The Contest Begins
One day, Akbar asked his courtiers, “What is the greatest thing in this world?” Many replied—gold, power, beauty, and fame.
Birbal’s Golden Answer
Birbal stood and said, “The greatest is mercy. A king is praised not for his armies, but for his compassion.” The emperor, touched by these words, nodded in agreement.
Compassion as a Crown
Birbal continued, “Even the Lord shows mercy. Śrī Kṛṣṇa forgave many demons, uplifted the fallen, and gave bhakti even to those who erred. That is true greatness.”
Lesson to Be Learned
Mercy is the highest ornament of a soul. As taught by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, kṛpā-bindu diyā, only by a drop of mercy can we be lifted from darkness. A devotee aspires to be merciful like the Lord.
