Criterion

Zamindar Kailaspati was a renowned patron of poets and musicians. He once announced a grand competition for poets, promising an esteemed title and a generous award for the winner.

The contest commenced, featuring several poets reciting their works. A jury comprised of eminent literati from the land evaluated the submissions. They found the poems of seventy-year-old Ekanath and twenty-year-old Dinanath to be of exceptionally high quality, carrying profound thoughts. The judges were truly in a predicament and ultimately decided to leave the final decision to the zamindar himself.

Kailaspati had no trouble making his choice. He presented the title and a heavy purse to Ekanath. After everyone had departed, the zamindar’s dewan approached him. “Sire, you should have encouraged the younger Dinanath instead of the aging Ekanath.”

“Dinanath is still young, and he’ll have plenty of opportunities to participate in more contests in the years to come,” explained Kailaspati. “But how can we be certain that Ekanath will be alive to partake in another competition? Let him experience the satisfaction and happiness of having won a title and an award while he is still living.”