6. The Reunion

One day Akbar was discussing a matter of political importance in his court. The emperor didn’t appear in a good mood, so most of the courtiers responded mutedly.

However, when Akbar imposed over a comment made by one of his close courtiers, Birbal chucked in. Akbar frowned. He lost his temper and fired Birbal – ‘Birbal! Get your wits off! This is a not the time we laugh and giggle. We are discussing a critical strategy here and your laughter shows disrespect towards us and stately matter. I banish you from the court right now! Leave and never return here!’

Birbal was surprised and embarrassed by the emperor’s extreme reaction. He bowed before the king and quietly left the palace.

Days passed by. As the political tension eased, and court got into its routine affairs Akbar started missing Birbal. He secretly appointed a team of men to search for Birbal. However, their efforts brought not results as Birbal left the capital town of Agra without letting anyone know.

One day a saint came to the court of the king. The saint had had a radiant face, gleaming eyes, thick beard and long locked hair. He was accompanied by his two disciples, claimed that their teacher was the wisest man on the earth. Akbar decided to test the saint’s wisdom. He told the saint, ‘We want to test your wisdom. My courtiers would ask questions to testify your wisdom. If you answered their question satisfactorily, I will appoint you as a minister in my court, and if not you will be beheaded right away’.

The saint contented, ‘O mighty king! I never claim to be the wisest man on the Earth. But people respect me as a learned man. I am not eager to prove my acumen, but I have always loved answering questions. So I am willing to answer the questions asked by your courtiers’.

  

Akbar asked his courtiers to question the saint one by one. Thus, Raja Todarmal one of the ministers, began the round of questioning – ‘Who is the best friend for a man on the Earth?’ The saint replied, ‘A man’s good sense is his best friend on the Earth’.

Another courtier Faizi asked, ‘What is the most superior thing on the Earth?’ ‘Knowledge!’ contended the saint.

Following this Abdul Fazal asked, ‘Which is the deepest trench in the world?’ The saint smiled and said, ‘It’s a woman’s heart’.

Another courtier asked, ‘One thing which cannot be regained after it is lost?’ The saint said, ‘Life!’

Tansen, the court musician asked, ‘What is underlies the music?’ The saint simply said, ‘Notes’. He further asked, ‘What is the most melodious sound which the night falls?’

The saint replied with closed eyes, ‘The voice that prays to God’.

That day, the court of Akbar had Maharaj Mansingh of Jaipur as his guest. He asked the saint, ‘Tell us, what travels faster than the wind?’ The saint replied, ‘The man’s thoughts’. He further asked, ‘What is the sweetest thing on earth?’ ‘A little baby’s smile’, smiled the saint as he replied.

The emperor and all his courtiers were impressed by the saint’s answers. But Akbar desired to question himself. So he asked the saint, ‘Tell us if there is anything necessary for ruling a kingdom?’ The saint said, ‘Cleverness (diplomacy)’.

Akbar was satisfied. He further asked the saint, ‘What was the king’s gravest enemy?’ The saint replied, ‘selfishness’. The emperor was very pleased with saint. He respectfully offered him the seat of honor and asked him if he had the powers to perform miracles.

The saint contended, ‘O mighty king, I have the power to manifest any person you desire to meet’. Akbar was thrilled to hear the saint. He pepped up and asked, ‘Can you manifest my courtier Birbal?’

The saint smiled and said ‘yes!’ He stood up and pulled off his artificial beard and hair. The entire court looked up in surprise. Akbar was stunned and stepped down to embrace the saint who was none other than Birbal himself.  Akbar said, ‘Birbal, we had been looking for you since days. You left without letting anyone know. I suspected you and therefore asked you to perform miracle. Here you are!’

Akbar warmly welcomed Birbal. He arranged for a feast and spend long hours conversing with him.