The Book of Akbar 328.2.2

328.2.2

When Hemū became aware that the standards of glory were far off, and that some of the officers had come in advance, he rapidly marched against them; thinking that if he dispersed these men, who were the choice troops, the rest of his task would be easy. He relied upon the numbers of his experienced troops, and on his many strong elephants, and advanced with immeasurable pride. In the drunkenness of infatuation, he could not understand that he who is supported by the driver of the elephant will assuredly prevail over him whose trust is in the elephant. How then can the superiority of him be denied who is in the confidence of the Creator of the elephant?; and what effect against him can be procured by calling upon elephants for help? However that moribund, ill-fated one carried on hot war, and the brave men on each side made noble endeavours and like Ra‘d in Naisan, and tigers in a reed-bed (nayistān) rushed upon one another with shouts. They served well with courage and devotion, and gathered glory. Verse. Two armies so collided That they struck fire out of water; You’d say the air was all crimsoned daggers, Their steel had all become solid rubies. Though the heroes of the victorious army did not fail in steadiness and devotion, yet the onset of the elephants shook the right and left divisions. Several tigers of battle’s jungle, viz.