A Warrior’s Boast
A young soldier boasted, “My arrows never miss!” He demonstrated—but one arrow curved back and landed at his feet.
Birbal’s Insight
“Pride,” Birbal said, “is like a misfired arrow. It may return and wound the one who shot it.”
The Lesson Embraced
The soldier bowed in shame and silence, accepting the wisdom.
Lesson to Be Learned
Pride leads to downfall. Just as Kṛṣṇa humbled even mighty Indra, so too the false ego is always brought low. Humility is the shield of the wise, protecting them from the arrows of karma.
