The Dabistan

219

and,what is more astonishing, Mulia Usarn read with
him the illustrations and demonstrations which are
in the fundamentals of Hanifa's religious law, and
adopted his faith. But Mulla Sultan, although he
acknowledged his high rank of excellence, never
adhered to him. And Hakim Kamran said: *' What
" is not understood, becomes a subject of dispute."
Thus Mulla Sultan followed with intense applica-
tion the study of the soul, and the chain of demon-
strations relative to it, but he said: " I am notable
" to understand its nature, and am, in that respect,
" like a parrot." Among the able disciples of Ha-
kim Kamran was Hakim Mershed, who passed
through all degrees of science before him, and pos-
sessed his entire confidence.1 Hakim Kamran was
wont at that time, when he gave lessons of science,
to wash his head, hands, and feet, to burn sweet
perfumes, and to turn his face towards the sun, in
which his disciples imitated him. He did not confer
his instruction upon every body, but refused it to
the depraved, the oppressors, and the voluptuous;
nor did he hold intercourse with low persons.

Hejira 685 or 692 (A. D. 1286 or 1292). He composed a literal Commen-
tary in two volumes upon the Koran.

1 Here a play upon a name is omitted: J*.__sr3 .^—j .^v°^ .\ ^

•* * * D/ ••' \^~s *

n, *n Business, is Kamran, '* fortunate."