Acharya Prashant explains a concept using an analogy from the Buddha about three types of horses. The worst type of horse is one that moves only when spanked. He relates this to how human energy often rises only upon 'spanking,' meaning when there is trouble. People work to avoid trouble, and for many, work itself is considered trouble. Therefore, they only work when there is trouble. This leads to a state where most people necessitate trouble in order to work. If there is no trouble, they will not work at all. The speaker calls this a form of deep, deep slavery. People deliberately bring their situations down to the point of trouble so that they are forced to work. They know that gentle methods will not work on them, so they plot against themselves, turning their situation bad and worse to the extent that they must necessarily rise into action. The speaker questions if this is really necessary and if it's not possible to work with dignity and joy, rather than out of fear, greed, and insecurity. He elaborates on the Buddha's analogy: the worst kind of horse requires being beaten up, the middle kind requires being shown the whip, but the highest quality horse runs when just whispered to, or even just touched or gently massaged. They do not require being slapped or whipped. He concludes by linking this to the Self (Atma), which he equates with dignity. Those who live by the true Self live a life of dignity. Conversely, those who live by their falsenesses live a life devoid of all grace and dignity, dancing only to the 'song of whiplashes.' The choice presented is whether one wants to dance to the gentle breeze or to the music of whiplashes.
