The one legendary singer who has been a pole star and has been motivating singers for centuries is Tansen. One of the nine gems (navaratna) of the  Mogul emperor Akbar. The legend goes that Tansens music could make it rain. And no wonder Akbar was proud of his possession (remember he was one of his gems). Akbar never missed an opportunity to proclaim Tansen as the greatest singer of all times. Whenever Akbar, praises Tansen in front of a foreign dignitary or another guests of honour, Tansen would blush and say – “Your Lordship is Exaggerating. I am not the best”. Akbar will always take this as Tansen’s modesty.

But then on one such occasion, Tansen was more blunt than modest. “I have already cleared this on several occasion that I am not the best”. Akbar also got irritated with Tansen’s undue modesty.

When alone, he shot back at Tansen.

Akbar: “Tansen, you know it that you are the best singer. Then why this constant denial?”

Tansen: “Your Lordship!!! This is because I know I am not the best”

Akbar: “Its just your modesty. Certainly you don’t mean it”

Tansen: “No Emperor. I know this as certainly as you are the emperor of India”

Akbar: “Do you mean to say you know someone who is better singer than you?”

Tansen: “As a matter of fact, Sir, I have the honour to know such a person”

Akbar (Disbelieving): “Well who is he?”

Tansen: “He is Saint Ramdas; My teacher”

Akbar: “I am not going to believe it till I have the proof of it. Call him to my court. Let their be a competition and I will judge (and prove you that you are the best)”

Tansen: “Sir! It won’t be possible. Saint Ramdas, will not sing in a court”

Akbar (getting curious now): “Hummm. Fine then let the court go to his place. I am curious to meet your teacher and prove you wrong.”

Tansen: “Sir! I am afraid even this will also not work. My teacher doesn’t sing for kings”

Akbar: “Then?”

Tansen: “The only option is to go to him in disguise. The two of us and common man. Hear him sing without letting him our presence felt.”

As can be understood, Akbar was now curious beyond all bounds. He agreed to all the terms of Tansen. And one fine day, the duo without announcing their intention left the fort, disguised as commoners. It was not uncommon for Akbar to take such a journey. They travelled far away from their capital and reached at the outer skirts of a jungle. There Tansen pointed to Akbar, their desitnation – A hut, isolated from the rest of the population. It is here a saint lives. Who is said to be better than Akbar’s Tansen.

Tansen suggested that they station themselves at the back of the hut and wait for the Ramdas to sing. They waited through out the day and evening for him to sing. But it vein. Tansen informed the emperor that his teacher often sings in the night when their is no one around. So they waited patiently. Night came and went. Saint Ramdas didn’t sing.

Akbar:  “When will he sing?”

Tansen: “I don’t know Sir. You see he doesn’t perform for others. He sings when he feels like”

Akbar: “Then?”

Tansen: “I can’t think of any idea other than to wait for another night”

And so they waited for another night. And then another. It was after midnight of third night when Saint Ramdas finally decided to sing. And when he did, Akbar was spellbound. Ramdas continued to sing for hours and both Akbar and Tansen were remained spellbound.

When the song finished, the duo started their return journey. The remained silent for a good long part of the journey. Finally the silence was broken by Akbar.

Akbar: “Tansen. You were right. In fact your are not even a fraction of what he is.”

The realization gave way to anger and Akbar now demanded:

Akbar: “Tansen, when you are his desciple, why can’t you sing as good as your guru?”

Tansen: “O Emperor! I can not sing the way he does. There is a fundamental difference between him and me. He sings for the joy of singing. He is perfect because he has achieved everything he wanted to achieve. I sing to gain something out of it. I sing to please you. My song is selfish. As long as this difference exists between him and me, I can’t attain his perfection.”