[CHAPTER VII]
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
The Rajah of Golconda, my new master, was called Alemguir, which signifies, "The Light of the World."
He certainly did not show me the respect to which I was accustomed; he did not prostrate himself, nor even salute me; but he did better than either—he loved me.
From the first he spoke kind words to me, not in my quality of "White Elephant," which is a distinction much less thought of in India than in Siam, but because he found me intelligent, good-tempered, and obedient—more so than any of his other elephants. He remembered me and came to see me every day, and saw to it that I was not allowed to lack anything.
He had changed my name from "King-Magnanimous" to "Iravata," which is the name of the elephant who bears the God Indra. The title was certainly sufficiently honourable, and I was easily consoled for being no longer worshipped as an idol by the pleasure of being treated as a friend.
Alemguir would have preferred that his Queen, Saphire-of-Heaven should always use me as her mount; but she never would consent to install herself on my back.... "It would be a sacrilege!" said she, "and a grave offence to one of my Ancestors!"
She was persuaded that I was one of her forefathers, undergoing a transformation for the time being.
Her husband rallied her good-naturedly upon the subject, but she would not yield.
So he gave her a black elephant, and kept me for his own service.