Stories of Jivavarta:: Pytho's Lesson (Parable)

Be the best at whatever you do, but first make sure that what you are doing is for the best.” — Shon Mehta

Pytho was an inspiring teacher. "Be the best at whatever you do!" he told his students. His students followed his advice, and many became  well-known in their respective fields. Pytho felt proud when his students mentioned him as a contributor to their success.

Every day, Pytho received many notes of appreciation. One day, he received a summon from the court instead.

Surprised, Pytho hurried to the court, and appeared before the judge.

Then he saw his student Dimbi. Pytho looked at Dimbi, trying hard to remember. He recalled that Dimbi was not one of his brightest students, and Pytho's efforts to inspire Dimbi had gone in vain. Dimbi had left school several years back, and Pytho had never heard from him, until now.

“Whatever I am toady, its because of you.” Said Dimbi.

Pytho was taken aback by Dimbi’s this statement.

“You can’t blame me, I did everything I could.” Said Pytho.

Saying this Pytho walked towards Judge.

"Your student Dimbi is being tried for grand theft, and he says that you inspired him. Do you agree?" Said the judge.

"But how can I be responsible? Surely, I never told him to steal." Said Pytho.

"You inspired me." Dimbi answered. There was pride in Dimbi’s voice. “You always said, be the best at whatever you do. I was good at stealing. So now, because of you, I am the best thief around."

Pytho did not know what to say. In his wildest dream, Pytho never imagined this outcome of his teachings.

Nowadays, one can hear Pytho telling his students. "Be the best at whatever you do, but first make sure that what you are doing is for the best.”

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Sayings of Jivavarta

“Be the best at whatever you do, but first make sure that what you are doing is for the best.” —- Shon Mehta 

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Lexicon of Jivavarta

Pytho's Lesson — Excellence is valuable only when it serves a worthy goal.

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Key Philosophical Concepts Represented

1. The Neutrality of Arête (Excellence)

Skill and mastery are "value-neutral" tools. Being the "best" describes the quality of an action but not its moral worth. Dimbi's success as a thief proves that high performance can exist in a total moral vacuum; excellence is merely a multiplier of intent. 🔗 Virtue

2. The Technician’s Fallacy (Lack of Phronēsis)

Focusing on the "How" while ignoring the "Whether" creates a "dangerous specialist." Without Phronēsis (practical wisdom) to act as a rudder, the drive for excellence is undirected. Skill without goodness is not virtue—it is risk.

🔗 Phronesis

3. Teleological Priority

The moral value of any skill is determined by its Telos (ultimate purpose). Pytho’s realization—that one must first ensure the work is "for the best"—re-establishes that ethics must outrank talent. If the goal is corrupt, being "the best" only accelerates the harm.

🔗 Teleology

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The Dimbi Phenomenon (n.) — heuristic ethical-philosophical term A psychological, educational, and organizational concept describing the tendency for systems of instruction to cultivate excellence while neglecting moral judgment. The phenomenon is exemplified by Dimbi, a thief who credits his success to the teachings of his mentor, Pytho. Though Pytho encouraged mastery and achievement, he failed to distinguish worthy goals from unworthy ones. 

The Dimbi Phenomenon illustrates how skill can become detached from conscience, allowing exceptional competence to serve destructive ends. It demonstrates that excellence is morally neutral, that instruction without ethical direction can amplify harm, and that a student's success does not necessarily validate a teacher's wisdom.

Jivavarta is a fictional land created by Shon Mehta, where epic tales of power, survival, and social upheaval unfold, as seen in her novels The Timingila and Lair of the Monster, along with many other stories and parables set in this richly imagined world.