Monk and Monarch

Author(s): Vidyavijay
Publisher: Deepchand Banthia

Page 62

CHAPTER FIFTH
THE SERMON
On the next day, i. e., on the 13th day of the black half of Jyeshtha, V. S. 1639, Suriji left the house of Jaganmalla and went to Abul Fazl. Jains went to him and told him that Suriji wished to meet the Emperor then, so that his main purpose of coming there may be fruitful. Abul Fazl soon went to the Emperor and told him about the arrival of the Suri. But the Emperor said that he would receive the Suri later, as he was engaged in some other business at that time. He asked Abul Fazl to entertain the Suri at his place till he called for him.
This was rather insulting. It may have been due to any cause. The author of " Hirasaubhagyakavya" writes,
" एतत्कथनं त्वप्रतिबुद्धत्वेन अज्ञाततत्त्वभावेन म्लेच्छत्वेन वा । यद्यास्तिकः स्यात्तदा तु सर्वमपि त्यक्त्वा वन्दत एव ।"
i. e., this may be due to Akbar's being a mlechchha or not being enlightened, etc. If he were orthodox, he would have received the Suri, leaving all other work aside. But we believe that this was due to the king's habit of drinking. A drunkard would not respect any one when he had a desire to drink.
Anyhow, as Vincent Smith says, "the weary traveller was made over to the care of Abul Fazl until the sovereign found leisure to converse with him."
The Suri, meanwhile, had a good and hearty discussion with Abul Fazl. It became noon, and the Suri, who was observing ambill on that day, had to take his meal at the house of one Hindu named Karanraj, 12 whose name was Ramdas Kachhavah and whose