<p>There are times when we disagree with or disapprove of the people in our lives for a valid reason. At such times, we tend to argue with, reprimand or punish the wrongdoer as we see fit. We may have moved on after airing our thoughts or opinions on the subject. However, one can never be sure about the response of the person at the receiving end. </p>.<p>If people are mature, then they will apologise gracefully and mends their ways. However, if they are immature and egoistic they will nurture malice and vengeance. </p>.<p class="bodytext">A story from the Hitopadesha of Narayana Panditha examines such a scenario.</p>.Turning to the divine in times of crisis.<p class="bodytext">Once a rowdy crow Megha Varna and his flock created ruckus in the kingdom of Karpoora Dweepa ruled by Hiranyagarbha, the swan. The enervated king exiled the malefactor and his followers. Instead of being filled with remorse for his wrong doing, the punished birds plotted against the king and swore to destroy him at any cost. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Now, Megha Varna was aware that he was no match to his enemy. Therefore, he decided to pit another powerful king Chitra Varna the peacock to fight Hiranyagarbha. The wily crow engaged the services of Dheerghamukha, a foolish and greedy crane to sow seeds of discord between the two kings by carrying tales against one another. Over a period of time the two mighty kings were filled with animosity without even knowing each other personally. Eventually, the unreasonable hatred culminated in a gory war when Chitra Varna marched against Karpoora Dweepa and decapitated Hiranya Garbha. </p>.<p class="bodytext">When Chitra Varna entered the fort of Karpoora Dweepa he found it ablaze in the fire started by Megha Varna. The victorious leader inspected the loss of life and property on either side. Further analysis and investigation revealed that the power and ego of the two sovereigns had been manipulated to fulfil the personal agenda of Megha Varna.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hiranya Garbha was merely safeguarding the interests of his kingdom when he banished the crows from his kingdom. He could have never divined the vicious nature of the anti-social elements who schemed behind iron curtains against his land. Therefore, one cannot really fault him for outlawing Megha Varna. However, the lapse lay in the fact that his inflated ego played into the tall tales of Deerghamukha who said that an unknown rival belittled him! </p>
<p>There are times when we disagree with or disapprove of the people in our lives for a valid reason. At such times, we tend to argue with, reprimand or punish the wrongdoer as we see fit. We may have moved on after airing our thoughts or opinions on the subject. However, one can never be sure about the response of the person at the receiving end. </p>.<p>If people are mature, then they will apologise gracefully and mends their ways. However, if they are immature and egoistic they will nurture malice and vengeance. </p>.<p class="bodytext">A story from the Hitopadesha of Narayana Panditha examines such a scenario.</p>.Turning to the divine in times of crisis.<p class="bodytext">Once a rowdy crow Megha Varna and his flock created ruckus in the kingdom of Karpoora Dweepa ruled by Hiranyagarbha, the swan. The enervated king exiled the malefactor and his followers. Instead of being filled with remorse for his wrong doing, the punished birds plotted against the king and swore to destroy him at any cost. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Now, Megha Varna was aware that he was no match to his enemy. Therefore, he decided to pit another powerful king Chitra Varna the peacock to fight Hiranyagarbha. The wily crow engaged the services of Dheerghamukha, a foolish and greedy crane to sow seeds of discord between the two kings by carrying tales against one another. Over a period of time the two mighty kings were filled with animosity without even knowing each other personally. Eventually, the unreasonable hatred culminated in a gory war when Chitra Varna marched against Karpoora Dweepa and decapitated Hiranya Garbha. </p>.<p class="bodytext">When Chitra Varna entered the fort of Karpoora Dweepa he found it ablaze in the fire started by Megha Varna. The victorious leader inspected the loss of life and property on either side. Further analysis and investigation revealed that the power and ego of the two sovereigns had been manipulated to fulfil the personal agenda of Megha Varna.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hiranya Garbha was merely safeguarding the interests of his kingdom when he banished the crows from his kingdom. He could have never divined the vicious nature of the anti-social elements who schemed behind iron curtains against his land. Therefore, one cannot really fault him for outlawing Megha Varna. However, the lapse lay in the fact that his inflated ego played into the tall tales of Deerghamukha who said that an unknown rival belittled him! </p>