When word reached the Iranian nobles and the venerable Goudarz that Tus and Fariborz had failed to pierce the enchanted ramparts of Bahman Fortress, the young king Kai Khosrow personally took command. He assembled an imposing force, riding upon an elephant-borne golden throne inlaid with chrysolite, flanked by the violet banner and adorned with ruby armlets and royal regalia. Drawing near the dark stronghold, Khosrow donned his armor and commanded a royal scribe to draft a missive in Pahlavi script, scented with ambergris.
In this sacred scroll, Khosrow proclaimed his devotion to Yazdan, the eternal Creator of Saturn, the Sun, and Divine Glory. He declared that if the fortress belonged to Ahriman and his dark sorcerers, it would be shattered to dust by the almighty power of God and his own royal mace. Binding the scroll to the head of a spear, he commanded Gev to ride swiftly to the fortress wall, plant the spear, invoke the Holy Name, and return without delay.
As Gev set the spear against the wall and invoked the Almighty, the letter vanished into thin air. A thunderous roar shattered the silence of the wilderness, and by divine decree, the enchanted ramparts split wide open. Darkness blacker than a Moor's face veiled the sky, turning the air into the gaping maw of a ferocious lion. Khosrow commanded his archers to loose a hail of arrows; deadly shafts rained down upon the fortress, obliterating the fleeing demons.
Suddenly, a celestial radiance burst through the shadows, dispelling all dark sorcery. The sky cleared to the brightness of a full moon, and the gates of the citadel stood exposed. Entering the stronghold with Goudarz, Khosrow discovered a magnificent hidden city of lush gardens, grand palaces, and sprawling squares. At the exact spot where the divine light had first blazed, Khosrow ordered a soaring dome to be built, founding the sacred Fire Temple of Azar Gushasp. For a full year, mobads and astronomers gathered around the holy flame as the city flourished.
When news of this miraculous victory reached Iran, immense rejoicing swept the land. Fariborz and Tus came forward to greet the young monarch. Tus surrendered the Kianian Standard, the royal kettle-drums, and golden slippers, humbly asking for forgiveness. Khosrow, possessing true divine nobility, welcomed them with smiles and reappointed Tus as the grand marshal of the realm.
Khosrow then set out for Pars, where the aged King Kay Kavus eagerly awaited his blessed grandson. Embracing Khosrow with tears of joy—seeing in his face the living image of his slain son Siyavash—Kavus placed the Kianian crown upon Khosrow's head and surrendered the imperial throne to him. Jewels and emeralds were scattered in tribute. Ferdowsi concludes with a timeless reflection on the transience of mortal power, urging humanity to live righteously, seek joy, and rule with justice.
#1
چو آگاهی آمد به آزادگان
✦
بر پیر گودرز کشوادگان
“When tidings reached the noble lords and old Goudarz, son of Kashvad,”
#2
که طوس و فریبرز گشتند باز
✦
نیارست رفتن بر دژ فراز
“That Tus and Fariborz had returned defeated, unable to scale the high fortress,”
#3
بیاراست پیلان و برخاست غو
✦
بیامد سپاه جهاندار نو
“The young world-conqueror arrayed the war-elephants, and the clamor of his new army arose.”
#4
یکی تخت زرین زبرجدنگار
✦
نهاد از بر پیل و بستند بار
“They bound upon an elephant a golden throne encrusted with chrysolite jewels.”
#5
به گرد اندرش با درفش بنفش
✦
به پا اندرون کرده زرینه کفش
“Surrounding him fluttered the violet banner, while he wore golden slippers upon his feet.”
#6
جهانجوی بر تخت زرین نشست
✦
به سر برش تاجی و گرزی به دست
“The seeker of the world sat upon the throne of gold, wearing a crown upon his head and holding a mace in hand.”
#7
دو یاره ز یاقوت و طوقی به زر
✦
به زر اندرون نقش کرده گهر
“He wore two armlets of ruby and a collar of gold inlaid with precious gems.”
