The Sovereign of the world has placed upon the imperial throne a king whose royal majesty and righteous rule illuminate the earth: Sultan Mahmud, the exalted ruler of Iran and Zabulistan, whose vast domain stretches from the realm of Qannauj to the borders of Kabulistan. His radiant mind draws counsel from wisdom itself, keeping his heart unburdened by sorrow. Blessings rest upon him, his heroic army, his royal lineage, and his realm. Beside him stands the grand commander, Prince Nasr, whose benevolence gladdens the cosmos—a warrior who seizes the heads of tyrannical kings in battle and unsparingly bestows his treasures upon the needy in times of peace. Likewise, General Abu'l-Muzaffar, victorious in title and destiny, leads the army so magnificently that its crest surpasses the sphere of the moon, his arrows piercing the trunks of ancient trees.
Upon the fourteenth day of the month of Shawwal, a blessed royal decree was proclaimed, granting full remission of taxes for an entire year to the faithful and the devout. Through this noble act, the spirit of Anushirvan the Just was revived, and righteousness unveiled its shining countenance across the lands. This monarchical decree shall remain an eternal banner over the heads of the wise, securing a heavenly robe of honor for the King.
Here the narrative recalls the solemn counsel of Anushirvan, son of Qobad: when a monarch turns his heart away from justice, the heavens blacken his charter of rule, and the stars no longer acknowledge him as king, for the anguish of the innocent serves as the deposition of tyrants. The world abides with no mortal. Where now are Fereydun, Zahhak, and Jamshid? Where are the great Sasanian monarchs and the Samanid rulers? Zahhak earned eternal execration for his cruelty, while auspicious Fereydun won immortal renown through his righteousness. Above all earthly gold and precious jewels, it is holy speech—immortal verse—that endures through the ages. As news of the decree spread, the people poured from their dwellings into the open plains, lifting their prayers to the heavens that the crowned head of the monarch might reign eternally, his glorious name inscribed upon the lofty palaces of the world.
#1
کنون پادشاه جهان را ستای
✦
به رزم و به بزم و به دانش گرای
“Now praise the Sovereign of the world; turn your mind toward war, feast, and wisdom.”
#2
سرافراز محمود فرخنده‌رای
✦
کزویست نام بزرگی به جای
“Exalted Mahmud of auspicious counsel, through whom the renown of greatness endures.”
#3
جهاندار ابوالقاسم پر خرد
✦
که رایش همی از خرد برخورد
“The world-lord Abu'l-Qasim, full of wisdom, whose judgment ever draws strength from intellect.”
#4
همی باد تا جاودان شاد دل
✦
ز رنج و ز غم گشته آزاد دل
“May his heart remain eternally joyful, freed from all toil and sorrow.”
#5
شهنشاه ایران و زابلستان
✦
ز قنوج تا مرز کابلستان
“Emperor of Iran and Zabulistan, extending from Qannauj to the border of Kabulistan.”
#6
برو آفرین باد و بر لشکرش
✦
چه بر خویش و بر دوده و کشورش
“Blessings be upon him and his host, upon his person, his lineage, and his realm.”
#7
جهاندار سالار او میر نصر
✦
کزو شادمانست گردنده عصر
“The ruler of the world, his commander Prince Nasr, by whom the turning era is made joyful.”
#8
دریغش نیاید ز بخشیدن ایچ
✦
نه آرام گیرد به روز بسیچ
“He regrets no bestowal whatsoever, nor knows any rest on the day of martial preparation.”
#9
چو جنگ آیدش پیش جنگ آورد
✦
سر شهریاران به چنگ آورد
“When battle confronts him, he brings fierce war, capturing the heads of powerful monarchs.”
#10
برآنکس که بخشش کند گنج خویش
✦
ببخشد نه‌اندیشد از رنج خویش
“To him upon whom he bestows his treasure, he gives unsparingly, unmindful of his own toil.”
#11
جهان تاجهاندار محمود باد
✦
وزو بخشش و داد موجود باد
“So long as the world endures, may Lord Mahmud reign, and from him let bounty and justice flow.”
#12
سپهدار چون بوالمظفر بود
✦
سرلشکر از ماه برتر بود
“When the army leader is Abu'l-Muzaffar, the commander's crest rises higher than the moon.”
#13
که پیروز نامست و پیروزبخت
✦
همی بگذرد تیر او بر درخت
“For victorious is his name and victorious his fortune; his arrow pierces straight through the tree.”
#14
همیشه تن شاه بی‌رنج باد
✦
نشستش همه بر سر گنج باد
“May the monarch's body ever be free from afflictions, and may his seat be forever upon a throne of treasure.”
#15
همیدون سپهدار او شاد باد
✦
دلش روشن و گنجش آباد باد
“Likewise, may his noble army commander be joyous, his heart enlightened, and his treasure flourishing.”
#16
چنین تا به پایست گردان سپهر
✦
ازین تخمه هرگز مبراد مهر
“Thus, as long as the revolving heavens remain established, may love never sever from this dynasty.”
#17
پدر بر پدر بر پسر بر پسر
✦
همه تاجدارند و پیروزگر
“Father after father, son after son, all crowned monarchs and triumphant conquerors.”
