What is Beauty?

Parthasarathy was blind and had three sons. When the time came, all of them got married to equally beautiful wives. One day, an artist visited their home with the intention of painting the portrait of a beautiful woman. He met all three daughters-in-law and found each of them equally charming. However, he soon found himself in a dilemma. When he asked, “Who is the most beautiful among you?” each woman confidently replied, “I’m the one.” The artist then turned to their husbands, who all proudly answered, “My wife.” Seeking a broader perspective, he asked the neighbors, and they too insisted that all three were equally beautiful.

That night, the artist stayed at Parthasarathy’s home. He confided his predicament to him, saying, “My daughters-in-law are beautiful, aren’t they? Their husbands believe so, as do the neighbors. However, what you see as beauty is merely superficial. Who has truly seen their inner beauty?” The artist pondered deeply and revealed, “I have discovered the woman who possesses the greatest beauty among them, based on her qualities of heart and mind. She is the one who has married my second son.”

Grateful for Parthasarathy’s insight, the artist felt enlightened by the conversation. “Thank you for your advice and guidance. All right, I shall paint the portrait of your second daughter-in-law,” he declared with newfound clarity, understanding that true beauty lies within.