Continued….From Part 7 –
…..Damanaka then said to Karataka, “This is the only way for us now”. Karataka agreed and wished him luck and success on whatever strategy he planned to use.
So what is the strategy Damanaka uses?…
Damanaka now gathers courage and prepares himself to meet with the Lion. Wasting no time he immediately proceeded to the Lion’s den and upon entering he respectfully addressed the Lion as follows:
“Dear Sir, it is my firm belief that if a man observes a friend undergoing misfortune, or missing a good opportunity, then that man proves himself a good person only if he provides good advise to the friend, even though the advice is not asked for.
Further, it is my belief that a minister in the court of a King enjoys all benefits and privileges due to the kindness and grace of the king. So the minister must always be a faithful and useful servant of the King. The minister must take ownership and responsibility of failure if anything goes wrong in the kingdom.
I also believe that a minister must be willing to take the risk of severe punishment and even a death penalty to keep the dignity and position of the master intact. If the minister is unable to do so then it would be best for him/her to leave and go away from the kingdom.”
Having heard him, the Lion respectfully asked him what point he wanted to make.
Taking the opportunity, Damanaka quickly replied, “Sir, as a well meaning friend and your faithful servant, I just want to let you know that Sanjeevak does not seem to have appropriate behavior towards you. He is seems to be jealous of your supreme powers and majestic standing among the animals of the jungle. He seems to be interested in becoming the supreme leader, now that you have given him the power over all your assets. Further having successfully displaced all your other ministers and become the sole authority over all affairs, he seems to now even aspire to displace you. Giving him such vast powers may have been a grave mistake.”
The Lion listened to Damanaka and looked somewhat fearful and worried.
Damanaka continued, “Sir, when a person gets an exalted status and acquires excessive power, his/her pride can increases disproportionately. This bloated pride and ego creates estrangement with others and slowly creates a desire for greater independence and power in this individual. It is such desires which can lead the person to plot how to rid oneself of those who are more powerful. So I suspect that Sanjeevak plans to get rid of you.
As your faithful minister, I suggest that just like poisoned food or a painful tooth must be fully eliminated, to ensure no harm or pain results from it, so also an evil minister must be removed before that person has the chance to create disruption.
Sir, a king who is completely dependent on a sole minister for the administration and prosperity of the kingdom can become completely directionless if a calamity strikes, just like a blind person with no guides.
A very powerful minister also takes actions as per his/her own inclinations and choices but a kingdom should be ruled by the choices, decisions and inclinations of a king. So your authority is seriously undermined by such a minister.
You also understand that every person in the world desires fortune for themselves and look to gain what they can from others.”
The Lion having heard everything, reflected as follows –
“What you say may be so, but my friendship with Sanjeevak is very great. Even if mistakes are committed by a beloved friend, the beloved friend still remain a beloved friend. We all love our body inspite of all the imperfections it carries, so also a dear friend is loved inspite of his / her faults.
Even if a house can be burned down by fire, does anyone disrespect fire? So also a dear friend is loved inspite of mistakes committed by him/her.”
Damanaka was quick to reply the king and said, “Sir but that could be a mistake. Any person shown favour by the King attracts the good fortune of power and wealth. By showing preference for Sanjeevak over those who have customarily been given important roles, you have entrusted him with great power and wealth. We understand that you gave Sanjeevak such wide powers due to your lack of satisfaction with the performance of your customary servants. But this has become the reason for great dissatisfaction for others in the kingdom.”
The poisonous words of Damanaka had a desired effect and the King became thoughtful and reflected, “It is strange that having given Sanjeevak all assurances of safety and treating him with great honour, how come he seems to be plotting against me inspite of all the favours I have shown him?”
Damanka was quick to grasp the opportunity to further strengthen his case against Sanjeevak and he replied, “A person of vile character will, at some time, revert to his old character however well you treat him/her. They say character is like a dog’s tail, which will not be straightened whatever tricks and treatments you apply. The tail is bound to bend back to its original shape the moment it is left to itself.
Also, you may water a poisonous tree with nectar but that does not imply that the tree will start bearing sweet and nectar filled fruit. So how can you expect that just because you have promoted and honoured a vile person, he will become your great and trusted friend?
Now having warned you about Sanjeevak, I have done my duty, if you do not wish to take any action, then at least I am assured that I have done my best to support you and prepare you for what is about to happen.
But please take note that a king who does not value the advice of his well-wishers or takes no cognisance of information even if it is in his own interest is like an infuriated elephant which wanders as it pleases and cannot be directed by the Mahout. But when in his frenzy he falls into an abyss, he blames his mahout for not directing him properly rather than acknowledging his own indiscretions.”
