Story on Envy
There was a famous Muslim king in India named Akbar. His court was filled with Muslim ministers, except for one Hindu minister named Mahesh Das. Due to his exceptional intelligence and skills, Mahesh Das was highly valued by Akbar, but this also made him the target of envy among the other ministers. To avoid drawing attention to his religion, Mahesh Das changed his name to Birbal, a name that became legendary in Indian history due to his cleverness and wisdom.
Despite Birbal’s important role in the kingdom, the other ministers were constantly plotting against him, driven by their envy. They devised various schemes to get rid of him, but Birbal, being extremely clever, always managed to outsmart them.
The Plot Against Birbal
One day, the envious ministers concocted a plan to use Akbar’s queen to oust Birbal from his position. They approached the queen and flattered her by praising her brother, Hussain Shah, a man who was actually quite foolish. They suggested that Hussain Shah should replace Birbal as the chief minister. The queen, pleased by the compliments about her brother, agreed to help them.
That evening, when Akbar returned to the palace, the queen began to act cold and distant. She refused to speak to Akbar, which worried him greatly. Akbar, desperate to please his queen, begged her to tell him what was wrong. After much persistence, the queen revealed her desire to have her brother appointed as the chief minister in place of Birbal.
Akbar, though reluctant, agreed to the queen’s demand but knew it would be difficult to remove Birbal due to his importance in the administration. The queen then proposed a plan: the next day, Akbar should take Birbal to the market and, halfway there, order him to fetch the queen. When Birbal returned without her, Akbar could accuse him of incompetence and dismiss him from his position.
Birbal’s Counterplan
The next day, as Akbar and Birbal set out for the market, Birbal sensed something was amiss. Akbar’s behavior suggested there was a hidden agenda. Birbal, being ever vigilant, instructed a trusted friend to follow them discreetly.
When Akbar stopped midway and ordered Birbal to fetch the queen, Birbal realized that this was part of a scheme to remove him. He quickly devised a counterplan. Upon reaching the queen, he pleaded with her to accompany him, knowing she would refuse as part of the plot. However, Birbal’s friend then entered and whispered something in Birbal’s ear repeatedly, saying, “Very beautiful, very beautiful.”
Birbal turned to the queen and said, “Queen, we don’t want you now,” and left the room. The queen, confused by what she had overheard, suspected that Akbar had found another beautiful woman to be with him. Fueled by jealousy, she rushed out of the palace to find Akbar, arriving even before Birbal could return.
When she arrived at the market, Akbar was surprised to see her and realized that Birbal had once again outwitted the plot against him.
This story teaches us about the dangers of envy and how it can blind us to reason and truth. Birbal’s cleverness in turning the situation around shows that intelligence and patience can overcome even the most malicious schemes born out of envy.
In our spiritual journey, we must strive to remove envy from our hearts. Envy creates unnecessary obstacles and suffering. As Maharaj said, “Drive away envy from your nature, and we’ll be in Vaikuntha. Ultimately, our goal is Goloka Vrindavan, where envy has no place.”
Lesson to Be Learned
- Overcoming Envy with Wisdom: The story illustrates how envy can lead to destructive behavior. However, it also shows that wisdom, patience, and cleverness can help us navigate and overcome such challenges.
- The Power of Discretion: Birbal’s ability to sense the hidden motives of others and his discretion in handling the situation highlight the importance of being perceptive and careful in our actions.
- Envy’s Destructive Nature: The ministers’ envy led them to plot against Birbal, but their plans backfired due to Birbal’s intelligence. This teaches us that envy ultimately harms the envious person more than anyone else.
- Spiritual Advancement Requires a Pure Heart: Maharaj emphasizes that to reach spiritual destinations like Vaikuntha or Goloka Vrindavan, we must rid our hearts of envy and other negative emotions.
Prayer
O Lord Krishna, just as You protected Your devotee Birbal from the envy of others, please protect us from the harmful effects of envy in our own lives. Help us to cultivate wisdom, patience, and humility, so that we may overcome all obstacles on our spiritual path. May our hearts be free from envy, and may we always act with love and compassion towards others.
Quote from Shastra
Bhagavad Gita 16.22: etair vimuktah kaunteya tamodvarais tribhir narah acaratya-tmanah sreyas tato yati param gatim
“The man who has escaped these three gates of hell—lust, anger, and greed—acts for his own liberation and thus reaches the supreme destination.”
This verse reminds us that just as lust, anger, and greed are gateways to misery, so too is envy. By freeing ourselves from these negative emotions, we can progress on the path to liberation and ultimately reach the supreme destination, Goloka Vrindavan, where only pure love and devotion exist.
Story narrated by Mahavishnu Goswami Maharaj
