Hormuz said to him: "O King, the Indians are those who measured the height of the sky, surveyed the celestial sphere (al-Falak), determined the zodiac signs (al-Buruj) and the mansions of the sun and moon, arranged the stars, and knew the inauspicious from the auspicious, and what occurs in the world from year to year to year. This is by virtue of what [India] was exclusively informed of, and what it knew of that until the eternity of eternities and the limit of ages and its duration. It took hold of the ends of the earth and the nearest dwelling place to the path of the celestial sphere.

By this, it came to possess its gold dust (tibr), its wisdom, and the mines of pearls, jewels, camphor, ambergris, and the various types of aromatic woods and plants that the rest of the earth is unable to grow—such as cloves, cinnamon (dar-sini), madder (fuwwah), bark, spikenard (sunbul), and sandalwood. These things are common there yet precious in all other corners of the earth. Furthermore, India mastered the obedience of those around it, having them submit and listen to its commands without opposition, nor the demand of an enemy, nor for worldly gain.

A man among them is content with his sustenance and what he awaits, never asking for what he misses out on; he draws from life until he reaches his death. A man among them lives for many years without falling ill, growing decrepit, or turning gray; his eye never weakens, and he is never struck by the calamities of time.