How did Birbal make a connection between the stages of life and the Times of a day
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Akbar used to love going out on hunting expeditions. Once, when Akbar was out on one such expedition, he and some of his courtiers lost their way somehow.
At last, they came to a junction of three roads. Akbar was very happy as he thought that now he could reach his capital, Agra through one of these roads. He was not sure as to which of the three roads led to Agra. No courtier was able to tell which road went to the Emperor’s capital.
Just then, they saw a young man coming towards them on one of the three roads. Akbar called out, “Wait up young man!” and asked him, “Could you tell us which road goes to Agra?”
The man smiled and said, “Sir, none of these roads go to Agra.”
Everybody was shocked at the young man’s audacity. Akbar kept his anger checked and asked the young man again, “What do you mean?”
The man said once more, “People travel, not roads. Do they?”
The Emperor’s anger vanished on hearing this clever reply. He laughed and said, “Yes, you are right. Tell me, what is your name?”
The man said, “My name is Mahesh Das, sir! Now tell me about yourself. Who are you and what is your name?”
Akbar said, “You are talking to Emperor Akbar, the King of Hindustan! I need fearless and witty people like you in my court.” He took off his ring, gifted it to the young man and said, “If you want to be a part of my royal court, come to meet me with this ring and I will recognize you immediately. Now, show us the way to reach Agra. All of us are exhausted and need to reach Agra before the sun sets.”
Mahesh showed the road to be be taken and returned home with a desire of coming to Akbar’s court sooner or later.
Story of how Birbal is born
It was after some years that Mahesh Das decided to go to Agra to meet the Emperor. The sentry at the main gate did not allow him to enter. Mahesh Das then showed him the ring that the Emperor had gifted him. The guard was very greedy. He thought that if he allowed this young man to go inside, he will get more rewards and gifts from the Emperor and then he would ask the boy to share them with him. So, the sentry agreed to allow Mahesh Das to go inside the court on one condition- that he would give him half of the reward he would get from the Emperor. Mahesh Das accepted the condition.
Mahesh Das went inside and presented himself in front of the Emperor. He greeted the Emperor and showed the ring to Akbar.
Akbar immediately recognised the young man and said, “Oh young man! It is so good to see you. Tell me what do you want from the King of Hindustan?”
“Jahanpanah! I want to be flogged! I want 50 lashes from you as a reward,” replied Mahesh Das.
Everybody in the royal court was stunned. They thought that he was mad. Akbar was also greatly surprised by the young man’s strange request and asked him the reason.
Mahesh Das said he would only tell him the reason after receiving his reward. Akbar knew that there must be something going on in the clever young man’s mind and asked his guards to flog him as per his wish.
After the twenty fifth lash, Mahesh Das asked the guards to stop and requested the Emperor to call the sentry who was at the main gate.
The sentry was summoned in the court. He was happy at the thought that he was being called for his reward. To his surprise, Mahesh Das told the Emperor,”Jahanpanah! This sentry of yours had let me in on the condition that I would share half of my reward with him. I want to keep my promise, so I request you to give the remaining twenty five lashes to him.”
The Emperor and all the courtiers were amused at the young man’s wit. Akbar ordered fifty lashes of the whip for the sentry along with 5 years of imprisonment. He then, rewarded Mahesh Das with a permanent place in his court and gave him a new name, ‘Birbal.’ He was so fond of Birbal’s wit and sense of humour that he bestowed him with the title of ‘Raja’ and included him in his special committee of nine advisers, who were also known as ‘Navratans.’
Because of his razor sharp wit and presence of mind, Birbal soon became a close friend of the Emperor.