When it comes to wit and wisdom, Birbal , a courtier who served Emperor Akbar, holds pride of place. He was equal to every challenge, never found wanting in a crisis. The Emperor turned to him not only for companionship but also for help and guidance. He became one of his most trusted members along with being a part of Akbar's inner council of nine advisors, known as the navarathna . The tales presented in this series bring out Birbal's wit and wisdom and his ability to find an answer to every problem.
Emperor Akbar was kind and just. Men of learning joined his court. So did men of music and arts. Some of them were truly talented. They became the Emperor's favourites. Tansen was one of them and Birbal was another. Born Mahesh Das, he became Birbal after he joined the court of Akbar.
Mahesh was born in a remote village close to Akbar's capital, Agra . He was an intelligent boy, sharp and quick-witted. He was naughty and often pulled tricks on his friends, teachers and elders. On the rare occasions when he was caught, he got away with witty comments and remarks, leaving everyone in splits.
Mahesh attended the village school. He had an excellent memory. His ability to work his way out of trouble won him appreciation. A solution for every problem however difficult it was, that's what was expected of Mahesh. Time passed. Mahesh grew up into a smart young man.
The schoolmaster advised Mahesh to seek a job in the royal court. Mahesh could not believe his ears. In spite of his intelligence, Mahesh thought of himself as a country bumpkin. The royal court could not be place for him! "You can't be serious, sir," Mahesh said. But I am. Go to the emperor and seek employment," the schoolmaster insisted.
"But how can I meet the emperor?" Mahesh asked. "You're clever, Mahesh. A clever man always finds what he wants," the schoolmaster smiled.
Early next morning, Mahesh got ready for the journey. He rolled up his clothes into a bundle. His father gave him a few coins tied in a small cloth bag. He tucked it in the folds of the turban wound round his head. He was dressed in dhoti and kurta with a shawl neatly folded hanging on one shoulder. He got hold of a stick, tied the bundle to one end of the stick and adjusted it against the other shoulder till he got the balance right. Standing at the door and with tear-stricken eyes, his parents watched him go.
Soon he joined a group of people who, too, were on their way to thecapital. They walked all day long and rested at wayside inns in the night On reaching the city, he headed for the fort. Mahesh approached the guard at the main gate "sir, can you please help me? I wish to meet the Emperor," Mahesh explained. "That's a grand joke," the guard laughed aloud. "Who are you?" the guard asked mockingly. "A great scholar A brilliant dancer? A gifted musician? A member of the aristocracy?"
"I'm a young man. I want to find a job at the-royal court. Don't you think I have a right to seek a job?" Mahesh responded. "You speak well, young man," the guard grudgingly gave him credit.
"My teacher, too, thinks so. He advised me to come here he said I would do well at the court," Mahesh explained. "How does that matter to me?" the guard peered at him intently. Mahesh was quick to take the cue. The guard was asking for a tip to let him in.Mahesh smiled at the guard, went closer and said, "Suppose I were tooffer you a third of whatever the Emperor gives me!"
"Is that a promise?" the guard's eyes gleamed. "Of course, that's a deal," Mahesh bowed to the guard.
"You won't forget it, I hope," the guard sought reassurance.
"I come from a small village. My people are simple folks. They are rustic, rough and tough. But they're honest," Mahesh argued.
"Can't you give me one mohar now?" the guard asked greedily.
"I would have gladly agreed if only I had the money. Wait, my friend.Who can say what you will get when I meet the Emperor and win his favour?" Mahesh scratched his chin.
"A third of what you get," the guard lowered his voice.
"I promise that," Mahesh grinned.
The guard now stood aside, making way for Mahesh to enter the palace.
Mahesh walked through a path lined with flowering plants. The sights inside were breathtaking. He walked on enjoying the sights till he stood at the door of the royal court.
The sentry at the door stopped him. "Who are you?" he asked.
Mahesh identified himself. He told him he was a wit and a scholar. "I thought I would appeal to the Emperor to engage me."
