Sekandar marshaled his mighty forces and advanced swiftly until he reached the borders of the Brahmin ascetics, seeking to question those holy hermits about the deeds of ancient times and the hidden truths of existence. Upon learning of the royal army's approach, the Brahmin elders gathered and drafted a letter of profound wisdom, dispatching an envoy who wore nothing but grass roots bound about his waist. In their epistle, they wrote: 'O Great Sovereign, God hath granted thee the wide world. What seekest thou in this realm of poverty, which is but the sanctuary of God's humble worshippers? If thou comest hungering for treasure, surely thy wisdom hath diminished, for we possess nothing save patience and knowledge—and knowledge can neither be stolen nor turned to evil.'
When Sekandar read their message and beheld the austerity of the envoy, he chose peace and harmless tranquility over conquest. He ordered his vast army to halt where they were, proceeding forward accompanied only by his council of Roman philosophers. Learning of his peaceful approach, the mountain ascetics emerged to greet him. They possessed neither treasures nor harvested crops; their skin was bare, their loincloths made of hides, their clothing of leaves, and their sustenance derived solely from wild seeds and mountain fruits. Free from the turmoil of warfare, they roamed the hills in quiet contemplation.
Sekandar questioned them regarding their sustenance, their sleep, and their peace far from battle. The sages replied: 'Man is born naked into the world; he should not pride himself upon fleeting apparel. The earth is our bed, the heavens our coverlet. Why should a conqueror strive so furiously for that which is worthless? When he departs this transient inn, his crown and gold remain behind, and only his deeds accompany him to the dust.'
Sekandar then posed deeper philosophical riddles: 'Is that which is manifest greater, or that which is hidden? Are the living more numerous, or the dead? Is the land greater, or the sea? And who among all living creatures is the most sinful?' The Brahmin sage answered: 'The dead far outnumber the living; the earth contains and holds the waters; and the most sinful creature is Man, whose intellect is blinded by malice and greed. Thou who seekest to swallow the earth and disturb the quiet dust—thy ambition drives thy soul toward hell.'
When Sekandar inquired after the nature of desire, the sage declared: 'Greed and Need are two working demons; one is parched through scarcity, the other sleepless through abundance. Blessed is he whose soul accepts wisdom.' Deeply shaken, Sekandar wept and offered them any treasure from his royal vaults. The Brahmins smiled and asked: 'Then bar for us the doors of old age and death!' Sekandar answered that even kings are powerless before mortality. The sage retorted: 'If thou knowest that death is inescapable, why dost thou endlessly pursue the world and smell its poisonous blossoms? Thy toil remains thine, while thy treasure falls to thy enemies.' Sekandar acknowledged that mortal men are bound by divine decree and celestial destiny. Offering no harm and taking no spoils, the conqueror departed peacefully, directing his march toward the lands of the East.
#1
وزان جایگه لشکر اندر کشید
✦
دمان تا به شهر برهمن رسید
“From that place he drew forth his army, marching swiftly until he reached the city of the Brahmins.”
#2
بدان تا ز کردارهای کهن
✦
بپرسد ز پرهیزگاران سخن
“He went so that he might inquire of those pious ascetics concerning the deeds of old.”
#3
برهمن چو آگه شد از کار شاه
✦
که آورد زان روی لشگر به راه
“When the Brahmin elders learned of the king's affair, and that he had set his host on the march...”
#4
پرستنده مرد اندر آمد ز کوه
✦
شدند اندران آگهی همگروه
“Those worshipping men descended from the mountain, gathering together upon hearing the news.”
#5
نوشتند پس نامه‌ای بخردان
✦
به نزد سکندر سر موبدان
“Then the wise men wrote a letter to Sekandar, the chief of the Roman philosophers.”
#6
سر نامه بود آفرین نهان
✦
ز داننده بر شهریار جهان
“The head of the letter began with secret praise from the learned unto the monarch of the world.”
#7
که پیروزگر باد همواره شاه
✦
به افزایش و دانش و دستگاه
“"May the king be ever victorious, increasing in knowledge, power, and glory!”
#8
دگر گفت کای شهریار سترگ
✦
ترا داد یزدان جهان بزرگ
“Furthermore, O great monarch, God hath granted thee this vast world.”
