Parable of The
King and The Astrologer
A king produced his horoscope before an astrologer and asked him about
his future. The astrologer pondered the positions of the planets and consulted
the Sastras and finally gave his verdict: "Maharaja, all your relatives
will die before you, you will perform their obsequies with your own
hands." The king became furious. He was very much attached to his
relatives and could not tolerate such a verdict. The king at once ordered that
the poor astrologer should be given imprisonment for life.
Then the king sent for another astrologer. This man was more tactful
than the first. He found that the previous astrologer's readings were
absolutely correct. So, he tactfully put the same truth the other way round. He
said: "Maharaja, you have a very long life. You will live longer than all
your relatives." This also meant that all his relatives would die while
the king was alive. The same fact had been very tactfully told to please the
king. The king was highly pleased with the astrologer and gave him rich and
costly presents.
Therefore it is said that even while telling the truth, one should
tell it in a pleasant manner. Even a truth should not be told in a way that
will hurt the feelings of others. If it is told so, it is tantamount to untruth
only. Your speech should be truthful, pleasant and beneficial.
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