10 PADUMĀWATI. [16-22 18. Saiyad Ashraf (Jahāngir) was an elect saint, and he it was who threw light upon my path. He lit the lamp of love within my heart; the light burned np, 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 the 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, s he 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 Jahāngir, pure like the moon. He was the Holy Master of the World, and I am the slave of his house. 19. In his house was a spotless jewel, Hāji Shaikh by name, fulfilled with good fortune. In his house were two bright lights, whom God created to show the way. Shaikh Mubārak glorious as a full moon, and Shaikh Kamal spotless in the world. Both were stedfast, unmoveable like pole-stars, exalted even above Mēru 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 Muḥammad, there is the road secure, where a saintly teacher beareth company. O my soul, when he hath a boat and a rower, a man quickly gaineth the other side. 20. Muhiu-d-din was my preceptor, my steersman, and I served him. He crosseth speedily who hath him upon the ferry. Before him was Shaikh Burhān, who brought him on the path and gave him knowledge. His spiri- tual guide was the good Alhadād, who in the world was a light and beauteous in the faith. He was a disciple of Saiyad Muhammad and even perfected men enjoyed 5 his fellowship. To him did Dāniyāl point out the path, - Dāniyal, who consorted with Hazrat Khwāja Khizr. The Hazrat Khwāja was pleas- 1 Saiyad Ashraf was one of the founders of the line of spiritual preceptors, whose representative in the first half of the 16th century (Muhiu-d-din) taught the poet. For full particulars see note to stanza 20. 2 This is a difficult passage. Karia is the same as kadi, an iron ring, or a beam, hence a rndder. Either meaning will do here. Other MSS., and printed editions have unha mora kara būdata kai gáha, he grasped my hand as I was sinking. Põdhi kai means 'firmly.' 3 Kanahāra or kanadhara is the Sanskrit karnadhara. + See line 1 of the second stanza. 6 Lit. sported in his company. 6 Khwaja Khizr, the Green Prophet, is a well-known figure in Muhammadan legends. He has been identified by some with Elijah and by others with 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 Musalmāns but also by Hindūs. Lāl Bēgi Mihtars pay him divine reverence. Their first pīr is Jesus, the Lord of the Wand, their second Khwaja Khirr, the Master of the Water-cup, their third Muhammad, the Great Interceder, and their fourth Lal Bēg, he man of the Wild- flowing Tresses (see Greeven, Knights of the Broom, 45). Temple's Legends of the Panjab are full of references to him. He is, in India more especially 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. Musalman traditions make him out to have been a true believer in the Islām of his day and to have been Wazir of Kai Qnbād (6th century
