The Book of Akbar 243.3

243.3

Firstly, that by being protected in so perilous a place by God from the strokes of seldom-missing marksmen, and of wondrous musketeers, shame was wrought for the wicked and blackhearted, and the beauty of instruction was conferred on the seekers after righteousness; and, secondly, that the miracle of fires displaying coldness and of lintstocks not becoming alight was manifested. When Sumbul Khan's eyes fell on the object-spot (masqat-i-tīr, the lighting-place of the arrow), his powers of vision were quickened and he recognised his Majesty the Shahinshah. The horror of the sight almost drove the souls out of the bodies of the spectators, and the gunners became as dead men (qālab tahī kunand, emptied their bodies). The mystery became revealed to Sumbul Khan, and he understood why the fires had gone out. In a moment he withdrew his hand from the battery, and the dejected crew of traitors (firqa-i mutafarriqa-i bāghia) were respited for a time from the severity of the royal artillery. Wherever God's protection stands sentinel o'er His Chosen One, what power have human stratagems to do him wrong? Though fools exhibited the unbecoming act, yet the Divine plan required the revelation of the mystery and was the exponent of this truth, so that mortals might have an explanation of the miracle and that every one might, in proportion to his intellect and capacity, reflect upon its nature and might, according to the measure of his understanding, comprehend good and evil.