#9
چه داری بدین مرز بی‌ارز رای
✦
نشست پرستندگان خدای
“What design hast thou upon this worthless land, the abode of God's worshippers?”
#10
گرین آمدنت از پی خواسته‌ست
✦
خرد بی‌گمان نزد تو کاسته‌ست
“If thy coming here be for the sake of riches, wisdom hath surely diminished in thee.”
#11
بر ما شکیبایی و دانش است
✦
ز دانش روانها پر از رامش است
“With us dwell only patience and knowledge, and through knowledge souls are filled with peace.”
#12
شکیبایی از ما نشاید ستد
✦
نه کس را ز دانش رسد نیز بد
“Patience cannot be taken from us by force, nor can harm come to anyone through wisdom.”
#13
نبینی جز از برهنه یک رمه
✦
پراگنده از روزگار دمه
“Thou wilt see here only a naked flock, scattered by the harsh winds of time.”
#14
اگر بودن ایدر دراز آیدت
✦
به تخم گیاها نیاز آیدت
“If thy stay here should be long, thou wilt be reduced to needing the seeds of wild herbs."”
#15
فرستاده آمد بر شهریار
✦
ز بیخ گیا بر میانش ازار
“The messenger came before the monarch, clad only in grass roots tied about his waist.”
#16
سکندر فرستاده و نامه دید
✦
بی‌آزاری و رامشی برگزید
“Sekandar read the letter and saw the envoy; he chose peaceful harmlessness and tranquility.”
#17
سپه را سراسر هم آنجا بماند
✦
خود و فیلسوفان رومی براند
“He halted his entire army right there, proceeding only with his Roman philosophers.”
#18
پرستنده آگه شد از کار شاه
✦
پذیره شدندش یکایک به راه
“The worshippers learned of the king's approach and went forth along the way to greet him.”
#19
ببردند بی‌مایه چیزی که بود
✦
که نه گنج بدشان نه کشت و درود
“They brought what meager things they had, for they possessed neither treasure, nor crops, nor harvest.”
#20
یکایک برو خواندند آفرین
✦
بران برمنش شهریار زمین
“One and all, they chanted blessings upon that high-minded ruler of the earth.”
#21
سکندر چو روی برهمن بدید
✦
بران گونه آواز ایشان شنید
“When Sekandar saw the countenance of the Brahmins and heard the manner of their voices...”
#22
دوان و برهنه تن و پای و سر
✦
تنان بی‌بر و جان ز دانش به بر
“Running bare of body, feet, and head—bare of flesh, yet their spirits rich with knowledge...”
#23
ز برگ گیا پوشش از تخم خورد
✦
برآسوده از رزم و روز نبرد
“Their garments of leaves, their food of seeds, peaceful and far removed from battle and combat...”
#24
خور و خواب و آرام بر دشت و کوه
✦
برهنه به هر جای گشته گروه
“Eating, sleeping, and resting upon plain and mountain, roaming naked in groups everywhere...”
#25
همه خوردنیشان بر میوه‌دار
✦
ز تخم گیا رسته بر کوهسار
“All their nourishment came from fruit trees and wild seeds grown upon the mountainside.”
#26
ازار یکی چرم نخچیر بود
✦
گیا پوشش و خوردن آژیر بود
“Their loincloth was a wild animal's hide; wild plants were their attire and their daily food.”
#27
سکندر بپرسیدش از خواب و خورد
✦
از آسایش روز ننگ و نبرد
“Sekandar questioned them of their sleep and food, and of rest from the days of strife and battle.”
#28
ز پوشیدنی و ز گستردنی
✦
همه بی‌نیازیم از خوردنی
“[They answered]: "Of garments to wear and carpets to spread, and of all food, we are independent.”
#29
برهنه چو زاید ز مادر کسی
✦
نباید که نازد بپوشش بسی
“When a person is born naked from his mother, he ought not to pride himself greatly on attire.”
#30
وز ایدر برهنه شود باز خاک
✦
همه جای ترس است و تیمار و باک
“And naked from hence he returns to the dust; all places are full of fear, sorrow, and dread.”
#31
زمین بستر و پوشش از آسمان
✦
به ره دیده‌بان تا کی آید زمان
“The earth is our bed, heaven our coverlet, and our eyes watch the path for when time comes.”
#32
جهانجوی چندین بکوشد به چیز
✦
که آن چیز کوشش نیرزد به نیز
“The seeker of the world strives so greatly for things that are not worth the striving at all.”
