In this tale from Attar's The Conference of the Birds, Sultan Mahmud vows to distribute all war spoils to dervishes if God grants him victory over a formidable Indian army. Upon achieving his conquest, Mahmud faithfully honors his vow despite the immense material value of the gathered treasure. This allegory emphasizes the paramount Sufi virtues of keeping spiritual covenants with the divine, the superiority of charity over worldly wealth, and the ethical obligation of rulers to remain steadfast in their spiritual promises.