Seven years of Yazdegerd the Sinner's harsh reign had passed, casting a heavy pall of sorrow over the Mobads and nobles of Iran. As the eighth year opened and the sun illuminated the month of Farvardin, on the auspicious day of Hormoz, a child of radiant fortune was born. Yazdegerd named his infant son Bahram and rejoiced in his birth. Immediately, the king summoned the realm's most learned astrologers to decipher the child's destiny from the heavens. Among them stood two preeminent scholars: Soroush, the wise leader of the Indian sages, and Hoshiyar, a brilliant Persian astronomer capable of bridling the celestial spheres with his intellect. Utilizing astrolabes and Roman astronomical tables, they mapped the cosmos and unraveled the secrets of the prince's natal star.
The astrologers revealed that Bahram was destined to become a sovereign over all seven climes of the earth—a righteous, pious, and joyful monarch blessed with divine grace. Overflowing with pride, Yazdegerd showered the stargazers with precious royal gems. Yet, once the astrologers departed, the high Mobads and wise counselors gathered in deep reflection. They feared that if the young prince inherited his father's cruel nature, he would overturn the kingdom and plunge the world into darkness, leaving neither peasant nor paladin in peace. Returning to the king, they urged him to seek a noble and virtuous foster-parent from a distant land, so that the boy might be reared far from corrupting vices and trained in wisdom and righteousness.
Yazdegerd heeded their counsel and dispatched emissaries to Rome, India, China, and the Arab lands to search for an exemplary guardian. Wise men and emissaries from every corner of the world journeyed to the Sasanian court. Among them arrived the noble Arab rulers Numan and Munzir, accompanied by illustrious chieftains and scholars. Standing before the throne, Munzir pledged their unyielding fealty, extolling his people's mastery of horsemanship, warfare, and astronomy. He humbly petitioned to take Prince Bahram under his care, promising to raise him into a heroic, virtuous, and formidable ruler who would bring glory to the empire.
#1
ز شاهیش بگذشت چون هفت سال
✦
همه موبدان زو به رنج و وبال
“When seven years of his kingship had passed, all the Mobads were in affliction and distress because of him.”
#2
سر سال هشتم مه فروَدین
✦
که پیدا کند در جهان هور دین
“At the turn of the eighth year, in the month of Farvardin, when the sun reveals the faith of the world,”
#3
یکی کودک آمدش هرمزد روز
✦
به نیک اختر و فال گیتی فروز
“A child was born to him on the day of Hormoz, under a blessed star and with a world-illuminating omen.”
#4
هم‌آنگه پدر کرد بهرام نام
✦
ازان کودک خرد شد شادکام
“Straightway the father named him Bahram, and his heart grew joyous over that little infant.”
#5
به در بر ستاره‌شمر هرک بود
✦
که شایست گفتار ایشان شنود
“Every astrologer present at court whose speech was worthy to be heard was summoned.”
#6
یکی مایه‌ور بود با فر و هوش
✦
سر هندوان بود نامش سروش
“There was a precious scholar endowed with glory and wisdom, the chief of the Indians, named Soroush.”
#7
یکی پارسی بود هشیار نام
✦
که بر چرخ کردی به دانش لگام
“There was also a Persian sage named Hoshiyar, who could bridle the sky itself with his knowledge.”
#8
بفرمود تا پیش شاه آمدند
✦
هشیوار و جوینده راه آمدند
“The king commanded them to step forward; wise and seeking the true path, they approached the monarch.”
#9
به صلاب کردند ز اختر نگاه
✦
هم از زیچ رومی بجستند راه
“With astrolabes they examined the stars, and consults the Roman astronomical tables for guidance.”
#10
از اختر چنان دید خرم نهان
✦
که او شهریاری بود در جهان
“From the stars they joyfully perceived in secret that he would be a great sovereign in the world.”
#11
ابر هفت کشور بود پادشا
✦
گو شاددل باشد و پارسا
“He would rule over the seven climes—a joyful hero, pious and blessed with wisdom.”
#12
برفتند پویان بر شهریار
✦
همان زیچ و صلابها بر کنار
“They hastened before the king, carrying their astronomical tables and astrolabes by their side.”
#13
بگفتند با تاجور یزدگرد
✦
که دانش ز هرگونه کردیم گرد
“They spoke to the crowned Yazdegerd: 'We have gathered knowledge of every kind.”
#14
چنان آمد اندر شمار سپهر
✦
که دارد بدین کودک خرد مهر
“In the reckoning of the heavens, it appears that the sky holds great love for this little child.”
#15
مر او را بود هفت کشور زمین
✦
گرانمایه شاهی بود بافرین
“The seven climes of the earth shall be his; he will be a glorious and praiseworthy king.'”
#16
ز گفتارشان شاد شد شهریار
✦
ببخشیدشان گوهر شاهوار
“The king rejoiced at their words and bestowed upon them princely jewels.”
#17
چو ایشان برفتند زان بارگاه
✦
رد و موبد و پاک دستور شاه
“When they departed from that court, the nobles, Mobads, and pure minister of the king sat together,”
#18
نشستند و جستند هرگونه رای
✦
که تا چارهٔ آن چه آید به جای
“They took counsel in every way to see what remedy might be put in place:”
#19
گرین کودک خرد خوی پدر
✦
نگیرد شود خسروی دادگر
“'If this young child does not inherit his father's nature, he will become a just and royal ruler.”
#20
گر ایدونک خوی پدر دارد اوی
✦
همه بوم زیر و زبر دارد اوی
“But if he possesses the disposition of his father, he will turn the entire land upside down.”
