Man is the only speaking animal. Speech is given by God only to man. But it is for man to use that speech in the right manner. A wrong word; an abusive expression can cause havoc—it can lead to quarrel; it can lead even to violence and assault. A courteous expression can win you friendship and goodwill while a discourteous one can cause all the complications and bickering. A bad word would hurt the mind while a weapon only hurts the body. A wound caused by a weapon may be treated and can heal up with time but an injury to the mind and heart goes so deep that it may never be cured. When Duryodhan in the Mahabharata mistook the beautiful palace as if it was the shimmering water and he fell into water considering it as a mirage, Draupadi laughed and mocked at him with the words that ‘a blind man’s son is blind’—the words got deeply stuck in Duryodhan’s mind that ultimately lead to the great war—the Mahabharata. The attempt at disrobing Draupadi after losing the game of dice by Yudhishthira was just revenge on the part of Duryodhan for Draupadi’s words of mockery which had hurt him deep. Politicians, in particular, have to be very careful with words. Their words can make or break empires. Porus got defeated at the hands of Alexander and when brought as a prisoner, Alexander asked him, ‘What sort of behavior should he meet with?’ And Porus gave a very honourable reply ‘As a king should treat a king’. Alexander was deeply impressed and Porus was let off. A word of respect to elders, a word of courtesy to neighbours can earn great good while a disrespectful word or a discourteous address can cause everlasting discord.
Vocabulary
Quarrel—fight
Mocked—jeered
