The Value of Praise
The ambitious king of Karpurvan nurtured a great desire: to be praised by all his subjects. The more he read about the great kings of the past, whose glory was celebrated by future generations, the more eager he became to be counted among them. He was always willing to spend for the welfare of his people or in charity to the poor.
Disguised Encounters
Occasionally, he donned a disguise and wandered among his people to hear their thoughts about him and his administration. Generally, the people spoke well of him, which pleased him immensely. However, one day, he had an unexpected encounter. A villager named Shivnath told him, “What is so great about our king? I don’t believe he has done anything to deserve our praise!”
A Discovery
The disguised king was taken aback. He concluded that there must be some special issue affecting the people of that particular village that he had not addressed, which made them unhappy. Upon inquiry, he learned that there was a scarcity of water in the village. He consulted experts and arranged for a canal to be dug, which greatly benefited the villagers.
Continued Criticism
One year later, the disguised king met Shivnath again, anticipating praise for his efforts. Instead, Shivnath remarked, “Digging a canal doesn’t make a king great. We have so many problems. How much does the king really care about them?”
Addressing More Issues
The king conducted further inquiries and discovered that there was no road connecting the village to the town. Villagers who earned a living by selling their produce in the town suffered greatly during the monsoon. The king wasted no time in constructing a road. Yet again, Shivnath offered no praise for the king.
More Efforts
In response to the villagers’ needs, the king established a dispensary and a school in the village over the next year. While all the other villagers praised him, Shivnath remained indifferent.
A Challenge
The disguised king asked Shivnath, “I don’t understand why you have no kind words for the king when the rest of the village praises him! What is the matter?”
Shiynath’s Stance
“What do I gain by praising the king?” was Shivnath’s reply. “Those who benefit from the king’s actions naturally sing his praise. Why should I?”
Understanding the Needs
Puzzled, the king questioned, “Is it not surprising that you alone do not benefit from these actions?” Shivnath explained, “Those who have land benefit from the canal; those who need to travel to town benefit from the road. My sons are grown, so I don’t need the school. And since I am not ill, the dispensary does not help me. Why should I praise the king?”
Personal Connections
Instead of focusing solely on the village’s problems, the king started to uncover the personal struggles Shivnath faced. He discovered that Shivnath was estranged from his sons, who were united against him. Living without peace at home, Shivnath spent his time aimlessly and often went without food.
A Gesture of Kindness
The king built a house for Shivnath, ensuring he would have food and comfort. When Shivnath next met the disguised king, he was overflowing with praise!
Recognizing Patterns
Days later, while passing through another village, the king encountered another critic named Haricharan. This time, rather than uncovering village issues, the king sought to understand Haricharan’s personal struggles and provided relief. Haricharan quickly became a great admirer of the king.
Lessons Learned
Through these experiences, the king realized that some people would never be satisfied with good deeds unless they directly benefited from them. They praised the king only when their personal interests were served and remained blind to the broader welfare efforts that benefited the entire community.
A New Perspective
As the king came to understand this, his desire for praise diminished. He no longer felt the need to satisfy individuals for the sake of being praised. Instead, he devoted his resources and time to the general welfare of his subjects, regardless of what a few individuals said about him. Ultimately, he was praised by all, but he no longer sought such accolades.