Upon hearing this the Lion seems to almost be talking to himself in a low voice and said, “A king should not denounce or punish someone just on the basis of some person accusing that individual. If either favour or punishment is given without merit or enough reason, it leads to one’s own destruction. This act would be like that of a conceited and over confident person who decides to put his hand on a snake’s mouth – an act which is both unthinking and foolish.”
So he decides to explore the issue further and loudly asks Damanaka, “So should Sanjeevak be punished?”
The wily Damanaka is quick to reply, “No Sir, my counsel to you about Sanjeevak does not mean that you should immediately punish him. We need to be diligent in our plan to check everything about Sanjeevak before we decide to take any action.
It will not show up well for us if after punishing him, it was found that he is innocent and then you had to reinstate him to his original position. A friend once punished and then taken back can become a great enemy.
Further, we must be cautious and know from whom and where he can get support and strength to retaliate against us. Do you know how the small sandpiper bird managed to defeat the big sea?”
The Lion got curious and asked how a small sandpiper could defeat the sea. So Damanaka recited the following story to him…
Strength of a Group….
On the shores of the sea, lived a pair of Sandpiper birds. When the She-sandpiper was ready to lay her eggs she told the husband that being too close to the sea, their current dwelling did not seem suitable for laying eggs. During a high tide the sea, she said, could completely destroy their nest.
The husband assured her that he was a very resourceful and influential person and so it was not possible for the sea to do as it pleased and destroy their home and eggs.
The She-sandpiper smilingly reminded her husband that there was great difference in his size and strength compared to the sea. She also told him that the ability to discriminate between one’s own strength and that of the enemy is the quality of the intelligent. Also misfortune comes to those who do any of the following 3 things – take up wrong deeds, oppose their own group and take up rivalry with those stronger than themselves.
But the husband assured her of safety and so she finally laid her eggs in the nest. But the sea having heard the conversation was keen to test the Sandpiper’s strength and one day it swelled and carried away the eggs. The She-Sandpiper being upset complained to her husband that her worst fears had been realised.
The sandpiper again assured her that he would get the eggs back for her. He promptly convened the assembly of all birds and set out to meet Garuda, the king of birds. Garuda is also the vehicle used by the great God Vishnu, the preserver and caretaker of the universe. Having heard what had transpired, Garuda was keen to assure the birds of his kingdom that they would receive his help and protection. So Garuda used his influence with his Master, the Great Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu was sympathetic to the cause of the little birds and immediately ordered the sea to return the eggs of the harmless and small birds. The sea was compelled to comply with the order of the great Lord and meekly returned the eggs back to the Sandpiper couple.
Thus the size of an animal should not be used to decide what is its strength. If it has influence with the powerful or belongs to a strong group, even a small bird can confound the large sea.
The Damanaka said to the Lion, “So Sir we too must be knowledgeable about the group of Sanjeevak and know if he has powerful friends with whose help he can attack and defeat us.”
With such inputs from Damanaka, fear took root in the heart of the Lion. He felt he needed to keep himself well prepared at all times to perceive if he was in danger from Sanjeevak at any time. By now he was convinced that Damanaka was very knowledgeable about Sanjeevak and also had the lion’s best interest in mind. So he asked Damanaka that when Sanjeevak approached him, what were the signs to look for to know if he was coming towards him in a friendly or threatening manner.
Damanaka replied, “Sir if he approaches you with his head bent low and his horns pointing towards you that would be a clear sign of his intent to attack you.”
Then Damanaka left the lion in search of Sanjeevak. Having approached Sanjeevak he kept a puzzled look on his face and greeted Sanjeevak a little awkwardly. Sanjeevak greeted him politely and asked how he was.
Damanaka replied, “What good will there be in the life for someone dependent on another for his life and everyday sustenance? My life and all actions are ever governed by the one on whom I depend. My mind is ever disturbed as I fear even for my own life. Such is the plight of one who is completely dependent on a king for every thing.”
Sanjeevak gently asked what had made him so upset and encouraged him to freely share his troubles with him as they were good friends and good friends shared their joys, sorrows and apprehensions with each other.
Having got the attention of Sanjeevak, he replied, “Friend while I believe that a king’s confidence must never be broken but I cannot see injustice being done to a dear friend like you. I have heard the lion declare that he would like to kill and devour you.”
This news made Sanjeevak feel very dejected. Damanaka watched him carefully and then quickly advised Sanjeevak, “Let there not be time lost in feeling dejected. Instead, it would be better for you to decide on the action to be taken at the right time.”
Then he continued, “Friend it is not uncommon to find a King being dissatisfied even with good service and loyalty from a minister but it is truly unheard of for a King to become the enemy inspite of such great service and loyalty that you have provided him.
Your diligence and hard work are wasted upon such a master. A reasonable person feels anger for a reason, when that reason is removed he/she gets back to feeling normal and letting go of anger. But what can one do with an individual who has anger and anxiety for no cause.”
