The Book of Akbar 384.5

384.5

As the rule of kindness to servants and of ignoring their faults is innate in His Majesty, he received Adham Khan with favour and dismounted there for a while in order that the latter might be re-assured and also that the other followers who had come with Adham might obtain the bliss of doing homage. Then he remounted and proceeded to Sārangpūr. By alighting at Adham Khan’s quarters in that city he made them the envy of heaven’s ante-chambers. Adham Khan stood on the carpet of servitude and brought forward things rare and beautiful, but as he had not comprehended the extent of His Majesty’s nurturing care and kindness, and had raised his foot above his degree, the enlightened soul, which is a divine and truth-revealing chalice, did not open out towards him. Devotion’s law is that when there is material absence there is real and spiritual presence, and that due respect and reverence are still paid to one’s master and that one’s private wishes are forgotten in the pleasing of one’s benefactor. What am I saying? Devotion is a priceless jewel. It does not deck every head, nor is imparted to every heart. Whither had calculation gone? And what had become of business considerations? What sort of dexterity is it to trick out the booth of disguise and dissimulation in the face of such fostering and kindness? Assuredly, he who out of wickedness plays the game of deceit on the board of honest men casts the dust of destruction into the cup of his name and fame!