A Royal Curiosity
Akbar received a golden birdcage from a visiting king, but no bird inside. “A cage without a bird?” he asked.
Birbal’s Understanding
He said, “It is a gift that reflects the truth—many decorate the cage but forget the soul.”
Akbar’s Silence
He kept the empty cage in his chamber as a daily reminder.
Lesson to Be Learned
Decorating the body while neglecting the soul is like polishing an empty cage. True beauty is in awakening the soul’s love for God. Nourish the bird within—let it fly toward Kṛṣṇa in song and surrender.
