The Imām of science, the venerated councillor, the perfect 643 teacher,
Who in world-guidance was the confidant of universal Reason.
200 Bū Naṣrs* and Avicennas departed that he might be born.
Fate in her nine* shops oft practises such trafficking.Whiles he circled the earth with the caravan of the Peripatetics,
Whiles he careered o'er the skies with the Illuminati,
The Ages contended for his perfect birth
With the era of Jalālu-d-dīn Akbar Ghāzī.
Who would have supposed that the ocean would sink into two yards of earth or that a mountain would at a breath be moved from its place? Had substitution been permitted, many life-lovers had shed their lives! What question then of a life-hater? The condition of myself—who had but little understanding—was overset, and I was near abandoning my life.
My heart became blood, and blood rose above my chest,
Because that soul of the world passed from my view.
Alas, it is in every respect a day of orphanhood,
For to-day both my sire and my saint have passed away.
He held high rank in the rational and traditional sciences, and had on his tongue the views of the philosopher, the orator, and the Ṣūfī, and of every form of religion. He had received from the Great Teacher (God) every kind of knowledge. He removed the veil of formal science from over spiritual beauty, and cultivated seclusion in the midst of society. The ways of contemporaries stained not the hem of his soul. In spite of his profound insight he did not see his own perception and devotion (i.e. was not conscious of them), and did not bring his goods to market. He did not sell his ecstasy (ḥālat) and knew no finesse (ḥīlat). The turmoil of the world did not engage his mind. His search for proof made no distinction between the great and the small, and from his intelligence, he when vexed took the path of humility. He did not withhold the truth from the powerful, and in giving counsel he never troubled for himself. At the close of his life, and when little* time remained to him, he at the desire of some friends completed a great commentary, and left an abundant memorial of himself in every description of knowledge. The discerning remained in astonishment. In his* hundredth year he possessed the fire of youth, and fulness of years did not restrain him from expending soul and body. At the beginning of his illness he sent for this one (the author) who was bewildered with existence and took him in his arms. He spoke many heartfelt words and bade him adieu. On account of my crudity I was in a state of distraction, but was silenced somewhat by the kindness of H.M. Ten years before this a severe illness befell him (Mubārik). H.M. said, “If it does not end within ten hours, there will be danger on the 10th day: if not, there will be danger in the 10th month: and if not, there will be (danger) in the last day of the tenth year.” Afterwards it so happened, and the veil was once more removed from H.M.'s knowledge of hidden things. Out of his stout-heartedness and strong life, he did not die, and bore the burden of life on the shoulder of weakness. There is no contending against Fate! Nor any remedy against its hunting after life, and its destruction of endurance!
Gone is the world's philosopher to whom
While yet on earth* the gates of the spiritual heaven were open.
Without him, his kindred are orphans and dead of heart.
He was the Adam of his race and the Jesus of his family.
644 Where is the strength to control my grief for that unique one of God? My heart is lacerated with its own grief. I, who am an inmate of the hermitage of resignation and submission, was struck a heavy blow, and nolens volens I became impatient. I cannot tell if this misfortune (his father's death) was the result of destiny or was one greater than could be imagined. This story of grief and pain is very long, and this tale of a lasting sore is life-consuming. It is better that I wrap up this mortal event in this book of fortune, and with this verse* control my disturbed mind.
Happy are they, for the bitter waters of death's poison
Have smote their pitchers with the highest and deepest organ tones
Close the lips, for the incurably wounded of Fate
Have become wild, and have cried from the depths.
On the 26th Mīr Manīr—who had been sent with counsels to the ruler of Golconda—arrived with the ambassador and the tribute (peshkash), and was honoured by an audience.
One of the occurrences was the accepting of Shāhrukh M. as a son-in-law (farzandī). On 11 Shahriyūr (September 1594), that jewel of a noble family, who joined modesty with knowledge, received his exaltation. In the quarters of Miriam Makānī, Shakrnisā Begam—the beloved child of the Shāhinshāh—was united to him. When this auspicious meeting was over, another great feast was prepared and another daughter, viz. Khānim* Sulān, was united to Moaffar Husain M., the son of Ibrāhīm Ḥusain M. On the 19th the daughter of Rājah Àlī K. was made over to the harem of the Prince-Royal, and that family obtained a strong protection. On the 23rd, Adham, the son of Niyābat K. died. The world's lord conveyed his sympathies to Māmā* Āghā. From there he went to the quarters of Zain K. Koka and reposed there a little. At dawn M. Yūsuf K. came from Kashmīr and had the bliss of performing the kornish.
One of the occurrences was the sending Shāhrukh M. to look after Mālwa. H.M. had been searching for a governor of Mālwa from the time that Gujarat had been made over to Prince Sulan Murād. As his ability and consideration for the peasantry were conspicuous, he was on 7 Mihr raised to the high rank of 5,000, and after receiving weighty counsels he was sent off there. Shahbāz K. was raised to the office of Atālīq and sent with him—Ḥaidar Dost and … (three lines of names) were also appointed.