Sanjeevak sadly asked, “What have I done for the Lion to feel such hatred and anger for me, or are Kings of this nature to feel hostile without a cause?”
Damanaka’s clever and convincing response was – “Friend remember that a 100 acts of kindness are lost upon the wicked, a 100 fine speeches are lost upon the stupid, a 100 maxims are lost upon those who have disregard for advice, a 100 wise thoughts are lost upon the thoughtless.
Also, remember that in the beautifully scented sandal trees there always exist poisonous snakes, in the lotus filled lakes there are also alligators, the roots of benevolent shade giving trees swarm with snakes, bees are ever present over beautiful blossoms, the branches of old, large trees are often filled with chattering monkeys.
This is what our king is like. While he speaks very well and politely, he has a lot of poison for others in his heart and so cannot be trusted.
There are solutions for everything in the world. A mass of water can be crossed on a boat, darkness can be removed by lighting even a small lamp, an elephant mad with passion can be controlled by a small goad, but there is no solution in the world for dealing with the twisted purpose of evil people.”
Feeling very dejected, Sanjeevak sighed and said, “Why should I, a corn eater be seen as a threat to a lion? There can be enmity and threat perceived between 2 individuals of equal strength or equal wealth but what can cause enmity between 2 so unequal in strength and wealth both?”
Then he paused to reflect and said, “Someone is responsible for poisoning the mind of my master. A king is always fearful of wrongdoing and disturbance from his close circle, so if his mind is poisoned then it is like breaking a crystal bangle which can never be put together again. When a king reaches this point of fear and threat then he is worse than a thunderbolt strike. At least a thunderbolt falls in one place and destroys a single spot but a threatened king falls all over, destroying multiple things through his actions.”
So I think it is better for me to prepare for battle till death. Being obedient to the command of such a king would now not be proper. In such a battle, if I die I will attain heaven for having fought an unfit king, but if I win the fight I will experience the pleasure of achievement at defeating a king. In both situations I will gain something.
Only the brave and wise understand that it is a time for war when there is a disadvantage in keeping peace and in war there is some chance of retaining one’s life.”
Having reasoned this way, Sanjeevak turned towards Damanaka and asked, “How will I be able to understand when the Lion is looking to attack me?”
Damanaka replied, “When he looks at you with ears erect, the tail raised, claws bared and mouth open, you must also show your strength and bravery. But remember that all that has been discussed between us must be kept secret otherwise if word gets out then neither you nor I will survive.”
Saying so Damanaka left. On reaching his hideout, Karataka asked what he had been able to accomplish. Damanaka replied in a very satisfied manner, “I have managed to make both feel estranged with the other.”
In some time Damanaka, left to meet with the Lion. He went straight into his den and cautioned him saying, “Sir, be careful, the evil Sanjeevak is coming this way. You should be ready to attack him before he is able to do any harm to you.”
Then he advised the lion to take his natural attacking position of ears erect, tail raised, claws bared and mouth open.
As Sanjeevak entered the den he noticed the lion standing in the attacking pose as had been described by Damanaka to him. So Damanaka, being a bull, pulled forward his head with his horns pointing towards the lion and both charged at each other. The result was as expected and Sanjeevak was killed in the battle.
Seeing Sanjeevak dead on the floor, the Lion suddenly felt great remorse at having killed a dear friend. Sighing he talked to himself aloud, “The kingdom is enjoyed by all others but the king who is just a means of taking actions which may often be unjust to one but lead to joy for others.”
Damanaka quickly intervened in his thoughts and asked, “Sir what kind of remorse is this you are feeling at the killing of an enemy? It is considered appropriate for the king to kill and rid himself of even his own father, brother or son if they beomce his enemy or conspirator. But in this case, the enemy was a mere friend.
Qualities of self control and tolerance cannot be used to manage an enemy. Such qualities will not help in even holding on to property that is in one’s possession already. Any expansion of one’s powers, is therefore, not even a possibility with one who is tolerant towards an enemy.
A wise man will always avoid the following – a compassionate king, a holy man who eats a lot, an ill natured friend, a stubborn servant and a rash officer.
As a king you must know and understand that the policy of a king is always multi-dimensional. So he needs to be sometimes true and sometimes false or kind and cruel or harsh and merciful, giving but also always taking to fill the royal coffers.”
Listening to the clever and deceitful words of Damanaka, the Lion regained some of his remorse and composure and went back to his throne.
Damanaka was overjoyed with his success and loudly declared, “Victory to the King, prosperity to the kingdom.”
Vishnusarman concluded the story, Losing of Friends with this episode. He then blessed the Princes saying, “May the losing of friends never be part of your experience and let this only be the fate of your enemies.”
The Princes expressed gratification to their teacher Vishnusarman, for the valuable and unforgettable lessons he had taught them through his entertaining but wisdom filled stories.
End of Stories on Losing of Friend
Next.. Part 9 – the stories on War
