Tansen and Akbar

The name Tansen is synonymous with indian music. He was the State musician of the Moghul emperor, Akbar. One day,after listening to Tansen,Akbar was so thrilled that he asked him"Tansen,Tell me who was your Teacher?""Swami Haridas,my Lord" replied Tansen. Akbar asked again,"Ishe great musician as you are ?" Tansen said very humbly,"Please,never compare me to my master.He is not musician but music itself."
Akbar was intrigued, Then i would like to here him sing." Tansen answered,"But he will never agree to come to the court to sing." "Then we will go to him" said Akbar. Tansen was still diffident,"My teacher sings of is own will and he won't be happy if he is compelled to sing before the emperor." But Akbar was determined,"Then I will come with you, disguised as your servant."

so Tansen and Akbar travelled far to where the sage lived in a hut, his temple of music. The sage received Tansen, his former pupil and his servant Akbar, with love and affection.
He listened to their request but remained silent. Three days passed.Then one day,Just before sunrise, Swami Haridas began to sing. Akbar and Tansen were spellbound. it seems as if the sound had no beginning and no end, as if the trees, the stones, and all living creatures had turned into music and forgotten themselves.

After some time,When the spell was broken Akbar and Tansen found that they were alone in the hut. Swami Haridas was nowhere to be seen. "Where is he ?" asked Akbar. "He left the place for ever, fearing that we may come again and trouble him,"replied Tansen Sadly.

They returned to the place,silent and indrawn. Several days passed but Akabar could not forget the effect the song had on him.One day he asked Tansen weather he knew the Raga and the song that Sami Haridas had sung. "Yes,I learnt it from him", replayed Tansen. At akbar's request,Tansen sang the raga as only he could. But Akbar's heart was not satisfied."Tansen,you sang beautifully.But still, Why is it not same as when Swami Haridas sang ?" Tansen answered softly and humbly,"My lord,Ising for you ,The emperor among men.But my master sings only for the God,Herein lies the difference".

A simple but with a deep meaning which reveals the true quest of indian music.