SUNDAY PARABLE:

A matter of a name

Professor Sunanda Mahendra

“Papaka,” exclaimed the teacher, engaged in the analysis of a serious metaphysics issue. The student named Papaka looked at the teacher. “Papaka, you look sullen and rather dejected. Anything wrong?” “Yes master.” Responded Papaka. “Would you like to discuss the matter with me?”

“Yes certainly master.” After the teaching session, the teacher and the student met each other. “I like to know what worries you.” Papaka spoke out: “My name seems to worry me, master.” “Why?” “Papaka means the evildoer, doesn’t it? My parents should have given me a better name. Whenever someone calls me by my name I can see them with a hidden smile.” The master pondered for awhile. “I want you to do something, son.”

“What is that master?” “I want you to do a survey on others’ names. Come back to me with what you find out. Got it?” “Yes master.” So he went from place to place in search of people whose names matter. In the first instance he saw a funeral procession.

The family members were weeping as they have lost their most lovable intimate. Papaka wanted to inquire the dead person’s name from an elder. The elder looked startled. “Why don’t you know his name? He is Amara.” “Oh Amara! Amara!” murmured Papaka. “Why?” Asked the elder.

“So this means that even Amara - that means deathless - dies too?” “What are you talking boy? We have no time for your nonsense.” The elder then drove Papaka away. Papaka then came across a beggar woman in the marketplace. “Please help me sir. I am so poor.” Papaka felt sorry at her plight and gave out some coins to the woman. Then he shot the question. “What is your name?”

“My name? Why sir? I am just a poor woman. That’s all” “Doesn’t matter. What is your name?” “I am Dhanapali.” “Oh Dhanapali, which means she who is rich.” “But I am not rich sir. I know my name sounds funny when you look at me.” “Hm... May be so.”

“This means that even Dhanapali can be poor.” Papaka moved off and fell into deep thought. “Even Dhanamapali has become poor,” he thought aloud again. He didn’t know how far he walked until it was the last lap in the evening. Then he met a young man who looked puzzled and lost.

This young man came closer to Papaka and asked a question. “Can you show me the way to go the next village?” “I am sorry mate but I am new to this area. I just walked the distance without a slightest idea of a direction. But what happened to you?”

“I think I lost my way.” “What’s your name by the way?” Asked Papaka. “Why do you want that?” “It’s nothing, just for interest’s sake.” “Well boy I am going to give you a surprise. My name is Panthaka.” “Panthaka? That means?” “It means the knower of the directions.” “So the knower of the directions too has lost his way?” They had a good laugh over that.

“This happens to most of us. Our names never go with our actions.” “You are correct.” Papaka wanted to get back to his teacher. “So how was your survey son?” Asked the teacher.

“Now I know master. You were right.” Then he explained all what he experienced. “Look! Said the teacher. Amara dies. Dhanapali is poor. Panthaka lost his way. Come on son, Papaka is never an evildoer.”