kesavan, he would keep talking to Thangam disparagingly of Kesavan and his adoptive father, almost on a daily basis.  

"I wonder whether an injustice like the one done to me was ever done to anyone else in the world! We are two brothers. But, one gentleman adopted my brother and gave him everything, completely ignoring me, who was watching the show like a starving child watching in desperation another child eating a sumptuous meal. How does God tolerate this injustice?" he would say one day. 

Another day, he would say, "If somebody came forward to adopt my brother and shower him with riches, how could he accept it? Should he not have rejected it saying that he would stand only with his parents?"

"If my brother had come up in life by his own efforts, I would not have grudged his success. He is living on the charity of someone. This is not right!" he would fume another day. 

"Don't talk disparagingly of other people. Focus your thinking on what we could do to make our life better" Thangam advised him several times. Bur he didn't pay heed to her words.

One day, Raghuraman had a heart attack and passed away. Kesavan attended the funeral, as a show of courtesy. After that, he didn't bother to find out how Thangam was managing her life. 

Thangam got herself a job. She was struggling to live her life, taking care of her daughter Priya. 

"Come and have your dinner!" Thangam called out Priya.

"I find it boring to eat at home every day. Can we go to a restaurant?" asked Priya. 

"You know I can take you to a restaurant only once in a month, just after I receive my salary."

"Not good enough, mom. My friends dine in restaurants almost every weekend. I don't have good dress to wear. We are unable to enjoy dining in a restaurant now and then. Why are things this way for us?" asked Priya, giving vent to her exasperation.  

"I don't know" replied Thangam. 

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy

Verse 166 (In Tamil)

koduppadhu azhukkaRuppAn suRRam uduppadhUm
uNbadhUm inRik kedum.

Meaning:

One who feels envious of the wealth given away as charity to another person, will have even his kin suffer without adequate food and clothes.

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

Verse 167
Verse 165