Inspiring Stories: Lessons from the Angel of Death and Birbal
Life is full of lessons that can change our perspective, and two such stories that deeply impact me are about the Angel of Death and Birbal. These stories offer profound insights into the nature of life, death, and wisdom. I’m excited to share these valuable lessons with you.
The Angel of Death and the Writer’s Last Chapter
Once, a famous writer worked late into the night, trying to finish the last chapter of his autobiography. It was 2:30 a.m. when a knock came at his door. To his surprise, the Angel of Death (Yamdoot) told him, “Your time on Earth is over. I’ve come to take you with me.”
The writer, though surprised, calmly replied, “I am ready, but I request ten more minutes to finish my work.” The Angel of Death agreed and waited outside.
In a hurry, the writer wrote furiously but was unsatisfied with his words. He threw the paper into the dustbin and asked for another ten minutes, which the Angel of Death patiently allowed.
This cycle continued several times, with the writer throwing away his pages in frustration, unable to finish his last chapter. Finally, just as he was about to open the door again, an idea struck him. He asked for one last ten-minute extension.
With a smile, the Angel of Death spoke, “I’ve been watching you for a while. You’ve already written 41 pages and thrown them away. You are trying to capture the essence of relationships — with family, friends, and the world around you. The truth is, when death approaches, we first take away a person’s voice, leaving them unable to share their final thoughts. You, however, have already lived and experienced this truth, which is why your writings are so sincere.”
The Angel continued, “Your book will be published, and people will love it, even if it comes from your discarded pages. The wisdom of life flows through your words, and that will resonate with the world. But remember, once a person understands the truth of life, would they still wish to remain in this world?”
This story beautifully shows how the truth of life becomes clearer when we face our mortality and how often our greatest wisdom comes when it’s almost too late.
Birbal’s Wisdom: Where Does God Live?
Emperor Akbar, known for his wisdom and curiosity, once asked his advisor, Birbal, a profound question: “Birbal, where does God live? Why can’t we see Him? And what does He do?”
Birbal was initially puzzled by the question but, as always, remained composed and requested a week to answer. The emperor agreed.
As Birbal thought, his young son noticed his father’s unease and asked about the troubling question. After hearing the question, the boy said confidently, “Father, you’re overthinking it. I know the answer. Let me go to the court and tell the emperor.”
Birbal was both surprised and impressed by his son’s confidence. He conveyed his son’s wish to the emperor, and the king eagerly awaited the answers.
Birbal’s son spoke in the royal court, “Your Highness, I’m honored to be in your presence, but I am not a member of your court. In our village, when an outsider asks us a question, we offer them a glass of water before answering. No one here has offered me even a simple glass of water.”
The emperor, realizing the point, immediately instructed his attendants to bring the boy a glass of milk. But the boy did something unexpected: he dipped his finger into the milk and searched for something.
“What are you looking for in the milk?” Akbar asked.
The boy replied, “I am looking for the butter.”
The emperor was puzzled. “But there is no butter in the milk. You must turn it into curd and churn it to get butter.”
The boy smiled and said, “That is exactly the answer to your first two questions. God lives in the heart of every human being. When a person undergoes the process of self-reflection (like turning milk into curd) and stirs their inner being, they will find God within themselves.”
The emperor was amazed by the boy’s wisdom. Then he asked, “What about your third question?”
The boy smiled and asked, “Your Highness, would you like to hear my answer as a king or student?”
After a brief pause, the emperor replied, “As a student.”
The boy said, “It’s strange that a student should sit on a throne while the teacher stands before him. But that’s what God does. He elevates someone from the ground to the throne and brings someone down from the throne to the ground instantly.”
The emperor, deeply moved by this wisdom, stood up and invited the boy to sit on the throne in his place. The boy’s simple yet profound words left everyone in the court in awe.
The Wisdom of Life and Death: What We Can Learn
Both of these stories – the Angel of Death and Birbal’s Wisdom – offer us valuable life lessons:
- Life’s impermanence: Like the writer, we often delay our reflections, but death teaches us to confront life’s truths before it’s too late.
- Self-reflection: Birbal’s story reminds us that wisdom comes from within, and true understanding of God (or the divine) comes from within our hearts, not external rituals or questions.
- Humility: By stepping down from his throne, the emperor’s lesson in humility teaches us that life is a constant balance of power and humility.
Conclusion: The Power of Reflection and Wisdom
These stories from Birbal and the Angel of Death inspire us to reflect on our lives, relationships, and connections to something greater. Whether the writer’s search for meaning in his final words or the young boy’s wisdom about God and life, both stories urge us to live with intention and humility.
Remember, the answers to life’s big questions are often simpler than we think, and they lie in our ability to reflect, act with humility, and seek truth within ourselves.
