Once, a king developed a great desire to earn a good name. He gathered all the eminent scholars of his court and asked them-
“After death, what honour is bestowed on a person who had earned a very good name while living?”
The scholars told the king that after death, the name of such a person would be inscribed on a huge mountain in heaven.
The king wanted to gain a good name and become immortal and from that day onwards he performed several noble deeds. After some time the king died and was carried to heaven by the messengers of God.
The king asked the messengers- ”Where would my name be inscribed?”
The messengers took him to a huge mountain and said- ”here.”
The king looked up the mountain and was stunned to notice that the whole mountain was covered with names and not an inch of empty space could be found.The messengers erased one name from the mountain and inscribed the king’s name in that place.
The king asked them-
“Would you erase my name and write somebody else’s name in that space after some time?”
“Definitely” replied the messengers.
The king felt dejected that he had struggled so much during his life time for only temporary glory and name.
People commit several misdeeds and suffer just for the sake of name and fame. They do not realise that the name is not permanent.
As D.V. Gundappa, the poet says-
‘Who was the first person to cook rice? Who was the first one to discover the alphabet? The world has not kept record of even their names. Do you think you would succeed in gaining immortality?’
