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.