Shortly after Maharaja Ranjit Singh had consolidated his empire, a Mirasi ( musician and person who used to sing praise songs for king) was sentenced to death for committing a heinous crime.
As was the custom, he was paraded before the court. Whilst going round, the Mirasi kept on muttering something and clicking his fingers.
Intrigued by this strange behaviour, Maharaja Ranjit Singh ordered that the fellow be brought before him. When questioned about what he was mumbling, he replied in all humility - "Sarkar, I was saying that you do not look it but one can never be sure of it."
The Maharaja demanded angrily:"What do you mean by these words? "Sir", replied the mirasi, "When I was a small boy my parents consulted an astrologer who told them that I would be killed by a bastard.
Now, Sarkar yu do not look it but then one cannot be hundred percent sure, can one? The Maharaja directed that the S.......O.....B.... be released forthwith and thereafter no person was to given the death penalty.
