When King Dara fell upon the battlefield, the glorious star of the Kayanid house plunged into darkness, and fortune turned its back upon his lineage. His valiant and wise son, Sasan, fled from the victorious Roman hosts to avoid captivity. He sought refuge in the distant lands of India, where he died in profound grief, leaving behind a infant boy. For four successive generations, each father named his son Sasan in memory of their royal ancestor. Yet time's cruel turning forced these princely heirs into the humble life of shepherds and camel-drivers, bearing heavy toil year after year under the open sky.
When the fourth Sasan grew to manhood, he wandered into the domains of Babak and approached the chief shepherd on the vast plains. Heart-heavy and weary, the youth offered his services as a simple laborer. His diligence and skill soon won high favor, and he was appointed chief shepherd over all of Babak's royal flocks, though his heart remained forever laden with secret sorrow for his lost heritage.
Then came a night when Babak beheld a wondrous vision in his sleep: Sasan appeared mounted upon a raging war elephant, brandishing a blade of Indian steel, while all who approached him bowed down in adoration and offered praise. Sasan adorned the earth with justice and purged darkness from the hearts of men. On the very next night, Babak dreamt again, seeing a holy fire-worshiper bearing three dazzling flames—glorious as Adar Gushnasp, Kharad, and Mihr—which blazed brightly before Sasan while sweet aloe-incense perfumed the air.
Deeply stirred, Babak awoke and summoned the wisest astrologers and dream-interpreters to his hall. Upon hearing the dream, a sage proclaimed: 'He who is revealed in such majesty shall either wear the supreme crown of empire himself or beget a son who will rule the world.' Overjoyed, Babak rewarded the sages and summoned the head shepherd from the snowy pastures.
Sasan arrived clad in a coarse woolen cloak laden with snow, his heart trembling with fear. Babak cleared the hall of all attendants, seated Sasan beside him, and gently inquired of his birth and descent. Securing a sacred covenant sworn upon Yazdan that no harm would befall him, Sasan revealed his secret: 'I am Sasan, son of Sasan, great-grandson of King Ardashir (Bahman), son of Esfandiyar the Hero, of the royal line of King Goshtasp!'
Tears streamed from Babak's eyes as he realized the truth. He ordered Sasan to the royal baths, clothed him in splendid Pahlevi robes, bestowed upon him a magnificent steed, built him an imperial palace filled with servants, and enriched him beyond measure. Finally, Babak gave his beloved daughter's hand in marriage to the youth, conferring upon him his crown and honors, thus lighting the spark for the rebirth of the ancient royal house.
#1
چو دارا به رزم اندرون کشته شد
✦
همه دوده را روز برگشته شد
“When Dara was slain in the midst of battle, the fortunes of his entire dynasty turned to darkness.”
#2
پسر بد مر او را یکی شادکام
✦
خردمند و جنگی و ساسان به نام
“He had a noble son, prosperous, wise, and valiant in war, whose name was Sasan.”
#3
پدر را بران گونه چون کشته دید
✦
سر بخت ایرانیان گشته دید
“When he saw his father fallen thus, and the fortune of the Iranians turned upside down,”
#4
ازان لشکر روم بگریخت اوی
✦
به دام بلا در نیاویخت اوی
“He fled from the host of Rome, refusing to entangle himself in the snare of calamity.”
#5
به هندوستان در به زاری بمرد
✦
ز ساسان یکی کودکی ماند خرد
“In India he died in deep sorrow, leaving behind a young infant from his line.”
#6
بدین هم‌نشان تا چهارم پسر
✦
همی نام ساسانش کردی پدر
“Thus it continued unto the fourth son, each father bestowing the name Sasan upon his male heir.”
#7
شبانان بدندی و گر ساربان
✦
همه ساله با رنج و کار گران
“They lived as shepherds or camel-drivers, enduring relentless toil and heavy labor year after year.”
#8
چو کهتر پسر سوی بابک رسید
✦
به دشت اندرون سر شبان را بدید
“When the youngest son reached the domain of Babak, he sought out the chief shepherd in the open plain.”