#18
گذشته ز شوال ده با چهار
✦
یکی آفرین باد بر شهریار
“Fourteen days having passed of Shawwal, let blessings be showered upon the King.”
#19
کزین مژده دادیم رسم خراج
✦
که فرمان بد از شاه با فر و تاج
“For with this glad tidings we established the custom of remitting taxes, as ordered by the glorious, crowned King.”
#20
که سالی خراجی نخواهند بیش
✦
ز دین‌دار بیدار وز مرد کیش
“That for an entire year they shall demand no tax from the vigilant faithful and religious folk.”
#21
بدین عهد نوشین‌روان تازه شد
✦
همه کار بر دیگر اندازه شد
“By this covenant, the spirit of Nushin-Ravan was renewed, and all affairs took on a different measure.”
#22
چو آمد بران روزگاری دراز
✦
همی بفگند چادر داد باز
“When a long period passed over this, Justice unveiled her face once more.”
#23
ببینی بدین داد و نیکی گمان
✦
که او خلعتی یابد از آسمان
“You shall see through this justice and goodness that he shall receive a robe of honor from heaven.”
#24
که هرگز نگردد کهن بر برش
✦
بماند کلاه کیان بر سرش
“Which shall never grow old upon his body, and the crown of the Kayanids shall remain upon his head.”
#25
سرش سبز باد و تنش بی‌گزند
✦
منش برگذشته ز چرخ بلند
“May his head be green, his body unhurt, and his spirit elevated beyond the lofty heavens.”
#26
ندارد کسی خوار فال مرا
✦
کجا بشمرد ماه و سال مرا
“Let no one hold my good omen light, wherever my months and years are reckoned.”
#27
نگه کن که این نامه تا جاودان
✦
درفشی بود بر سر بخردان
“Behold, for this book unto eternity shall be a glorious banner over the heads of the wise.”
#28
بماند بسی روزگاران چنین
✦
که خوانند هرکس برو آفرین
“It shall endure through many ages, such that everyone shall read it and utter blessings upon it.”
#29
چنین گفت نوشین روان قباد
✦
که چون شاه را دل بپیچد ز داد
“Thus spoke Nushin-Ravan, son of Qobad: 'When the king's heart turns away from justice,'”
#30
کند چرخ منشور او را سیاه
✦
ستاره نخواند ورا نیز شاه
“'The heavens shall blacken his royal decree, and the stars shall no longer address him as king.'”
#31
ستم نامهٔ عزل شاهان بود
✦
چو درد دل بیگناهان بود
“'An act of oppression is the letter of deposition for kings when it causes pain to innocent hearts.'”
#32
بماناد تا جاودان این گهر
✦
هنرمند و بادانش و دادگر
“May this jewel endure unto eternity; may he remain accomplished, wise, and just.”
#33
نباشد جهان بر کسی پایدار
✦
همه نام نیکو بود یادگار
“The world abides not permanently with anyone; only a good name remains as a memorial.”
#34
کجا شد فریدون و ضحاک و جم
✦
مهان عرب خسروان عجم
“Where have gone Fereydun, Zahhak, and Jam? Where are the Arab chiefs and Persian monarchs?”
#35
کجا آن بزرگان ساسانیان
✦
ز بهرامیان تا به سامانیان
“Where are those grandees of the Sasanians, from the Bahramids to the Samanids?”
#36
نکوهیده‌تر شاه ضحاک بود
✦
که بیدادگر بود و ناپاک بود
“Most execrable of kings was Zahhak, for he was unjust and impure.”
#37
فریدون فرخ ستایش ببرد
✦
بمرد او و جاوید نامش نمرد
“Auspicious Fereydun won praise; he passed away, but his name died not eternally.”
#38
سخن ماند اندر جهان یادگار
✦
سخن بهتر از گوهر شاهوار
“Speech endures in the world as a legacy; speech is grander than kingly jewels.”
#39
ستایش نبرد آنک بیداد بود
✦
به گنج و به تخت مهی شاد بود
“He who was tyrannical earned no praise, though he rejoiced in treasure and the throne of greatness.”
#40
گسسته شود در جهان کام اوی
✦
نخواند به گیتی کسی نام اوی
“His desire in the world shall be severed, and none in the cosmos shall speak his name.”
#41
ازین نامهٔ شاه دشمن‌گداز
✦
که بادا همه ساله بر تخت ناز
“From this enemy-melting royal book, may he sit all his years upon the throne of grace.”
#42
همه مردم از خانها شد به دشت
✦
نیایش همی ز آسمان برگذشت
“All the people went forth from their homes to the plain, their prayers rising up to heaven.”
#43
که جاوید بادا سر تاجدار
✦
خجسته برو گردش روزگار
“Praying that the crowned head endure forever, and the turn of time be auspicious unto him.”
#44
ز گیتی مبیناد جز کام خویش
✦
نوشته بر ایوانها نام خویش
“May he see nothing from the world but his heart's desire, his name inscribed upon grand palaces.”
#45
همان دوده و لشکر و کشورش
✦
همان خسروی قامت و منظرش
“Likewise his lineage, his army, and his realm, as well as his royal stature and majesty.”