The Successors of Genghis Khan - Robert Bedrosian's Armenian ...

BEGINNING OF THE HISTORY OF MONGKE QA5AN
the princes of the right hand—now gathered together, and the astrologers
selected an auspicious horoscope. It was one of the indications
of his increasing fortune that in those few days the atmosphere of those
regions had been covered with a veil of clouds, and there was constant
rain, and no one could see the face of the sun. It so happened that at the
hour selected by the astrologers when they wished to observe the
heavens, the world-illuminating sun suddenly appeared from behind
the clouds and the sky was sufficiently cleared to reveal its disc, so
that the astrologers were able to take the altitude with ease. All those
present—the aforementioned princes, the great and important emirs,
the leaders of every people, and troops beyond measure—took off
their hats, slung their belts over their shoulders and, it being the
qaqayil, that is, the Year of the Pig, falling in Dhu'l-Hijja of the year
648 [February-March, 1251],37 set Mongke Qa'an upon the throne
of command and the seat of kingship in the neighborhood of Qara-
Qprum, which is the residence of Chingiz-Khan. And the emirs and
troops outside the ordo knelt nine times together with the princes.
At the time of his auspicious accession they had given thought to
how they should make &yasaq to define the order of precedence. It was
decided that Berke, on account of his gout, should sit where he was,
that Qubilai should sit beneath him, and that all should attend to
Qubilai's words. He ordered Mongke to stand at the door so that he
could prevent the princes and emirs [from entering], and Hulegii to
stand in front of the ba'urchis and qorchis, so that none should speak
or listen to unconsidered words. It was arranged in this fashion, and
both of them walked to and fro until the business of the quriltai had
been settled.38
And when he was auspiciously seated on the throne of the Empire,
he desired in his great and perfect magnanimity that on that occasion
some ease should be enjoyed by every species and variety [of creature].
He therefore made a yasa that on that fortunate day no man should
tread the path of strife and contention but should enjoy himself and
make merry. And just as the human species was receiving its due of
life in all manner of enjoyment and self-indulgence, so too every kind
37 According to Juvaini (HWC, p. 567), the ceremony took place on the 1st July,
1251.
38 These details are not given by Juvaini.
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