A Strange Claim
A man came to court complaining, “I stored my gold in the wall, but someone made a hole and stole it.” There were no signs of forced entry.
Birbal’s Clever Trap
That night, Birbal placed sweet syrup near the wall and ordered guards to hide. In the morning, ants had gathered near one house. On investigation, the man in that house confessed. He had dug the hole to steal the gold.
Akbar’s Amazement
The emperor praised Birbal, “Your wisdom flows even into the tiniest holes!”
Lesson to Be Learned
Just as ants are drawn to sweetness, sin is drawn to secrecy. But no darkness can hide from the light of truth. In devotional life, purity in thought and action brings joy. yena śuddhyet sattvam, says the Bhāgavatam—purity leads to true knowledge.
