Muntakhab al-tawarikh 79.11.8

79.11.8

But now he ordered those Hindu books, which holy and staid sages had written, and were all clear and convincing proofs, and which were the very pivot on which all their religion, and faith, and holiness turned, to be translated from the Indian into the Persian language, and thought to himself, “Why should I not have them done in my name? For they are by no means trite, but quite fresh, and they will produce all kinds of fruits of felicity both temporal and spiritual, and will be the cause of circumstance and pomp, and will ensure an abundance of children and wealth, as is written in the preface of these books.” Accordingly he became much interested in the work, and having assembled some learned Hindus, he gave them directions to write an explanation of the Mahabharata, and for several nights he himself devoted his attention to explaining the meaning to Naqib Khan, so that the Khan might sketch out the gist of it in Persian. On the third night the Emperor sent for me, and desired me to translate the Mahabharata, in conjunction with Naqib Khan. The consequence was that in three or four months I translated two out of the eighteen sections, at the puerile absurdities of which the eighteen thousand creations may well be amazed. Two parts were written. Such discussions as one never heard! as, Shall I eat forbidden things? Shall I eat turnips? But such is my fate, to be employed on such works.