Upon the passing of King Bahram Shah, his son Prince Bahram was plunged into profound grief, refusing to wear the royal crown for forty days. Intelligent warriors and nobles gathered in sorrow, their faces pale with affliction. After seven days of earnest counsel, the wise Mobad persuaded the young prince to leave his mourning and claim his rightful throne. Bahram ascended the seat of sovereignty and placed the Kayanid crown upon his head according to ancient custom.
He opened his reign with praise to the Supreme Creator, the illuminator of the revolving spheres, who increases knowledge and truth while eradicating falsehood. Turning to his seasoned sages and pure-hearted priests, he proclaimed that patience is the crown of humanity, and that a luminous intellect nurtures true wisdom. He exhorted them to choose moderation in all earthly matters, warning that greed torments the spirit and diminishes joy—and when joy wanes, wisdom itself languishes.
For nineteen years, King Bahram ruled the realm with justice, truth, and security, until death laid its unavoidable hand upon him and bound him to the earth. Following his demise, his happy son, Bahram Bahramiyan, took his seat upon the royal throne.
#1
چو بهرام در سوک بهرامشاه
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چهل روز ننهاد بر سر کلاه
“When Bahram grieved for Bahram Shah, for forty days he placed no crown upon his head.”
#2
برفتند گردان بسیار هوش
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پر از درد با ناله و با خروش
“The wise and intelligent warriors gathered, filled with pain, weeping and crying out.”
#3
نشستند با او به سوک و به درد
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دو رخ زرد و لبها شده لاژورد
“They sat with him in sorrow and anguish, their cheeks turned pale and their lips turned blue.”
#4
وزان پس بشد موبد پاکرای
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که گیرد مگر شاه بر گاه جای
“Thereafter, the pure-minded Mobad stepped forward, so that the king might take his place upon the throne.”
#5
به یک هفته با او بکوشید سخت
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همی بود تا بر نشست او به تخت
“For a whole week he urged him earnestly, until at last the prince sat upon the throne.”
#6
چو بنشست بهرام بر تخت داد
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برسم کیان تاج بر سر نهاد
“When Bahram ascended the throne of justice, he placed the crown upon his head according to royal rite.”
#7
نخست آفرین کرد بر کردگار
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فروزندهٔ گردش روزگار
“First, he praised the Almighty Creator, the illuminator of the turns of time.”
#8
فزایندهٔ دانش و راستی
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گزایندهٔ کژی و کاستی
“He who increases knowledge and truthfulness, and diminishes falsehood and defect.”
#9
خداوند کیوان و گردان سپهر
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ز بنده نخواهد به جز داد و مهر
“The Lord of Saturn and the revolving firmament desires naught from His servant save justice and love.”
#10
ازان پس چنین گفت کای بخردان
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جهاندیده و پاکدل موبدان
“Then he spoke thus: "O wise ones, experienced and pure-hearted priests!”
#11
شما هرک دارید دانش بزرگ
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مباشید با شهریاران سترگ
“Whoever among you possesses great knowledge, act not with fierceness toward great monarchs.”
#12
به فرهنگ یازد کسی کش خرد
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بود روشن و مردمی پرورد
“He whose intellect is luminous reaches out to wisdom and nurtures humanity within himself.”
#13
سر مردمی بردباری بود
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چو تندی کند تن به خواری بود
“The crown of humanity is patience; when one acts with harshness, the body falls into ignominy.”
#14
هرانکس که گشت ایمن او شاد شد
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غم و رنج با ایمنی باد شد
“Whoever gains security becomes joyful; grief and toil vanish into the wind when peace prevails.”
#15
توانگرتر آن کو دلی راد داشت
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درم گرد کردن به دل باد داشت
“The wealthiest is he who possesses a generous heart, and regards the hoarding of wealth as empty wind.”
#16
اگر نیستت چیز لختی بورز
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که بیچیز کس را ندارند ارز
“If you have no wealth, strive somewhat to gain it, for a destitute person is held of no account.”
#17
مروت نیابد کرا چیز نیست
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همان جاه نزد کسش نیز نیست
“He who lacks resources cannot practice generosity, nor will he hold dignity in the eyes of anyone.”
#18
چو خشنود باشی تنآسان شوی
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وگر آز ورزی هراسان شوی
“When you are content, your body finds rest; but if you indulge in greed, you shall become tormented.”
#19
نه کوشیدنی کان برآرد به رنج
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روان را به پیچاند از آز گنج
“Strive not in a way that brings distress, twisting the soul through greed for treasures.”
#20
ز کار زمانه میانه گزین
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چو خواهی که یابی بداد آفرین
“Choose moderation in the affairs of the world, if you wish to be praised for your justice.”
#21
چو خشنود داری جهان را به داد
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توانگر بمانی و از داد شاد
“If you satisfy the world through justice, you shall remain prosperous and joyful in your righteousness.”
#22
همه ایمنی باید و راستی
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نباید به داد اندرون کاستی
“All that is needed is security and truth; there must be no defect in the administration of justice.”
#23
چو شادی بکاهی بکاهد روان
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خرد گردد اندر میان ناتوان
“When you diminish joy, the soul diminishes, and wisdom grows weak in the midst.”
#24
چو شد پادشاهیش بر سال بیست
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یکی کم برو زندگانی گریست
“When his reign reached nineteen years—one year short of twenty—life wept for him.”
#25
شد آن تاجور شاه با خاک جفت
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ز خرم جهان دخمه بودش نهفت
“That crowned king became companion to the dust, and from this pleasant world, a dark tomb became his hiding place.”
#26
جهان را چنین است آیین و ساز
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ندارد به مرگ از کسی چنگ باز
“Such is the way and custom of the world; it never holds back its hand of death from anyone.”
#27
پسر بود او را یکی شادکام
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که بهرام بهرامیان داشت نام
“He had a happy son named Bahram, known as Bahram son of Bahram (Bahram Bahramiyan).”
#28
بیامد نشست از بر تخت شاد
✦
کلاه کیانی به سر بر نهاد
“He came and sat joyfully upon the throne, placing the crown of the Kayanids upon his head.”
#29
کنون کار بهرام بهرامیان
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بگویم تو بشنو به جان و روان
“Now I shall relate the deeds of Bahram Bahramiyan; listen to it with all your heart and soul.”