The Book of Akbar 191.3

191.3

In fine, as his Majesty Jahānbānī Jannat-āshyānī’s holiness-expressing soul had grown aweary of this world’s vain show, and had turned away her lofty contemplation from the territory of Sind, it occurred to his sanctified mind to offer peace to the ruler of Tatta and to march to Qandahar. When the sublime cavalcade should arrive there, he would commit his Majesty, the king of kings, and the elect ones of his Court to God’s protection, would plant his own foot on the highway of asceticism and retreat and ascend the steps of ecstacy and rapture and phœnix-like (humāwār), put the pinnacle of love ’neath the wings of genius. As he had gained spiritual abundance by circumambulating the altar of the heart, he would by conveying the sacred litter (maḥmil) to the ka‘ba of clay atone semblance and substance. As the spiritual pinacothek had been constructed, he would also adorn the visible temple. Thus would hearts be conciliated and a method of truthful guidance be furnished to the simple-minded followers of forms. He was occupied with these thoughts when the ruler of Tatta on understanding his intention, recognised his own gain therein and despatched a petition for peace. As the soaring falcon of his Majesty's genius had spread her wings for the chase of the phoenix (‘anqā) and had withdrawn her far-seeing gaze from lower game and let it fall on lofty eyries, his petition reached the place of acceptation.