Calm and cool, what’s that got to do with marketing?
FOOLS RUSH IN, what about you?
War strategies for marketing!
FOOLS RUSH IN
(Eighth in the series called “The Martial Marketer”. War strategies for work!)
REVENGE.
Sundara killed my father, and I will avenge the death.
Revenge in the heat of the moment is that much sweeter.
Rajarajan Chozhan III was the son of Kulothungan III. His father was killed by the Pandya King Sundara 1 while he was away.
By the time Rajarajan III returned to their fort capital, everything was lost. His people, his region, his father, and his Kingdom. All gone!
His mother and family had escaped through the secret tunnel. He met them at the pre-agreed location. She was livid too, and wanted revenge. She goaded Rajarajan III: It was our valor, our lineage, our right — you need to seize that back.
Rajarajan was charged up.
He did what any 20 year old would do. Rush in. He cobbled a small army of soldiers left over from the pillage in the ravine.
“That coward Sundara and his commanders had attacked my men from the top. We got squished into a ravine, and their archers fired away. Is that a way to win a war? Where’s the chivalry in that?” thought a further incensed Rajarajan.
A small platoon went on the attack against Sundara’s army. They attacked everything in their way, such was the murderous rage — the hunger for revenge. Anger-lust is how I would define it. A time and place where there is no place for reason, only wild action. Rajarajan found out where Sundara Pandian was located. They marched through the forests and got ready for a surprise attack on Sundara Pandian and his troops.
“We will strike them like lighting, take revenge, and take over the Kingdom.” Rajarajan’s pre-battle talk to rouse up his small force.
A mix consisting of soldiers young and old, some blacksmiths and youngsters craving for action! They planned their attack at dusk when the city would be winding down — the time when sentries would be tired. The path in front of them had trees to hide their approach. They moved forward with stealth. Sundara’s guards were relaxed, and some seemed drunk as well.
“Ha, Ha. Drink on, my enemies, as I am your death approaching” Rajarajan could sense his impending Victory.
His troops came closer to the enemy forces. This was turning out to be so easy. They were about to strike when the soldiers jumped up with alacrity.
Rajarajan heard a noise behind.
Turning around, he found that they were being attacked on the rear by Sundara’s forces. Their surprise element was gone — in fact, it was never there.
Sundara’s spies had spotted Rajarajan’s force. They allowed Rajarajan to get into their land and smell Victory. The rage of revenge, combined with the perception of drunk and lax security, made him drop all planning and rush in for the kill.
It was a whipping Rajarajan would never forget. Sundara did not even send his chief commanders, the valiant Manickam and Velan. Mugilan, a junior captain, lead their defense. The organized manner of the Pandyan attack ensured Rajarajan’s ragtag troop panicked from the get-go. His formation broke, soldiers broke ranks. They stopped following orders and went about purely on instinct, doing what they want to do. This was chaos. Is this what the famous Chozha army had come to?
The Pandyan soldiers were smiling as they attacked Rajarajan. They had already won the war in their head before setting foot on the battlefield. The Pandyan forces knew Rajarajan was trapped, in the front, in the back, and now from all sides.
Mugilan spotted Rajarajan, and they entered one-to-one combat. Both of them were in the same age group and exchanged blow for blow. It was a matter of time, though. Rajarajan had traveled far and was always in battles and skirmishes all the way through. Mugilan was fresh from the fort and mentally prepared for this fight.
One vigorous swish from Mugilan sent Rajarajan’s sword flying. He found himself stepping back, without any defense. Mugilan picked up a spear and, with a big shout, flung it towards Rajarajan. Rajarajan was a prince of the Chozha dynasty. He will not cower from death. He knew it was coming his way and could notice the spiraling tip of the spear. He faced it with his chest open.
The spear pierced through the body, and blood gushed through, front and back.
At the nick of time, Rajarajan’s friend and commander, Vikraman, dove between the spear and his prince. Vikraman gave his life to save Rajarajan. In the ensuing confusion, Rajarajan could see defeat and death staring at him. He slunk away.
Rajarajan barely escaped and ran back with his tail tucked squarely between his legs. Tears streaming from his eyes, he sneaked into the jungle. The Pandyan soldiers entered the forest, and it was a manhunt. Sundara Pandya wanted him dead. Rajarajan hid in the hollow of a tree and did not step out for an entire day. Defeat, disgrace, and humiliation made him hide more than fear for his life. He had taken quite a physical beating as well.
Rajarajan roamed around in the jungle, wandering the first few days aimlessly. Solitary living makes us talk to oneself. So did he.
He questioned himself about the happenings of the past and associated actions by him and his father.
“How could I rush in without any preparation? What was I thinking? Now, more of my men are dead. And I will be labeled a coward for leaving the battlefield!”
My father rushed in the chase and got trapped in the ravine. I didn’t do any better!
Why did I not set up my own spies, front and back?
How could I attack without a strategic plan? Without an escape plan if things didn’t go as planned?
What can I do now? My objective is still clear. Avenge my father’s death and resurrect the Chozha name and empire.
**
When an unprepared leader gets into battle without a plan or knowing about competition, defeat is definite.
— — — — — — — — — -
Research Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandya_dynasty
This is the eighth in the series called “The Martial Marketer”. War strategies for work!
1. Marketing Camouflage! Success is sweet.
2. A Trojan variation to defend and attack.
3. Victory at all costs.
4. Size does matter.
5. Fight the fight within, first.
6. The (marketing) warrior without vanity.
7. Playing with Perception.
Pravin Shekar is an outlier marketer, parallel entrepreneur and a raconteur.
mic @ PravinShekar.com .
For creative collusions, join: http://bit.ly/JoinMyOutlierTribe
Pravin is the author of seven books: Devil Does Care, Marketing lessons from Mythology, Getting paid to speak, a Virtual Summit Playbook, Climb your way out of hell & a collection of travel pics/romantic poems, and stories from the heart!
http://tiny.cc/PravinShekarBooks
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