A Night’s Challenge
On a cold winter night, Akbar asked, “Can two men sleep under one blanket and still remain warm?” The courtiers offered varied answers, but Birbal simply nodded, “It depends on the warmth of their hearts, not the blanket.”
The Practical Demonstration
The next night, Birbal brought two poor men who shared a small torn blanket. Yet they slept smiling, holding each other like brothers. Akbar was amazed.
A Royal Lesson
Birbal said, “When hearts are united, even a little is enough. But when hearts are cold, even palaces feel empty.”
Lesson to Be Learned
Spiritual unity and loving association bring comfort in every condition. As Śrīla Prabhupāda taught, “Spiritual life is based on loving exchanges between devotees.” One can endure great hardship if there is warmth in the heart through Kṛṣṇa-bhakti and vaiṣṇava-saṅga.
