ABSYAKTA HAI

Remembered watching a Hindi TV serial named CHANAKYA based on the life of the advisor and point man of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya in ancient India. Set in an era 300 years before Jesus Christ was born, the episodes covered the life and time of young Chandragupta struggling to topple the brutal regime of Dhanananda, the King of Magadha.

Though it was a battle between the wicked Dhanananda and young Maurya, the real battle of brains was fought in the background between Chanakya and the sharp, resilient Minister of Magadha - RAKHYASA. Rakhyasa knew that Nanda was evil, but being sworn to the throne of Magadh, he was loyal to the Emperor and tried his best to protect the King's regime. 

The smart Amatya (Prime Minister) could anticipate every move made by Chanakya beforehand, saving his King Dhanananda's life several times. The shrewd and smart strategist in Rakhyasa recruited multiple Doppelgangers (body doubles with similar look) of the king to confuse the assassins sent by Chanakya

After Dhanananda was defeated and killed, Rakhyasa continued resisting on behalf of the old guard. His several attempts to assassinate Chandragupta Maurya were prevented due to the timely intervention of Kautilya (another name of Chanakya). 

Realizing Rakhyasa's ability and resilience, Chanakya managed to convince his chief adversary that the later's loyalty lied with Magadha and now that Nanda is gone, Amatya Rakhyasa may accept his offer to become the Prime minister of Magadh under Chandragupta Maurya. Rakhyasa obliged and Chanakya after realizing his dream of AKHANDA BHARAT (United India) left for Taxsila to continue his teaching.

When Chandragupta was raising his battle, the evil emperor Nanda tried his best to capture the duo of Chanakya and Chandragupta. But both managed to give him a slip, giving him sleepless nights. In one scene from that tele serial, in a spurt of frustration Dhanananda raises his sword to kill his AMATYA Rakhyasa, but withdraws. 

The wise Amatya smiled back. The irritated king questioned him about the reason behind his smile. Rakhyasa replied - AAP MUJHE NAHI MARENGE, KYON KI AAP KO MERI ABASYAKATA HAI. (You won't kill me, as you need me). Mahananda replied - SAHI BOLA, KYA KHOPDI PAYEE AAP NE (You said it right. What a brain you got) ! The king needed his wily Amatya as his savior.

The bottom line is ABSYAKATA HAI - the world goes on mutual needs. China in its restive Xinjiang province forces its Muslim citizens to drink alcohol and eat Pork - both religiously prohibited by Islam. Yet Iran and Saudi Arabia, the so called champion of Islam who give FATWAs (religious decree) at slightest drop of hint of humiliation to the religion are conspicuously silent on China. Because they have business to do with the Middle Kingdom, an energy hungry country which needs oil. 

This ABSYAKATA HAI applies to China and its relationship to US as well - both ways. In spite of all kinds of nuisance created by Pakistan, the logic of ABSYAKATA HAI forces the world's sole Superpower to engage with the terrorist nation. Vajpayee, the ex PM of India literally said "ABSYAKATA HAI" in poetic terms to the reporters when question about the reason for talking to Pakistan.

Same is applicable in our everyday life. An Employers keep its employees for their utility value. Pragmatism forces us towards appeasement and tolerance of otherwise avoidable elements in our day to day life - because of ABSYAKATA HAI (we need them). More than 2300 years has passed since Dhanananda couldn't kill his Amatya RAKHYASA for the later's utility value - the logic for ABSYAKATA still remains strong and valid.