द्वितीय राजतरङ्गिणी (जोनराज - कल्हणोत्तर मध्यकालीन कश्मीर का प्रामाणिक इतिहास)

KINGS OF KASHMÍRA. [Page] 135

from the king and returned to him like bright shooting
stars; and the spectators fixed their eyes on them in
wonder and joy. These flaming tubes of saltpetre were
held by the actresses in their hands, and they shone
like golden stars of beautiful colors, falling from heaven.
The king was skilful in manufacturing fireworks, and
he instructed Habhebha to display them. It was diffi-
cult to obtain powder before, but the king showed how
it could be manufactured, and so it became easily
procurable. He gave his instructions to Habhebha in
the Pārasī (Persian) language, in the form of questions
and answers, and many others began to write books
after this example. Where can now be found one like
king Jaina in the greatness of intellect or in the art of in-
vention, in fondness for song and music, or in capacity for
rhetorical discussion, in writing books, in listening to holy
shāstras, or in composing new works?
Sujya, the pupil of Abdolkādara, was possessed of all
accomplishments and he pleased the heart of the king by
his proficiency in music. One Mallājālaka came from Khu-
rāsāna and received inestimable favours from the king by
playing on a lute made of tortoise shell. Another named
Mallājjamāla, a singer in the mlechchha language,
pleased the king even as Nārada pleases Indra. I, who
am versed in all kinds of song, and who hold a lute
made of gourd, displayed my skill in exhibiting a part
of a new song of infinite variety; and Jāpharāna and
others sang with me the difficult Turushka metres