The Wise Answers of Birbal’s Son

Akbar was fond of Birbal’s intelligence, and Birbal was very brilliant. Akbar often challenged Birbal to demonstrate his wisdom. It was a day again when Akbar thought of testing Birbal again. So, he placed three questions in front of Birbal. Akbar asked him the following questions and wanted to know the answers for those at the court on the next day.

1. Where did God live?
2. How can Birbal find God?
3. What does God do?

Birbal was the one who had a true belief in God.

The next day, Birbal’s son arrives at the court of Akbar in place of Birbal to answer these three questions. Birbal’s son asked for a cup of milk and sugar to answer the first question. He stirred and mixed them very well and went up to Akbar. He asked Akbar if he could see sugar in the cup anymore. Akbar replies to him with a No. In his answer, Birbal’s son said, “God is like this sugar. He can’t be seen, but he exists.”

Now, for the second question, he again took some curd and asked Akbar, “Can you spot any butter in this curd?” Akbar’s reply was once again a No. As the butter will only come out of it upon churning the curd, Birbal’s son suggested, “This is exactly how one finds god, i.e., by the churning of one’s heart.”

Lastly, for the third and final question, Birbal’s son asked Akbar to swap his positions with him. After swapping, he said, “This is exactly what God does! God turns a kind into a pauper and then vice versa.”

Akbar had no other options or any other questions to debate. So, in the end, he agrees with Birbal’s son and praises the intelligence that Birbal and his son have.

Moral The Wise Answers of Birbal’s Son Story

God can be found through self-reflection and the contemplation of everyday objects and experiences. God has the power to transform the circumstances of individuals and that true wisdom comes from understanding and accepting this fact.