The Book of Akbar 9.2

9.2

Of a truth, a son who will be one’s successor and take one’s place on the glorious throne, is something which is a compensation for life,—for which there is no compensation,— and is a substitute for bye-gone years. He is the fruit of life’s garden and a celestial lantern, fed from the oil of the Divine bounty. He kindles the family lamp of the whole line of ancestors and fixes it firmly on the throne of fortune. He lengthens and broadens the shades of justice and glory over the heads of mortals. Especially, if he be such a rare and exquisite product and so consummately dutiful that, if he be called Primus of the Poles of Saints, it is but proper, and if he be termed the knot in the grand chain of sovereignty, Father of Fathers, and Great Ancestor, it is but just and in accordance with the real facts. It is exceptionally suitable that a king who in succession to a line of ancestors is placed on a throne of rule and sway, and is world-dominating and world-adorning, should have an illustrious successor and such an one is of all men, the most eager in this quest.