Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 24.12.1

24.12.1

Once there came at Azim-abad a person well known to Shytab-ray, but also a friend and a favourite of the Prime Minister Nakur-mul, Divan of the Imperial Qhalissah of Hindostan, who resided in Shah-djehan-abad, a man accustomed to go upon a par with Vezirs and Omrahs. This person came from Shah-djehan-abad, for the purpose of performing the ceremony of the G4yah, a rite which the Gentoos perform for their departed parents, and which is for them a divine institution, so obligatory, that without it, they do not believe that the departed soul can be saved. On his asking, at his departure, a letter of recommendation for Radja Shytab-ray, Nakur-mul answered : "Maharadja Shytab-ray is one of your acquaintances, as well as myself, nor is he void of civility and good manners ; and as we Gentoos have the performance of the above rite in high veneration, and hold it highly meritorious, doubtless he will not fail to oblige you. As for the letter you request of me, it may perhaps be of disservice to you. What, if my self-love does not bear to write to him in a style suitable to the station and rank he now enjoys there ? And what, if his self-love would not bear a style answerable to the station and rank he once held here ? He now rubs his forehead against the third heaven ;