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INTRODUCTION.
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He taught Akbar one thousand names of the Sun, correctly; Akbar, under his influence, issued firmāns prohibiting animal-slaughter and abolishing tax on pilgrims to the Satrunjaya Hill &c.
The greatest among ascetics, he composed a commentary on the Sun (Sūryor Sahasra-Nāma), commentaries on Vasantarāja's Sakuna (a book on omens), on Kādambari ( by Bāņa), on Kāvya-Prakās'a (by Mammata), on Nama-Sreni (Anekārtha Nāmamála-a lexicon of Sanskrit words), on Viveka-Vilāsa (by Jinadatta Sūri), and on other good works,
Jahāngir, who had issued an order deporting all ascetics in Gujarāt, revered him and restored him and his pupil, Siddhicandra Upādhyāya, to their original position at his Court (Verses 9 to 12).
The following, says the author, is a brief account of this great monk who had the honour of preaching the Jaina gospel to Akbar and who thus enhanced the glory of Jainism at his Court. There is not a single exaggerated statement in this account; neither can the charge of wilful omissions be levelled against it. It gives truth, and nothing but truth.
Verses 14 to 38 contain details about the city of Ugrasena (Agrā)." It is situated on the banks of the Kalindi (Jamnā), which flows into the sea after merging with the mighty Ganges at Prayāga. Merchants-and rich ones at that carry on a roaring trade there, in elephants, horses, birds, bulls, slaves, cloths, diamonds, sweet fruits, vegetables for all seasons, and in hosts of other things. It is thickly populated. Hundreds of kings visit the city. Towering temples decked with diamond-studded pillars are built there. It contains no small number of multimillinonaires who can stand comparison with Kubera, and it is no less catching in appearance than Alakā (the metropolis of Kubera).
Details about Akbar are given in Verses 39 to 65. He was the Rama of the Mogul dynasty. Thieves and robbers were conspicuous by their absence in his empire. His glory was white as moon, because he had defeated all his enemies. His religious fervour never ebbed, as is shown by his high regard for all the six systems of philosophy. He took active interest in all arts and in all branches of learning. On the battle-field
21 Agrå -is a pleasant city with a healthy climate. The river Jamna meanders through it in a
stretch of 5 kos, and on both the banks are rows of delightful villas and charming meadows. It contains peoples of all climes and colours and is an emporium of world trado. His Majesty has got built there a fort of red stone, the liko of which the eyes of travellers have never met. There are in it more than five hundred buildings in masonry; they are architectural models designed by artists from Bengal and Gujrat, and are noteworthy for their excellant sculpture and delicacy of form. At the eastern gate are two stone-elephants with riders, gravon with exquisite skill. In former times, Agrs was a village undor the power of Biảnah. Sultan Sikandar Lodi selected it as the seat of his capital; his prosont Majesty has embellished it and transformed it into a matchloss city” (Aino Akbari II, P. 180) J.