#33
چنو بگذرد زین سرای سپنج
✦
ازو بازماند زر و تاج و گنج
“When he passes from this transient abode, his gold, crown, and treasure remain behind.”
#34
چنان دان که نیکیست همراه اوی
✦
به خاک اندر آید سر و گاه اوی
“Know that only good deeds accompany him when his head and throne descend into the dust."”
#35
سکندر بپرسید که کاندر جهان
✦
فزون آشکارا بود گر نهان
“Sekandar asked: "Is that which is manifest in the world greater, or that which is hidden?”
#36
همان زنده بیش است گر مرده نیز
✦
کزان پس نیازش نیاید به چیز
“Are the living greater in number, or the dead who no longer need anything?"”
#37
چنین داد پاسخ که ای شهریار
✦
تو گر مرده را بشمری صدهزار
“>The Brahmin answered him: "O King, if thou shouldst count the dead by hundreds of thousands...”
#38
ازان صد هزاران یکی زنده نیست
✦
خنک آنک در دوزخ افگنده نیست
“Not one among those hundreds of thousands is alive; happy is he who is not cast into hell!”
#39
بباید همین زنده را نیز مرد
✦
یکی رفت و نوبت به دیگر سپرد
“Even the living must die; one departs and yields his turn to another."”
#40
بپرسید خشکی فزون‌تر گر آب
✦
بتابد بروبر همی آفتاب
“He asked: "Is the dry land greater, or the water over which the sun shines?"”
#41
برهمن چنین داد پاسخ به شاه
✦
که هم آب را خاک دارد نگاه
“The Brahmin replied to the king: "The earth holds and preserves the water."”
#42
بپرسید کز خواب بیدار کیست
✦
به روی زمین بر گنهکار کیست
“He asked: "Who is truly awake from sleep? And who upon earth is the most sinful?”
#43
که جنبندگانند و چندی زیند
✦
ندانند کاندر جهان برچیند
“Of living creatures, how long do they live, not knowing what shall gather them from the world?"”
#44
برهمن چنین داد پاسخ بدوی
✦
که ای پاکدل مهتر راست گوی
“The Brahmin answered him: "O pure-hearted, truthful leader...”
#45
گنهکارتر چیز مردم بود
✦
که از کین و آزش خرد گم بود
“The most sinful of all things is man, whose wisdom is lost to malice and greed."”
#46
چو خواهی که این را بدانی درست
✦
تن خویشتن را نگه کن نخست
“If you wish to truly understand this matter, look first upon your own body and self.”
#47
که روی زمین سربسر پیش تست
✦
تو گویی سپهر روان خویش تست
“The entire face of the earth lies before you; it is as if the revolving sky itself belongs to you.”
#48
همی رای داری که افزون کنی
✦
ز خاک سیه مغز بیرون کنی
“Yet you constantly intend to conquer more, striving to wring power and treasure even out of black soil.”
#49
روان ترا دوزخ است آرزوی
✦
مگر زین سخن بازگردی به خوی
“Your soul's craving is a hellish pit; perhaps through these words you might turn back to your true noble nature.”
#50
دگر گفت بر جان ما شاه کیست
✦
به کژی بهر جای همراه کیست
“Then he asked further: 'Who is the king ruling over our souls? And who accompanies mankind everywhere in deceit?'”
#51
چنین داد پاسخ که آز است شاه
✦
سر مایهٔ کین و جای گناه
“The Brahmin replied: 'Greed is that king—the root of malice and the dwelling place of sin.'”
#52
بپرسید خود گوهر از بهر چیست
✦
کش از بهر بیشی بباید گریست
“Sekandar asked: 'What is the true nature of greed, over whose desire for abundance one must weep?'”
#53
چنین داد پاسخ که آز و نیاز
✦
دو دیوند بیچاره و دیوساز
“He replied: 'Greed and Want are two demons—wretched themselves, yet making demons of men.'”
#54
یکی را ز کمی شده خشک لب
✦
یکی از فزونیست بی‌خواب شب
“One has dry lips from poverty and lack; the other loses sleep at night from excessive wealth.”
#55
همان هر دو را روز می بشکرد
✦
خنک آنک جانش پذیرد خرد
“Thus daylight preys upon them both; blessed is he whose soul accepts wisdom.”
