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42
BHĀNUCANDRA CARITRA
• After some time, the Emperor felt a desire to visit Kāśmira again in order to enjoy the sight of flowers in full bloom there. So, he set out for Srinagara. Both the Upādhyāya and Siddhicandra accompanied him. Siddhicandra used to read Persian books to his grandsons and read out what was taught the previous day the next morning to the Emperor. He was very useful and serviceable to the kind Emperor also. And thus his fame spread everywhere. After crossing Mounts Ratna-Panjala, PiraPanjāla, and others, which had snow-clad snmmits, the Emperor reached Kasmira. He enjoyed there the sight of trees studded with scented and full-blown flowers. He stayed there for a few months, and visited all the places there, noted for their wonderful beauty of scenery. Then he returned to Lābhapura (Lāhore) (108).
The Emperor was much attached to the sport of deer-fight. On one occa-i sion, while witnessin an antelope-fight, he was so seriously wounded by a deer.... ointed horn into his body, that he fainted on the spot. He was confined to bed in his harem for fifty days. During these days he suffered from intense and acute pain on account of the wound. During these days, nobody except Upādhyāya Bhānucandra and Sri Saikh (Abul Fazl) both of whom enjoyed the Emperor's full confidence, was allowed to go near him". On account of much merit acquired in his former life, the Emperor recovered as if to do still more meritorious deeds. Immediately after his recovery, he sent five hundred cows to the halting place of the Jaina monks, for the purpose of destributing them in charity. The Upādhyāya asked the leading members of the community to distribute those cows among the Brāhmins of the city, and thus kept his glory green in the city till now (113).
प्रतिदिनं दिव्यवाच-नादश्रवण-दीपदर्शनादिकैर्जाप्रत्प्रभावाः स्तूप सहिताः पादुकाः कारिताः प० (परिख) मेघेन भार्यालारकी
प्रमुखकुटुंबयुतेन, प्रतिष्ठितान तपागच्छाधिराजैः भट्टारक श्री विजयसेनसूरिभिः उ० (उपाध्याय) श्री विमलहर्षगणि-उ० श्री कल्याणविजय गणि उ० श्री सोमविजयगणिभिः प्रणता भव्यजनैः पूज्यमानाश्चिरं नंदतु ॥ लिखिता प्रशस्तिः पमानंद गणिना श्री
SHT TË g 1 Nāhar no. 1796 69 This was the third visit to Käs'mir. "In 1597, Akbar decided to spend the Summer
in his “private gardon" (Kas'mir), to which he had twice paid hurried visits. This time two of his many companions were Fathers Jaromo Xavier and Benodiot of Goos. The Emperor this time returned to Lahore exactly after six months in November.... Akbar fell ill and was nursed by his friend (Xavier ) who was allowed to enter his bed-room, s privilego not concoded to the greatest vioeroys in the Empire. The mountain roada, even aftor Kasim Khan's improvements, wore in such bad condition, that many elephants, horses and servants perished during the return journey." p. 209 V. Smith. "Akbar". (1st. Edition). According to Albernim: Vol. III, P. 1083, Akbar started for Kås'mir in May 1697 A. D. and returned to Lahore on 14-11-1697 A, D. (P. 1096 ). May 1597 corresponding with
Jyestha B. Y. 1664 and 14-11-1697 with Kartika Vad 1st 1654 8. Y. (Hindi). 60 Akbarnām. Vol. III, P. 1061-3 relates the incident and confirms that the illness lasted for
one month and twenty two days. Zabdata-t-tawarikh also states:- In this year (1004 H.) also the king, whilo witnessing an antelopo-fight was wounded in the thigh by one of their horns, which penetrated very doop. Great alarm was felt throughout the country, but after retiring for a fow days to the inner apartments, and seating himself on the carpet of affliction, he recovered, by the blessing of God and restored comfort to the hearts of all the world."-Elliot's History
of India Vol. VI, p. 193. 61. While Mr. V. Smith says, only Xavier was allowed to enter. his bed-room I see provious
foot-note No. 69.
