[Tavern-Talk] Technical Difficulties

[Tavern-talk]

Technical Difficulties

“Out of the mouths of babes,” aptly describes last Thursday at 
Meherazad, when we had a sweet reminder in the form of a skit that some 
Baba children performed for the mandali and pilgrims.

It was a lovely sunny morning and the crowd was small, in contrast to 
the four busloads of pilgrims that had visited Meherazad over the Divali 
weekend. Just as in earlier days, when pilgrims would often put on short 
plays in Mandali Hall or in Mehera’s garden, the children’s skit took 
place just in front of Baba’s house.

Entitled “Technical Difficulties,” the story line revolved around 
several children who wanted God to grant their wishes. Each child prayed 
to God in his or her own way – through pujas or artis, meditation and 
bhajans – all yearning to reach God’s ear with childlike innocence and 
wholehearted love for Him. And, naturally, God answered each child’s prayer.

But when God decided to return to “Heaven” after fulfilling the 
children’s wishes, He found Himself stuck on earth due to “technical 
difficulties.” So in the end, He drew the children to Himself and told 
them, “I have come as God in human form because your love has drawn me 
to you, and now I will be with you eternally.”

The children were delightful and their performance brought to my mind a 
story that Eruch used to tell in Mandali Hall.

There was once a great emperor named Akbar and he had a trusted and very 
witty minister named Birbal. Akbar was a Mohammedan who embraced 
Christianity and Hinduism. It is said that he was so spiritually minded 
that he even went incognito to bow down to Mirabai, the great Indian 
saint. Such an action by an emperor was unheard of in those days, as was 
his choice of a Hindu Prime Minister. But Akbar loved Birbal because he 
was the only one in the court who would stand up to the emperor and 
converse with him as an equal. So Akbar would love to pass the time 
debating various spiritual subjects with Birbal, because he genuinely 
wanted to know the Truth.

One day the emperor posed the following question to Birbal: “How is it 
that your God has to come down and take form, while my God is so great 
that he needs no form? Obviously, my God is greater and mightier than 
your God. What need is there for God to come in human form again and 
again? It seems your God is not up to the standard of my belief.”

“Sire,” replied Birbal, “Your God and my God are one.”

“But my God never comes down, he rules from above and only sends a 
messenger, while you believe that he comes in human form from time to 
time. I cannot accept that. Why should He come?”

Birbal was a very witty and a brilliant man, but he also was inclined to 
laziness. He was always looking for ways to have a vacation. So he 
replied, “Sire, that is a very difficult question to answer. It will 
take some time. Let me go home and have a week to think about it.”

Although Akbar knew he would miss Birbal’s company, he agreed.

A week passed by and then another, and still no sign of Birbal.

Finally, when almost a month was up, Birbal entered the court. He looked 
like he had not slept for the month.

Akbar was very happy to see his trusted minister. “Tell me, Birbal, have 
you found the solution to my question? Why does your God, if he is as 
great as mine, have to come down and take human form? Why can’t he do 
His work from above as absolute, all pervading, formless God?”

Birbal looked at Akbar as though he had just finished a marathon race.
“You know, this past month has weighed heavily on my brain, because of 
all the thinking I had to do. I will give you the answer, but first let 
us relax together and have a boat ride on the river.”

Akbar agreed and told his ministers to get his yacht ready. Now Birbal 
begins entertaining Akbar with story after story as they walk up the 
gangplank to the boat. Suddenly, Akbar notices in the distance, his son, 
the prince, standing on the deck.

“Why is the prince here?”

“Oh, he has come to have a good time too. There is nothing to worry 
about Sire, as there are plenty of courtiers to look after him.”

Birbal continues to distract Akbar with jokes and stories and the boat 
sets off down the river, its sails catching the cool breeze.

After about half an hour, loud screams are heard. “Man overboard!” 
Suddenly, there is much yelling and people running along the deck. “What 
has happened?” says Akbar.

“Sire, don’t worry, but your son has fallen overboard!”

“What!” says Akbar, “I must save my son!”

And before Birbal can stop him, he has jumped into the river to save his 
son. Birbal now jumps in after Akbar and catches hold of him. “It is all 
right Sire, your son is fine. This was all done to answer your question!”

“What? Where is my son?”

“He is safe at home in the palace.”

“But I saw Him...”

“No Sire, it was merely a wax model of your son.”

“What? How could you play such a cruel prank on me?”

“Sire, this is in answer to your question.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are the emperor. You had only to give your command and everyone on 
the boat would have immediately jumped into the river to save your son. 
Why didn’t you leave your son’s rescue to your ministers?”

“Oh Birbal, you have no idea of the affection a father has for his son. 
I couldn’t leave his fate in someone else’s hands.”

“That is the answer to your question. As his father you felt compelled 
to save his life yourself by jumping in the river.

“Your God and my God are equally mighty because there is only one God. 
He can do his job from wherever he is, but time and again he comes down 
to earth because of love. Unless and until he comes on his own as Man 
amongst men and mingles with his creatures, he doesn’t feel satisfied. 
Just as you didn’t feel satisfied.

“Likewise, God is so great that He comes in human form time and again to 
show us the depth of His love. He is our father and mother in one and he 
feels impelled to personally care for his children. He comes in human 
form to make his love tangible. That is the answer to your question.“

He comes to open our hearts to the truth that He alone is – whatever the 
technical difficulties.




Davana Brown
For Tavern Talk
29-10-09