#56
سکندر چو گفتار ایشان شنید
✦
به رخساره شد چون گل شنبلید
“When Sekandar heard their discourse, his cheeks turned pale yellow like the fenugreek flower.”
#57
دو رخ زرد و دیده پر از آب کرد
✦
همان چهر خندان پر از تاب کرد
“With pale cheeks and eyes filled with tears, his once-smiling face grew sorrowful and uneasy.”
#58
بپرسید پس شاه فرمانروا
✦
که حاجت چه باشد شما را به ما
“Then the sovereign ruler asked: 'What need or desire do you have of me?'”
#59
ندارم دریغ از شما گنج خویش
✦
نه هرگز براندیشم از رنج خویش
“I shall not withhold my treasure from you, nor will I ever hesitate despite any toil of mine.”
#60
بگفتند کای شهریار بلند
✦
در مرگ و پیری تو بر ما ببند
“They replied: 'O exalted king! Close for us the doors of death and old age.'”
#61
چنین داد پاسخ ورا شهریار
✦
که بامرگ خواهش نیاید به کار
“The king answered him: 'Against death, no plea or desire can avail.'”
#62
چه پرهیزی از تیز چنگ اژدها
✦
که گرزآهنی زو نیابی رها
“How can one evade a sharp-clawed dragon, from which even an iron mace brings no release?”
#63
جوانی که آید بمابر دراز
✦
هم از روز پیری نیابد جواز
“Even youth that lingers long with us finds no exemption from the day of old age.”
#64
برهمن بدو گفت کای پادشا
✦
جهاندار و دانا و فرمانروا
“The Brahmin said to him: 'O King, ruler of the world, wise and sovereign!'”
#65
چو دانی که از مرگ خود چاره نیست
✦
ز پیری بتر نیز پتیاره نیست
“'Since you know that there is no escape from death, and no affliction worse than old age exists,'”
#66
جهان را به کوشش چه جویی همی
✦
گل زهر خیره چه بویی همی
“'Why do you strive so relentlessly to conquer the world? Why do you foolishly smell this poisonous flower?'”
#67
ز تو بازماند همین رنج تو
✦
به دشمن رسد کوشش و گنج تو
“'Nothing shall remain for you but your own suffering, while all your strivings and treasures will fall to your enemies.'”
#68
ز بهر کسان رنج بر تن نهی
✦
ز کم دانشی باشد و ابلهی
“'To inflict toil upon your body for the sake of others stems from ignorance and foolishness.'”
#69
پیامست از مرگ موی سپید
✦
به بودن چه داری تو چندین امید
“'White hair is a message sent by death; why then do you harbor such immense hope for long life?'”
#70
چنین گفت بیداردل شهریار
✦
که گر بنده از بخشش کردگار
“The wise-hearted king replied: 'If a servant could escape the decree of the Creator,'”
#71
گذر یافتی بودمی من همان
✦
به تدبیر بر گشتن آسمان
“'I too would have found a way by my wits to alter the course of the revolving sky.'”
#72
که فرزانه و مرد پرخاشخر
✦
ز بخشش به کوشش نیابد گذر
“'For neither the sage nor the warrior-hero can alter divine destiny through mere human effort.'”
#73
دگر هرک در جنگ من کشته شد
✦
کرا ز اخترش روز برگشته شد
“'Furthermore, whoever was slain in battle against me had their fate already turned dark by their star.'”
#74
به درد و به خون ریختن بد سزا
✦
که بیدادگر کس نیابد رها
“'They deserved their painful death and bloodshed, for no oppressor escapes retribution.'”
#75
بدیدند بادافره ایزدی
✦
چو گشتند باز از ره بخردی
“'They suffered divine punishment when they strayed from the path of wisdom.'”
#76
کس از خواست یزدان کرانه نیافت
✦
ز کار زمانه بهانه نیافت
“No one has ever found a way around God's will, nor found an excuse against the workings of destiny.”
#77
بسی چیز بخشید و نستد کسی
✦
نبد آز نزدیک ایشان بسی
“He offered them many gifts, but none accepted; for greed had no hold among them.”
#78
بی‌آزار ازان جایگه برگرفت
✦
بران هم نشان راه خاور گرفت
“Harmlessly and peacefully he departed from that place, and continuing in the same manner, took the path toward the East.”