PANCHATANTRA - 4.COMMUNICATION

The students assembled around Vishnu Sarma in the evening and posed their query of the day….

Sir! . You gave us an example on how to sell an idea to Higher-ups .We realize that there could be several dimensions to communication and are keen to know more on that.

Vishnu Sarma replied –

Good, let me give you an example on the art of communication by selection of a good extract from classics to put forward your views. Though, it is not desirable to resort to flattery, genuine praise wherever due is necessary.

It is a common practice that in case of emergencies and such cases, the senior executives or even the chief to come to facilitate the work, help in coordination with all agencies required and leave the scene after the task is accomplished. You are genuinely happy and would like to convey your feelings. Here is a classic example from ‘Maha Bharat’

Lord Krishna stayed with Pandavas during their war with Kauravas and after the victory prepares to leave. Kunti, mother of Pandavas tells the Lord ‘Oh! Krishna! How, I wish we had more troubled times, so that you remain with us that longer! You had been a great source of help and inspiration to us during this torrid period.’

Now by narrating this incident to your chief, you would be comparing him with the Lord without mentioning it. Normally it should make him happy.

If you get the impression, that only well-versed and educated people can do this type of talk, let me give an example from an uneducated village vendor.

One of your predecessors went to a vegetable market and as is the practice went around doing rounds of various shops to have a look at the availability and prices. One old woman vendor seeing him made repeated pleas ‘oh! Ramachandra! There is a good collection here. Please have a look’. You know it is a practice to address the customers by names of Gods on such occasions. After this was repeated a few times, he got little annoyed and wanted to get rid of her. So he told her ‘ Why are you calling Ramachandra repeatedly, sitting here. Where is Sita? She should be here and the one to call Rama!’

He thought, he got rid of her, but no! Listen to what she said! ‘why are you testing me Ramachandra prabho! You only exiled her and should know best where she is!’

Well our friend was dumb founded. Had he been a rich king he would have given her a gold coin for each word or letter even! But he did what he can…bought all his needs from her at whatever price she told!

So one need not be a Harward educated to communicate in that fashion. What all it needs is a little worldly wisdom and experience.

It was getting dark and the students got up to go to their homes pondering over the moral.