In Sanai's Hadiqat al-Haqiqah, the tale of Sultan Mahmud getting separated from his army and entering a ruined village serves as an allegory for the necessity of royal vigilance (wakefulness) and compassion. The narrative illustrates that an ethical ruler must not remain isolated in the luxury of the court or the company of the elite, but must personally witness the condition of the desolate parts of the realm and show generosity and protection to the vulnerable subjects who reside there.