#21
نه موبد بود شاد و نه پهلوان
✦
نه او در جهان شاد روشن‌روان
“Neither Mobad will be joyful nor champion happy, nor will he himself live with an enlightened soul.'”
#22
همه موبدان نزد شاه آمدند
✦
گشاده‌دل و نیک‌خواه آمدند
“All the Mobads came before the king, open-hearted and well-wishing.”
#23
بگفتند کاین کودک برمنش
✦
ز بیغاره دورست و ز سرزنش
“They said: 'This noble-minded child must be kept far from reproach and blame.”
#24
جهان سربسر زیر فرمان اوست
✦
به هر کشوری باژ و پیمان اوست
“The world from end to end shall be under his command; tribute and treaties from every country will be his.”
#25
نگه کن به جایی که دانش بود
✦
ز داننده کشور به رامش بود
“Look for a place where wisdom dwells, for a realm flourishes in peace through the learned.”
#26
ز پرمایگان دایگانی گزین
✦
که باشد ز کشور برو آفرین
“Choose a foster-parent from among the noble, someone praises by all the country,”
#27
هنر گیرد این شاه خرم نهان
✦
ز فرمان او شاد گردد جهان
“So this king may secretly acquire virtue, and the world may rejoice under his command.'”
#28
چو بشنید زان موبدان یزدگرد
✦
ز کشور فرستادگان کرد گرد
“When Yazdegerd heard this from the Mobads, he gathered messengers from across the land.”
#29
هم‌انگه فرستاد کسها به روم
✦
به هند و به چین و به آباد بوم
“He dispatched envoys to Rome, India, China, and every inhabited realm,”
#30
همان نامداری سوی تازیان
✦
بشد تا ببیند به سود و زیان
“And also a noble hero toward the Arab lands, to observe gain and loss.”
#31
به هر سو همی رفت خواننده‌ای
✦
که بهرام را پروراننده‌ای
“Criers went to every quarter seeking a proper foster-parent to rear Bahram,”
#32
بجوید سخنگوی و دانش‌پذیر
✦
سخن‌دان و هر دانشی یادگیر
“To find an eloquent, receptive teacher, fluent in speech and remembering all knowledge.”
#33
بیامد ز هر کشوری موبدی
✦
جهاندیده و نیک‌پی بخردی
“From every country came a Mobad—world-experienced, auspicious, and wise.”
#34
چو یکسر بدان بارگاه آمدند
✦
پژوهنده نزدیک شاه آمدند
“When they all arrived at the court together, the seekers drew near the king.”
#35
بپرسید بسیار و بنواختشان
✦
به هر برزنی جایگه ساختشان
“He questioned them much and received them warmly, preparing lodgings for them in every quarter.”
#36
برفتند نعمان و منذر به شب
✦
بسی نامداران گرد از عرب
“Numan and Munzir set forth by night, along with many illustrious Arab leaders.”
#37
بزرگان چو در پارس گرد آمدند
✦
بر تاجور یزدگرد آمدند
“When the chieftains gathered in Persia, they presented themselves before the crowned Yazdegerd.”
#38
همی گفت هرکس که ما بنده‌ایم
✦
سخن بشنویم و سراینده‌ایم
“Each one said: 'We are your servants; we listen to your words and recite your praise.”
#39
که باید چنین روزگار از مهان
✦
که بایسته فرزند شاه جهان
“Such a time demands from the great that the worthy child of the world-king”
#40
به بر گیرد و دانش آموزدش
✦
دل از تیرگیها بیفروزدش
“Be embraced, taught knowledge, and have his heart enlightened from darkness.”
#41
ز رومی و هندی و از پارسی
✦
نجومی و گر مردم هندسی
“Among them were Romans, Indians, Persians, astronomers, and geometricians—”
#42
همه فیلسوفان بسیاردان
✦
سخنگوی وز مردم کاردان
“All polymath philosophers, eloquent, and experienced men of action.”
#43
بگفتند هریک به آواز نرم
✦
که ای شاه باداد و با رای و شرم
“Each spoke with a gentle voice: 'O king of justice, wisdom, and dignity,”
#44
همه سربسر خاک پای توایم
✦
به دانش همه رهنمای توایم
“We are all the dust beneath your feet, and in knowledge we are all your guides.”
#45
نگر تا پسندت که آید همی
✦
وگر سودمندت که آید همی
“See whom you prefer and who appears most beneficial to your cause.'”
#46
چنین گفت منذر که ما بنده‌ایم
✦
خود اندر جهان شاه را زنده‌ایم
“Thus spoke Mundhir: "We are your loyal servants, living in this world solely for the King’s sake."”
#47
هنرهای ما شاه داند همه
✦
که او چون شبانست و ما چون رمه
“"The King knows all our skills and virtues, for he is like the shepherd and we are his flock."”
#48
سواریم و گردیم و اسپ افگنیم
✦
کسی را که دانا بود بشکنیم
“"We are horsemen, warriors, and masters of steeds, able to surpass any learned man who challenges us."”
#49
ستاره‌شمر نیست چون ما کسی
✦
که از هندسه بهره دارد بسی
“"There is no astrologer equal to us, nor anyone who has mastered geometry so thoroughly."”
#50
پر از مهر شاهست ما را روان
✦
به زیر اندرون تازی اسپان دمان
“"Our souls are brimming with devotion to the King, while beneath us swift Arabian steeds charge forth."”
#51
همه پیش فرزند تو بنده‌ایم
✦
بزرگی وی را ستاینده‌ایم
“"We all stand as humble servants before your royal son, ever praising his greatness."”