When Bahram Gur seated himself upon the imperial throne and adorned his brow with the jewel-encrusted crown, the celestial sphere itself—the star Mars and the radiant Sun—bestowed blessings upon him. The young monarch raised his hands in devout prayer to the Almighty Creator, the Lord of victory, supreme majesty, justice, and wisdom, by Whose divine power the universe endures. Acknowledging that his sovereignty was a gift from Heaven, Bahram exhorted the assembled nobles and paladins to honor their solemn covenant with God. In response, the Iranian grandees bowed in total devotion, showering the throne with priceless gems and invoking eternal blessings upon his reign.
Over the course of nine consecutive days, the king delivered profound inaugural sermons from the throne. On the second day, he mounted the royal steed, urging all to seek Yazdan and abandon mortal greed. On the third day, he spoke of Heaven, Hell, the Resurrection, and the inescapable ledger of human deeds, warning against those who deny the Final Judgment. On the fourth day, donning the ivory crown, Bahram pledged that no wealth in his treasury would bring him joy unless it first brought prosperity to his people. On the fifth and sixth days, he swore to protect the vulnerable, sow the seeds of virtue, and strike terror into the hearts of empire's foes.
On the seventh day, Bahram declared that while he would match the severity of his father Yazdegerd against rebels, he would wrap loyal subjects in tender grace. On the eighth day, he summoned his sage court secretary, Javanoy, to draft a grand royal decree to all lords, satraps, and vassal kings. The decree anchored his reign in the ancient justice of Tahmuras and the sacred teachings of Zoroaster, promising security of household and property, rejecting the hoarding of gold, and bringing relief to the impoverished. Sealed with the royal signet, wise Mobads and swift couriers rode forth to carry the imperial words to the farthest borders of the earth.
#1
چو بر تخت بنشست بهرام گور
✦
برو آفرین کرد بهرام و هور
“When Bahram Gur sat upon the throne of kingship, the planet Mars and the luminous Sun sang his praises.”
#2
پرستش گرفت آفریننده را
✦
جهاندار و بیدار و بیننده را
“He began to worship the Creator of the world—the Sovereign Lord, the Vigilant, and the All-Seeing.”
#3
خداوند پیروزی و برتری
✦
خداوند افزونی و کمتری
“The Master of victory and supremacy, the Master of increase and decrease.”
#4
خداوند داد و خداوند رای
✦
کزویست گیتی سراسر به پای
“The Lord of justice and sound counsel, through Whom the entire universe remains established.”
#5
ازان پس چنین گفت کاین تاج و تخت
✦
ازو یافتم که‌آفریده‌ست بخت
“Thereafter he spoke: 'I obtained this crown and throne from Him Who created destiny itself.'”
#6
بدو هستم امید و هم زو هراس
✦
وزو دارم از نیکوی‌ها سپاس
“'In Him is my hope and my awe, and to Him I give thanks for all blessings received.'”
#7
شما هم بدو نیز نازش کنید
✦
بکوشید تا عهد او نشکنید
“'Do you likewise take pride in Him, and strive never to break His covenant.'”
#8
زبان برگشادند ایرانیان
✦
که بستیم ما بندگی را میان
“The Iranians loosened their tongues in reply, saying: 'We have girded ourselves in allegiance and servitude,'”
#9
که این تاج بر شاه فرخنده باد
✦
همیشه دل و بخت او زنده باد
“'May this crown bring blessing upon the auspicious king, and may his heart and fortune forever endure!'”
#10
وزان پس همه آفرین خواندند
✦
همه بر سرش گوهر افشاندند
“Thereafter, they all voiced blessings upon him, and showered precious gems over his head.”
#11
چنین گفت بهرام کای سرکشان
✦
ز نیک و بد روز دیده نشان
“Bahram spoke: 'O proud chieftains, who have witnessed the tokens of good and ill in this world,'”
#12
همه بندگانیم و ایزد یکی‌ست
✦
پرستش جز او را سزاوار نیست
“'We are all servants, and God is One; worship is fit for none other than Him.'”
