10 PADUMAWATI. [16-22 18. Saiyad Ashvaf ( Jahanglr)' was an elect saiut, and he it was who threw light upon my path. He lit the lamp of love within my heart ; the light burned up, and my heart became pure. My way had been dark and invisible, and lo ! it became bright and I understood. He cast my sins into llie salt ocean, and making me as his disciple took me into the boat of virtue. He grasped my rudder firmly, !* and I reached the landing place on the far bank. If a man hath such a steersman, ^ lie graspeth him and bringeth to the other side. He is a protector, and one who succoureth in time of trouble, and, where (the water) is fathomless, there giveth he his hand. His family title was Jahangir, pure like the moon. He was the H0I3' Master of the World, and I am the slave of his house. 19. In his house was a spotless jewel, Hajl Shaikh by name, fulfilled with good fortune. In his house were two brigiit lights, whom God created to show the way. Shaikh Mubarak glorious as a full moon, and Shaikh Kamal spotless in the world. Both were stedfast, unmoveable like pole-stars, exalted even ahove Meru and Kukhanda.* God gave them beauty and glory, and made them pillars of the world. On these two pillars supported He the earth, and under their weight the universe remained firm. Whoever .saw them and reverently touched their feet, his sins were lost and his body be- came pure. O Muhammad, there is the road secure, where a saintly teacher beareth company. O my soul, when he hatli a boat and a rower, a man quicklj- gaineth the other side. 20. Muhlu-d-dni was my preceptor, my steersman, and I served him. He crosseth speedily who hath him upon the ferry. Before bim was Shaikh Burhan, who brought him on the path and gave him knowledge. His spiri- tual guide was the good Alhadad, who in the world was a light and beauteous in the faith. He was a disciple of Saiyad Muhammad and even perfected men enjoyed^ his fellowship. To him did Daniyal point out the path, — Daniyal, who consorted with Hazrat Khwaja Khizr.^ The Hazrat Khwaja was pleas- ^ Saiyad Ashraf was one of the founders of the line of spiritual preceptors, whose representative in the first half of the 16th century (Mnlilu-d-din) taught the poet. For full particulars see note to stanza 20. 5 This is a difficult passage. Karid is the same as kadi, an iron ring, or a beam, hence a rudder. Either meaning will do here. Other MSS., and printed editions have tinhn mora Uaia hfidata kni gdhd, he grasped my hand as I was sinking. Podhi kai means 'firmly.' 8 Kanahara or kanadhara is the Sanskrit karnadhdra.
- See line 1 of the second stanza.
6 Lit. sported in liis company. 6 Kliwaja Khizr, the Green Prophet, is a well-known figure in Muhammadan legends. He has been identified by some with Elijah and bj' others witli St. George. He is said to be still living, and sometimes aids travellers who have lost their way. As stated in the note to xiii, 5, he conducted Alexander the Great to the Land of Darkness, when the latter was searching for the Water of Life. He usually appears on horseback, dressed in green (hence his name). In India he is looked upon as a saint not only by Mnsalmiins bnt also by Hindus. Lid Begi Mihtars pay him divine rovennce. Their first pir is Jesns, the Lord of the Wand, their second Khwiija Khizr, the Master of the Water-cup, their third Muhammad, the Great Interceder, and their fourth LSI Ueg, iheman of the Wild- flowing Tresses (see Greeven, Knights of the Broom, 45). Temple's Legends of the Punjab are full of references to him. He is, in India more especiiilly a water-god, or the god of the Flood. Under his special protection is the well at Safidam in the Jind state, which contains the Water of Life. Musalmiin traditions make him out to have been n true believer in the Istiim of his day and to have been WnzTr of Kai Qnbiid f6th centnry
