The Book of Akbar 14: CHAPTER II.
The Akbarnama (H. Beveridge), vols. I–II 14
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CHAPTER II.
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the designs of the celestials, I might tell how, after long questing and searching, they clothed, with the glorious robe of existence, the Arranger of the world of reality and the Disposer of the outer world, and how they brought him from the hidden cradle of wondrous works and from the holy inner chambers, to the wondrous bridal-chamber of manifestation and splendid nuptial bed. But the description of heavenly exultation and of the joys of pure spirits is beyond the range of speech. As soon as the light of glory deigned to emerge from the orient of fortune, they despatched swift couriers and hard-riding horsemen to convey the life-increasing news and the heart-expanding tidings to the tents of fortune and encampment of glory. This had been sixteen miles off, but on the morrow of the night which had been pregnant with the day of auspiciousness, the army marched at dawn from that station, and encamped about midday at a spot which was very charming and salubrious, with clear water and delightful trees. There his Majesty Jahanbani Jannat Ashiyani had halted and a number of courtiers were assembled and in attendance. Verse. Verdant trees with heaven-brushing tops, Casting shade o'er the head shadowed by the bird of paradise. The melodious singing of the birds of the meadow Poured joyous notes over the banquet.
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Suddenly a blackness was caused by the hoofs of galloping horses. Mihtar Sumbul, an old slave (ghulám), of his Majesty Jahanbani and who was subsequently raised by the kindnesses of his Majesty, the King of Kings, to the title of Safdar Khan (rank-breaking chief), having perceived that blackness, in which the white sheen of two worlds was enveloped, reported the matter to his Majesty who said, “Should these horsemen bring tidings of the birth of the “light of the eyes of sovereignty, we will make you ruler over a “thousand.” Verse. Kings of the earth might well give the seven climes as a reward for such good news. On that side too, the swift horsemen gave rein to their horses and galloped forward, and the riders of the steeds of auspiciousness, having come near, uttered with loud voices the glad news to the sovereign of the world and to mortals, and proclaimed that the light of glory had risen from the horizon of hope, that the dawn of morning of desire had appeared in consonance with wishes, and that the cypress of the spring of fortune had raised her head on the stratum of hope. At the same instant his Majesty bowed his head in adoration and rubbed his forehead in the dust. Verse. The crown of exaltation over the heavens, The face of submission on the ground, The foot of dominion on the Pisces, The head of praise in prostration.
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After due rendering of thanks, he proceeded to the camp and entered the spacious hall of audience. A feast was given to the world and the rites of prosperity were revived. The drums of joy and rejoicing raised a sound like the exultation of Kaiqubad. The pavilion was arranged after the manner of Humayun—more delightful than the feast of Gayomars and the banquet of Faredun. Verse. O eye ! come and behold incomparable glory, Observe this banquet-hall from without and within. If you would appreciate the splendour of two worlds. Look upon the array of Humayun's feast. The old world put on anew the leaves and glory of youth, and rouse up the sad universe, grown forgetful of joy. Verse. The cupbearers seized the goblet of pure wine. They made Elijah athirst for the fiery fount;— What was this wine that the cupbearer poured into the cup ? That the Messiah and Elijah grew envious and contended for it.
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Melodious musicians and enchanting vocalists played on divers instruments and produced a variety of notes. Harpers smote the strings of purpose,—lutanists buffetted the world's sorrows,—dulcimer-players bound the chords with the ringlet of success,—strong-breathed flautists drew out harmonious strains,—mandolin-players suspended hearts on the curl of desire,—tambourinists held up the mirror of fortune before their faces,—rare jesters made the tongue eloquent with ingenious conceits,—the jokes of merry buffoons caused the assemblage to break into peals of laughter. World-subduing generals and brigade-adorning captains saluted, with platoons of benedictions,—and crowds of great and small, of sages and servants, paid their respects. Philosophers worthy of Alexander’s approval, and astrolabe-knowing observers who were always seated in the council of mysteries and were confidants of the secrets of the heavens, made the horoscope of the auspicious birth a mirror for their enlightened intellects, and reported that the aspects of the planets and their complete or partial applications prognosticated length of life and the high ascension of the Native on the steps of sovereignty and the degrees of the Khilafat, as witness the scheme which has been taken from their tables and exhibited on a page of abridgment.
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Likewise his Majesty Jahanbani Jannat-ashiyani who held high rank in mathematical sciences and had a heaven-embracing mind, and whose acute intellect was the heart-expanding mirror of Alexander and the world-displaying cup of Jamshid, made by his own lofty understanding, wondrous deductions and calculations from the indications of the horoscope of the divine masterpiece. He compared them with the results obtained by the other sages from the marks on the plains of the heavens, and the significations of the terrestrial and celestial bodies. He found that they all agreed and corroborated one another. When the sublime festivities were over, he (Humayun) named that holy pearl—in accordance with the secret message and divine intimation already described,—by his lofty title and majestic appellation and caused it to be inscribed in the lists of auspiciousness and records of fortune. Thus the interpretation of the veracious vision was fulfilled after an interval of two years and four months!