Upon the passing of Hormozd, his valiant son Bahram ascended the golden throne of the Kayanids, his heart and mind boiling with grief over his royal father's death. The noble magnates, warriors, and chieftains of Iran gathered before him, girded for service, and offered solemn blessings of God upon his reign. They hailed him as the rightful heir to the imperial crown and prayed that his foes might wither in defeat while his soul found peace.
Responding to their homage, King Bahram delivered a profound sermon of guidance to his court. He exhorted the nobles, warriors, and landowners to refrain from evil deeds and to master their selfish desires, reminding them that the fickle wheel of heaven spares neither the nurtured nor the nurturer. He declared that a king's true glory lies in serving as a shield for the Faith and a sanctuary for the righteous, praising those who control their wrath, show generosity during hardship, and temper victory over an enemy with mercy.
Warning his subjects against the perils of idleness and empty words unbacked by righteous deeds, Bahram commanded that the royal treasuries be opened to the realm. He proclaimed that all who suffered from poverty were partners in his royal wealth, vowing that under his crown, no soul in Iran should languish in hunger or distress.
#1
چو بهرام بنشست بر تخت زر
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دل و مغز جوشان ز مرگ پدر
“When Bahram sat upon the golden throne, his heart and brain boiled with sorrow over his father's death.”
#2
همه نامداران ایرانیان
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برفتند پیشش کمر بر میان
“All the illustrious nobles of Iran came before him, girded for service.”
#3
برو خواندند آفرین خدای
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که تا جای باشد تو مانی به جای
“They offered praises of God upon him, praying: 'May you endure as long as the world endures!'”
#4
که تاج کیی تارکت را سزاست
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پدر بر پدر پادشاهی تراست
“'The Kayanian crown is fitting for your head; sovereignty belongs to you from father to father.'”
#5
رخ بدسگالان تو زرد باد
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وزان رفته جان تو بی‌درد باد
“'May the faces of your ill-wishers turn pale, and may your soul be unpained by your departed father.'”
#6
چنین داد پاسخ که ای مهتران
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سواران جنگی و کنداوران
“Thus he answered them: 'O noble leaders, battle-tested horsemen, and mighty heroes!'”
#7
ز دهقان وز مرد خسروپرست
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به گیتی سوی بد میازید دست
“'From the landowner to the loyal subject, let no one in the world stretch out his hand toward evil.'”
#8
بدانید کاین چرخ ناپایدار
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نه پرورده داند نه پروردگار
“'Know that this unstable sphere of heaven respects neither the nursed nor the nurturer.'”
#9
سراسر ببندید دست از هوا
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هوا را مدارید فرمانروا
“'Bind your hands entirely from passion and desire; do not let self-will become your ruler.'”
#10
کسی کو بپرهیزد از بدکنش
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نیالاید اندر بدی‌ها تنش
“'He who refrains from bad deeds and refrains from defiling his body with evil ways...'”
#11
بدین سوی همواره خرم بود
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گه رفتن آیدش بی‌غم بود
“'...Shall ever remain joyful in this realm, and when the hour of departure comes, he shall be free of sorrow.'”
#12
پناهی بود گنج را پادشا
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نوازندهٔ مردم پارسا
“'The king is the guardian of the treasury and the protector of righteous folk.'”
#13
تن شاه دین را پناهی بود
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که دین بر سر او کلاهی بود
“'The King's person is a sanctuary for Faith, for Faith sits upon his head like a crown.'”
#14
خنک آنک در خشم هشیارتر
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همان بر زمین او بی‌آزارتر
“'Blessed is he who grows more prudent when angered, and who walks most harmlessly upon the earth.'”
#15
گه دست تنگی دلی شاد و راد
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جهان بی‌تن مرد دانا مباد
“'Having a joyful and generous heart in times of poverty; may the world never be void of the wise man.'”
#16
چو بر دشمنی بر توانا بود
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به پی نسپرد ویژه دانا بود
“'When he gains power over an enemy, he does not trample him—especially if he is truly wise.'”
#17
ستیزه نه نیک آید از نامجوی
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بپرهیز و گرد ستیزه مپوی
“'Obstinacy ill becomes a seeker of renown; abstain from strife and do not walk its path.'”
#18
سپاهی و دهقان و بیکار شاه
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چنان دان که هر سه ندارند راه
“'The soldier, the farmer, and an idle king—know that all three have lost their proper path.'”
#19
به خواب اندرست آنک بیکار بود
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پشیمان شود پس چو بیدار بود
“'He who remains idle is effectively asleep; when he awakens, he shall suffer bitter regret.'”
#20
ز گفتار نیکو و کردار زشت
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ستایش نیابی نه خرم بهشت
“'From fair words paired with ugly deeds, you shall reap neither human praise nor joyful Paradise.'”
#21
همه نام جویید و نیکی کنید
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دل نیک‌پِی مردمان مشکنید
“'Seek all good renown and do deeds of virtue; do not break the hearts of righteous people.'”
#22
مرا گنج و دینار بسیار هست
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بزرگی و شاهی و نیروی دست
“'I possess vast treasuries and gold, high greatness, royal power, and strength of arm.'”
#23
خورید آنک دارید و آن را که نیست
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بداند که با گنج ما او یکیست
“'Enjoy what you possess, and whoever has nothing, let him know he is a partner in my royal treasury.'”
#24
سر بدرهٔ ما گشادست باز
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نباید نشستن کس اندر نیاز
“'The mouths of our money-bags are wide open; no one should dwell in poverty and need.'”