#8
همی رفت لشکر گروها گروه
✦
که از سم اسپان زمین شد چو کوه
“Troop after troop the army marched onward, until the earth shook like mountains under the horses' hooves.”
#9
چو نزدیک دژ شد همی برنشست
✦
بپوشید درع و میان را ببست
“As he drew near the fortress, he mounted his steed, put on his coat of mail, and girded his loins for battle.”
#10
نویسنده‌ای خواست بر پشت زین
✦
یکی نامه فرمود با آفرین
“He summoned a scribe to his saddle-bow and ordered a letter filled with praises.”
#11
ز عنبر نوشتند بر پهلوی
✦
چنان چون بود نامهٔ خسروی
“They wrote with ambergris in Pahlavi script, fit for a royal scroll of kings.”
#12
که این نامه از بندهٔ کردگار
✦
جهانجوی کیخسرو نامدار
“"This letter is from the servant of the Creator, the renowned world-seeking Kai Khosrow,"”
#13
که از بند آهرمن بد بجست
✦
به یزدان زد از هر بدی پاک دست
“"Who escaped the bonds of evil Ahriman and stretched his hands in purity toward God."”
#14
که اویست جاوید برتر خدای
✦
خداوند نیکی ده و رهنمای
“"For He is the eternal Lord Supreme, the Bestower of all goodness and the supreme Guide,"”
#15
خداوند بهرام و کیوان و هور
✦
خداوند فر و خداوند زور
“"Lord of Mars, Saturn, and the Sun; Lord of Divine Glory and Lord of Power."”
#16
مرا داد اورند و فر کیان
✦
تن پیل و چنگال شیر ژیان
“"He granted me the crown, throne, and royal glory, the body of an elephant and the claws of a fierce lion."”
#17
جهانی سراسر به شاهی مراست
✦
در گاو تا برج ماهی مراست
“"The entire world is mine to rule, from the depth of Earth to the high sign of Pisces."”
#18
گر این دژ بر و بوم آهرمنست
✦
جهان آفرین را به دل دشمنست
“"If this fortress and land belong to Ahriman, making it an enemy in heart to the Creator,"”
#19
به فر و به فرمان یزدان پاک
✦
سراسر به گرز اندر آرم به خاک
“"Then by the glory and command of holy God, I shall level it to dust with my heavy mace!"”
#20
و گر جادوان راست این دستگاه
✦
مرا خود به جادو نباید سپاه
“"And if sorcerers hold sway over this realm, I have no need of an army against sorcery—"”
#21
چو خم دوال کمند آورم
✦
سر جادوان را به بند آورم
“"When I cast the loop of my lasso, I shall bring the heads of sorcerers into bondage."”
#22
وگر خود خجسته سروش اندرست
✦
به فرمان یزدان یکی لشکرست
“"And if the blessed Sorush dwells within, it stands as a divine host by God's decree."”
#23
همان من نه از دست آهرمنم
✦
که از فر و برزست جان و تنم
“"For I am not born of Ahriman's hand; my body and soul are forged of divine majesty and stature."”
#24
به فرمان یزدان کند این تهی
✦
که اینست پیمان شاهنشهی
“"By God's command let this place be vacated, for such is the covenant of the King of Kings."”
#25
یکی نیزه بگرفت خسرو به دست
✦
همان نامه را بر سر نیزه بست
“Khosrow took a spear in his hand and bound that written scroll atop its point.”
#26
بسان درفشی برآورد راست
✦
به گیتی به جز فر یزدان نخواست
“He raised it straight like a royal banner, desiring naught in the world but the Divine Glory.”
#27
بفرمود تا گیو با نیزه تفت
✦
به نزدیک آن بر شده باره رفت
“He commanded Gev to take the spear swiftly and approach the high rampart of the citadel.”
#28
بدو گفت کاین نامهٔ پندمند
✦
ببر سوی دیوار حصن بلند
“He said to him: "Take this wise letter to the wall of that towering fortress,"”
#29
بنه نامه و نام یزدان بخوان
✦
بگردان عنان تیز و لختی ممان
“"Place the scroll, invoke the Holy Name of God, turn your reins quickly, and delay not a moment."”
