The Game of Words

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Traders : “We want to trade in your kingdom for a month.What is the taxation? ”

King : “What taxes are other kings demanding?”

Traders: “One lakh rupees per day. We can’t afford it.”

King : “I’ll only take one rupee!”

On hearing this the traders got elated. The minister further explained the pact that they’ll progressively twofold the amount so the first week would cost them only 128 rupees which would give them time to make savings. The traders readily signed the deal and went back contentedly.  Wow! What a lovely King? Wasn’t he? The traders ended up paying roughly 54 lakhs at the end of the month facing a huge loss. (Do the Math  ) 
  
Words are powerful tools. They possess tendencies to perturb one’s psyche and beliefs. They can avert people’s decisions and can easily stir up hatred or love if used effectively. Sometimes we make decisions in life not based on our contemplation but what we listen from others. I can still recall taming my brother when we were kids to get my things done. But i wonder if we really give heed to everyone.

Once during my school days, I was returning back home with my friend in a tempo discussing about a cricket match we saw another day. A pale person wearing shredded clothes was sitting nearby. Presuming we were students he said, “ I’m an expert at cricket betting. I earn a lot by it. You should try it too & you could pay your fee by yourselves.” We never liked his idea but we also doubted the authenticity of his statements. Why? Maybe his appearance wasn’t reflecting the same or his words weren’t convincing enough.

Our words and their impact is somehow wedded to our achievements and disposition. The guidance of someone who got merit in a subject would prove much more helpful for a student than someone who flunked. Influencers like Swami Vivekananda, Albert Einstein, Aristotle etc were renowned for their past accomplishments and strong persona hence could influence the masses and their stories are still scrutinized.

But can words also influence the powerful? Who believe in the exactitude of their judgement?  Who have rigid convictions? Here’s a little-known story from The Epic Of Mahabharata:

Barbarik, the grandson of  Bheema, pleased Lord Shiva who granted him arrows, so powerful that he could finish the war in a minute. On discovering his strength Lord Krishna got worried that he could prove detrimental at some stage in the war. So, Lord Krishna (disguised as a Brahmin) asked him about the side he would choose during the war.He proclaimed to join “the weaker side” as he promised his mother. On hearing this, Lord Krishna told him since he (Barbarik) was the greatest combatant at that time, whichever side he chooses, would make the the other side “the weaker side”. So he would end up switching sides and destroy everyone except him. Lord Krishna then asked his head in order to avoid his involvement in the war and again proved himself as the supreme controller of all the happenings.
    

The ‘Game Of Words’ can be deceitful. So, the next time you play it make sure your head isn’t chopped off!           

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