When the realm from the borders of Rome, China, Turkestan, and India settled into peace under the sovereignty of Ardashir Babakan, the world grew smooth as fine Roman silk. Tributes and taxes flowed continuously from every frontier, and no ruler possessed the strength to defy the King of the world. Seeing his dominion secure, Ardashir summoned the mobads, dehqans, and nobles of Iran to assemble in the royal court and sit upon thrones worthy of their stature.
The King of Kings arose before the assembly and adorned his speech with profound truth and eloquence. He addressed the renowned leaders: 'O men of wisdom and counsel, know that this revolving sky holds no lasting favor for justice nor affection for men. It exalts one to the highest heavens, only to consign him at last to the cold and dark earth. Nothing abides of a man in this mortal world save his reputation; all his toil vanishes into secrecy with his death. Therefore, whoever desires a noble end must leave behind naught but a good name.'
Ardashir urged the elders to take refuge in the Almighty Creator and cast away all worldly deceit. He offered his own life as testament, recounting how reliance upon God had lifted him from adversity to rule over the seven climes. He declared that the tithes and taxes collected were not hoarded for personal pride, but expended solely to maintain vast armies, safeguard the borders, and suppress demonic malice.
With assurances of royal favor and justice, the King called upon the dehqans and mobads to witness that should the people ever fall into need, he would gladly bestow upon them the realm's tithes and treasures. Concluding his solemn warning on the transience of power—reminding them that even kings whose crowns touched the clouds now rest upon beds of dust and brick—Ardashir promised to reveal five righteous paths whose spiritual profit far outweighs all the crowns and treasures of the earth.
#1
چو از روم وز چین وز ترک و هند
✦
جهان شد مر او را چو رومی پرند
“When world affairs from Rome, China, Turkestan, and India became smooth for him like fine Roman silk,”
#2
ز هر مرز پیوسته شد باژ و ساو
✦
کسی را نبد با جهاندار تاو
“Tribute and taxes flowed continuously from every border, and none had the power to withstand the sovereign ruler.”
#3
همه مهتران را ز ایران بخواند
✦
سزاوار بر تخت شاهی نشاند
“He summoned all the elders from Iran and seated them worthily upon the royal thrones.”
#4
ازان پس شهنشاه بر پای خاست
✦
به خوبی بیاراست گفتار راست
“Thereupon the King of Kings arose and beautifully adorned truthful speech with goodness.”
#5
چنین گفت کای نامداران شهر
✦
ز رای و خرد هرک دارید بهر
“He spoke thus: 'O renowned ones of the land, whoever among you possesses wisdom and counsel,'”
#6
بدانید کاین تیرگردان سپهر
✦
ننازد به داد و نیازد به مهر
“'Know that this swift-revolving sky boasts not of justice, nor does it incline with warmth.'”
#7
یکی را چو خواهد برآرد بلند
✦
هم آخر سپارد به خاک نژند
“'Whomever it desires to raise high, it ultimately consigns to the dark and gloomy earth.'”
#8
نماند به جز نام زو در جهان
✦
همه رنج با او شود در نهان
“'Naught remains of him in the world save a name; all his labor vanishes into secrecy alongside him.'”
#9
به گیتی ممانید جز نام نیک
✦
هرانکس که خواهد سرانجام نیک
“'Leave nothing behind in the world except a good name—whoever desires an honorable end.'”
#10
ترا روزگار اورمزد آن بود
✦
که خشنودی پاک یزدان بود
“'Your day of true blessing is that day wherein the pure Creator is pleased with you.'”
#11
به یزدان گرای و به یزدان گشای
✦
که دارنده اویست و نیکی فزای
“'Turn toward God and seek opening through God, for He is the Sustainer and the Increaser of Goodness.'”
#12
ز هر بد به دادار گیهان پناه
✦
که او راست بر نیک و بد دستگاه
“'Seek shelter in the Creator of the World from every evil, for He holds authority over good and ill.'”
#13
کند بر تو آسان همه کار سخت
✦
ز رای دلفروز و پیروز بخت
“'He will make every difficult task easy for you through heart-illuminating wisdom and victorious fortune.'”
#14
نخستین ز کار من اندازه گیر
✦
گذشته بد و نیک من تازه گیر
“'First, take measure from my own deeds; draw fresh lessons from my past trials, good and bad,'”
#15
که کردم به دادار گیهان پناه
✦
مرا داد بر نیک و بد دستگاه
“'For I took refuge in the Creator of the World, and He granted me dominion over good and ill.'”
#16
زمین هفت کشور به شاهی مراست
✦
چنان کز خداوندی او سزاست
“'The land of the seven climes belongs to my rule, as is worthy of His divine mastery.'”
#17
همی باژ خواهم ز روم و ز هند
✦
جهان شد مرا همچو رومی پرند
“'I demand tribute from Rome and India; the world has become for me like soft Roman silk.'”
#18
سپاسم ز یزدان که او داد زور
✦
بلند اختر و بخش کیوان و هور
“'My gratitude is to God who granted me strength, a lofty star, and the auspicious portion of Saturn and the Sun.'”
#19
ستایش که داند سزاوار اوی
✦
نیایش بر آیین و کردار اوی
“'Who can offer praise as is truly worthy of Him? Worship Him according to His righteous tradition and deed!'”
#20
مگر کو دهد بازمان زندگی
✦
بماند بزرگی و تابندگی
“'Unless He bestows the remainder of life, that greatness and radiance may endure.'”
#21
کنون هرچ خواهیم کردن ز داد
✦
بکوشیم وز داد باشیم شاد
“'Now, whatever we wish to perform in justice, let us strive for it and be joyful in righteousness.'”
#22
ز ده یک مرا چند بر شهرهاست
✦
که دهقان و موبد بران بر گواست
“'Regarding the tithe tax I hold over the cities—to which the landholders and mobads bear witness—'”
#23
چو باید شما را ببخشم همه
✦
همان ده یک و بوم و باژ و رمه
“'Whenever you have need, I shall grant it all to you: that tithe, the land, tribute, and herds.'”
#24
مگر آنک آید شما را فزون
✦
بیارد سوی گنج ما رهنمون
“'Unless more wealth comes to you, leading you to guide it toward our royal treasury.'”
#25
ز ده یک که من بستدم پیش ازین
✦
ز باژ آنچ کم بود گر بیش ازین
“'Whatever tithes or tribute I collected before this, whether less or more than this amount,'”
#26
همی از پی سود بردم به کار
✦
به در داشتن لشکر بی‌شمار
“'I expended it entirely for benefit: to maintain an uncountable standing army!'”
#27
بزرگی شما جستم و ایمنی
✦
نهان کردن کیش آهرمنی
“'I sought your greatness and safety, and the suppression of the demonic creed.'”
#28
شما دست یکسر به یزدان زنید
✦
بکوشید و پیمان او مشکنید
“'Clasp your hands entirely to God; strive hard and do not break His sacred covenant.'”
#29
که بخشنده اویست و دارنده اوی
✦
بلند آسمان را نگارنده اوی
“'For He is the Bestower and the Sustainer, the Painter and Fashioner of the high heavens.'”
#30
ستمدیده را اوست فریادرس
✦
منازید با نازش او به کس
“'He is the rescuer of the oppressed; boast not against anyone with His majesty.'”
#31
نباید نهادن دل اندر فریب
✦
که پیش فراز اندر آید نشیب
“'One must not set one's heart upon deceit, for behind every steep ascent lies a descent.'”
#32
کجا آنک بر سود تاجش به ابر
✦
کجا آنک بودی شکارش هژبر
“'Where is he whose crown touched the clouds? Where is he whose prey was the fierce lion?'”
#33
نهالی همه خاک دارند و خشت
✦
خنک آنک جز تخم نیکی نکشت
“'Their bed is now all dust and brick; happy is he who sowed nothing but the seed of goodness!'”
#34
همه هرک هست اندرین مرز من
✦
کجا گوش دارند اندرز من
“'Everyone who dwells within my realm, who lends an ear to my royal counsel:'”
#35
نمایم شما را کنون راه پنج
✦
که سودش فزون آید از تاج و گنج
“'I shall now reveal to you five paths, whose profit is greater than any crown or treasure.'”