How Chankya's Three-Step Test Can Help Us Evaluate Information in Daily Life

THE REAL TEST

One day, a known person approached Chankya and enthusiastically started saying, “Do you know, just a while ago, I heard a few things from your friend about you?”

Chankya was famous for his wisdom, knowledge, and good behavior. He said to his acquaintance, “Before I listen to what you have to say, I would like to test it through my three-step testing.”

“What is this three-step test?” the person asked.

Chankya explained, “Before you tell me about what my friend has said, let us test it. I call this testing a three-step test. The first test is of truthfulness. Is it sure that whatever you are going to say is the truth?”

“No,” the person said, “I have heard it from somewhere.”

“Okay,” Chankya analyzed. “If you don't know whether this is the truth or not, we will do another test. The second test is for goodness. Are you going to tell me something good about my friend?”

“No, it's the opposite…”

“Then,” Chankya asked further, “whatever you are going to say is not the truth, is not positive about my friend, then let's do the third test. The third test is of usefulness. Whatever you are going to tell me, is that useful to me?”

“No, it's not like that.”

Chankya then said the last thing, “Whatever you are supposed to tell me, it is not true, it's not positive, and it's not useful either, then why do you want to tell me?”

MORALE:

ANY INFORMATION MUST BE CHECKED ON THESE THREE PARAMETERS OF – TRUTHFULNESS, GOODNESS, AND USEFULNESS.

Dear Ma'am,

I have read a similar story. However, the protagonist in this scenario was Socrates, one of the greatest thinkers mankind has ever known. I think this story was originally with relation to Socrates and not Chanakya!!!

Regards,
Hari

Hi Sweta,

It's a really inspiring and thought-provoking story. If all information is screened through these parameters, only matters of real importance and necessity can we concentrate on and work upon. This is also a step towards positivity.

Thanks for sharing.
Lisha

Dear Hari, May it be the story of Socrates (469 - 399 BC) about his student, or that of Chanakya (350–283 BC) about his friend, no authenticated reference source is available for the story, being related to more than 2000 years of their existence. That does not mean we should ignore any such ethical and moral stories.

After all, both personalities were wise in their era. On the whole, the story has some ethical and moral value to be followed by one and all, irrespective of who said it, or even if it is a story fabricated in the name of any of these wise men.

The story is originally attributed to Socrates. It is called the three filters test. It appeared in the Hindu newspaper some years back.

Either way (Chanakya/Socrates), it would be stupid to apply that in real-life situations today!

Thank you for sharing the story! If you read the book 'Kautilya's Arthashastra (Economics)' written by Vishnugupta (Chanakya), it offers guidelines on how to survive in the world and behave professionally without compromising human values. It is a great book that every HR person should read at least once in a lifetime.

Hey, I am introducing myself. I am Kunal! I am working with Shriram Group as an Assistant Manager - Administration. It is a pleasure to read your thoughts, ideas, experiences, solutions, and fun.

Regards

The Target

There is a martial art in Japan called "ZEN." In ZEN literature, the teacher is known as a "ZEN Master." This story is also linked to the same. A very young student of martial art approached his ZEN Master. He had an eagerness to know how soon he would become an expert in this martial art. He asked his master, "If I work with full concentration, how fast can I become a ZEN Master?" The ZEN Master thought for a moment about why the boy was asking such a question and soon understood the motive behind it. He answered after careful thought, "Ten years."

The boy thought this period was too long and believed there must be a solution to reduce this time. So he asked again, "If I work very hard and try to learn very fast, then how much time will it take?"

The ZEN Master smiled. "Twenty years." The boy was surprised to see the increasing period. He posed the question again with more force, "If I really work hard, day and night, then how much time will it take?" The ZEN Master became a little serious and replied, "Thirty years."

"Thirty years." The boy was disappointed after hearing this. He asked the ZEN Master, "But sir, I fail to understand why the time period is increasing even though I am willing to put in more hard work and effort?" The ZEN Master replied with a smile, "Son, your one eye is still on the achievement of the target. And you will only be working with one eye."

Morale:

If you work hard with full concentration, the target will follow you.

THE TARGET

There is a martial art in Japan called "ZEN." In ZEN literature, the teacher is known as a "ZEN Master." This story is linked to that concept. A very young student of martial art approached his ZEN Master with eagerness to know how soon he would become an expert in this martial art. He asked his master, "If I work with full concentration, how fast can I also become a ZEN Master?" The ZEN Master thought for a moment, understanding the motive behind the question, and answered thoughtfully, "Ten years."

The boy thought this period was too long and sought a solution to reduce the time. So he asked again, "If I work very hard and try to learn very fast, then how much time will it take?"

The ZEN Master smiled. "Twenty years." The boy was surprised by the increasing period. He posed the question again with more force, "If I really work hard, day and night, then how much time will it take?" The ZEN Master became a little serious and replied, "Thirty years."

"Thirty years." The boy was disappointed after hearing this. He asked the ZEN Master, "But sir, I fail to understand why the time period is increasing even if I am ready to put in more hard work and effort?" The ZEN Master replied with a smile, "Son, your one eye is still on the achievement of the target. And you will be only working with your one eye."

MORALE:

IF YOU WORK HARD WITH YOUR FULL CONCENTRATION, THE TARGET WILL FOLLOW YOU.