For seven full days and nights, King Kay Khosrow remained standing in continuous adoration before the Almighty; while his physical vessel resided in the earthly realm, his soul traversed higher domains. By the dawn of the eighth day, exhausted from his spiritual vigil, he stepped forth from the chamber of devotion and ascended his regal ivory throne.
The mighty champions of Iran looked upon their monarch in profound astonishment, filled with growing anxiety over his silent withdrawal. At Khosrow’s command, the great curtain of the audience hall was raised, and the formidable warriors—chief among them Tus, Goudarz, Giev, Gorgin, Bizhan, and Rohham—entered with arms respectfully crossed. Bowing low before the throne, they gave voice to their concern: 'O King of kings! No monarch has ever graced the ivory seat with such majesty. You have braved the fires of war, broken all enemies, and avenged your noble father, establishing justice across the earth. Why then has your soul grown dark? If any among us has offended you, or if a hidden foe threatens the realm, speak, so that we may offer our blood to shield your crown!'
Kay Khosrow looked upon his loyal lords and answered softly: 'Fear not, my brave heroes. I harbour no malice against any of you, nor does any enemy remain to challenge my rule. I have exacted vengeance for Siyavash, adorned the world with righteousness, and pressed my royal seal upon every corner of the earth. Sheathe your swords, bring forth the silver cups and ruby wine, and let the sounds of flutes and harps replace the bowstring’s clangor. For a full week I stood before God, seeking a profound wish held deep within my soul. Pray alongside me to the Almighty, for this revolving, fickle sky spares neither peasant nor king, reaping old and young alike.'
Relieved of their fears, the champions departed. Khosrow then instructed his chamberlain to draw the heavy curtains and forbid entry to all, whether stranger or kinsman. As night enveloped the palace, the King returned to his sanctuary of prayer, lifting his voice to the Creator: 'O Supreme Lord above all realms! You have fulfilled every longing of my heart and illuminated my spirit. Now, be my divine guide in the heavenly abode, that I may peacefully pass beyond this transient world...'
#1
شب و روز یک هفته بر پای بود
✦
تن آنجا و جانش دگر جای بود
“For a whole week, day and night he stood upon his feet; his body was present there, but his soul was elsewhere.”
#2
سر هفته را گشت خسرو نوان
✦
به جای پرستش نماندش توان
“At the end of the week, Khosrow grew weak and frail, losing the physical strength to remain in his place of worship.”
#3
به هشتم ز جای پرستش برفت
✦
بر تخت شاهی خرامید تفت
“On the eighth day, he departed the sanctuary of prayer and swiftly ascended the ivory throne of kingship.”
#4
همه پهلوانان ایران سپاه
✦
شگفتی فرومانده از کار شاه
“All the heroes of the Iranian host stood bewildered and amazed by the King's strange behavior.”
#5
از آن نامداران روز نبرد
✦
همی هر کسی دیگر اندیشه کرد
“Among those renowned warriors of the day of battle, each harbored a different worry and thought in his heart.”
#6
چو بر تخت شد نامور شهریار
✦
بیامد به درگاه سالار بار
“When the famous monarch sat upon the throne, the grand chamberlain came before the portal.”
#7
بفرمود تا پرده برداشتند
✦
سپه را ز درگاه بگذاشتند
“The King commanded the veil to be lifted, allowing the army and lords to enter from the threshold.”
#8
برفتند با دست کرده به کش
✦
بزرگان پیل افکن شیر فش
“The elephant-overthrowing, lion-like nobles stepped forward with their arms respectfully crossed over their chests.”
#9
چو طوس و چو گودرز و گیو دلیر
✦
چو گرگین و بیژن چو رهام شیر
“Champions such as Tus, brave Goudarz, bold Giev, Gorgin, Bizhan, and Rohham the lion-hearted.”
#10
چو دیدند بردند پیشش نماز
✦
از آن پس همه برگشادند راز
“When they beheld the King, they offered prayers and homage, and thereafter disclosed the secret of their hearts:”
#11
که شاها دلیرا گوا داورا
✦
جهاندار و بر مهتران مهترا
“Saying: 'O King, O brave leader and judge! O ruler of the world and greatest of all grandees!'”
#12
چو تو شاه ننشست بر تخت عاج
✦
فروغ از تو گیرد همی مهر و تاج
“'No king like you has ever sat upon an ivory throne; the sun and crown themselves derive their brilliance from you.'”
#13
فرازندهٔ نیزه و تیغ و اسب
✦
فروزندهٔ فرخ آذرگشسب
“'O exalter of the spear, the sword, and the charger! O kindler of the auspicious Fire of Azargashasp!'”
#14
نترسی ز رنج و ننازی به گنج
✦
به گیتی ز گنجت فزونست رنج
“'You fear no hardship, nor do you pride yourself on treasure; in this world, your effort exceeds your wealth.'”
#15
همه پهلوانان ترا بنده‌ایم
✦
سراسر به دیدار تو زنده‌ایم
“'All we champions are your devoted servants, and we remain alive solely to behold your blessed face.'”
#16
همه دشمنان را سپردی به خاک
✦
نماندت به گیتی ز کس بیم و باک
“'You have consigned all enemies to the dust; no fear or dread remains in the world for you from anyone.'”
#17
به هر کشوری لشکر و گنج توست
✦
به جایی که پی برنهی رنج توست
“'In every realm, your armies and treasures are established; wherever you set foot, your mark of labor is evident.'”