#30
بشد گیو نیزه گرفته به دست
✦
پر از آفرین جان یزدان پرست
“Gev rode forth holding the spear, his soul filled with praise for the God-worshipping King.”
#31
چو نامه به دیوار دژ برنهاد
✦
به نام جهانجوی خسرو نژاد
“When he set the letter against the wall of the fort in the name of Khosrow of royal lineage,”
#32
ز دادار نیکی دهش یاد کرد
✦
پس آن چرمهٔ تیزرو باد کرد
“He invoked the Creator, the Giver of all good, and then spurred his swift gray horse into the wind.”
#33
شد آن نامهٔ نامور ناپدید
✦
خروش آمد و خاک دژ بردمید
“That renowned letter vanished from sight; a roar echoed, and dust billowed from the fort.”
#34
همانگه به فرمان یزدان پاک
✦
ازان بارهٔ دژ برآمد تراک
“Instantaneously, by the decree of holy God, a cracking rupture split the fort's ramparts.”
#35
تو گفتی که رعدست وقت بهار
✦
خروش آمد از دشت و ز کوهسار
“You would say it was the thunder of springtime, as roars resounded from plain and mountain.”
#36
جهان گشت چون روی زنگی سیاه
✦
چه از باره دژ چه گرد سپاه
“The world turned black as a Moor's face, dark from both the fort's ruin and the army's dust.”
#37
تو گفتی برآمد یکی تیره ابر
✦
هوا شد به کردار کام هژبر
“You would say a dark cloud had arisen, and the sky turned into the gaping maw of a lion.”
#38
برانگیخت کیخسرو اسپ سیاه
✦
چنین گفت با پهلوان سپاه
“Kai Khosrow spurred his black steed and commanded the commander of the host:”
#39
که بر دژ یکی تیر باران کنید
✦
هوا را چو ابر بهاران کنید
“"Rain a hail of arrows upon the fortress; make the sky like a spring cloud!"”
#40
برآمد یکی میغ بارش تگرگ
✦
تگرگی که بردارد از ابر مرگ
“A cloud of deadly hailstones rained down, a hail that swept away life itself from the gloom.”
#41
ز دیوان بسی شد به پیکان هلاک
✦
بسی زهره کفته فتاده به خاک
“Many of the demons were slain by arrow-heads; many fell to the dust with ruptured hearts.”
#42
ازان پس یکی روشنی بردمید
✦
شد آن تیرگی سر به سر ناپدید
“Thereafter, a luminous radiant light blazed forth, and that deep darkness completely vanished.”
#43
جهان شد به کردار تابنده ماه
✦
به نام جهاندار پیروز شاه
“The world became like the shining moon, in the name of the victorious Lord of the World.”
#44
برآمد یکی باد با آفرین
✦
هوا گشت خندان و روی زمین
“A blessed breeze arose with praise; the air grew smiling and so did the face of the earth.”
#45
برفتند دیوان به فرمان شاه
✦
در دژ پدید آمد از جایگاه
“The demons fled by the King's command, and the gate of the fortress appeared in its place.”
#46
به دژ در شد آن شاه آزادگان
✦
ابا پیر گودرز کشوادگان
“Into the fortress entered that noble king, together with aged Goudarz, son of Kashvad.”
#47
یکی شهر دید اندر آن دژ فراخ
✦
پر از باغ و میدان و ایوان و کاخ
“He beheld a vast city inside that stronghold, filled with gardens, squares, porticos, and palaces.”
#48
بدانجای کان روشنی بردمید
✦
سر بارهٔ دژ بشد ناپدید
“In that very spot where the divine radiance shone forth, the ramparts of the dark fortress vanished.”
#49
بفرمود خسرو بدان جایگاه
✦
یکی گنبدی تا به ابر سیاه
“Thereupon Khosrow ordered a high dome to be raised at that place, reaching unto the dark clouds.”
