The Chachnāma (Fatḥnāma-yi Sind) 14.3

14.3

He found him sitting on a chair busily engaged in prayers, and with some hard clay in his hands with which he was making idols. He fixed a sort of seal on the idol, and the image of Budh appeared on it. The idol being now complete, he placed it on one side. Chach stood above him, but the Samani paid him no attention. After some time, when he finished all his idols, he turned up his head and said: “‘The son of the ascetic Seláij is come!’’ “Even so, O priestly Samani,” answered Chach. “What business has brought you here? ” asked the Samaní. “I came to know of your fidelity,’ replied Chach, “and so I came to see you.” ‘ Come down,” said the monk. Chach came down. The Samaní spread a handful of straw and made Chach sit on it. Then he asked him, “O Chach, what do you want?” Chach answered, “I want you to become my friend and to come back to the fort of Brahmanábád, so that I may put you in charge of a high office, and entrust you with important affairs and responsible duties. You will be there with Sarhand, and you may co-operate with him by giving him (the benefit of) your counsels and your judgment.” The monk said “I have no need of your kingdom. I do not feel inclined to have any civil employment, and I do not wish to have anything to do with worldly affairs.’ “Why did you leave the fort of Brahmanábád ?.” asked Chach.