"Thousands of young men come here every day to seek jobs. But only handful of them are lucky," the sentry remarked. "Maybe I will get lucky too," Mahesh said. "How does that matter to me?" the sentry snapped "It will, if I make a deal with you, too," Mahesh smiled."What deal?" the sentry asked.
Mahesh explained his agreement with the guard at the gate. "He gets a third of what I receive from the Emperor I shall let you have a third. I'll still be left with a third of what the Emperor offers me," Mahesh smiled. "You won't forget your promise, will you?" the sentry asked.
"No, my friend, I never go back on promises. And, then, but for your help I would never enter the royal presence."
"You speak well, my boy," the sentry beamed, asked for his name anywhere he came from, led him to the royal court and walked off.
Mahesh noticed the courtiers watching him. He waited till the Emperor's eyes fell on him. He bowed politely and waited.
"Who are you, young man?" the Emperor asked.
"Mahesh Das is my name." He identified the village he belonged to. He repeated what his schoolmaster had told him. The Emperor did not seem convinced A couple of courtiers sniggered. "Every teacher thinks highly of his best students. But, young man, here we engage only thebest of the best," the Emperor's tone was clear and powerful. " Shahenshah , if I prove that I'm indeed the best among the best?" Mahesh spoke with confidence. "Prove it, then."
" Shahenshah , bear with me if I ask you for a small gift," Mahesh paused.
"A gift? Nobody gets a gift unless he has proved his worth," the Emperor stated angrily. "The gift I seek won't cost you even a cowry,"Mahesh replied.
"What do you want?"
"Thirty lashes with a whip," Mahesh's demand made everyone sit up. "Are you mad?" the Emperor hissed. " Shahenshah, g rant me the gift, and you will know," Mahesh stood his ground.
The Emperor ordered one of the guards to fetch a whip. The man hurried out and returned with a whip. The Emperor called the man holding the whip and whispered in his ears, "Don't hurt him. Just go through the motion of whipping."
The guard did just that. He counted every time the whip came down on Mahesh. "One, two, three, four, five, six,seven, eight, nine, ten."
"Stop!" shouted Mahesh. " Shahenshah ! I've received my share of the gift. The rest is to be shared equally by two of your employees." "My employees?" the Emperor winced.
"Yes, Shahenshah . One is the guard at the gate of the fort and the other is the sentryat the door of the royal court. They would not let me in unless Ioffered them tips. I had no money. So I promised to let each of them share a third of the gift I may get from you." "Did they?" the Emperor's eyes turned red.
"Yes, Shahenshah . Send for them. When they come, let me explain what they will get and watch the fun," Mahesh begged.
The Emperor nodded his head. The guard and the sentry arrived at the royal court. They bowed, waited for the command.
"Friends," Mahesh addressed them, "I told Shahenshah that you helped me. But for you, I would never have met him. I promised you a share each. I beg the Shahenshah to give you your share," Mahesh's voice was clear and sweet.
The sentry and the guard nodded their heads, happily. Then came the shock The sentry was asked to step to the centre of the court. The man with the whip closed in on him. The sentry received the best of ten cuts He wriggled and wailed, screamed and cried, but to no avail. Thenit was the turn of the guard.
"You both are no longer needed at the court," said the Emperor and sent them off.
"You're clever. Your schoolmaster was right. You have proved your worth You shall be one of our courtiers. Call yourself Birbal." The Emperor's words were the sweetest ones that Mahesh had ever heard.
The name of Chanakya, the wise prime minister of Chandragupta Maurya, is only too familiar to students of history. There is an interesting story about how he learned one of the most important lessons in war strategy from an uneducated village woman. Going back to the beginnings, Chanakya was born in a very poor family. His father, Chani, was a wise and learned man although he had no wealth. It is said that baby Chanakya had pearly white teeth. Astrologers told Chani that the boy was fated to be a king. He expected Chani to be delighted to hear this. But Chani was disturbed by the prediction and remarked that the life of a king is by no means a happy one. Most kings crave for more money and more power, and this inevitably led them to fight and often do things that are neither fair nor moral. Chani did not wish such a life for his son. So he broke the teeth of his infant son. But the astrologers merely laughed and said his action was not likely to change his son's destiny. But it wo...
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