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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Men in authority should maintain equanimity

 

CHENNAI, MAY 10. Irrespective of the field of activity in which a

person with a vision is engaged, like academic, administrative,

labour, management, political and commercial, he (or she) should

be guided by four major factors. The first and most important is

the goal that he should set before himself. The success that he

achieves in so pursuing it entirely depends on his upholding

``virtue.'' He should be constantly guided by moral values and

codes available before him. The Ramayana by Kamban, and the

Thirukkural couplets of Thiruvalluvar, give examples as to how

Rama, the hero in the former and the king, according to the

latter, sincerely obeyed the moral law, without deviating from it

even when circumstances compelled them. Rama demonstrated how a

man can achieve perfection and ultimately rise to the state of

the Divine. Man's thoughts, words and deeds should not vary from

one another.

 

The best method to reach the ultimate is to keep up promises. In

the course of one's activities, it may be found necessary to give

up the principles he has cherished but the warning here is that

the commitment made should always be honoured. King Dasaratha

stood by his plighted word and Rama was equally zealous in

upholding the values to which He was wedded. The wise should

hence guard the steps they take.

 

Explaining how certain obstacles may unexpectedly appear to

retard the progress in reaching the goal according to plans

worked out, Sri M. K. Ramanan, in his analysis of the verses in

Thirukkural, said troubles like a flood could be overcome by a

courageous thought rising in the minds of the wise. By bravely

enduring, any evil could be destroyed. The problems of those who

brave a series of adversities would automatically wear out and

disappear. At the same time, they should avoid haste. The last

advice for the executives and others (mentioned above) is to take

steps to eliminate the causes which resulted in stemming the

progress in one's venture. When they start riding on the waves of

success men in authority should maintain their equanimity, pay

heed to good advice, take the counsel from the experience of

elders and be alert about any possible attempt to divert their

attention in a wrong direction. Rama emerged victorious because

He revered the sages. When Rama was asked to get ready for His

coronation, His father tendered guidelines for good governance

and again when Bharata and Rama met in the forest the latter's

searching questions put to the former about success in

administration and Thiruvalluvar's Kural, contain valuable

information about the conduct of humans in different roles.

 

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