#13
ز بدْروز بی‌بیم داریمتان
✦
به بدخواه حاجت نیاریمتان
“'We shall keep you safe from evil days, so that you shall have no need of malicious foes.'”
#14
بگفت این و از پیش برخاستند
✦
برو آفرین نو آراستند
“He spoke this and arose from the presence, while they arrayed fresh praise upon him.”
#15
شب تیره بودند با گفت‌وگوی
✦
چو خورشید بر چرخ بنمود روی
“They spent the dark night in discourse until the sun revealed its face upon the sky.”
#16
به آرام بنشست بر گاه شاه
✦
برفتند ایرانیان بارخواه
“He sat calmly upon the royal throne, and the nobles of Iran came seeking audience.”
#17
چنین گفت بهرام با مهتران
✦
که این نیکنامان و نیک‌اختران
“Thus spoke Bahram to the magnates: 'O renowned ones of fortunate stars,'”
#18
به یزدان گراییم و رامش کنیم
✦
بتازیم و دل زین جهان برکنیم
“'Let us turn to God and make joyful melody; let us ride forth and tear our hearts away from this transient world.'”
#19
بگفت این و اسپ کیان خواستند
✦
کیی بارگاهش بیاراستند
“He spoke thus and summoned the royal steeds, and they adorned his royal court.”
#20
سه دیگر چو بنشست بر تخت گفت
✦
که رسم پرستش نباید نهفت
“On the third day, when he sat upon the throne, he said: 'The custom of worship must not be concealed.'”
#21
به هستی یزدان گوایی دهیم
✦
روان را بدین آشنایی دهیم
“'We give testimony to the existence of God, and accustom our souls to this divine knowledge.'”
#22
بهشت‌ست و هم دوزخ و رستخیز
✦
ز نیک و ز بد نیست راه گریز
“'There exist Heaven, Hell, and the Resurrection; from good and ill deeds there is no escape.'”
#23
کسی کاو نگرود به روز شمار
✦
مر او را تو با‌دین و دانا مدار
“'Whoever does not believe in the Day of Reckoning, hold him neither religious nor wise.'”
#24
به روز چهارم چو بر تخت عاج
✦
بسر بر نهاد آن پسندیده تاج
“On the fourth day, as he sat upon the ivory throne, he placed that favored crown upon his head.”
#25
چنین گفت کز گنج من یک زمان
✦
نیم شاد کز مردم شادمان
“He spoke thus: 'I shall never rejoice in my treasure for a moment while the people are not joyful.'”
#26
نیم خواستار سرای سپنج
✦
نه از بازگشتن به تیمار و رنج
“'I do not seek the possessions of this temporary abode, nor do I wish to depart in grief and sorrow.'”
#27
که آنست جاوید و این ره‌گذار
✦
تو از آز پرهیز و انده مدار
“'For the hereafter is eternal, while this world is a passage; refrain from greed and carry no grief.'”
#28
به پنجم چنین گفت کز رنج کس
✦
نیم شاد تا باشدم دست‌رس
“On the fifth day he spoke thus: 'I am not happy with anyone's suffering, so long as it lies in my power to relieve it.'”
#29
به کوشش بجوییم خرم بهشت
✦
خنک آنک جز تخم نیکی نکشت
“'Through effort let us seek joyful Paradise; blessed is he who sowed nothing but the seeds of goodness.'”
#30
ششم گفت بر مردم زیردست
✦
مبادا که هرگز بجویم شکست
“On the sixth day he said: 'May it never be that I seek the defeat or harm of subjects under my hand.'”
#31
جهان را ز دشمن تن‌آسان کنیم
✦
بداندیشگان را هراسان کنیم
“'We shall make the world peaceful against enemies, and strike terror into the hearts of evil-wishers.'”
#32
به هفتم چو بنشست گفت ای مهان
✦
خردمند و بیدار و دیده جهان
“On the seventh day, as he sat, he said: 'O nobles, wise, vigilant, and world-experienced ones,'”
#33
چو با مردم زفت زفتی کنیم
✦
همی با خردمند جفتی کنیم
“'While we deal sternly with harsh people, we associate as peers with the wise.'”