#50
درازی و پهنای او ده کمند
✦
به گرد اندرش طاقهای بلند
“Its length and breadth measured ten lassos across, encircled all around by lofty arches.”
#51
ز بیرون دو نیمی تگ تازی اسپ
✦
برآورد و بنهاد آذرگشسپ
“At a distance of half a galloping steed's course outside, he founded and established the holy fire of Azar Goshasp.”
#52
نشستند گرد اندرش موبدان
✦
ستاره‌شناسان و هم بخردان
“Around it sat the Zoroastrian priests, astrologers, and wise sages.”
#53
دران شارستان کرد چندان درنگ
✦
که آتشکده گشت با بوی و رنگ
“He tarried in that citadel so long until the fire-temple flourished in full splendor and fragrance.”
#54
چو یک سال بگذشت لشکر براند
✦
بنه بر نهاد و سپه برنشاند
“When a full year had passed, he led forth his host, packed the baggage, and mounted his army.”
#55
چو آگاهی آمد به ایران ز شاه
✦
ازان ایزدی فر و آن دستگاه
“When news reached Iran of the king, of his divine farr and grand majesty,”
#56
جهانی فرو ماند اندر شگفت
✦
که کیخسرو آن فر و بالا گرفت
“The whole world was struck with wonder that Kay Khosrow had attained such glory and lofty stature.”
#57
همه مهتران یک به یک با نثار
✦
برفتند شادان بر شهریار
“All the chieftains, one by one, bearing tribute and offerings, set out joyfully to meet the king.”
#58
فریبرز پیش آمدش با گروه
✦
از ایران سپاهی بکردار کوه
“Fariborz advanced to meet him with a host, an Iranian army massive like a mountain.”
#59
چو دیدش فرود آمد از تخت زر
✦
ببوسید روی برادر پدر
“When Khosrow saw him, he dismounted his golden throne and kissed the cheek of his father's brother.”
#60
نشاندش بر تخت زر شهریار
✦
که بود از در یاره و گوشوار
“The king seated him upon the golden throne, worthy of royal armlets and earrings.”
#61
همان طوس با کاویانی درفش
✦
همی رفت با کوس و زرینه کفش
“Likewise came Tous bearing the Kavian Banner, moving to the beat of drums and wearing golden boots.”
#62
بیاورد و پیش جهاندار برد
✦
زمین را ببوسید و او را سپرد
“He brought it before the ruler of the world, kissed the ground, and surrendered it to him.”
#63
بدو گفت کاین کوس و زرینه کفش
✦
به نیک اختری کاویانی درفش
“He said to him: 'This drum, these golden boots, and under happy stars, this Kavian Banner—”
#64
ز لشکر ببین تا سزاوار کیست
✦
یکی پهلوان از در کار کیست
“Look upon the host to see who is worthy, and which champion is suited for command.'”
#65
ز گفتارها پوزش آورد پیش
✦
بپیچید زان بیهده رای خویش
“He offered apologies for his past words, turning away from his foolish judgment of before.”
#66
جهاندار پیروز بنواختش
✦
بخندید و بر تخت بنشاختش
“The victorious ruler received him warmly, smiled, and seated him upon the throne.”
#67
بدو گفت کین کاویانی درفش
✦
هم آن پهلوانی و زرینه کفش
“Khosrow said to him: 'This Kavian Banner, as well as the supreme leadership and golden boots—”
#68
نبینم سزای کسی در سپاه
✦
ترا زیبد این کار و این دستگاه
“I see no one in all the army more deserving; to you alone belong this office and this majesty.”
#69
ترا پوزش اکنون نیاید به کار
✦
نه بیگانه‌ای خواستی شهریار
“You need no apology now, for you did not seek a stranger to be king.'”
