One day, Padishah Akbar came to the council hall before everyone else and asked everyone who entered:
- Tell me, who is greater, Indra or me?
None of the courtiers dared to answer such an unusual question. “If you say that Indra is greater, you will not please Akbar, but if you say that Akbar, you will anger the gods,” each of them thought. Therefore, the courtiers only hesitated and were silent.
Soon Birbal also appeared. The padishah turned to him with the same question:
- Tell me Birbal, who is greater, Indra or me?
- You are greater! - Birbal answered without hesitation.
The courtiers breathed a sigh of relief and made noise. However, when the impudence of the answer dawned on them, silence reigned in the hall.
Akbar was no less amazed than others. He did not even imagine that he would hear such an answer.
- So, Birbal, you say that I am greater than Indra? - he asked again. - Why do you think so, explain!
“It is known from our sacred books, sir,” Birbal began, “that the great Brahma first created two prototype figures - Indra and yours.” Then, to find out which of you is greater, he put them on the scales. Your prototype figure outweighed, for you are greater. You went down and Indra went up. Therefore you rule on earth and Indra rules in heaven.
Akbar was very pleased with this answer. So Birbal, thanks to his intelligence, pleased both the padishah and did not anger the gods.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru