When nine moons had completed their cycle for the fair maiden, a child radiant as the sun entered the world. In honor of the renowned ancestor, his grandfather Babak named him Ardashir, and his heart overflowed with delight at the sight of the boy. Nurtured with boundless care as the years turned, the keen-minded came to call him Ardashir Babakan. He acquired every art and noble virtue known to lore, his inherent greatness burnished by wisdom until his very presence seemed to illuminate the heavens.
Reports of the young prince's prowess soon reached the ears of High King Ardavan—how he was a raging lion on the battlefield yet shone like Venus at the festive banquet. Stirred by these tidings, Ardavan penned a letter to the noble Babak, urging him to send Ardashir to the royal court so he might be raised among the king's own sons and granted great honor.
Though tears of sorrow welled in Babak's eyes at the prospect of parting with his beloved grandson, he summoned his scribes and prepared a fitting reply. Opening his vast treasuries, Babak bestowed upon Ardashir golden harnesses, formidable weapons, royal silks, gold coins, and precious aromatics. Thus equipped with royal splendour and guided by wise counsel, the auspicious youth set forth toward the court of King Ardavan.
#1
چو نه ماه بگذشت بر ماه‌چهر
✦
یکی کودک آمد چو تابنده مهر
“When nine months had passed for that moon-faced lady, a child was born, radiant as the shining sun.”
#2
به مانندهٔ نامدار اردشیر
✦
فزاینده و فرخ و دلپذیر
“Resembling the renowned Ardashir of old, growing in glory, auspicious and enchanting to all.”
#3
همان اردشیرش پدر کرد نام
✦
نیا شد به دیدار او شادکام
“His father named him Ardashir, and his grandfather was joyfully heartened by his sight.”
#4
همی پروریدش به بربر به ناز
✦
برآمد برین روزگاری دراز
“They nurtured him with utmost care and affection, and thus a long period of time passed by.”
#5
مر او را کنون مردم تیزویر
✦
همی خواندش بابکان اردشیر
“People of keen intellect now called him Ardashir Babakan, bound to the name of Babak.”
#6
بیاموختندش هنر هرچ بود
✦
هنر نیز بر گوهرش بر فزود
“They taught him every accomplishment and art, which added yet greater brilliance to his noble lineage.”
#7
چنان شد به دیدار و فرهنگ و چهر
✦
که گفتی همی زو فروزد سپهر
“Such was his splendor, intellect, and countenance that one would say the heavens themselves drew light from him.”
#8
پس آگاهی آمد سوی اردوان
✦
ز فرهنگ وز دانش آن جوان
“News then reached King Ardavan of the young prince's wisdom and exquisite refinement.”
#9
که شیر ژیانست هنگام رزم
✦
به ناهید ماند همی روز بزم
“That he was a ferocious lion in battle, and like Nahid (Venus) on days of celebration.”
#10
یکی نامه بنوشت پس اردوان
✦
سوی بابک نامور پهلوان
“Then Ardavan drafted a letter to Babak, the renowned paladin and ruler.”
#11
که ای مرد بادانش و رهنمای
✦
سخن‌گوی و با نام و پاکیزه‌رای
“Writing: 'O wise man and guide, eloquent, celebrated, and pure of judgement!'”
#12
شنیدم که فرزند تو اردشیر
✦
سواریست گوینده و یادگیر
“'I have heard that your child Ardashir is a skilled rider, eloquent of speech and quick to learn.'”
#13
چو نامه بخوانی هم‌اندر زمان
✦
فرستش به نزدیک ما شادمان
“'The moment you read this missive, send him joyfully unto my royal presence.'”
#14
ز بایسته‌ها بی‌نیازش کنم
✦
میان یلان سرفرازش کنم
“'I shall enrich him beyond all need, and exalt his stature among the greatest champions.'”
#15
چو باشد به نزدیک فرزند ما
✦
نگوییم کو نیست پیوند ما
“'When he resides alongside my own sons, we shall treat him as our own kin.'”
#16
چو آن نامهٔ شاه بابک بخواند
✦
بسی خون مژگان به رخ برفشاند
“When Babak read the king's letter, tears of blood streamed down his cheeks in anguish of parting.”
#17
بفرمود تا پیش او شد دبیر
✦
همان نورسیده جوان اردشیر
“He summoned the scribe before him, along with the newly blossomed youth, Ardashir.”
#18
بدو گفت کاین نامهٔ اردوان
✦
بخوان و نگه‌کن به روشن روان
“He said to Ardashir: 'Read this letter from Ardavan, and reflect upon it with an enlightened spirit.'”
#19
من اینک یکی نامه نزدیک شاه
✦
نویسم فرستم یکی نیک‌خواه
“'I shall now write a response unto the king and dispatch a loyal envoy.'”
#20
بگویم که اینک دل و دیده را
✦
دلاور جوان پسندیده را
“'I will write that I have sent my heart and soul—this favored, valiant youth—'”
#21
فرستادم و دادمش نیز پند
✦
چو آید بدان بارگاه بلند
“'I have dispatched him with sound counsel, that when he reaches that exalted court...'”
#22
تو آن کن که از رسم شاهان سزد
✦
نباید که بادی برو بر وزد
“'...you may accord him what befits royal custom, ensuring no harm or ill wind touches him.'”
#23
در گنج بگشاد بابک چو باد
✦
جوان را ز هرگونه‌ای کرد شاد
“Swiftly Babak unlocked his treasury, gladdening the youth with every manner of precious gift.”
#24
ز زرین ستام و ز گوپال و تیغ
✦
ز فرزند چیزش نیامد دریغ
“Golden harnesses, maces, and swords—he held back no treasure from his beloved child.”
#25
ز دینار و دیبا و اسپ و رهی
✦
ز چینی و زربفت شاهنشهی
“Gold coins, fine silks, noble steeds, and servants, alongside royal Chinese brocades...”
#26
بیاورد و بنهاد پیش جوان
✦
جوان شد پرستندهٔ اردوان
“All these he brought and placed before the youth, preparing him to enter the service of King Ardavan.”
#27
بسی هدیه‌ها نیز با اردشیر
✦
ز دیبا و دینار و مشک و عبیر
“Boundless gifts were readied alongside Ardashir: fine silks, gold, musk, and precious ambergris.”
#28
ز پیش نیا کودک نیک پی
✦
به درگاه شاه اردوان شد بری
“Thus from his grandfather's presence, the auspicious youth departed toward the royal court of King Ardavan.”