King Kay Khosrow, having cleansed the world of Afrasiab's darkness and brought justice to the lands, turned his entire soul toward the Creator. For five agonizing weeks, he stood continuously in weeping prayer before the Almighty, refusing sleep and worldly comfort. With tears streaming down his face, he pleaded before the Lord of the Heavens—the illuminator of righteousness and love—declaring that earthly sovereignty meant nothing if God were not pleased with him, and begging that his final dwelling be in Paradise away from the temptations of pride.
At the end of these five weeks, as the moon arose high in the nocturnal sky, the King's weary body succumbed to rest, yet his enlightened spirit remained watchful. In the depth of the dark night, the holy angel Soroush appeared in a divine vision, whispering sacred tidings into his ear: 'O fortunate and auspicious King, you have worn the royal armlets and held the scepter with honor, achieving all that you sought in this world. Stay no longer in this dark abode, for a place beside the Pure Judge awaits you. Distribute your vast treasures among the poor and worthy, reward those who suffered in your service, and bestow the supreme crown upon a sovereign so just that even an ant upon the earth shall dwell in safety from him.'
Kay Khosrow awoke bathed in perspiration and tears of gratitude. Prostrating himself upon the earth, he praised the Almighty for granting his heart's deepest longing. Rising from his place of worship, he clad himself in a simple, unadorned garment. Setting aside his jeweled armlets, heavy mace, and radiant crown, the King sat upon his ivory throne without regal vanity, ready to fulfill the divine command and relinquish the mortal world.
#1
جهاندار شد پیش برتر خدای
✦
همی خواست تا باشدش رهنمای
“The ruler of the world stood before the Supreme God, seeking only that He might be his guide.”
#2
همی گفت کای کردگار سپهر
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فروزندهٔ نیکی و داد و مهر
“He prayed, 'O Creator of the heavens, Illuminator of goodness, justice, and love!”
#3
از این شهریاری مرا سود نیست
✦
گر از من خداوند خشنود نیست
“This sovereignty brings me no gain if the Lord is not well pleased with me.”
#4
ز من نیکوی گر پذیرفت و زشت
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نشستن مرا جای ده در بهشت
“Whether He has accepted my deeds as good or evil, grant me an abode in Paradise.'”
#5
چنین پنج هفته خروشان به پای
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همی بود بر پیش گیهان خدای
“For five full weeks he remained standing in tearful prayer before the Lord of the world.”
#6
شب تیره از رنج نغنود شاه
✦
بدانگه که برزد سر از برج ماه
“Through the dark night the King did not slumber from his anguish, until the moon arose from its constellation.”
#7
بخفت او و روشن روانش نخفت
✦
که اندر جهان با خرد بود جفت
“He finally fell asleep, yet his luminous soul slept not, for in this world it was partnered with wisdom.”
#8
چنان دید در خواب کاو را به گوش
✦
نهفته بگفتی خجسته سروش
“In his dream he saw that blessed Soroush secretly spoke into his ear,”
#9
که ای شاه نیک‌اختر و نیک‌بخت
✦
بسودی بسی یاره و تاج و تخت
“Saying, 'O fortunate and blessed King, long have you worn the royal armlet, crown, and throne.”
#10
اگر ز این جهان تیز بشتافتی
✦
کنون آنچه جستی همه یافتی
“If you hasten swiftly from this world, you have now attained all that you sought.”
#11
به همسیایگی داور پاک جای
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بیابی بدین تیرگی در مپای
“You shall find a abode in the neighborhood of the Pure Judge; tarry no longer in this darkness.”
#12
چو بخشی به ارزانیان بخش گنج
✦
کسی را سپار این سرای سپنج
“When you distribute your treasures, give them to the worthy, and hand over this transient inn to another.”
#13
توانگر شوی گر تو درویش را
✦
کنی شادمان مردم خویش را
“You shall become truly rich if you make the needy and your own people joyful.”
#14
کسی گردد ایمن ز چنگ بلا
✦
که یابد رها ز این دم اژدها
“Only he becomes safe from the clutch of calamity who finds deliverance from the breath of this dragon world.”
#15
هرآنکس که از بهر تو رنج برد
✦
چنان دان که آن از پی گنج برد
“Whoever has borne pain for your sake, know that he bore it in expectation of treasure; reward him.”
#16
چو بخشی به ارزانیان بخش چیز
✦
که ایدر نمانی تو بسیار نیز
“Bestow wealth upon the deserving, for you shall not remain here much longer.”
#17
سر تخت را پادشاهی گزین
✦
که ایمن بود مور از او بر زمین
“For the head of the throne choose a monarch under whose rule even an ant on the earth would dwell in safety.”
#18
چو گیتی ببخشی میاسای هیچ
✦
که آمد ترا روزگار بسیچ
“Once you have divided the world, rest not at all, for the time of your departure has arrived.'”
#19
چو بیدار شد رنج دیده ز خواب
✦
ز خوی دید جای پرستش پر آب
“When the afflicted King awoke from his sleep, he saw his place of worship soaked with sweat.”
#20
همی بود گریان و رخ بر زمین
✦
همی خواند بر کردگار آفرین
“He remained weeping with his face upon the ground, pouring praises upon the Creator.”
#21
همی گفت گر تیز بشتافتم
✦
ز یزدان همه کام دل یافتم
“He said, 'If I hurry swiftly now, I have received all my heart's desire from God.'”
#22
بیامد بر تخت شاهی نشست
✦
یکی جامهٔ نابسوده به دست
“He came and sat upon the royal throne, holding an unsewn, simple garment in his hand.”
#23
بپوشید و بنشست بر تخت عاج
✦
جهاندار بی‌یاره و گرز و تاج
“He clothed himself in it and sat upon the ivory throne—the ruler of the world, without armlets, mace, or crown.”