Akbar and Birbal

Shri Nathji frequently narrated two parables of Akbar and Birbal. The first one was on relativity and comparisons. The emperor, Akbar, once drew a line on a blackboard and asked whether anyone could make the line long or short without touching it. Birbal, his loyal Prime Minister, at once came to the blackboard and offered to do so. He first drew a longer line over the first line, and said: "Look, the first line has become shorter by comparison now!" He then drew a shorter line beneath the first line and said:

"Look, the first line has become longer by comparison now!"

"The first line in itself: Was it long or short?

It could not be defined. It was only relative to the other lines that it became either long or short. Thus it is that no state in life is small or great. It is only when it is viewed in comparison to other states that it becomes either small or great. If instead of looking at other states one were to look only at the state that has been given to him, he would not be able to say whether it was small or great and would remain content in it.

Why must God come down to earth Himself? Could He not send one of His prophets or messengers to ease the sufferings of mankind? Shri Nathji explained the situation in this story of Akbar and Birbal.

Akbar, a King, asked the same question of his Prime Minister, Birbal: "Why must God come down to earth himself? Why can he not send His messengers upon earth?

Birbal pondered over the question and then asked for some time. A few days passed, but no answer was forthcoming from Birbal. The question as well as the answer appeared forgotten. And, then, Akbar, Birbal, and a host of courtiers went sailing. In the middle of the river, a figure was seen falling into the water.

"The crown prince!" Birbal shouted, "The crown prince has fallen into the waters!"

Without waiting to hear more, Akbar jumped into the waters in pursuit of the drowning figure. No sooner had he grasped it, when he exclaimed: "What! A dummy! Birbal! What kind of a joke is this!"

When Akbar had climbed into his boat, Birbal explained: "Sir, a few days back you had asked me why God must come down to earth Himself to save mankind rather than send his messengers. I have given you the answer today. When you thought your very dear son was drowning, you lept into the waters to save him yourself. Your love for him forced you to jump. You didn't wait to instruct your courtiers or to send someone else to save him; you went yourself. Similarly, when God sees his dear devotees in suffering, He comes down to earth Himself – He doesn't wait to send prophets or messengers! Indeed it is the love of God for his devotees upon earth that makes him come down to the earth in human form instead of sending a representative.

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Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar also known as Shahanshah Akbar-e-Azam (14 October 1542  – 27 October 1605),was the third Mughal Emperor. He was of Timurid descent; the son of Emperor Humayun and the grandson of the Mughal Babur. At the end of his reign in 1605 the Mughal empire covered most of northern and central India. He is most appreciated for having a liberal outlook on all faiths and beliefs and during his era, culture and art reached a zenith as compared to his predecessors. Akbar's reign significantly influenced art and culture in the country. He was a great patron of art and architecture. He took a great interest in painting, and had the walls of his palaces adorned with murals. He was fond of literature and religion. He was very close to Birbal who was his friend and prime minister. 

Birbal was the Wazīr-e Azam or Grand Vizier or the adviser of the Mughal court in the administration of the Mughal emperor Akbar. He was one of his most trusted members along with being a part of Akbar's inner council and most valued of nine advisors of Akbar. Emperor Akbar used to test Birbal's wit regularly. He became too close to the raja, leading to the jealousy of other courtiers. They often tried to oversmart him or get rid of him, but always failed. He was also called as Raja Birbal by Akbar. Birbal's duties in Akbar's court were mostly military and administrative, but he was also a very close friend of the emperor, who appreciated Birbal for his wit and wisdom, often involving humorous exchanges. These and other stories have become part of a rich tradition of folklore and legend.

There were attacks by Afghan tribes on the east bank of the Indus. After a succession of defeats in the February 1586 A.D. Akbar sent Birbal in the battle. While in the thick of the battle, Birbal along with his personal troops advanced into a narrow pass in Katlang at night. The Afghans were well prepared for ambush and were ready on the hills. Many men on Birbal’s side lost their way or were killed in the holes and the caverns and it was a terrible defeat, in which Birbal fought with bravery but died on 16 Feb 1586 A.D. Birbal’s death was said to be caused by treachery, not military defeat. Akbar was so shocked by the death of his friend Birbal and didn’t eat, drink, or attend court for two days.