#18
ندانیم کاندیشهٔ شهریار
✦
چرا تیره شد اندر این روزگار
“'We know not why the thoughts of the sovereign have grown dark and troubled in these times.'”
#19
ترا ز این جهان روز برخوردنست
✦
نه هنگام تیمار و پژمردنست
“'This is your time to enjoy the world, not a season for grief and withering away.'”
#20
گر از ما به چیزی بیازرد شاه
✦
از آزار او نیست ما را گناه
“'If the King is aggrieved by any fault of ours, we harbored no intentional sin against him.'”
#21
بگوید به ما تا دلش خوش کنیم
✦
پر از خون دل و رخ پر آتش کنیم
“'Let him tell us so we may make his heart glad, even if our hearts fill with blood and our faces burn like fire in remorse.'”
#22
وگر دشمنی دارد اندر نهان
✦
بگوید به ما شهریار جهان
“'Or if the ruler of the world harbours a secret enemy, let him reveal it to us.'”
#23
همه تاجداران که بودند شاه
✦
بدین داشتند ارج گنج و سپاه
“'All crowned monarchs of old valued their treasures and armies for this sole purpose:'”
#24
که گر سر ستانند و گر سر دهند
✦
چو ترگ دلیران به سر برنهند
“'That whether they took heads or gave their lives, when they donned the helmet of brave warriors on their heads,'”
#25
نهانی که دارد بگوید به ما
✦
همان چارهٔ آن بجوید ز ما
“'They would disclose any secret trouble to their champions, seeking from them the remedy for it.'”
#26
بدیشان چنین گفت پس شهریار
✦
که با کس ندارید کس کارزار
“The King then addressed them, saying: 'You have no battle or cause of conflict with anyone.'”
#27
به گیتی ز دشمن مرا نیست رنج
✦
نشد نیز جایی پراکنده گنج
“'I suffer no grief from any enemy in the world, nor has treasure been squandered anywhere.'”
#28
نه آزار دارم ز کار سپاه
✦
نه اندر شما هست مرد گناه
“'I harbour no grievance against the actions of the host, nor is there any guilty man among you.'”
#29
ز دشمن چو کین پدر خواستم
✦
به داد و به دین گیتی آراستم
“'Since I exacted vengeance for my father's blood from the foe, I have adorned the world with justice and faith.'”
#30
به گیتی پی خاک تیره نماند
✦
که مهر نگین مرا برنخواند
“'Not a speck of dark soil remains on earth that has not read the inscription of my signet ring.'”
#31
شما تیغها در نیام آورید
✦
می سرخ و سیمینه جام آورید
“'Sheathe your swords now; bring forth ruby wine and silver goblets!'”
#32
به جای چرنگ کمان نای و چنگ
✦
بسازید با باده و بوی و رنگ
“'In place of the bowstring's twang, tune the pipe and harp, making merry with wine, perfume, and color.'”
#33
به یک هفته من پیش یزدان به پای
✦
ببودم به اندیشه و پاک‌رای
“'For a week I stood before God, contemplating with pure intent.'”
#34
یکی آرزو دارم اندر نهان
✦
همی خواهم از کردگار جهان
“'I harbor a secret wish in my soul, which I continually ask of the Creator of the World.'”
#35
بگویم گشاده چو پاسخ دهید
✦
به پاسخ مرا روز فرخ نهید
“'I shall reveal it openly when you respond to me, and in your answer, mark an auspicious day for me.'”
#36
شما پیش یزدان نیایش کنید
✦
بر این کام و شادی ستایش کنید
“'Pray you also before God, offering praise for this desire and joy,'”
#37
که او داد بر نیک و بد دستگاه
✦
ستایش مر او را که بنمود راه
“'For He gave power over good and evil; praise be to Him who showed the righteous path.'”
#38
از آن پس به من شادمانی کنید
✦
ز بدها روان بی‌گمانی کنید
“'Thereafter, rejoice with me, and free your souls from all doubt and suspicion.'”
#39
بدانید کاین چرخ ناپایدار
✦
نداند همی کهتر از شهریار
“'Know that this unstable wheel of heaven distinguishes not between the humble subject and the monarch.'”
#40
همی بدرود پیر و برنا به هم
✦
از او داد بینیم و زو هم ستم
“'It reaps old and young together; from it we experience both justice and harshness.'”
#41
همه پهلوانان ز نزدیک شاه
✦
برون آمدند از غمان جان تباه
“All the heroes emerged from the King's presence, their souls delivered from sorrow.”
#42
به سالار بار آن زمان گفت شاه
✦
که بنشین پس پردهٔ بارگاه
“The King then said to the grand chamberlain: 'Sit behind the curtain of the court hall.'”
#43
کسی را مده بار در پیش من
✦
ز بیگانه و مردم خویش من
“'Grant audience to no one in my presence, whether stranger or my own kin.'”
#44
بیامد به جای پرستش به شب
✦
به دادار دارنده بگشاد لب
“At nightfall, he went to his sanctuary of worship and opened his lips in prayer to the Sustaining Creator.”
#45
همی گفت ای برتر از برتری
✦
فزایندهٔ پاکی و مهتری
“He prayed: 'O You who are Higher than the highest! Increaser of purity and greatness!'”
#46
تو باشی به مینو مرا رهنمای
✦
مگر بگذرم ز این سپنجی سرای
“Be Thou my guide unto the realm of Paradise, that I may pass safely beyond this transient abode.”
#47
نکردی دلم هیچ نایافته
✦
روان جای روشن دلان تافته
“Thou hast left no desire of my heart unfulfilled, and my soul now shines in the abode of the pure-hearted.”