A Riddle at Court
Akbar asked, “Can you hold a cloud in a cup?” Birbal poured hot water into a cup, and steam rose.
Birbal’s Reply
“This is your cloud, O King—contained, but only briefly. It cannot be held forever.”
Akbar’s Realization
“Then we must not try to capture what is meant to pass.”
Lesson to Be Learned
All things in this world—joy, sorrow, success, beauty—are temporary like clouds. The wise do not try to possess the fleeting but cling to what is eternal: the shelter of the Supreme Lord.