#34
هرانکس که با ما نسازند گرم
✦
بدی بیش ازان بیند او کز پدرم
“'Whoever does not harmonize warmly with us shall suffer more evil than he saw from my father.'”
#35
هرانکس که فرمان ما برگزید
✦
غم و درد و رنجش نباید کشید
“'And whoever chooses to obey our command shall suffer no grief, pain, or distress.'”
#36
به هشتم چو بنشست فرمود شاه
✦
جوانوی را خواندن از بارگاه
“On the eighth day, as the king sat, he ordered Javanoy to be summoned from the court.”
#37
بدو گفت نزدیک هر مهتری
✦
به هر نامداری و هر کشوری
“He said to him: 'To every magnate, to every famed chieftain, and to every province,'”
#38
یکی نامه بنویس با مهر و داد
✦
که بهرام بنشست بر تخت شاد
“'Write a letter sealed with mercy and justice, proclaiming that Bahram has joyfully mounted the throne;'”
#39
خداوند بخشایش و راستی
✦
گریزنده از کژی و کاستی
“'He who is the lord of forgiveness and righteousness, fleeing from crookedness and flaw,'”
#40
که با فر و برز‌ست و با مهر و داد
✦
نگیرد جز از پاک دادار یاد
“'Who possesses glory, stature, love, and justice, and remembers none save the pure Creator.'”
#41
پذیرفتم آن را که فرمان برد
✦
گناه آن سگالد که درمان برد؟
“'I have accepted him who obeys; but if one devises sin, how shall he find remedy?'”
#42
نشستم برین تخت فرخ پدر
✦
بر آیین طهمورث دادگر
“'I have sat upon this throne of my glorious father according to the tradition of Tahmuras the Just.'”
#43
به داد از نیاکان فزونی کنم
✦
شما را به دین رهنمونی کنم
“'In justice I shall surpass my ancestors, and in true religion I shall guide you.'”
#44
جز از راستی نیست با هرکسی
✦
اگر چند ازو کژی آید بسی
“'With everyone there is nought but truthfulness, even though much crookedness may stem from them.'”
#45
بر آن دین زردشت پیغمبرم
✦
زِ راه نیاکان خود نگذرم
“'Upon the faith of Zoroaster my prophet, I shall not stray from the path of my ancestors.'”
#46
نُهُم گفت: زردشتِ پیشین بَر وی
✦
بِراهیم پیغمبر راست‌گوی
“On the ninth day he declared: 'Honoring ancient Zoroaster, and Abraham, the truthful prophet of God...'”
#47
همه پادشاهید بر چیز خویش
✦
نگهبان مرز و نگهبان کیش
“You are all masters over your own possessions, guardians of your borders and preservers of your faith.”
#48
به فرزند و زن نیز هم پادشا
✦
خنک مردم زیرک و پارسا
“Likewise sovereign over your wives and children; blessed is the person who is wise and devout!”
#49
نخواهیم آگندن زر به گنج
✦
که از گنج درویش ماند به رنج
“We desire not to hoard gold in our treasuries, for accumulating wealth leaves the needy in pain and distress.”
#50
گر ایزد مرا زندگانی دهد
✦
برین اختران کامرانی دهد
“If God grants me life and bestows upon me prosperity under these stars...”
#51
یکی رامشی نامه خوانید نیز
✦
کزان جاودان ارج یابید و چیز
“Recite also a charter of joy and peace, through which you may gain everlasting honor and wealth.”
#52
ز ما بر همه پادشاهی درود
✦
به ویژه که مهرش بود تار و پود
“From us be greetings unto the whole realm, especially to him whose very fabric is woven with love.”
#53
نهادند بر نامه‌ها بر نگین
✦
فرستادگان خواست با آفرین
“They set their seals upon the royal letters, and he summoned the envoys with words of praise.”
#54
برفتند با نامه‌ها موبدان
✦
سواران بینا‌دل و بخردان
“The priests set forth carrying the letters, accompanied by wise and enlightened horsemen.”