REALITY CONCEALED | POR | XVI | 118

PARABLES OF RAMA | CHAPTER XVI | 118 | RAMA राम

|| REALITY CONCEALED | BIRBAL & AKBAR THE GREAT ||

Rama is reminded of a story associated with Birbal , the wittiest courtier of Ruler Akbar , the Great .

One day the Ruler asked the courtiers , if the blind persons were in majority , or those who could see .

All those present said that those who could see outnumbered the blind .

The Ruler also had the same opinion . But Birbal kept quiet .

When directly questioned , Birbal said :

" Your Majesty , in my humble opinion , the blind are in majority " .

The Ruler was surprised and further enquired , " How ? "

Birbal said that the assertion would be practically proven within two days .

The same afternoon , Birbal went to the Royal Darbar with a big turban on the head .

The Ruler asked why Birbal had put on such a big turban .

Birbal kept quiet .

The next morning , it being rather cold , Birbal went to the Darbar with a shawl covering the back and shoulders by it .

The same evening , Birbal went to see the Ruler with a Dhoti ( loin cloth ) over the trousers .

All those present there jeered at Birbal .

Akbar also resented it and said ,

" What is all this ?

Do not forget that you are appearing before the Ruler . This is the height of unmannerliness . "

Birbal , then , submitted very politely :

" Your Majesty , this is my answer to your query regarding the blind being in majority or minority . "

The Ruler said ,

" I can understand nothing of this . "

Birbal said ,

" Yesterday , I had a long-cloth as a turban on my head .

This morning , I used the same cloth in the form of my shawl .

And now , I am using the same piece , as my Dhoti .

All the persons here are blind .

They called it a turban , a shawl , and a Dhoti .

In fact , it is only a piece of cloth , it is only cotton .

But these blind persons mistake something for something else .

They do not see the original cotton , they only see its converted forms , the turban , the shawl , or the Dhoti .

That is why I say that the blind are in great majority .

It is a pity that they make a mess of it , and are entangled in the external show of Names and Forms .

They are incapable of seeing the Reality , and are , therefore , in the category of the blind persons . "