Weak minds, emotional exploitation

The qualities of introspection, reflection, retrospection, soul-searching are commendable traits in man. In fact, these characteristics enhance the emotional and spiritual quotient in us. However, some people wallow in self-doubt and confusion due to insecurity and lack of self-confidence. Such people lose clarity and get befuddled and eventually end up as losers.

A story from the Panchatantra outlines how people without conviction can get carried away and meet failure, which can be avoided effectively. A certain Brahmin called Mishra Sharma was walking through a forest carrying a goat on his shoulders. Three hooligans observed him. They realised that the Brahmin was apprehensive about walking alone in the forest with his treasure. They sized up Sharma’s psyche as they saw him muttering away to himself. They decided to play a psychological trick on the poor man and gain from his confusion.

Accordingly, one by one, they waylaid him at different intervals of time along the way. The first thug who approached Sharma asked, “Why are you carrying a dog on your shoulders?” The Brahmin was miffed. He shed light on the latter’s doubt rather gingerly and carried on. A little while later, the second ruffian accosted Sharma, he questioned, “Why are you carrying a calf on your shoulders?” Sha-rma, who was considerably shaken by now, quavered in reply. However, when the third hooligan enquired about the donkey he was carrying, the poor man shrieked with fear. He dropped the animal and ran for his life. The rogues emerged gleefully from the foliage and picked up the abandoned creature.

The naïve tend to become gullible because they are not able to summon their presence of mind when in crisis. Hence it is no wonder that they become willing scapegoats. The various chit fund scams, astrological deceptions, religious rackets, political pretences, human and drug trafficking, entrepreneurial rip-offs, among other such swindles that are holding our world to ransom, are a direct result of exploitation of the we-ak-minded. A little awareness, alertness and a good bit of faith in ourselves can stand us in good stead and cleanse the world of dupes in the long run.