A Careless Word
A man insulted a sage and later regretted it. He came to Birbal for help in making amends.
Birbal’s Instruction
“Pluck a pillow and scatter the feathers in the wind. Then gather them all again.” The man tried and failed.
The Deeper Message
“Such is the nature of careless words,” Birbal said. “They cannot be recalled.”
Lesson to Be Learned
Words are like arrows—once released, they cannot be taken back. A devotee speaks mindfully, knowing each word may carry karmic weight. Let the tongue become an instrument of kīrtan, not criticism.