#9
بدو گفت مزدورت آید به کار
✦
که ایدر گذارد به بد روزگار
“He said to him: "Do you require a laborer who passes his heavy days in hardship here?"”
#10
بپذرفت بدبخت را سرشبان
✦
همی داشت با رنج روز و شبان
“The chief shepherd accepted the unfortunate youth, keeping him under constant toil day and night.”
#11
چو شد کارگر مرد و آمد پسند
✦
شبان سرشبان گشت بر گوسفند
“As the young man proved diligent and earned praise, he became chief shepherd over all the flocks.”
#12
دران روزگاری همی بود مرد
✦
پر از غم دل و تن پر از رنج و درد
“Thus he lived in those days, his heart consumed with grief and his body worn by pain and sorrow.”
#13
شبی خفته بد بابک رود یاب
✦
چنان دید روشن روانش به خواب
“One night as Babak lay sleeping by the river, his luminous spirit beheld a vision in his dream.”
#14
که ساسان به پیل ژیان برنشست
✦
یکی تیغ هندی گرفته به دست
“He saw Sasan mounted upon a fierce war elephant, holding a sharp blade of Indian steel in his hand.”
#15
هرانکس که آمد بر او فراز
✦
برو آفرین کرد و بردش نماز
“Whosoever drew near unto him offered praises and bowed down before him in adoration.”
#16
زمین را به خوبی بیاراستی
✦
دل تیره از غم بپیراستی
“He adorned the earth with goodness and purged dark hearts of all sorrow.”
#17
به دیگر شب‌اندر چو بابک بخفت
✦
همی بود با مغزش اندیشه جفت
“On the second night as Babak slept, deep reflection remained entwined with his mind.”
#18
چنان دید در خواب کاتش‌پرست
✦
سه آتش ببردی فروزان به دست
“He saw in his dream that a worshiper of fire held three blazing flames shining in his hand.”
#19
چو آذر گشسپ و چو خراد و مهر
✦
فروزان به کردار گردان سپهر
“Like Adar Gushnasp, Kharad, and Mihr, shining gloriously like the revolving heavens.”
#20
همه پیش ساسان فروزان بدی
✦
به هر آتشی عود سوزان بدی
“All three fires blazed brightly before Sasan, and aloe-wood burned sweetly before each flame.”
#21
سر بابک از خواب بیدار شد
✦
روان و دلش پر ز تیمار شد
“Babak awoke from his slumber, his mind and heart filled with anxious wonder.”
#22
هرانکس که در خواب دانا بدند
✦
به هر دانشی بر توانا بدند
“All those who were renowned in the interpretation of dreams and masters of all wisdom,”
#23
به ایوان بابک شدند انجمن
✦
بزرگان فرزانه و رای زن
“Gathered together in Babak's palace—wise elders and prudent counselors.”
#24
چو بابک سخن برگشاد از نهفت
✦
همه خواب یکسر بدیشان بگفت
“When Babak unsealed his lips, he recounted the entire dream to them from beginning to end.”
#25
پراندیشه شد زان سخن رهنمای
✦
نهاده برو گوش پاسخ‌سرای
“The wise guide became deep in thought at those words, listening intently to formulate an answer.”
#26
سرانجام گفت ای سرافراز شاه
✦
به تأویل این کرد باید نگاه
“At last he said: "O exalted ruler, one must carefully consider the meaning of this vision."”
#27
کسی را که بینند زین سان به خواب
✦
به شاهی برآرد سر از آفتاب
“"Whosoever is seen in such a manner in a dream shall raise his crown above the sun in kingship!"”
#28
ور ایدونک این خواب زو بگذرد
✦
پسر باشدش کز جهان بر خورد
“"Or if this destiny passes him by, he shall have a son who will inherit and enjoy the world."”
#29
چو بابک شنید این سخن گشت شاد
✦
براندازه‌شان یک به یک هدیه داد
“When Babak heard these words he rejoiced, bestowing gifts upon each of them according to their rank.”
