In the reign of King Luhrasp, two sons shone like moonlit gems, fully worthy of the crown and girdle of kingship: Goshtasp and Zarir. Both surpassed their peers in wisdom and valor, bearing the exalted bloodline of Kay Khosrow and Kay Kavus. Yet while Luhrasp rejoiced in their noble presence, he sensed a turbulent pride in Goshtasp's spirit, which filled the monarch's heart with unease.
Time passed until a day came in Pars, beneath the shade of a blossom-laden tree, where Luhrasp summoned the chieftains and commanders of the realm to a grand banquet. As the wine flowed and joy filled the royal court, Goshtasp stood before his father, holding his goblet high. He praised the King's righteous rule, recalling how Kay Khosrow had willingly yielded the crown to Luhrasp. Then, unveiling his inner ambition, Goshtasp asserted his own incomparable prowess—claiming none could match him save Rostam himself—and asked his father to formally write his name upon the royal crown and throne.
Luhrasp looked upon his son and offered a stern rebuke. He reminded Goshtasp of Kay Khosrow's final wisdom: that an unjust or overeager prince is like a well-watered weed that chokes a garden. He commanded his son to measure his words and curb his youthful haste. Grief and humiliation burned in Goshtasp's chest; with a pale countenance, he withdrew from the King's presence.
Returning to his encampment, Goshtasp gathered his three hundred elite, battle-tested horsemen. He revealed his humiliation and declared his intention to leave the realm that very night, setting out for India, whose ruler had sent him a perfumed letter offering vassalage and honor. As night draped the earth in darkness, Goshtasp took up his heavy mace and rode forth into the shadows with his loyal band.
When dawn broke and Luhrasp learned of his son's flight, sorrow eclipsed his heart. He convened the elders of the realm, lamenting how the prince he had nurtured had abandoned the royal garden in anger. Without delay, he summoned Zarir, giving him a thousand champion cavalry to ride swiftly toward India and bring Goshtasp back. Simultaneously, he dispatched Gostahm toward Rum and Gorazeh toward China, desperate to intercept his headstrong heir.
#1
دو فرزند بودش به کردار ماه
✦
سزاوار شاهی و تخت و کلاه
“He had two sons radiant as the moon, worthy of kingship, the throne, and the crown.”
#2
یکی نام گشتاسپ و دیگر زریر
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که زیر آوریدی سر نره شیر
“One named Goshtasp and the other Zarir, warriors who could bring down fierce lions.”
#3
گذشته به هر دانشی از پدر
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ز لشکر به مردی برآورده سر
“Surpassing their father in every branch of knowledge, standing tall above the entire army in bravery.”
#4
دو شاه سرافراز و دو نیک‌پی
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نبیرهٔ جهاندار کاوس کی
“Two exalted princes, auspicious of step, direct descendants of the world-ruler Kay Kavus.”
#5
بدیشان بدی جان لهراسپ شاد
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وزیشان نکردی ز گشتاسپ یاد
“Luhrasp's soul found delight in them, yet he paid no fond mind to Goshtasp.”
#6
که گشتاسپ را سر پر از باد بود
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وزان کار لهراسپ ناشاد بود
“For Goshtasp's head was filled with rebellious pride, and Luhrasp was deeply troubled by this trait.”
#7
چنین تا برآمد برین روزگار
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پر از درد گشتاسپ از شهریار
“Thus time rolled on, with Goshtasp's heart growing increasingly bitter toward the King.”
#8
چنان بد که در پارس یک روز تخت
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نهادند زیر گل‌افشان درخت
“It so befell one day in Pars that the throne was set beneath a tree heavy with blossoms.”
#9
بفرمود لهراسپ تا مهتران
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برفتند چندی ز لشکر سران
“Luhrasp ordered the noble lords and several warlords of the host to gather.”
#10
به خوان بر یکی جام می‌خواستند
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دل شاه گیتی بیاراستند
“They called for a goblet of wine at the banquet, delighting the heart of the world's monarch.”
#11
چو گشتاسپ می‌خورد برپای خاست
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چنین گفت کای شاه با داد و راست
“As Goshtasp drank wine, he stood up and spoke: 'O righteous and just King!'”
#12
به شاهی نشست تو فرخنده باد
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همان جاودان نام تو زنده باد
“'May your sitting upon the throne be blessed, and may your glorious name endure forever.'”
#13
ترا داد یزدان کلاه و کمر
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دگر شاه کیخسرو دادگر
“'God bestowed upon you the crown and girdle, following the righteous King Kay Khosrow.'”
#14
کنون من یکی بنده‌ام بر درت
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پرستندهٔ اختر و افسرت
“'Now I am a humble servant at your threshold, devoted to your destiny and crown.'”
#15
ندارم کسی را ز مردان به مرد
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گر آیند پیشم به روز نبرد
“'I account no man among heroes as my equal if they face me on the day of battle,'”
#16
مگر رستم زال سام سوار
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که با او نسازد کسی کارزار
“'Save for Rostam, son of Zal and Sam the knight, with whom none can match swords.'”