#70
چو پیروز برگشت شیر از نبرد
✦
دل و دیدهٔ دشمنان تیره کرد
“When the victorious lion returned from battle, having darkened the heart and eyes of his foes,”
#71
سوی پهلو پارس بنهاد روی
✦
جوان بود و بیدار و دیهیم جوی
“He set out toward the marches of Pars, young, vigilant, and seeking the crown.”
#72
چو زو آگهی یافت کاووس کی
✦
که آمد ز ره پور فرخنده پی
“When Kay Kavus received word that his auspicious grandson had arrived from the road,”
#73
پذیره شدش با رخی ارغوان
✦
ز شادی دل پیر گشته جوان
“He went forth to welcome him with a beaming face, his aged heart made young again with joy.”
#74
چو از دور خسرو نیا را بدید
✦
بخندید و شادان دلش بردمید
“When Khosrow saw his grandfather from afar, he smiled and his heart blossomed with joy.”
#75
پیاده شد و برد پیشش نماز
✦
به دیدار او بد نیا را نیاز
“He dismounted and bowed low in homage before him, while the grandfather yearned to behold his face.”
#76
بخندید و او را به بر در گرفت
✦
نیایش سزاوار او برگرفت
“Kavus smiled and embraced him, offering praise worthy of his noble stature.”
#77
وزانجا سوی کاخ رفتند باز
✦
به تخت جهاندار دیهیم ساز
“From there they returned together to the palace, unto the throne of the ruler who bestows crowns.”
#78
چو کاووس بر تخت زرین نشست
✦
گرفت آن زمان دست خسرو به دست
“When Kavus sat upon the golden throne, he took Khosrow's hand in his own.”
#79
بیاورد و بنشاند بر جای خویش
✦
ز گنجور تاج کیان خواست پیش
“He brought him forward and seated him in his own place, then asked the treasurer for the crown of the Kayanids.”
#80
ببوسید و بنهاد بر سرش تاج
✦
به کرسی شد از نامور تخت عاج
“He kissed the crown and placed it upon his head; thus the famous throne of ivory was adorned by his glory.”
#81
ز گنجش زبرجد نثار آورید
✦
بسی گوهر شاهوار آورید
“They brought forth chrysolites scattered from his royal treasury, and offered a abundance of kingly jewels.”
#82
بسی آفرین بر سیاوش بخواند
✦
که خسرو به چهره جز او را نماند
“He bestowed countless praises upon Siyavash, for in visage Kai Khosrow resembled none but his father.”
#83
ز پهلو برفتند آزادگان
✦
سپهبد سران و گرانمایگان
“The noblemen came forward from the ranks—commanders, leaders, and men of great renown.”
#84
به شاهی برو آفرین خواندند
✦
همه زر و گوهر برافشاندند
“They showered blessings upon his kingship, and scattered gold and precious gems over him.”
#85
جهان را چنین است ساز و نهاد
✦
ز یک دست بستد به دیگر بداد
“Such is the nature and design of this world: it snatches away with one hand and grants with the other.”
#86
بدردیم ازین رفتن اندر فریب
✦
زمانی فراز و زمانی نشیب
“We are worn weary by this journey of deceit, rising at times to the heights and sinking at times to the depths.”
#87
اگر دل توان داشتن شادمان
✦
به شادی چرا نگذرانی زمان
“If it lies within your power to keep your heart joyful, why then would you not spend your time in happiness?”
#88
به خوشی بناز و به خوبی ببخش
✦
مکن روز را بر دل خویش رخش
“Delight in comfort, bestow goodness generously, and make not the day a heavy burden upon your heart.”
#89
ترا داد و فرزند را هم دهد
✦
درختی که از بیخ تو برجهد
“It granted unto you, and so shall it grant unto your child—the branch that springs from your own root.”
#90
نبینی که گنجش پر از خواستست
✦
جهانی به خوبی بیاراستست
“Do you not see that His treasury is filled with bounty, and the whole world is adorned in splendor?”
#91
کمی نیست در بخشش دادگر
✦
فزونی بخوردست انده مخور
“There is no lack in the bounty of the Just Creator; He has provided abundantly, so harbor no grief.”