Brain Teasers
Birbal the Wise - XVI
Situation
Situation puzzles (sometimes called lateral thinking puzzles) are ones where you need to ask lots of yes or no questions to figure out what happened in the situation. These are good puzzles for groups where one person knows the puzzle and answers the questions.Situation
Emperor Akbar once ruled over India. He was a wise and intelligent ruler. He had in his court the Nine Gems, his nine advisors, who were each known for a particular skill. One of these Gems was Birbal, known for his wit and wisdom. The story below is one of the examples of his wit. Do you have it in you to find out the answer?
Once, two wandering poets from a faraway kingdom came to the Mughal Court. They recited songs, poems, and hymns. The Emperor was pleased with their talent and rewarded them with gold coins and other riches. Both poets were very thankful.
They sang in praise of Emperor Akbar. They said he was brave and just, learned and wise. One of the poets got carried away and said that Emperor Akbar was greater than God. Having said these words, the poets left with their belongings.
The Courtiers were all thinking about the words of the poet. Sure, the Emperor was great, but how could he be greater than God?
Emperor Akbar looked around the Court, and he realised why everyone was silent. He decided to have some fun and said, "It seems now that I am GREATER THAN GOD!" Akbar pretended to be serious.
Akbar looked around the court, and fearfully, all the courtiers except Birbal stated that Emperor Akbar was indeed greater than God.
Akbar thought that at least Birbal will disagree and be honest. He asked Birbal who's greater, Emperor Akbar or God.
Birbal then stated, "There is no doubt that you are greater than God!"
The Emperor felt displeased.
"Are you joking, Birbal?" he asked.
"Not at all, sire. You are greater than God because you can do something that even God cannot do!"
Akbar was stunned and curious. "Can you prove your statement, Birbal?"
Birbal did prove his point. What is that Emperor Akbar can do that even God cannot?
Once, two wandering poets from a faraway kingdom came to the Mughal Court. They recited songs, poems, and hymns. The Emperor was pleased with their talent and rewarded them with gold coins and other riches. Both poets were very thankful.
They sang in praise of Emperor Akbar. They said he was brave and just, learned and wise. One of the poets got carried away and said that Emperor Akbar was greater than God. Having said these words, the poets left with their belongings.
The Courtiers were all thinking about the words of the poet. Sure, the Emperor was great, but how could he be greater than God?
Emperor Akbar looked around the Court, and he realised why everyone was silent. He decided to have some fun and said, "It seems now that I am GREATER THAN GOD!" Akbar pretended to be serious.
Akbar looked around the court, and fearfully, all the courtiers except Birbal stated that Emperor Akbar was indeed greater than God.
Akbar thought that at least Birbal will disagree and be honest. He asked Birbal who's greater, Emperor Akbar or God.
Birbal then stated, "There is no doubt that you are greater than God!"
The Emperor felt displeased.
"Are you joking, Birbal?" he asked.
"Not at all, sire. You are greater than God because you can do something that even God cannot do!"
Akbar was stunned and curious. "Can you prove your statement, Birbal?"
Birbal did prove his point. What is that Emperor Akbar can do that even God cannot?
Answer
Birbal replied, "The thing that you can do that even God cannot do is that you can banish people from your kingdom. God cannot do this as he rules the entire Universe and heavens. In this respect, you can do something that even God cannot!"And to this reply, the entire court gave a standing ovation and clapped. Truly, Birbal's wisdom was unmatched.
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Comments
Nice... I thought it was that he was able to claim he is better than God since you can't be better than yourself.
I love Birbal teasers!!!!! (Of course, I had no idea what the answer was).
I suppose it depends on what you mean by "God". Revelation chapter 12 verse 9 in The Bible says: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the devil or Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the Earth, and his angels were cast out with him".
Thus the christian god of The Bible can cast out (banish) someone from his kingdom (The Kingdom of Heaven).
Thus the christian god of The Bible can cast out (banish) someone from his kingdom (The Kingdom of Heaven).
I also thought that the answer was that he could die. These Birbal teasers are fun!
I like these Birbal teasers, but I thought the answer was that he could actually die. This isn't the best one, but still great!
While Birbal was indeed one of the great thinkers of ancient times, he should leave matters of theology alone. How can the creator and governor of the entire universe have something or someone within that universe that is beyond his control?
Yeah, I love birbals too, keep em comin'! ...He can also walk on land.
I liked it
I thought that the answer was that he could not lie... Well, count on my mind to come up with something completely wrong. =) Great teaser, as usual.
Great teaser!
Those who are offended or disagree with the theology part of it need to just let it go! It's a riddle. Don't go all crazy every time someone writes something that goes against the bible. If you really want to get into theology, yes God can cast Satan out of his Kingdom, but Satan is not a man.
Those who are offended or disagree with the theology part of it need to just let it go! It's a riddle. Don't go all crazy every time someone writes something that goes against the bible. If you really want to get into theology, yes God can cast Satan out of his Kingdom, but Satan is not a man.
Don't forget to send me a message saying what subject you want me to do on a quiz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought it was because he could get lost.
couldn't the answer also be the Emperor could sin? but i guess if birbal said that the Emperor wouldnt be pleased
Excellent. I didn't have a clue what the answer was but enjoyed it anyway!
Of course God can banish people from Akbar's kingdom. Why can't he? He can do it through Akbar. He can take control of Akbar and do it if he wanted to..but he can also alter reality such that the individual never exsited in the kingdom. This teaser is just plain wrong.
surely akbar can say that he is greater than god? I can't think of any way that a god can say that.
Still love birbal's though - keep em coming
Still love birbal's though - keep em coming
I thought it was "Show yourself".
Birbal failed here.
God can banish people from his Kingdom.
Kill 'em and send them to the Dragon's Den.
God can banish people from his Kingdom.
Kill 'em and send them to the Dragon's Den.
He can banish them to hell.
I thought the answer would be "Tell a lie" (or perhaps just "be mistaken") with reference to the emperor saying "it seems I am greater than God".
I thought the answer would be that God can not pretend to be God... simply because He already is God.
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