#30
بفرمود تا سرشبان از رمه
✦
بر بابک آید به روز دمه
“He ordered that the chief shepherd be brought from the pastures to Babak on that snowy, dark day.”
#31
بیامد شبان پیش او با گلیم
✦
پر از برف پشمینه دل بدو نیم
“The shepherd came before him clad in a coarse cloak, his woolen garment thick with snow and his heart divided by anxiety.”
#32
بپردخت بابک ز بیگانه جای
✦
بدر شد پرستنده و رهنمای
“Babak cleared the hall of strangers; the servants and counselors all withdrew.”
#33
ز ساسان بپرسید و بنواختش
✦
بر خویش نزدیک بنشاختش
“He questioned Sasan kindly, favored him, and seated him close by his side.”
#34
بپرسیدش از گوهر و از نژاد
✦
شبان زو بترسید و پاسخ نداد
“He inquired of his lineage and origin, but the shepherd was filled with fear and did not answer.”
#35
ازان پس بدو گفت کای شهریار
✦
شبان را به جان گر دهی زینهار
“Then Sasan said to him: "O Sovereign, if you grant the shepherd safe passage for his life,"”
#36
بگوید ز گوهر همه هرچ هست
✦
چو دستم بگیری به پیمان به دست
“"He shall reveal all of his lineage, provided you pledge your hand in solemn covenant with mine,"”
#37
که با من نسازی بدی در جهان
✦
نه بر آشکار و نه اندر نهان
“"That you will work no ill against me in the world, neither openly nor in secret."”
#38
چو بشنید بابک زبان برگشاد
✦
ز یزدان نیکی دهش کرد یاد
“When Babak heard this, he spoke aloud, invoking Yazdan, the Bestower of Goodness.”
#39
که بر تو نسازم به چیزی گزند
✦
بدارمت شادان‌دل و ارجمند
“Swearing: "I shall harm thee in no wise, but shall hold thee joyful in heart and greatly honored."”
#40
به بابک چنین گفت زان پس جوان
✦
که من پور ساسانم ای پهلوان
“Thereupon the youth said to Babak: "I am the son of Sasan, O valiant champion!"”
#41
نبیرهٔ جهاندار شاه اردشیر
✦
که بهمنش خواندی همی یادگیر
“"Grandson of the world-ruling King Ardashir, whom they also called Bahman—remember this well!"”
#42
سرافراز پور یل اسفندیار
✦
ز گشتاسپ یل در جهان یادگار
“"The proud son of the heroic Esfandiyar, the glorious lineage of the mighty champion Goshtasp!"”
#43
چو بشنید بابک فرو ریخت آب
✦
ازان چشم روشن که او دید خواب
“When Babak heard this, tears streamed from those radiant eyes that had witnessed the dream.”
#44
بیاورد پس جامهٔ پهلوی
✦
یکی باره با آلت خسروی
“He then brought forth magnificent royal robes, along with a princely steed and royal trappings.”
#45
بدو گفت بابک به گرمابه شو
✦
همی باش تا خلعت آرند نو
“Babak said to him: "Go unto the royal bath, and abide there until they bring thee fresh robes of honor."”
#46
یکی کاخ پرمایه او را بساخت
✦
ازان سرشبانان سرش برافراخت
“He built a magnificent palace for him, exalting his head high above all other head-shepherds.”
#47
چو او را بران کاخ بر جای کرد
✦
غلام و پرستنده بر پای کرد
“When he had comfortably settled him in that grand palace, he appointed servants and attendants to wait upon him.”
#48
به هر آلتی سرفرازیش داد
✦
هم از خواسته بی‌نیازیش داد
“He bestowed honor upon him through every means of distinction, and granted him wealth to render him free from all need.”
#49
بدو داد پس دختر خویش را
✦
پسندیده و افسر خویش را
“Thereafter, he gave him his own cherished daughter in marriage, together with his noble crown and kingdom.”