nt and an incomparably more
complete success than the elevated moral systems of the chief
theosophists of Persia. A mocking cynicism has been, up to modern times,
a common characteristic of the great majority of Sufis and dervishes.
The dangerous consequences of theosophical ideas and of oriental
spiritualism in general became at an early date so apparent that
Ghazzali, although a fervent partisan of Sufism, did not hesitate to
avow that if these doctrines were generally accepted society would
necessarily fall into a state of anarchy.

In face of the wild aberrations caused by Sufism, we should not grudge
all the greater credit to the few distinguished men who, although
adherents of Sufism and dominated by its doctrines, kept their
characters clear of stain. In spite of their conviction that there was
no individual life after death, these men spent their lives in
mortification of the senses and in abstinence, and often braved death
with a truly Roman stoicism.

Such shining characters are not of frequent occurrence in oriental
history; but certainly Mullah Shah is one and Prince Dara-Shikoh
another. In a path strewn with pitfalls he kept a name without stain and
without reproach, thanks to the austere moral principles instilled into
him by his master. He faced death with calm resignation, and knew how to
die as a prince and as a philosopher.

NOTE.--Prince Dara-Shikoh has left a curious fragment of
spiritual autobiography in his preface to a Persian translation
of the Upanishads or chapters from the Vedas which he had caused
to be translated from Sanskrit. It is indeed strange to see this
son of a Muhammadan Emperor ranking these selections from the
Vedas above the Koran, the Pentateuch, Psalms and Gospels, all of
which he says he had read. The Preface runs as follows:--

"When Dara-Shikoh, the resigned worshipper of God, visited
Kashmir in the year of the Hegira 1050 (A.D. 1640), by the
blessing of the Most High he met with Mullah Shah, the chief of
the learned, the teacher of teachers, versed in the subtleties of
"Tauhid" (Unity); may he be joined with God!

"As that prince already relished the pleasure of seeing the
learning of each sect, had perused various treaties of the Sufi
philosophers, and even composed some himself, the thirst of
exploring the doctrine of the Unity (which is a boundless ocean)
daily increased, and his mind attained a degree of acuteness