It was an answer given in the same silent language as the question. The Raja and the Parsis “were unfamiliar with each other’s languages”, so Raja Jadi Rāṇā did not speak his refusal — he showed a jug full of milk, “indicating that the kingdom was full and could not accommodate more people.” The wise man replied by stirring a spoon of sugar into that milk “without allowing the milk to spill over.”
Three promises are packed into that one action.
- “We will not push anyone out.” The milk did not spill. The level of the jug did not rise. Taking us in will not cost your people their place, their land or their living.
- “We will not stay separate.” The sugar dissolved. You will not be able to point at us afterwards and say those are the outsiders. We will mix into your kingdom.
- “We will make life better, not merely take from it.” Sugar does not just disappear — it sweetens. We will add something you will be glad of.
The Raja understood at once: “Jadi Rāṇā was pleased and provided a secure place for them to settle in his kingdom.”
Did it come true? The chapter says it did. “They combined their ancient traditions with those of the local culture… The Parsis continue to live in India and enrich various aspects of its society.” And they kept what they came with — “the ancient sacred fire continues to burn in Udvada, a short distance from where the Parsis first arrived.” Today “India has the largest population of followers of Zoroastrianism in the world.”