Praising the Almighty Creator and honoring the sun-faced sovereign of the age who adorns the world with justice and grace, the ancient chronicle turns to the tales remembered by the wise dehqan—recounting the legacies of Goshtasp, the deeds of Ardashir, and the noble rule of Queen Homay. When Darab ascended the exalted throne of the Kianians, he bound his waist in readiness to serve and opened his hands in boundlessly generous bestowal. Gathering the mobads, wise counselors, and vigilant-hearted elders of the realm, he proclaimed: 'I did not seek this world through hardship or oppression; it was Yazdan who placed this sovereign crown upon my head. None in this world has witnessed a destiny more wondrous than mine, both seen and unseen. Thus, our only true reward must be the practice of justice, so that future generations may speak our praise. None shall suffer from our wealth, nor shall the accumulation of treasures cause distress; through my justice, the world shall flourish and the hearts of all subjects shall overflow with joy.'
As the fame of his righteousness spread across the continents, envoys and lords from India, Rome, and all prosperous lands journeyed to his court bearing lavish tributes and precious gifts to seek the King's favor.
It came to pass that one day, King Darab rode forth to inspect the royal herds of horses grazing in the meadows. Ascending from the lowlands to a high mountain peak, he beheld a vast and deep body of water gathered in the basin below. The King commanded that master engineers and experienced builders be brought from Rome and India to devise a way to channel the waters, carving a mighty river to bring life to every surrounding territory. Once the skilled artisans successfully unsealed the water barrier and released the flow, Darab ordered a magnificent city to be built upon the newly cleared land. As the grand protective walls encircled the settlement, they named it Darabgerd.
Upon the mountain crest, a sacred fire was ignited, and priests gathered to tend the holy flame. Craftsmen of every trade were assembled from all corners to beautify the realm of Iran. Thereupon, King Darab dispatched vast and countless armies to every frontier, guarding the world against all foes. He purged the realm of terror, striking fear into the hearts of evil-doers and bringing enduring peace and safety to all humankind.
#1
کنون آفرین جهان‌آفرین
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بخوانیم بر شهریار زمین
“Now let us utter praise unto the Creator of the World, upon the noble Sovereign of the Earth.”
#2
ابوالقاسم آن شاه خورشید چهر
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بیاراست گیتی به داد و به مهر
“Abul-Qasim, that sun-visaged king, who adorned the world with justice and loving-kindness.”
#3
نجوید جز از خوبی و راستی
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نیارد بداد اندرون کاستی
“He seeks naught but goodness and truth, and permits no flaw or shortage in justice.”
#4
جهان روشن از تاج محمود باد
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همه روزگارانش مسعود باد
“May the world stay brightened by Mahmud's crown, and may all his days be forever auspicious!”
#5
همیشه جوان تا جوانی بود
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همان زنده تا زندگانی بود
“May he remain ever youthful as long as youth endures, and ever living as long as life remains!”
#6
چه گفت آن سراینده دهقان پیر
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ز گشتاسپ وز نامدار اردشیر
“What did that ancient storytelling dehqan say of Goshtasp and of the renowned Ardashir?”
#7
وزان نامداران پاکیزه‌رای
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ز داراب وز رسم و رای همای
“And of those pure-minded nobles, of Darab, and of the noble counsel and customs of Homay?”
#8
چو دارا به تخت مهی برنشست
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کمر بر میان بست و بگشاد دست
“When Dara sat upon the throne of greatness, he girded his loins and opened his hands in bountiful giving.”
#9
چنین گفت با موبدان و ردان
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بزرگان و بیداردل بخردان
“Thus he spoke to the mobads, counselors, nobles, and vigilant-hearted sages:”
#10
که گیتی نجستم به رنج و به داد
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مرا تاج یزدان به سر بر نهاد
“'I sought not this world through hardship or force; it was the crown of God that was placed upon my head.'”
#11
شگفتی‌تر از کار من در جهان
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نبیند کسی آشکار و نهان
“'More wondrous than my fate in this world, none shall ever see, whether in secret or in plain sight.'”
#12
ندانیم جز داد پاداش این
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که بر ما پس از ما کنند آفرین
“'We know no reward for this save justice, so that those who come after us may speak our praise.'”
#13
نباید که پیچد کس از رنج ما
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ز بیشی و آگندن گنج ما
“'None should suffer pain on account of us, nor from our abundance and the amassing of our treasures.'”
#14
زمانه ز داد من آباد باد
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دل زیر دستان ما شاد باد
“'May the world flourish through my justice, and may the hearts of our subjects be glad!'”
#15
ازان پس ز هندوستان و ز روم
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ز هر مرز باارز و آباد بوم
“Thereafter, from India and from Rome, and from every valuable and thriving domain,”
#16
برفتند با هدیه و با نثار
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بجستند خشنودی شهریار
“Envoys came with gifts and precious offerings, seeking the pleasure of the King.”
#17
چنان بد که روزی ز بهر گله
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بیامد که اسپان ببیند یله
“So it was that one day, to view his royal herds, he went forth to inspect his roaming horses.”
#18
ز پستی برآمد به کوهی رسید
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یکی بی‌کران ژرف دریا بدید
“He ascended from the valley to a mountain peak, and beheld a vast and boundless deep body of water.”
#19
بفرمود کز روم و وز هندوان
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بیارند کارآزموده گوان
“He commanded that experienced champions and engineers be brought from Rome and India,”
#20
بجویند زان آب دریا دری
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رسانند رودی به هر کشوری
“To seek an outlet for that lake's water, and channel a river to every country around.”
#21
چو بگشاد داننده از آب بند
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یکی شهر فرمود بس سودمند
“When the wise men opened the water barrier, he ordered a most beneficial city to be built.”
#22
چو دیوار شهر اندرآورد گرد
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ورا نام کردند داراب گرد
“When the city walls were raised round about, they named that city Darabgerd.”
#23
یکی آتش افروخت از تیغ کوه
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پرستندهٔ آذر آمد گروه
“He ignited a holy fire upon the mountain top, and a company of fire-worshippers assembled there.”
#24
ز هر پیشه‌ای کارگر خواستند
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همی شهر ایران بیاراستند
“Artisans of every craft were summoned, and they beautified the cities of Iran.”
#25
به هر سو فرستاد بی‌مر سپاه
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ز دشمن همی داشت گیتی نگاه
“He sent forth countless hosts to every direction, keeping the world safe from enemies.”
#26
جهان از بداندیش بی‌بیم کرد
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دل بدسگالان بدو نیم کرد
“He freed the world from fear of malevolent foes, and cleaved the hearts of evil-wishers in twain.”