How much can you say without saying a word?

Thirukkural with the Times explores real-world lessons from the classic Tamil text ‘Thirukkural’. Written by Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, the Kural consists of 1,330 short couplets of seven words each. This text is divided into three books with teachings on virtue, wealth, and love and is considered one of the great works ever on ethics and morality. The Kural has influenced scholars and leaders across social, political, and philosophical spheres.Motivational speaker, author and diversity champion Bharathi Bhaskar explores the masterpiece.Thirukkural has 133 chapters divided into three divisions: the Book of Ethics, the Book of Wealth and the Book of Love. Either Valluvar or his disciples who came later, gave headers for each chapter. Interestingly, one header — ‘Kuripparidhal’ or ‘understanding without words’ — is repeated in the Book of Wealth and the Book of Love; it is perhaps the only repeated title.The paths to power and love are distinct, and different skill sets are needed to progress on these two paths. However, one common expertise required is the ability to observe what is not obvious.In his short story ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’, Arthur Canon Doyle writes his most quoted lines —Dr Watson: And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as yours.Sherlock Holmes: Quite so, you see but you do not observe.Holmes, by observing a person’s face being darker than the wrists could judge that the person had recently visited a tropical country. Observation enhances the power of detection, which leads to accurate decisions.Why do we only see and not observe? We live in our bubble of pre-set ideas. Let’s test our power of observation. Do you remember the name of the hotel at the crossing you pass each day? What is the colour of the rim of specs your spouse wears?Quite a few of us need to gain the skill of observation not only for visual images but also in conversations. When we are in a discussion, if we only listen to what a person says and ignore what the face is indicating, we are not observing. Micro-expressions are almost indiscernible to the casual observer but noticing them can keep us ahead in any deliberation. For example, raised eyebrows indicate surprise, while lowered eyebrows express fear. A person who blinks frequently is perhaps in discomfort. If the mouth is raised slightly on one side, it is not a half-smile but hatred or contempt that is being concealed.In the Mahabharata the mighty Bhima could not kill Jarasandha despite all his efforts. He looked up to Krishna, who was playing with a leaf. He noticed that Krishna took the leaf and tore it into two. Bhima knew of how Jarasandha was born as two halves and then joined together. Bhima then tore the body of Jarasandha into two and placed the two halves side by side.But to his amazement, the two halves joined together, and Jarasandha sat up again. Bhima turned to Krishna again, who was still playing with the leaves. He saw that Krishna tore the leaf into two pieces but placed the pieces in opposite directions. Bhima knew what to do now, and Jarasandha was killed.Valluvar advises leaders to hire a person capable of decoding non-verbal communication even if they have to pay a lofty sum. “It is a great talent to have in your team”, he says in Kural 703 in the Book of Wealth.But my favourite is the couplet from the Book of Love. Understanding what is not spoken is the most interesting part of any love affair! An ‘aye’ does not always mean ‘aye’ and every ‘no’ does not necessarily mean it is so.Upset by her apparent words of rejection, the hero directs his gaze at her. Then she gently smiles and sways subtly like a peahen. That delicate movement enhanced her enigmatic charm. He had never seen a prettier smile and the smile said ‘yes’. Asayiyarkku Undandor eayeryaan nokkapPasayinal payya nagum - Kural 1098(I gaze; the tender girl makes a move and smiles softlyAnd, oh the matchless grace was enough)Audio Production: Sahil GuptaIllustration: Shinod Akkaraparambil