Storia do Mogor 65.12.4

65.12.4

A great number of the mendicants assembled, for none could refuse this chance of filling his belly and covering his nakedness with a new garment. After having dined, the new clothes were given to them as they left, taking from them the old ones that they had on their bodies. Finding themselves thus cornered and knowing the loss they must suffer, they became anxious, and shouted that they could not give up their clothes by reason of their great holiness, and many said that they had vowed they would be buried in those clothes, which they had carried about on their bodies for so many days. Their objections were of no avail, and they were sent away, carrying the new raiment. Aurangzeb ordered the said clothes to be piled up, and after they had been searched he acquired a large number of golden coins. With these he wished to purchase a string of lovely pearls. He asked his teacher, Secmir (Shekh Mir), a man of great wisdom, whether the pearls were worth a hundred thousand rupees, which the owner demanded. The teacher, without inspecting them, and keeping his eyes cast on the ground, said to him : ' If your highness does not mean to acquire greater pearls, you can buy these ; but my advice is that with the said money you raise soldiers, and by them you will become master of larger pearls and greater riches.' Aurangzeb followed this advice, and praised the judgment of Shekh Mir.