#17
چو کیخسرو از تو پر اندیشه گشت
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ترا داد تخت و خود اندر گذشت
“'When Kay Khosrow became full of care, he passed the throne to you and departed.'”
#18
گر ایدونک هستم ز ارزانیان
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مرا نام بر تاج و تخت و کیان
“'If I am indeed worthy among men, write my name upon the throne, crown, and royal line.'”
#19
چنین هم که‌ام پیش تو بنده‌وار
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همی باشم و خوانمت شهریار
“'Otherwise, I shall remain before you as a servant and continue to call you my King.'”
#20
به گشتاسپ گفت ای پسر گوش دار
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که تندی نه خوب آید از شهریار
“Luhrasp said to Goshtasp: 'Listen, my son; harsh sharpness does not become a sovereign.'”
#21
چو اندرز کیخسرو آرم به یاد
✦
تو بشنو نگر سر نپیچی ز داد
“'When I recall the counsel of Kay Khosrow, hear it and beware never to turn away from justice.'”
#22
مرا گفت بیدادگر شهریار
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یکی خو بود پیش باغ بهار
“'He told me an unjust monarch is like a shoot before the springtime garden,'”
#23
که چون آب یابد به نیرو شود
✦
همه باغ ازو پر ز آهو شود
“'Which, when watered, gains strength and fills the entire garden with flaws.'”
#24
جوانی هنوز این بلندی مجوی
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سخن را بسنج و به اندازه گوی
“'You are yet young; do not seek such height. Weigh your words and speak with measure.'”
#25
چو گشتاسب بشنید شد پر ز درد
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بیامد ز پیش پدر گونه زرد
“When Goshtasp heard this, he was filled with pain, leaving his father's presence with a pale face.”
#26
همی گفت بیگانگان را نواز
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چنین باش و با زاده هرگز مساز
“He muttered: 'He favors strangers, yet never makes peace with his own flesh and blood!'”
#27
ز لشکر ورا بود سیصد سوار
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همه گرد و شایستهٔ کارزار
“He possessed three hundred horsemen from the host, all brave champions fit for war.”
#28
فرود آمد و کهتران را بخواند
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همه رازها پیش ایشان براند
“He dismounted, summoned his subordinates, and shared all his secret thoughts with them.”
#29
که امشب همه ساز رفتن کنید
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دل و دیده زین بارگه برکنید
“'Tonight, make all preparations to leave; sever your hearts and eyes from this court.'”
#30
یکی گفت ازیشان که راهت کجاست
✦
چو برداری آرامگاهت کجاست
“One of them asked: 'Where leads your path? When you set out, where is your destination?'”
#31
چنین داد پاسخ که در هندوان
✦
مرا شاد دارند و روشن روان
“He replied: 'Among the Indians, where they shall make me joyful and enlightened of soul.'”
#32
یکی نامه دارم من از شاه هند
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نوشته ز مشک سیه بر پرند
“'I hold a letter from the King of India, written with black musk upon fine silk,'”
#33
که گر زی من آیی ترا کهترم
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ز فرمان و رای تو برنگذرم
“'Stating: "If you come to me, I am your humble servant and will not stray from your command."'”
#34
چو شب تیره شد با سپه برنشست
✦
همی رفت جوشان و گرزی به دست
“When darkness fell, he mounted with his men, riding fervently with mace in hand.”
#35
به شبگیر لهراسپ آگاه شد
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غمی گشت و شادیش کوتاه شد
“At daybreak, Luhrasp learned of the flight; he grew grief-stricken and his joy turned to sorrow.”
#36
ز لشکر جهاندیدگان را بخواند
✦
همه بودنی پیش ایشان براند
“He summoned the experienced elders of the army and related all that had transpired.”
#37
ببینید گفت این که گشتاسپ کرد
✦
دلم کرد پر درد و سر پر ز گرد
“'Look at what Goshtasp has done,' he said, 'making my heart full of pain and my head filled with dust.'”
#38
بپروردمش تا برآورد یال
✦
شد اندر جهان نامور بی‌همال
“'I nurtured him until he reached manhood, becoming a renowned warrior without equal in the world.'”
#39
بدانگه که گفتم که آمد به بار
✦
ز باغ من آواره شد نامدار
“'Just when I expected him to bear fruit, that famous prince wandered away from my garden.'”
#40
برفت و بر اندیشه بر بود دیر
✦
بفرمود تا پیش او شد زریر
“He brooded long in deep thought, then ordered Zarir to be brought before him.”
#41
بدو گفت بگزین ز لشکر هزار
✦
سواران گرد از در کارزار
“He said to him: 'Select one thousand battle-proven champion horsemen from the host.'”
#42
برو تیز بر سوی هندوستان
✦
مبادا بر و بوم جادوستان
“'Ride swiftly toward Hindustan, lest he enter that realm of sorcerers.'”
#43
سوی روم گستهم نوذر برفت
✦
سوی چین گرازه گرازید تفت
“Gostahm, son of Nowzar, went toward Rum, while Gorazeh sped swiftly toward China.”