" Money and Power "

Money is power. Money empowers to do anything. Having money is a good thing, having power over money is still better. The rich breeds richer, as money goes to money. Power corrupts people. Power mongers don't stop to acquire whatever they wish to, as we can see from the illustration below:-

Rangachary was a learned man and a poet. He was invited by many Kings to visit their countries for seeking his advice.

Once he heard many heads of States complaining to him about King Vikrama's growing greediness over power and occupying more and more territories by wilful and unlawful methods. They all requested Rangachary to put an end to Vikrama's hunger for power.

Rangachary thought of a plan and went to see King Vikrama who welcomed him with open arms. Rangachary recited a poem in praise of him. The King was pleased and narrated how he was growing big by bringing many States under his control.

Rangachary advised the king that man is attached to his five senses that he forgets his 6th sense. We can achieve a good sense of self and knowledge thru' the sixth sense. The sense of taste overtakes us to eat unhealthy food. All food once gulped down the throat ends up having no taste. The sense of touch is satisfied by sensual pleasures. So all these senses bind us to mortal realms, Rangachary advised the King.

King Vikraman vehemently argued with Rangachary that the poet should not compare his hunger for Power to eating unhealthy food. Rangachary let the King to speak and raise his voice. The King after a while became very thirsty and called for a mug of water. The king was visibly gasping for breath and was in need of water in a hurry. He was about to take the water when Rangachary intervened and posed a question to the king. " what price will you pay if something or someone prevents you to drink the water " ?. The King , without a thought , replied that he would part with half his kingdom in case if that was the price he had to sacrifice to drink the water. Rangachary allowed the King to take the mug of water in his hand. When the King raised the mug to his mouth, Rangachary posed the King another question " What the price the King would pay if something inside prevents the King in gulping the water below the level of his throat '. Vikrama, the King, was more in a hurry to answer so that Rangachary would allow him to swallow the water. the King replied Rangachary that he was prepared to surrender the other half of his Kingdom in case that condition would allow him to take the water without interruption.

Rangachary let the King to take the water. After a pause, Rangachary addressed the King a question. ' King Vikrama , do you now realise that the value of your Kingdom just amounts to a mug of water '. The King was ashamed to realise his mistake and begged pardon.

Rangachary advised the King to meditate with his sixth sense and realise that a King should spread a message of peace with his neighbours and live in harmony for mutual benefits.

King Vikrama realised his mistake and thanked Rangachary for his council.