The Emperor’s Contest
Emperor Akbar once announced, “Let any painter bring me a picture of paradise.” Many artists came with splendid works—lush forests, divine gardens, celestial beings. Yet Akbar was not satisfied.
Birbal’s Empty Canvas
Then came Birbal with a plain white canvas. The emperor was surprised. “What is this?” Birbal said, “This is paradise, O Lord. Untouched, pure, and formless. Paradise cannot be painted; it must be realized.”
The Inner Meaning
Birbal continued, “As long as we carry envy, pride, and lust, even the most beautiful painting cannot become paradise. But when we awaken love for the Lord, even a simple canvas becomes filled with divine light.”
Lesson to Be Learned
Real paradise is not external; it is the state of a purified heart. As Śrīla Prabhupāda taught, only one who awakens love for Kṛṣṇa can enter the kingdom of God, where every step is a dance and every word is a song.
