Malignant Wild Grass

Chandragupta found Chanakya sulking since the time he came back from King Nanda’s court. He was aware of the humiliation that Chanakya endured there. Chandragupta left Chanakya alone, but when he noticed the latter stumble on wild grass, he extended his hand to help. However, Chanakya made it evident that he didn’t need any help.
What Chanakya did next surprised Chandragupta. Going inside his house, Chanakya took a bowl of water and mixed sugar in it. Chanakya took the sugary syrup and poured it on the soil where wild grass grew. Chandragupta’s curiosity got the better of him as he asked, ‘Why go to such lengths? Why not just pull this annoying grass?’ Chanakya shrugged his shoulders as he asked Chandragupta to try it. Try hard as he might, Chandragupta couldn’t manage to uproot it. Chanakya said, ‘Now you understand why people don’t adopt this method?’ However, Chanakya’s action continued to befuddle Chandragupta. ‘Some answers demand patience,’ Chanakya replied on being queried.

Chandragupta had forgotten about it when, a few days later, Chanakya took him to the same spot. Grass was strewn on the ground instead of standing brazenly as it did a few days ago. When Chandragupta wondered, Chanakya told him that the syrup brought in ants who nibbled at the roots, something that’s not possible for humans. Chandragupta wasn’t satisfied with the answer. He wondered if revenge is justified since it’s merely grass. Chanakya replied, ‘What to you is mere grass, to my eyes it’s malignant material out to harm others. Why just this grass? It’s the moral duty of every citizen to remove all toxicity from their lives and from society, whichever form they come in.’ Before Chandragupta could understand the deeper meaning of his words, Chanakya asked, ‘If a king’s actions go against Dharma, wouldn’t you agree he is akin to wild grass and ought to be removed?’

Keep in mind that wild grass has manifold manifestations in your life. There are, of course, toxic people who spread negativity. Needless to add, it’s better to stay clear of them. However, what about the innumerable virulent wild grass that grow in our minds—those devious thoughts that our mind gives birth to and feeds for years? They keep growing and continue to harm us. And, it’s not merely on a physical level. So, remember to clear them out before they leave indelible scars on your psyche.