Surdas at Akbars Court

Dadi: "Guddu, what would you do if the most powerful king in the land asked you to sing his praises?"

Guddu: "I'd probably do it! You can't say no to a king!"

Dadi: "Tonight I'll tell you about a blind poet who said no to the greatest Mughal emperor - and how that refusal only made the emperor admire him more."

Guddu: "Who was the poet?"

Dadi: "Surdas - a blind devotee of Lord Krishna who composed thousands of songs so beautiful they could make anyone weep. And the emperor was Akbar, ruler of almost all of India in the 16th century."

Guddu: "How did they meet?"

Dadi: "Through Tansen, the legendary court musician. One day, Tansen sang a song so beautiful that Emperor Akbar was moved to tears. 'Tansen!' Akbar said, 'Is there anyone who can surpass your musical skill?'"

Guddu: "What did Tansen say?"

Dadi: "He humbly admitted the truth: 'Your Majesty, this tune and these lyrics are not mine. They were composed by Surdas, the blind devotee of Lord Krishna.'"

Guddu: "Tansen gave credit to someone else! That's honest!"

Dadi: "And Tansen said something remarkable about Surdas's poetry: 'Some are hurt by a warrior's arrow, some are tortured by pain. Those hit by Sur's lyrics are pierced, through and through.'"

Guddu: "What did Akbar do?"

Dadi: "He demanded that Tansen bring Surdas to court. The emperor believed that such a talented poet could surely compose flattering songs glorifying his own greatness and power."

Guddu: "That makes sense. Kings love being praised!"

Dadi: "When Surdas arrived at the magnificent Mughal court, Akbar made his request. 'I am the emperor! Everyone loves me! Compose a song glorifying my greatness!'"

Guddu: "What did Surdas say?"

Dadi: "*voice soft but firm* With tears in his blind eyes, he refused. 'I have given my heart to Krishna,' he said. 'There is no room inside for anyone else.'"

Guddu: "He refused the EMPEROR?!"

Dadi: "And then something beautiful happened. Instead of composing a song for Akbar, Surdas - overwhelmed with love for Krishna - spontaneously sang a new devotional piece right there in the throne room."

Guddu: "What was it about?"

Dadi: "His complete dedication to Krishna. His rejection of worldly attractions. His love for the Divine that left no space for earthly power. The song expressed everything the emperor had asked him to give UP."

Guddu: "Was Akbar angry?"

Dadi: "The entire court fell silent. The emperor who had sought flattery was instead captivated by something far greater - the power of pure devotion. Even the mightiest ruler was moved by this blind man's unwavering love for God."

Guddu: "He wasn't punished?"

Dadi: "Not at all! Akbar was a broad-minded ruler. He recognized that Surdas's devotion was genuine and powerful - something rare and valuable. Instead of insisting on praise, the emperor welcomed Surdas as a favorite at court."

Guddu: "Not for singing Akbar's glory, but for singing Krishna's!"

Dadi: "Exactly. Surdas became beloved at the Mughal court not by compromising his faith but by staying absolutely true to it. The emperor who could command anything ended up respecting what could not be commanded."

Guddu: "Dadi, that took so much courage!"

Dadi: "Or so much love. When you love something completely, refusing to betray it isn't hard - it's impossible to do otherwise. Surdas couldn't have sung Akbar's praises even if he wanted to. His heart was full."

Guddu: "What happened to Surdas?"

Dadi: "He continued composing songs for Krishna - about 100,000 of them! His blind eyes never saw the world, but they saw something better. His music is still sung today, centuries later. That's the power of devotion that doesn't bend."

Guddu: "The emperor is forgotten, but the poet is remembered!"

Dadi: "Well, Akbar is remembered too - but for different reasons. The lesson is this: worldly power is temporary, but spiritual devotion echoes through ages. Akbar's empire crumbled. Surdas's songs still make people weep with love."

Guddu: "I want my heart to be that full of something."

Dadi: "Fill it with love, beta. For God, for family, for truth. A full heart cannot be commandeered by anyone. A devoted soul cannot be bought or bullied. That's what Surdas showed the emperor."

Guddu: "*yawning* Goodnight, Dadi. May my devotion never bend."

Dadi: "And may it pierce through and through, like Sur's lyrics. Goodnight, my steady-hearted boy."